It is interesting (and a relief) that the weather has indeed been a non-issue this year.

But watch - when the Twins make the World Series and it snows for Game 3 - the "I can't believe they built Target Field without a roof" crowd will be back.

I was thinking a couple of days ago that one factor that may well tip things in the Twins' favor is ----- Thome deserves a ring.

Right now I am typing (if you can call it that) with one hand and holding my tickets to games 2 & 3 of the ALDS in the other.

Ben,

Get a room!

I have a question, does anyone have any leftover/unused tickets from this season you'd be willing to part with?

I'm really looking to get extra tickets from the Legends Club, Champions Club, Dugout Box, Suites, Party Deck...basically the "high falutin" seats.

If you have any...click my name to email me.

Thanks.

I remember being at the July 17th game that Pavano & Buehrle completed in less than 2 hours. After the game we headed from our Legends seats over to the Town Ball.

We stopped to look at the field from the rail and the ushers started shooing everyone down to the main concourse, which is apparently designated as a storm safe area. A couple minutes later the wind started to swirl all kinds of garbage from the seats around and onto the field. A few minutes later the downpour started.

The next day the Strib quoted Gardy as says something like; they came and told us to keep the game moving because it won't be long until all hell breaks loose.

I'll bet that weather room was tense that night!

In case anyone is looking, the SI with Thome/Target Field on cover is now on newstands. I stopped by my Borders after yesterday's game, no luck, but today it is there.

In case anyone is looking, the SI with Thome/Target Field on cover is now on newstands. I stopped by my Borders after yesterday's game, no luck, but today it is there.

Rick, were you actually on the field during pre-game?

I'm so jealous!!

When I went to the Saturday pre-season game against the Cardinals, we had seats in the second row just behind third base. I was staring at that lovely field of real green grass and I asked my friend "do you think they'd mind if I went out there and just rolled around on the field?" She looked at me, frowned, and said "Yes". I laughed. :-)

I definitely need to pick up a copy of Sports Illustrated tonight. I haven't bought an issue in years, but with Thome on the cover I can't pass it up.

Nothing is more irritating than watching O Dawg wreck the batter's box lines in his first at bat.

I want that Canadian guy back in the lineup.

Ray's win Big!!

The Twin's have the best record in the AL.

So, could ya give me those AL overall standings, again?
clicky...

That Canadian guy is now a daddy. I think his daughter was just waiting for the Twins to clinch (Wife was overdue).

yes, and knowing how well his team plays without him in September, he decided it would be best to wait till October.

To those of you who have partial plans and can buy ALCS tickets in the presale...Is this the same deal as ALDS (2 days of presales), and if so, which is the first day? Thanks

"Your opportunity as a Twins Partial Plan Season Ticket Holder to participate in a private pre-sale for the chance to purchase tickets to the American League Championship Series (ALCS) is Tuesday, September 28th."

"ALCS tickets are sold in two-game packages: a package consisting of Games 1 & 3 and a package consisting of Games 2 & 4 of the ALCS. You may purchase only one of the 2-game packages during the ALCS pre-sale."

"As a reminder, you are eligible to purchase up to the same number of tickets per game as you have in your partial season ticket account for the regular season. There is a possibility that the Twins could host as many as 4 home games for the ALCS - although only 2 home games of a potential ALCS series are guaranteed to be played. Day 1 of the two day ALCS private pre-sale is September 28th. Partial Plan Season Ticket Holders who purchased tickets during the Division Series pre-sale are eligible to access Day 1 of the ALCS pre-sale. All other Partial Plan Season Ticket Holders may access Day 2 of the ALCS pre-sale which is scheduled for September 29th. The ALCS pre-sale is a first-come, first served pre-sale. Unfortunately, due to capacity limitations we cannot guarantee that all Partial Plan Season Ticket Holders that wish to purchase ALCS tickets will be able to do so. Please try to avoid disappointment and order early. Privileges for this private pre-sale are non-transferable."

ALCS pre-sale for partial Season Ticket Holders September 28-29

"Finally, an excellent Twins anthem"

Craig Finn of the Hold Steady has released a 'New" Twins Anthem. It's quite a bit better than what Prince came up with for the vikings last year.

Click the Link for a Listen

Craig Finn rocks. Love that new song!

What would be the better purchase for ALCS tickets for partial STH's....games 1/3 or games 2/4?

Assuming the Twins would have homefield in the ALCS home games 1, 3 (game 6) would both be Friday night games while home games 2 and 4 (game 7) would be Saturday nights....

Right now I would pick the game 2/4 option but will have to decide before Tuesday. Nothing is better than a game 7 but it would also be nice to see game 1. Of course it all depends on final records and tiebreakers and the obvious, winning the ALDS.

What are some other STH's thinking as far as which package would be better to purchase?

I just looked at the Rays-Yankees, and the Rays are pretty much in control. They have 10 games against the Mariners, Orioles (at home) and the Royals (road). The Yanks have 6 games against the Red Sox and also play the Blue Jays. Nothing is a given, but it's looking like the Rays (who beat the Yanks 10-8 this season) as the AL East winner, and that puts the Yanks at Target Field for the LDS. I was really hoping for a 2nd round matchup with the Yanks, with us having home field advantage. There is probably no better road team in the playoffs than the Yankees. But, I guess you have to beat them at some point. I just actually wanted the Rays and then the Yankees.

For season ticket holders: My credit card was authorized yesterday for the pay as we play, so we have progress.

Sorry, but I love my Twinkies...

When I'm visiting other ballparks or there are invading White Sux or Skankee rubes nearby in the home stands, nothing disarms them more easily than realizing that I am serious when I use 'Twinkies' as a term of endearment for my beloved ballclub.

To plead with them "Please don't..." is about as effective as Babyface Scott Baker growing a goatee.

Can someone please post the Twins' playoff schedule by date. Just curious when things start, when the off days are, etc. Thanks!

K

Thanks for that link. I have been looking for that song for what seems like forever!

Mike-

If it were me, I'd take games 1 and 3...the odds are more in your favor to see 2 games. Just my 2 cents.

I think I am going to be going for Games 1 and 3, which I am sure a lot of people will. It said that if you had a partial and you didn't buy for ALDS that you get pushed back a day so that is interesting. I think overall that the Twins have been very fair with how they set this up. I was able to get tickets to the 2nd and 3rd games of the ALDS with ease (which I got in the mail yesterday as well Ben). I am looking forward to finding out the World Series process next week. Go Twins!

I will pay $400 for an ALCS presale password, with a refund if the Twins lose in the first round. Cash or paypal, email me with the link.

schweady- I'm with you! I always call them the Twinkies! It was to the point that my cousin in India wrote to me and ended it with "good luck to your Twinkies" due to all my status updates about games haha

Got my tickets in the mail yesterday for games 2 and 5 if neccesary. Looks like I can go online Tuesday the 28th for tickets for the ALCS and score tickets for games 1 & 3 or 2 & 4. I'm thinkging of going for # 1 & 3!! I agree with twinschamp2010 that it will probably be the skankies! Rays look like they got the easier schedule and of course have the tie breaker! OK I know its a ways out but accuweather has sunny and mid 60's for Oct 6th and the 7th. Says no rain for the next 13 days?

Nice pics Rick, You get on the field for those pics around home plate? That or you got a nice zoom lens on that camera! LOL!

American League Division Series
Series Date Network Air Time (ET)
ALDS Game One Wednesday, October 6 TBS TBA
ALDS Game One Wednesday, October 6 TBS TBA
ALDS Game Two Thursday, October 7 TBS TBA
ALDS Game Two Thursday, October 7 TBS TBA
ALDS Game Three Saturday, October 9 TBS TBA
ALDS Game Three Saturday, October 9 TBS TBA
ALDS Game Four* Sunday, October 10 TBS TBA
ALDS Game Four* Sunday, October 10 TBS TBA
ALDS Game Five* Tuesday, October 12 TBS TBA
ALDS Game Five* Tuesday, October 12 TBS TBA

You can bet if we play the Yankees we will be all night games

Do all partial STH's (those that purchased ALDS tickets) select their ALCS tickets on Tuesday 9/28?

There probably won't be many people buying tickets on Wednesday than if that's the case.

Anybody know what TBS did for the start times last year for the 3 games on wed and thurs? We talking 1pm 4pm 8pm deal?

Not sure mike about that. If so be interesting to see the wait time to get in!

If it is the Yankees, which I think it will be, that means two things:

1)Night baseball at Target Field
2)A spike in ticket prices is coming on Stubhub, so it may be best to buy now if that is the avenue you have to go (think Game #5 LDS). I think the general assumption was we'd be playing the Rays first-round. It will start being more apparent next week that the Bronx Bombers are coming to town, unless the Rays fall apart to the cellar dwellers.

TwinkFan,

I can't believe that I didn't save my 2009 schedule somewhere. Every year that we had tickets, I'd be scrambling on all of the sites to figure out start times to help everyone plan time off, transportation, how to get you tickets, etc etc. Then, put together a Word doc to keep it all straight...

Here is a paste from my copy for 2008, but it had a West Coast time zone to deal with, and no Yankees... (All times Central)

2008 MLB Postseason Schedule

A M E R I C A N L E A G U E D I V I S I O N S E R I E S
Series begins Thursday
Game Matchup Day Date Time CT TV
Game 1 Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay Rays Thu Oct. 2 1:37 PM TBS
Game 2 Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay Rays Fri Oct. 3 5:07 PM TBS
Game 3 Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox Sun Oct. 5 3:07 PM TBS
Game 4* Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox Mon Oct. 6 4:07 PM TBS
Game 5* Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay Rays Wed Oct. 8 5:07 PM TBS
Series begins Wednesday
Game Matchup Day Date Time CT TV
Game 1 Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Angels Wed Oct. 1 9:07 PM TBS
Game 2 Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Angels Fri Oct. 3 8:37 PM TBS
Game 3 Los Angeles Angels at Boston Red Sox Sun Oct. 5 6:17 PM TBS
Game 4* Los Angeles Angels at Boston Red Sox Mon Oct. 6 7:37 PM TBS
Game 5* Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Angels Wed Oct. 8 8:37 PM TBS

N A T I O N A L L E A G U E D I V I S I O N S E R I E S
Series begins Wednesday
Game Matchup Day Date Time CT TV
Game 1 Milwaukee Brewers at Philadelphia Phillies Wed Oct. 1 2:07 PM TBS
Game 2 Milwaukee Brewers at Philadelphia Phillies Thu Oct. 2 5:07 PM TBS
Game 3 Philadelphia Phillies at Milwaukee Brewers Sat Oct. 4 5:37 PM TBS
Game 4* Philadelphia Phillies at Milwaukee Brewers Sun Oct. 5 12:07 PM TBS
Game 5* Milwaukee Brewers at Philadelphia Phillies Tue Oct. 7 5:07 PM TBS
Series begins Wednesday
Game Matchup Day Date Time CT TV
Game 1 Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs Wed Oct. 1 5:37 PM TBS
Game 2 Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs Thu Oct. 2 8:37 PM TBS
Game 3 Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers Sat Oct. 4 9:07 PM TBS
Game 4* Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers Sun Oct. 5 9:27 PM TBS
Game 5* Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs Tue Oct. 7 8:37 PM TBS

I do know that FOX and MLB caught a lot of grief (read: saw a drop in viewer ratings) for the late start times that year, and so in May 2009 they came to an agreement that no games would start later than 7:57 pm Eastern...

In looking back at last years playoff start times it looks like TBS would go 1:30 then 5:00 and then 8:30 all Central times. Man Philles had 2 1:30 start times for games 1 and 2 last year! ISH!!!! No way will they do this if we get the Skankies here. Be interesting to see if the NL west winner gets the #2 seed or if Cincy hangs on for that. I'm thinking we will get a 5pm start for one of the games and maybe the 8:30 for the other game? Too early to tell I guess!

Oh, and I know it isn't exactly what you asked for since this was a Sunday game, but according to the time stamp of the picture I took of the opening pitch at that last, last dreadful game played at the HDump in October 2009:

Game 3 New York Yankees at Minnesota Twins Sun Oct. 11 5:12 PM CT

Anybody notice the area along 1st and 3rd base lines where they put in expanded dirt areas along the line? Was this from the Hrbek earthquake on the grass? LOL! I thought the lines looked different to me like they cut out a wide area just before each base along the line. Or am I just having another brain fart?

TwinkFan - you are right, they did cut out some grass by 1st and 3rd bases. According to the Star Trib the other day it was due to grass wearing out where players were rounding the bases, not big Hrbie plowing up the field.

Thanks Stevie. Ya just looked kinda wierd! Wonder if the will extend the dirt area in the infield back a little next year also. Seems 2nd baseman and SS are all playing back on the grass also and wearing it down!! I wanna see a new grass cut pattern also! Liked the opener pattern!

On another note relating to the groundscrew...I am surprised the Twins have stayed with one mowing pattern the entire year with the exception of the Opening Series in April, when they had the "checkerboard" pattern during that first homestand.

The cutting pattern issue had something to do with player's complaints about the original look.

Ben I believe that complaint was from a visiting player also if I remember right something about the ball not coming up right!FCOL why cut it to help out the visiting team? I'm not talking about changing the pattern every week. Just mix it up a couple times per year. Still prefer the traditional checkerboard look like opening day! OK rant mode OFF!

I agree. There must be something to the complaint that is not apparent to us though.

Just picked up Target Field by Steve Berg, and WOW is all I can say!! I haven't read through it yet, but flipping through the pages and seeing all the content, images, thoughts, and plans, I am very impressed. Hopefully the read is just as impressive as it looks. Well done Twins! Rick, I think there is a rendering of those light towers that you mentioned early on in your blog that got your attention during the early design stages of Target Field

Regarding the grass pattern - a couple weeks ago I got to go on a TF tour and the guide said that DeVito has a theory that grass in multiple patterns causes the ball to "wobble" instead of going straight (he used the example of a golf ball on a green). I think someone else on this board alluded to that earlier in the season as well. That is why he has gone to straight lines only. The tour guide said he wasn't sure he bought into that theory and I'm not so sure about it myself.

Seems there was no problem doing the checkerboard earlier this season or (I think) in Washington when DeVito was there. I'm just happy to have outdoor baseball so it isn't a huge deal to me, although I do like the idea of changing it up once in a while.

I believe the infield cutout is an MLB standard 93' radius arc measured from a point somewhere just behind the pitcher's mound.

Interesting DR X didn't know they had to cut that to exact specifications. Maybe our infield plays fast! Just looked like the 2nd baseman and SS where wearing the grass out playing back so far. Thought maybe they would extend it a couple feet further back.

Rule 1.04 suggests that the infield dirt/outfield grass line follow an arc 95 feet from the center of the pitcher's plate (rubber), although it goes on to say: "The grass lines and dimensions shown on the diagrams are those used in many fields, but they are not mandatory and each club shall determine the size and shape of the grassed and bare areas of its playing field."

-- God, how I loved those days as an elementary school-aged kid sitting in a quiet corner reading The Official Rules of Baseball down at Longfellow Library. Drove the librarian nuts: every week she'd try to steer me toward "more appropriate" materials.

Optimistic misinformation paraphrased from our sports media: first, from our very own ESPN sports radio Sportscenter report this afternoon: "Philadelphia is half a game behind our Twins in the race for home advantage through the World Series".
And from Bleacher Report, an article on whether the Twins should "Win or Rest: That is the Question" "If the Twins have the most wins in the League and the Yankees and Rays finish tied for first in their division and head-to-head, it will be poetic justice that the Yankees and Rays will have to play a game 163 this year."
This was written before the Rays won the head to head competition, but I would hope they have a second tie-breaker, even the coin toss, rather than a ridiculous scheme to require an extra game in between game 162 and the playoffs just to determine who is wild card. Only if a playoff would determine which of two teams would make the postseason would they require that, as in the case of the Twins and their Central rivals in recent years.

Got my ALDS tickets in the mail yesterday and now I have "won" the general sale lottery as well - and I'm not even Irish.

It seems I stand corrected.

We still love ya, Rick. :-)

Check your email for lottery winners.

It seems that I may get to that October game after all. (I have been to one Twins game each month Apr-Sep.)

I just got notice that I have been selected for the opportunity to purchase tickets to one ALDS game at TF. ONE game, 4 ticket limit per person. (Four tickets is a delightful surprise... I had thought it would only be up to two.)

I am sure that the operative word is "opportunity." What do you suppose are one's chances at getting through and actually nailing tickets? And do you suppose it will include a choice between all 3 home games?

^^^^^^^ Just got mine...How many winners for the "opportunity" for 4 tix got emailed out? Geeeez.........

Okay, so one of my daughters is also an ALDS "opportunity winner." But she has to work Monday morning and wants to know if it would still work if a friend logs in and buys the tix for her. Is the password connected to the name and address in the registration, or could anyone use it for her?

schweady,

Just forward the entire e-mail to that friend. I think the link that is attached to the e-mail may be a unique address tied to the password, maybe not. But I would just forward the entire e-mail to be safe.

It almost seems like 50% of the people I have spoken to have gotten the opportunity, or else I just have some seriously lucky friends...

I got the rejection letter, but that's okay. The Twins are in freefall. Katie, bar the door! First thing Monday I'm returning my postseason tickets and insisting that they refund my credit card. If Detroit beats us 10-0, what will happen when we play the big boys? Detroit is a lousy team, after all. Or maybe they're a real good team. I'm confused. Weren't they real good in the spring? How could a team be real good for a prolonged period of time, and then be real bad later? It doesn't make sense. Neither do I. Maybe that's why I'm a fan. I can't believe I'm going to post this.

Thanks tk, makes sense.

Our small sample indicates that a 50% estimate may be about right:
Me, Daughter #1: "Opportunity Winners"
Daughter #2, Son-in-law: "Opportunity Losers"

Yep, I got a rejection letter too...
But, hey, we still have a chance for LCS and WS tickets. Never know.
Anybody see the top price for WS tickets in the Champs Club? Holy Hannah...$475.

It's a far cry for the $40 and $60 for the '91 WS at the Dome.

i am hoping someone can help!!! i got the congrats letter with my chance to get tix and of course i have to work, am totally paranoid to forward email, but if you guys think it's fine, i'll forward to my husband. has anyone ever done this before? thanks so much, im freaking out! also, how long is the "virtual waiting room" wait?
im thinking about leaving work for an "appt"...................

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/tools/media_player/popup.php?name=minnesota/the_current/features/2010/09/22/baseball_project_dont_call_them_twinkies_20100922_128&starttime=0:0:0

It's going to be very interesting to how long the wait is in the "virtual" room, how many get get through, and how many actually wind up with tix. Is it possible that they set enough tix aside for the number of people who got "win" messages?

sorry, one more thing. well, 2 more things. ok, so i got my reply on my hotmail, so my husband could just open it up from his computer (he's out of the country, that shouldn't matter, right?)
also, what are chances you even GET tickets from this lotter thing?
how long could you possibly be waiting in the "virtual wait room"??
thanks a million guys, sara.

that would be frickin excellent if they set it up like, i mean as many tix as lottery winners. so it would be ridiculous to only order 2 instead of 4. would ordering 2 get you better tix? im so tired! i just dont get how it works!!!! wish i could talk to someone who has already done this and got them........

R E L A X Sara......

ok, going to TRY to relax now!!!! but im still freaking out!!! :)
have a g'nite! sara.

I won the lottery too. Now the only question is if I get lucky enough to get some tickets do I keep them or sell them at a high markup to pay some bills instead. Very tough choice and I guess I will just have to cross that bridge if I get lucky on Monday.

Ugly game last night. Verlander was just too much.

Let's hope we don't see any more games like that this year.

If you won the lottery your best chance would be to take game 5. Most people will go for the guarantee of games 1 and 2. You will also do better with 2 tickets. Most people will try to get all 4. For the OD lottery there were more than enough tickets for the series just not that many OD.

The virtual waiting room for the Opening Series was...not pleasant. I had about seven windows open "waiting".
Eventually after about, maybe 20 minutes, I got in.

This of course is the playoffs. People want to go see the playoffs probably more than they wanted to see the opening series.

ok, thanks for the info.
get 2 tickets.
when you get on, is there a choice as to what games you want to choose from? thank you, sara.

So, by the ticket purchase time monday, will MLB know who is playing who? How will we know if we are home first two games or second two games..or do we just buy tickets for a game then get told later when it will be??

Rick..I got rejected on both my email accounts...dont feel bad!

Jeff-
The Twins don't clinch homefield (game 1 & 2) until the magic number goes down between the Twins and Texas. I think it's still at two after last night.

The Twins also don't know who they play. Once (if) the Twins clinch homefield they will play the Wild Card winner out of the East, which would either be the Yanks or the Rays. Who that is is up to both of those teams. The Rays have the easier schedule I believe so if it falls in line with that then we'll be playing the Yanks here in game 1 & 2, and they will be night games.

If you mean ALCS tickets (second round) we won't know that until after the first round of the playoffs.

Thanks AJ yeah i have never done this before so I dont know if we enter another lottery for alcs tickets...i just hope when all games are done, and the schedule is set, it is actually dates we can make it to!

And actually, the Red Sox are still in it, they'd need to win out, as they play the Yankees 5 of 8 games left

Jeff-
The dates are set, weather permitting. It's the who plays who and at what time that isn't. The time generally depends on who the national media thinks will get the highest ratings.

Click for Playoff dates

right AJ that was what i was leaning towards..who has home filed and who would play at home first two games, etc....i mean..we all wanna see the twins with homefield throughout, but if they dont..that is what i am confused on..if i am lucky enuf to get tickets..will it just be for "twins first home game, twins second home game" etc..then find out if they have homefiled in the first round? if not, would the ticket be for game three or four?

guess i will see what happens monday morning at 10!!

My wife and I did the Target Field tour this morning and really enjoyed it. The tour guide had good stories, but for the most part echoed everything I've learned here. A few items did stand out, though:

--First of all, the Pohlad Family was having a family softball game on the field. A batters box was lined in the far left field corner with the pitcher standing on a green mat. It's good to own the team, I guess.

--The guide said that the Pohlads have bought the Ford Centre building, and plan to create a Twins museum somewhere in the building. They even have a Model A Ford (which had been built in the building) to display.

--Two low display cases in the Puckett atrium have some of the "keep Kirby in Minnesota" tschotchkes as well as the contract that Kirby signed for 1990-1992.

--The Suite Level has a lot of artwork that it's a shame "regular" fans don't get to see on a regular basis. All the Twins Hall of Fame framed drawings, a great series of paintings of all Twins managers, and an entire series of photos and a plaque commemorating their years as the Senators/Nationals.

--Tour did include visitors clubhouse and dugout, plus Champions Club. Best line of the day, as we're heading down the hallway from the dugout: Tour guide points out the umpires lounge, then emphasizes that the sign is also in braille.

As if that weren't enough, we stopped in the pro shop to pick up homer hankies, and I asked someone in front of me in line if he was waiting, and turns out it was DSP. Chatted briefly with him. When he said they will be looking at making improvements to make it even better, I asked what was top on his list. A second video board. I just hope they can add it without ruining any of the great lines AND sightlines.

A fine way to spend a rainy Saturday morning all around!

hey rick, regarding your brothers delimma, if it was sent to a hotmail acct or one like that, anyone could log onto it and do it for him, and ur sister in law's too...
sara.

I noticed at the game last Sunday, they had completed the installation of the LED neon effect for the Budweiser sign. Have they turned it on at any of the night games or are they waiting until post season for that?

Duff, the Bud lights have been on at night.

Jeff-
Twins will have home field in the first round (games 1,2 & 5) if the magic number between Texas and Minnesota drops. It was at two before yesterday's games (in the Twins favor). It seems very likely that the Twins will have home field and play the wild card winner, but anything can happen.

The Twins will have home field in the second round if they end up with the best regular season record in the AL. That might not be known until the Oct. 3 games are done (at the latest). If the Twins get home field for this they will have games 1, 2, 6 & 7. (I think that's how all that goes at least).

The NL team will have home field in the WS because they won the All-Star Game.

If the second video board is true fiesta, that is awesome news. I think that the top of the Metropolitan Club is still by far the best spot.

I am also hoping they add more Twins "stuff" to the main concourses of the lower and upper decks. Those are really the only parts of the ballpark that don't pay much tribute to the organization, players, coaches, and so on. On some of the very first renderings they showed giant pictures of players scattered throughout the concourse walls, which looked good in my opinion. Click my name for the rendering I'm talking about.

I also wish to see better use of space in the "corners" of the concourses where they have the gaming systems set up. This area just begs to be beter utilized.

Rick, I to have been denied with two of my email accounts that I used for tickets. Just hoping that I have better luck with the other two I used.

Wow, I only registered once and got a password...

Can I ask, why the fraction 3/10 is at the top of the page??

Magic Number over the Western Division leader (currently Texas) and home-field advantage in the ALDS: 3

Magic Number over the Eastern division leader (currently Tampa Bay) and home-field advantage in the ALCS: 10

Lots of folks think this has something to do with your odds of winning the series. Others beg to differ. It actually comes in most handy for planning which days you need to take off of work to attend games at Target Field.

Watching BoSox-Yanks on Fox. They're advocating for Terry Francona for AL mgr of year. At least they did add at the end, "don't forget Ron Gardenhire."

More proof that Tim McCarver is an idiot: on he question of home field advantage, he only cites dome history if the Yankees were to face the Twins. Time to mite the tv and listen to the Local Nine instead.

fiesta-
I wouldn't doubt that Francona would get a lot of votes. His team is even more injured than ours and they're still not out of it. They're seven games behind us & the AL East while losing Pedroia, Ellsbury, Beckett and Youkilis for significant amounts of time (and other guys for shorter times-thought I heard 19 guys total). And they play in a much harder division. I honestly think it should be Gardy or Francona. For all of the reasons you can say Gardy should win it, you could probably easily say the exact same reasons for Francona. I think either would be the right choice.

And what else is he supposed to cite for Yankees vs. Twins history in MN? Right now it looks like it's going to be Yanks vs. Twins. If you want to count regular season at TF, then the Yanks beat us in the new ballpark too (1-2 record). A lot of them have been close games in the last two years, but they still beat us.

The Twins were clearly good when they played at home in the Dome. They are clearly good when they play at home at TF. When they play the Yanks at home (Dome or TF) the Twins are (1-6 regular season & playoffs) in the last two years. It's not like adding TF to his point would have made all that much difference with that nice 1-2 record. All he was saying is that while home field is important and every team wants it, it didn't work out for the Twins in the time they've had it (2006). And the Yanks were pretty good at coming into the Dome and clinching the 3rd game to move on to the second round of the playoffs against us multiple times. I think even if we had home field in the past and not them, they'd still beat us in the Dome.

I think this year we can beat any team, but you can't deny the Yanks beat on us no matter what ballpark, at least so far. And in the past few years they've won the close games against us, something the Twins need to be capable of doing in the playoffs, especially against them.

Are the ALCS passwords being e-mailed out for partial plans, or are they the same as the ALDS passwords or how is that whole thing working. I haven't heard anything

The Budweiser sign was lit when I went on the 17th.
What about the Twins sign underneath the light tower on the scoreboard? I don't think I've seen that lit during games...and I know it can be, because it was lit during the light testing process before TF opened in April.

Luck,

I might be wrong but I think the sign is on but you can't tell because the lights above are too bright.

That could be...
It's spelled "Luke" BTW.

I can't believe we're going into the bottom of the 13th against the damn Tigers. And I can't believe we left the bases stranded.
Come on guys!

OMG...
The monumental collapse begins, with a week left in the season.

They are going nowhere playing like that - not against the Yanks anyway. Bleak. Pick it up guys!

Call it a hangover, or what have you, but we do not seem to play well at Comerica. Besides, Detroit is trying to take over 2nd place and get more money...

I am not worried. Should this happen next weekend at home, I may be concerned.

sw, I received my password late this week for the presale for the ALCS. If you purchased ALDS I would contact your rep.

Sorry LUKE my bad.

Ok, ppl, if I remember correctly the '87 Twins lost every game after they clinched ... so chill out.

Play Ball, refresh my memory, at what point in the regular-season did the Twins clinch in '87? Was it about the same time we clinched this year? I didn't remember them losing every game after they clinched the AL West (things were easier back then).

Well, the one thing I know about '87 is that we certainly won't have the same record we did back then. We've got a much better record now than we did in '87.

I don't know when the Twins clinched in 87, but after a six game win streak they finished up the season by going 2-7 in their last nine games. Five of those losses were the last five games of the season. It's not something that you want to do, but clearly you can win it all by playing like crap at the end of the season.

Rick-
I missed a lot of this game, but I think Cabrera has actually been pretty decent, for once, at 1st this year. I mean, he was awful at 3B, which is why they moved him. He hasn't been very good at 1st either in years past, but I've seen a lot of games where he's been a lot better (Morneau-like). I think he's working on it, but he's still not always great. He's pretty streaky with it.

Rick, I was rejected in two different lotteries.
Jeff, Home field in first round is virtually certain. In addition to getting home field in ALCS by having best overall regular season record, they could get it with second best record by (of course) defeating their division opponent (wild card team), combined with a win by Texas over the team with the best overall record.
I agree getting home field edge overall (meaning only that if a series goes the full length, the last game is at home) now is far less important than rest, injury recovery, pitching rotation set up, etc. Especially since we almost certainly have it for the 5 game series, where I would guess it is more important than a 7 game series. I wonder what the overall record is for teams with the "home advantage" in 7 game series, and what percentage even go 7 games. Maybe not much more than 50/50 in either case?