I seriously think signing Smoltz is the obvious and only choice to be the new closer. Mijares definitely proved at the end of last season he doesn't have the mental makeup, Guerrier was born to be an 8th inning set up man, Neshek needs more time to come back from injury, Rauch doesn't have anything unhittable enough to trust him as a closer, and as far as Crain, I can't think of somebody I want to have the ball LESS when the game is on the line. Signing Smoltz must happen and needs to happen. Thoughts?

I have been thinking of this for some time, but.. I have always thought the retired number banners of Puckett, Killebrew, Carew, etc. that hung in right and right center of the metrodome, would look AWESOME behind the windveil, shielding any bleed through lighting from the parking ramp. As you can see, you can still see much of the ramp behind the windveil, although it looks cool when the wind blows, I think those banners (not sure what happened to them, or if their weather proof) would look amazing against B Ramp facade, behind the windveil from the plaza. Even with the nighttime lighting display. Any thoughts?

Very nice pics Rick.

Smoltz lacks velocity to be a closer, nobody will fall for him "finesse-ing" it across the plate in close games, especially in the AL. he has only pitched for 8 games in the AL, and his stats during his time with Boston were 2-5 with a 8.33 ERA. I respect him for his great career, but no thanks...

That last pic at NBA City, where the flag pole was going to go... any concern - especially after games - about that narrow sidewalk space as a pedestrian choke point? or maybe it's just as wide as any other sidewalk...

Awesome pics once again, Rick.

Supposedly the Twins are looking at Jayson Frasor in a trade.

Sounds like the Twins may be looking at Jason Frasor from the Blue Jays. This would be a solid pick up. He is only 2.65MM and he has lots of AL East experience. That will bode well in the playoffs. I like this move if the Twins pull the trigger. Now, who do we offer up in a trade. You bet your ass they are gonna want a prospect or two. Twins don't like letting prospects go.

Click name for MLBTradeRumors link.

DVS- you read my mind...;-)

Rick,

Good post, thanks for bringing back the wind veil discussion. Turning the lights to face directly into the ramp could be a quick solution. Something should happen.

Looking at that pic makes me wonder (again) why the Twins wanted so badly to put the Met pole there. The only thing I can come up with is that putting the pole there would have allowed the pole to remain at it's full height, which was not possible in "Plan B". The other mystery is why they apparently never even considered locating it inside the park, where I think it belongs.

Ben - It is inside the park. Any closer and it would be on the field.

Dead center field is what I meant, I guess. Like it was at the Met. Now it's just a black pole. At the Met it was a FLAGPOLE.

Rick writes --"On gameday, this will be a madhouse."

Maybe it will end up fulfilling a Yogi-ism: "Nobody goes there anymore because it's too crowded." :-)

Thanks, Rick. I haven't been to that spot since the plywood barrier was taken down, and it REALLY looked narrow then.

Way back when the Twins were asking about features fans would like at the new ballpark, walking spaces was my main thing, including being able to walk all of the way around the outside of the park. While the space around by the burner is no great shakes as of yet, they did a bang-up job with that little postage stamp area.

I'm all for the history of the pole, but putting it in center would seem too gimmicky, in my opinion. Plus, it wouldn't mesh with the old logo sign that is already there. Where it is now, the countless fans coming in from the plaza can admire it close up.

Jeeuz Ben reading your posts the past couple days, could you possibly be any more of a downer?

The one good thing about the Plaza ramp, though it's small, is at least it keeps people moving AWAY from TF and the escape points that Rick mentioned. How bad will the congestion be after games back on the gates by the light rail station? You exit and you're basically on top of the trains.

Also, is signage or shade or anything else planned for the promenade? I was sweating walking back there last weekend, when it was 40°F, and I was only wearing a light sweatshirt.

seems as if a possible expansion of the plaza could be to continue it full width of the stadium footprint and over 394. I can see a grilling area and who knows what else. Not the same as the old Met but a nice expansive space would be pretty great.

Wish they had done that off the bat. No pun intended.

moda253:

It's okay to inhabit the real world from time to time - you might think about trying it out.

Says the man handing out life lessons on a freaking blog.... too damn funny.

Since the city is going to be closing off 1st Ave on game days, I think that may alleviate some of the "choke point" problems; since you won't have hundreds of people standing on the corner waiting for the light to turn green. I suppose some folks will just avoid it all-together and come around from 7th Street.

Old Met Fan, I think that will be the solution a few years down the road. I'm sure that was an initial option, but I don't know what their reasoning was to not extend the plaza all the way to TC.

I'm hoping they eventually do extend it...and create a new facade to TC on that side.

I have here that if they extended the plaza all the way, it would create a tunnel and not a bridge over 394 and that creates a whole slew of stricter regs that need to be followed.

**heard**

it's a pleasant surprise how roomy the plaza and sidewalks feel. the 7th st side is particularly wide, almost to the point of overkill. they can set up a ton of tables in front of Hrbek's. walking the plaza last weekend if had a very open feel, right in the heart of downtown. the whole plan just seems as if it will work fine because of gate set-up and points of interest on the site. sure it was void of people last weekend but it has a feel about it that is better than I anticipated.

The eventual building of the new transit platform across 5th St will alleviate the congestion there. Unfortunately, we will have to deal with at least 3 years of mayhem before they approve/build the alternative. That is one the one project I feel they fast-tracked, in order to have some sort of LRT platform for the first ever game.

Trosy,

You are correct. However, I believe the Twins built the plaza according to federal tunnel regulations in case there was ever an expansion in the future.

One interesting thing about potential choke points will be the question of whether people take the routes that the planners expect or concentrate in greater than anticipated numbers along other routes. For instance, I think the Xcel Energy Center greatly underestimated the number of people entering and exiting at 7th and Kellogg in comparison to other gates. Meanwhile Target Center ended up having to reshuffle access to its escalator bank on the 6th Street side in the name of crowd control and safety due to far more fans than anticipated choosing to exit via that route in comparison to the fire stairs on the 1st and 2nd Avenue sides. I can see access point tweaks to TF down the line after crowd establishes its traffic patterns.

Just got my tickets in the mail. For the record, the extra pre-sale exhibition tickets DID NOT come in my ST package. Wonder when they'll be here?

I've thought the same thing about your posts Ben. Good info but you are a stick in the mud. Also, we need to start calling you BENcyclopedia. You seem to have the answers for everything. Bring it down a notch big guy.

Jimmer, what package did you buy?

I got 20GM package E... Got 4 for the 2nd exhibition with the plan, and 4 for the first in the presale. Exhibition in my seats for gm 2 came, but not the ones I ordered for gm 1.

I may have read some comments on this already, but I ordered Apr 2 exhibition game tickets, and like a dork I opted to have them sent to my house. I have not received them yet. Are others in this same boat?

Yeah, same here... I'd rather have a ticket stub, especially since its the first Twins game there, exhibition or not

For those who have been to the new Pro Shop at the park, how does the overall selection compare to the mall based Pro Shops or even what can be found at a Champs Sports type store or online?

I just emailed my ticket rep, as he previously stated that the presale tickets would be sent with the ST package.

Received my tix to the Open House for the "Delta Sky360 Legend's Club."

One question: Why is it called the "Legend's Club" instead of the Legends Club? Is there just one Legend and does he/she/it own the Club?

It shows those 4 tickets with the rest of my ST on MyTwinsTickets... odd.

The Pro Shop has a good selection. It had things that I had not seen at stores or online. You are going to spend more buying at the Pro Shop. A Sweatshirt I bought for 55 at the mall was 75 at the Pro Shop.

Good point, really it should probably be Legends' Club, but that looks tacky, I think just Legends would be best.

I love knowing that I am here with others who have a discerning eye for the misuse of the apostrophe. A favorite in my collection is a guy up here who advertises: Mikes Sign's ... I really want to have him making up my displays. (display's?)

If it's to be "Legend's," my vote is for the Killer. Seems like the kind of guy who might invite me to his exclusive club.

Maybe a dumb question - I enjoy reading the comments. How do I look at the previous days comments? Thanks

Hey guys,

Those of you who got your season tickets already, did they come by Fedex or USPS Priority mail? I am hoping mine come today!

They come USPS priority with delivery confirmation so your mailman will bring them to your door...

Crazy Torri Hunter would make this comment. Not typical Torri...too bad...

Clink for story...

My postman just left them on the porch by the door. Not exactly the most secure way of me receiving them. A thief would have had a hey day.

TTH - My fiance said the same thing. They should really make you sign for them. That is a lot of money to just be sitting on the doorstep...

“It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.” Mark Twain

Torii has a penchant for "removing all doubt"

I am fine with mine sitting in the porch--I just want them! Too bad I am going to spin class with my girlfriend tonight (insert whip sound), because I want to have ample time to open the box and properly go through it.

Another day, another day with no season tickets in my mail box. I am taking the day off to watch the state hockey tourny on Thursday. One eye on the games, the other on that damn mail truck.

I've been looking outside for the mailman every 4 minutes since 10am, I can't take the anticipation!

The problem with calling them impostors is that the statement is historically bankrupt. At a time about 500 years ago, Europeans started working in Africa to ship slaves to the new world. some of them ended up in North America. Some ended up in South America. Some ended up in the Caribbean. All of them were slaves. All of them had to go through some form of freedom process. All have had to come to grips with their slave heritage. So Torii was lucky enough to be born in the United States. That doesn't make the descendants of slavery in the Caribbean less authentic.

jpberka, well stated.

Entertaining article on Ozzie Guillen.

Another interesting thing about The Show: after a game at TF, you can hear the PA announcer say something about additional trains on the Hiawatha Light Rail at Target Field Station

Plus we are now pretty sure that all humans originated from the same tribe in Africa and migrated all over the world from there before the continents drifted apart. So in the technical sense, we who live anywhere in the North or South American continents are "African-American".

Badjuggler, your point about the original African tribe is accurate, although you are quite geologically incorrect on the whole "before the continents drifted apart" business. The human race hasn't been around nearly as long as that. While there have most likely been various super-continents throughout the 4.65 billion ears of Earth geologic history, the most recent one is scientifically known as Pangaea. It started breaking up about 175 million years ago, which predates humanity by many millions of years. But your idea is still sound. ;-)

jpberka & badjuggler: really guys? come on. please take it off-line. i am guessing the majority of folks here don't really have any desire to start debating evolution, etc. on here too.

thanks!

Jimmer - I noticed that too in the game. I also noticed they mention 2nd avenue and 5th street along with the Twins 50th season celebration so they definitely have the details hammered out in this game.

I did notice the home uniforms (and the scoreboard logo) still contained the "old" Twins script. Just look at the "s" and you will notice. They still have the inaugural season patches on the sleeves, it just appears to be the old script.

Not a big deal either way as the game has been very fun to play regardless. I can't complain because the details and graphics are amazing.

Betaband, that was in no way, shape, or form a debate on evolution. In fact, evolution had absolutely nothing to do with it, and it was a discussion that had to do with Torii Hunter. I'm sorry if you weren't following the thread, but please. Give me a break.

Mike, I see that... The Minnie & Paul sign has the new script, however... Probably done by different members of the design team?

yeah not sure how evolution got brought into the discussion. Thats just odd.

jpberka - Are you trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?

jpberka,
Good point. I totally blew it on the time line. I feel old, but more thousands of years than millions.

But it is absolutely relevant to the discussion of Torii Hunter's ignorance. Personally I find it fascinating that we are all related by a common ancestor, which makes racism even sillier. You are just insulting your own family.

And if any of you are still denying evolution, you are right there in Hunter's igloo.

I am one of "those guys" who decided to go out and get a PS3 since I began to see images and drool over The Show. I should be getting the game itself tomorrow via Amazon (a little bit cheaper that way) but of course my itch for playing a baseball game of some sort on the new system was quite high so I had to download the free demo of MLB 2K10. I played the 3 inning game and it was allright but definitely nothing to write home about. It lacked soul for lack of a better term. Not to start a war here as I know close to nothing about gaming in general, but I feel bad for the X-Box 360 users though that have that game as the only option. :P The details that Jimmer and Mike and everyone else has brought it up sound incredible! It will be fun getting it going and a good way to have a virtual experience of the park before it actually opens up.

lol I didn't say anything the least bit religious. We were discussing Torii Hunter's views on who is authentically African American and I simply corrected a simple mistake of geologic timeline. That was IT. but if you want to talk about JC, how about JC Romero? Thought about him lately?

I played MLB 2K10 and I wasn't really all that impressed. Had to go in and finagle the roster just to get Thome and Hudson, and then it took a while to get the batting order and everything right. From there, the graphics aren't very good and the gameplay kind of sucks. I CRUSHED a 2 run shot onto the plaza by Morneau in the bottom of the first and hardly anything happens. They show some dumb graphic on the video board and that is that. It's still cool to play at TF (they missed a lot of details) but all in all it was an eh.

Dude...... it's a wuote from the movie Major League????

quote*

I doubt jesus can hit a curveball, he is more of the equipment manager,as a carpenter, he makes the bats

Lighten up on here folks...here is a Google map with the new bikepath feature turned on for all of those looking for routes to bike to and from the games. Enjoy.

Just kidding...you have to click on More and then check the Bicyling box and you're set.

lol moda, I caught the reference. I was simply trying to diffuse the situation. I like that new bike feature on google maps by the way. Very nice.

speaking of biking.....if any j-bag-critical-mass-nazi-biker types show up around the ballpark this season i just might have to run and find myself a louisville slugger in the dugout and start swinging it!

:-)

still pissed off at those s.o.b. after the crap that went down near target field last year.

Beta--

What happened last year?

It appears that the Miami Marlins' new ballpark will be the second in MLB to have a swimming pool in the outfield.

how exactly will the cedar lake trail connect to TF and the north loop?

Any other Flex 40 plan holders out there? If so did you have a hard time getting tix today? Personally I spent an hour and twenty min getting busy signals followed by an hour and 40 min on hold and finally 20 min or so getting my tickets. And several of the games I wanted to attend were already limited to "scattered single tickets", atleast in the homeplate view sections.

I am kind of wondering that as well Elston. The current trail comes out on Nicollet doesn't it? I ride the trail all of the time on roadie, but don't take it downtown ever. I have a second bike that I commute around on and will probably end up riding to a few games (I live in Uptown so it wouldn't take long at all).

I must admit to being a little disturbed by the number of similar terms used in Miami's new park to Target Field. Legends, Home Run Porch, etc... Did we just buy some sort of franchise stadium?

PNB19 - That is exactly why I did not go for the Flex 40 this year...I went thru the same experiences the last two years and its frustrating "selecting" games with such little inventory available to choose from (and that was in the Metrodome). And of course, you must call in to redeem tickets so you get stuck with a busy signal all day.

Overall, while the flexibility in games is nice, the hassles and limited availablity when redeeming vouchers was simply too much and was very frustrating for me so I opted to go with a fixed 20-game plan.

looking at the new marlins stadium makes me so happy that we are getting TF and not that "stadium"

Stupid question, maybe I missed the answer someplace - how does one enter the Majestic Twins Store on non-game days? Being open year-round, I know it's not directly through TF (i.e. you have to actually be INSIDE to access it).

Rick - I agree, the radiant heaters do look a bit, strange. The concourse would be like one huge bus stop...lol.

Thirdly, I don't know why, but I DO think Jesus could hit a curveball.

luke - there is an "exterior" entrance to the twins/majestic store from the target plaza area. there is also a seperate "interior" entrance to it from the ballpark concourse as well.

there is also a curb-cutout area right along side it on 7th which could be handy, but i am not 100% sure if people are allowed to park there or if that space is only for loading/unloading.

Video from inside the new team store at Target Field courtesy of WCCO. It basically shows the different types of merchandise that will be available there. Click my name

Jimmer

as I found out yesterday us dummy's that did not want to print from home our pre order tickets will not get them anytime soon, steve smith said that they have not even printed them due to a glitch in the new ticketing system.. no eta... that is bullshit!, I already sold mine on another site and now I will probably have to cancel them.

ohhh you never heard of Betas beef with the "bike Nazi,s"

I cant wait to re hash this one out!

Betaband - That curb cutout parking area along 7th Street is 10 minute parking.

I parked there on Saturday for a bit to check out the ballpark and plaza area. There are "no parking" signs posted, but yet, there are small "10 minute parking/drop-off" signs so it's very confusing.

Oh well, as long as I have them by April 1...

Are they going to revamp their online store? They have crap for t-shirts/jerseys at their MLB . com website.

Being that I am in CO, it would be nice to be able to buy online most of the stuff they have at their Pro Shops. Unfortunately that hasn't been the case. I think they still have Gomez stuff for sale on there.

Yeah Gomez stuff and Metrodome jerseys... I want a new Morneau authentic. I had a game used Neshek that I wore to a few games last year, but I had him sign it at TwinsFest, so it's retired...

STH's -

Are you able to do anything with your tickets listed in MyTickets. Mine have shown up again but I am unable to transfer or put them up on stubhub, I am just curious if it is just me or everyone.

I am hoping they are active soon I need to get some tickets to the 4-3 exhibition game on stubhub.

Does anybody know the answer to this: If you buy tickets off StubHub, does it pick up your name and potentially add them to your MyTickets?

Maz,

Where did you list your tickets? And are you talking about the ones that were available for the OD Pre Sale?

Quick,
you can list the tickets from the SH site without the barcodes. If they sell you can uploa the barcodes up to 7days prior to the game.

TT,
tix bought on SH don't show up on My Tickets, Ive bought some and they aren't showing there.

I am getting a bit concerned so maybe someone here can help me understand a couple things. I bought tix for OD from the Pre-Sale Opp give away they had. I went and listed them and they sold right away on SH. I have never sold or bought anything from SH. I still haven't received the tix from that order, so what happens on SH? I posted them on there thinking I would get them by the 13th.

Josh,
when you confirmed the SH order you put an in-hand date.

The order should show in your awaiting shipment tab.

When you get the tix, click fulfill order an enter the bar code.

If you tix don't arrive by the in hand date you specified, call SH and tell them to change the in hand date of your order to one week b4 the game, this is the latest in hand date you can do.

No shittin here..last year my FST's were late getting to me and did some phone tag with the Twins who said they had been sent a week ago..I was frantic..Phone rings and a lady say's.."Are you so and so and by any chance are you a Twins ticket holder? I just got back from vacation and I have a big azz box of Twins tickets at my house." They were delivered 4 miles from my house to a street no way familiar to mine...Needless to say she got a FREE game and the PO got a friggin AZZZ Chewin...No tickets yet today yet..I'm getting worried.

I haven't gotten mine yet and I am not concerned. It is 3/10. We are more than 3 weeks away from games that don't even count. We're over a month away from games that do. I won't get too worked up just yet.

I stopped home for lunch and just as I was returning to work I noticed a mail carrier with a priority package so waited and sure enough it was my tickets. They would have sat on the front steps otherwise for 5 hours as they won't fit in the mail slot.
I've thought about stubhub and want to try it but even when you have your tickets won't it get a little hairy if they haven't sold and the game date is approaching? Or would that mean I overpriced them? I guess I could just plan on withdrawing them within a few days of the game and have a plan B ready. I guess the best thing is to underprice them but not so much that someone will buy and resell them. Any experienced stubhubbers out there with advice?

I wonder what kind of financial arrangement MLB teams have with Stub?