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It isn't pretty, but the Dome has served Minnesota well
Love it or hate it, the Metrodome has been the site of many great baseball moments in the past 27 years, and April 6, 2009 will mark the Twins' last indoor opener, hopefully forever.
The Metrodome was built for $68 million, $2 million under-budget, compared to the new Yankee Stadium which cost a cool billion to build. The ceiling is white (whose brilliant idea was that?) which has caused many an easy fly to fall for easy singles or doubles. The turf, which now is state of the art, was, for many years, as bouncy as a parking lot, making routine grounders slip through the infield for cheap base hits. Billy Martin hated the Dome so much that he protested a game simply because his Yankees were forced to play there.
Okay, we can all admit that it isn't a great ballpark. But, you know, it is home, and its 50,000 uncomfortable blue plastic seats have seen some sights.
In 1984, a chubby centerfielder rapped out four hits in his first game in the majors on the road, then came home and singled in his first at bat in the Dome on May 8th, a line drive off Dave Stieb of the Toronto Blue Jays. Within a few years, Kirby Puckett had become just about every Minnesotan's favorite player.
The 1985 All-Star Game was played in the Dome, and, although not a fantastic game, the National League put the greatest-fielding infield I've ever seen on the field: Steve Garvey, Ryne Sandberg, Ozzie Smith and Graig Nettles, with a combined 28 Gold Gloves. The '85 classic was also the first time a Home Run Derby was held during All-Star weekend.
The two crown jewels of the Dome, of course, were the World Series championships in 1987 and 1991. Though the '91 Series was superior in drama, with game seven one of the best of all time, the '87 Series was the greatest thrill of all--you always remember your first kiss, and your home team's first world's championship.
Milestones? There've been a few big ones. Eddie Murray, Dave Winfield (as a Twin) and Cal Ripken all collected their 3000th hit at the Dome, and Frank Thomas belted his 500th homer. On April 27, 1994, Twin Scott Erickson pitched the only no-hitter in the Dome, all the more incredible considering he came into the game with an ERA of 7.48!
Since 1991, the Twins haven't made it back to the Series, but they've been in the post-season, always play entertaining baseball, and give the fans their money's worth.
81 Twins games left in the Dome, unless, of course the Twin make the playoffs. May the last one out turn off the lights and lock the doors.
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