If you asked me what my favorite sign of spring is, I would mentally sort through (and past) the tulips, robins, tree buds and warm weather. My most beloved sign of spring is the Major League Baseball’s Opening Night. I watched opening night on Sunday as the Phillies and Braves dueled in the first baseball game of the 2009 season.
Although the 2008 World Series Champions were favored to win this season opener, the Phillies remained scoreless as the Atlanta Braves were led by pitcher Derek Lowe in a Philadelphia-scoreless battle.
Our very own Minnesota Twins opened their season on Monday and lost a disappointing game where they struggled offensively and made silly defensive errors. Fransisco Liriano took the mound and the loss for the first game of the season against the Seattle Mariners.
Our boys of summer came out strong in game two of their season on Tuesday and pulled it together in the ninth inning with two outs for a come from behind win. The team ran from the bench and from all corners of the field in celebration and united at the center of the diamond for a crowd-pleasing standing ovation. The number in attendance on Tuesday was down from a sold-out 48,000 opening night to a mere 22,000. Nonetheless, all 22,000 fans were pleased with Tuesday’s win and hoping to finish the four game series against Seattle with two more wins.
My first game of 2009 4/8/09
I made my way to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on Wednesday in the last opening series the dome will see. Reminders throughout the stadium of the new home for the Twins- Target Stadium- is being built right around the corner from the dome. I feel as though I’ve become rather attached to the dome, and on a night like tonight where the exterior temperature was a chilly 43 degrees and it was a comfortably balmy 68 in the dome, it makes me think the outdoor stadium may be uncomfortable much of the season due to Minnesota’s extreme temperature climates.
The new Target Stadium will feature some amazing amenities for baseball fans of all shapes, sizes and intensity levels. As talk about the new stadium has remained rather hush-hush, the Twins Ballpark Blog promises to give updates and information for fans wanting to know the status of our wonderful new field.
As the Twins start their last season in the dome, I wish them nothing but the best, and am predicting (and hoping for) at least a Central Division Championship for the 2009 baseball season. Let’s play ball.
I read above that you have become very attached to the dome and while I know you are a baseball fan, I thought you might be interested to know that the dome and Minneapolis are up for consideration to host the FIFA (Soccer) World Cup in 2018 or 2022. If we are chosen, then who knows what this could mean for the dome!
If you want more information, just email me.