Comments

He certainly did save baseball for MN in 1984, brought us 2 championships in 87 and 91...But tried hard to kill this franchise in the mid-late 90's. Most of the time during his quest for a new ballpark, he was his own worst enemy. RIP Carl...Eloise and Kirby are waiting for ya....So Pohlad boys, can we spend some of daddy's money now?????

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 5:12 PM by kevin in az

I think, if I remember right, the Twins were almost destined to move to Tampa, FL if Pohlad hadn't stepped in. Wasn't there a stipulation on Pohlad's part about the attendance figures that year? I remember reading something about the "2.4 in '84" campaign.
He will be missed. Good grief, think of all the big-wigs the Twins have said goodbye to lately: Eloise, Kirby, Herb Carneal, Bob Casey.

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 5:49 PM by luke

The Pohlad sons ought to be thanking Judge Harry Crump right now. If it weren't for his ruling, the Twins would have been contracted and Carl Pohlad's name would be mud in this town. The fact that he offered them up for contraction to Selig says a lot about his 'fandom' and respect for us fans. I can't forget that.

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 6:17 PM by haasertime

Very true. I remember that ruling vividly.

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 8:48 PM by luke

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terrific photos as always Rick. Happy new year to you and yours.

Posted on December 30, 2008 at 4:33 PM by GreatPix

Wow Rick, sounds like you've had a hectic couple weeks! I'm glad you're still with us after the accident. Hope the new year starts out better for you. I will now only patronize Biff's port-a-potties.

Posted on December 30, 2008 at 5:00 PM by luckylager

Yea for poop! getting the big story.

Thanks Rick for the new posts! In the fourth picture from the top you mentioned you weren't sure what those supports were for. I know I've seen in different renderings that a section of the Metropolitan Club sticks out from the main concourse right in that area. I've been assuming that's what they will be used for.

Posted on December 30, 2008 at 7:06 PM by chuck in ak

i agree Chuck, on both accounts...lol.

Posted on December 30, 2008 at 7:20 PM by chuck is right

happy new year, rick.

Posted on December 31, 2008 at 07:48 AM by yeahklye

I feel much better knowing our workmen are enjoying heated Biffies. Never knew they offered such a wonderful option. Now if they would only offer some air-conditioned ones for my long bicycle ride across Iowa every summer...

Posted on December 31, 2008 at 09:10 AM by Badjuggler

happy new year....shitter's full

Posted on December 31, 2008 at 09:33 AM by kevin in az

Happy New Year, Rick! Thanks for all your work.

Posted on December 31, 2008 at 10:05 AM by OG Jeff

A faceful of airbag?? I am glad you came out of that one OK.

Posted on December 31, 2008 at 10:56 AM by Dave T

For those curious what the 7th Street circulation ramp exterior currently looks like, click on my name. Still some work to be done...

Posted on December 31, 2008 at 0:44 PM by Badjuggler

thanks for the pics juggler, i'm eager to see what the wood will look like....right now the ramps look like a maximum security prison.

Posted on December 31, 2008 at 1:08 PM by kevin in az

Rick=The Man

Posted on December 31, 2008 at 10:38 PM by ab21

We can now officially say that Target Field opens NEXT YEAR!!

I just had to say that since it feels so good to say "Target Field & NEXT YEAR".

Anyways, I am bored at work while everyone else is out celebrating the new year. Thanks Rick for all of your hard work on this site!

Posted on January 1, 2009 at 12:11 AM by Mike Adams

hope all had a great and safe New Year.
great sentiment Mike, "next year" and Target Field certainly have a welcome sound.

Posted on January 1, 2009 at 8:38 PM by Next Year

I wonder when I'm going to be taken down? Hmmm.....

Posted on January 2, 2009 at 02:45 AM by left field crane

Over at baseball-fever.com jfh posted some great images from a season ticket survey. I believe you need a user name and password in order to see the images though. Click my name for the link.

The images show the seating/bar layout for the Metropolitan Club. There is a image of what the possible "Roof Top" party deck might look like with the seating/bar layout. On another image it shows the Twins icon of the Minnesota state outline with the two baseball players inside sitting high above the center field family picnic area. Lastly, on the main scoreboard they show what looks like gameday lineup boards on either side of the main screen area.

I don't know how accurate these things are, but it looks pretty cool to me.

Posted on January 3, 2009 at 2:04 PM by Jeff

Correction from my previous post...the seating/bar layout is not for the Roof Top party deck, but the layout for a super suite, whatever that is.

Posted on January 3, 2009 at 4:23 PM by Jeff

If they put that logo like that in cf (twin cities shakin hands) that would be the awsome, it would be lit up at night and that would be the signature peice that the world would see on sportscenter

Posted on January 3, 2009 at 4:42 PM by mazaratirick

they could use it to celebrate homeruns/victories too...that would be neat. put some pyros in it...sets off fireworks for homeruns.

Posted on January 3, 2009 at 5:29 PM by luke

I wonder how old those renderings are. I don't see any Target Field signage. I love the MSP & StP guys though. I really hope the keep that in.

Posted on January 3, 2009 at 6:22 PM by luckylager

Those are some nice images....So Twins marketing dept, tell me again why these images aren't on your webpage?????? I still covet any "night" picture of the ballpark. I'm sure it exists somewhere!!!

Posted on January 3, 2009 at 10:54 PM by kevin in az

Yay for MSP cartoon guys! They could shake hands on a Twins home run. That or a spinning Carl Pohlad head wirh fireworks shooting out of its mouth.

Seriously, would love to see handshaking.

Posted on January 3, 2009 at 11:01 PM by David

I would rather see exploding figurines of John Marty and Phil Krinkie whenever the Twins hit a homerun.

Posted on January 3, 2009 at 11:34 PM by kevin in az

So anyone have another option to see those images Jeff mentioned? All I get is the username/password page.

Posted on January 4, 2009 at 02:48 AM by chuck in ak

lol kevin.

Posted on January 4, 2009 at 0:27 PM by luke

Looked like another canopy section was about to go up this morning when I walked by the park.

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 10:34 AM by OG Jeff

Just set up a free account, Chuck. Takes like ten seconds...

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 10:44 AM by Badjuggler

you can tell there are OG Jeff...on the second webcam, they are lifting the next section up there as we speak!

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 10:58 AM by Erik

I'm with you Kevin in AZ. I would like to see the Twins organization do a much better job with providing the entire public with new/updated images and renderings. It makes me a little upset that they single out only a select group of people with new information.

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 0:08 PM by Jeff

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Posted on January 5, 2009 at 0:18 PM by zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I'm going to be down to the park from Bemidji this Friday, and have lined up a trip to the Twins Marketing Center (the place with the mock-suite and model), and will get a chance to chat with Kevin Smith (Executive Director of Public Affairs and Executive Director of the Twins Community Fund) while there.

Anything you guys would like me to ask? I've got some questions of my own in mind, but am willing (within reason) to ask your question as well.

Post 'em here, and I'll check before I head out (bright and early Friday morning - 8 a.m.) and print them off...

Moose

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 0:45 PM by Moose97

we can now officially say "next year!"

i am more and more impressed by the magnitude of the structure; it will really be a landmark on the westside of downtown.

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 0:57 PM by annoying customer

I'm the winner this time. The 10th horizontal canapy support is now up. Whoever spots #11 first wins a free autographed photo of Maza's old apartment complex that can be seen from Target Field. Correct Maz??

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 1:04 PM by Locker

Moose,
Can you ask them what the exact color of green will be used for the seats? So far we've heard "Fenway Green," but as we all know the colors vary whether you look at the model, animation renderings, or virtual seating chart.

And if possible, please ask them when the public will see renderings of the concourses.

Thanks Moose. Enjoy your trip.

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 1:06 PM by Lafferty

Moose, if you could, please ask about the "shaking hands" logo sign in center field. That would be nice to know for sure.

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 1:38 PM by luckylager

moose,
if you could...stop by winter park and drop off a pipe bomb....PLEASE!!!!

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 1:47 PM by kevin in az

I’m a grounds keeping buff. You should ask how many grounds keeping employees they intend to employ? I know they are working on finding the Head Groundskeeper currently.

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 2:39 PM by Steeks

Thanks Moose,

1) what is the canopy material going to be? aluminum sheets? have they settled on that gold color?

2) what will be on the back of the scoreboard? how about a smaller videotron for fans outside the park?

3) what are they going to have to do to change the plaza for target's ugly ass beer bats? fill the tree holes and jackhammer up new ones??

4) when is the leaving las vegas parking structure trippy thing going in?

5) will the light rail station open before the park does?

6) can we move the oufield webcam behind homeplate now???

awesome, can't wait to see the results.

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 3:14 PM by mplsgreg

lol Kevin. The Vikings truly were a major disappointment yesterday. I'm sorry to say,

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 4:11 PM by luke

i think one lasting memory will be carl and tk in the locker room after the '87 world series win. rip carl.

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 4:23 PM by yeahklye

Prayers are with the Pohlad family. God bless.

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 4:25 PM by B

too bad he won't be able to see the team play in the new park....can we sign some free agents now??????????????????????????

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 4:25 PM by kevin in az

click my name for the link to the CCO story

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 4:34 PM by luke

i'm not sure how to react to this news

Posted on January 5, 2009 at 4:20 PM by yeahklye

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Thank you Rick!

Posted on December 15, 2008 at 07:01 AM by kevin in az

does anyone know if the scoreboard framework is going to get any higher than what appears on the webcam right now? i can't remember if there was anything above the scoreboard such as lights or additional advertising...

Posted on December 15, 2008 at 09:12 AM by mplsgreg

Thanks for the updates Rick!

Does anyone know if that is going to be the "official" Target Field logo?

If so, I personally don't mind it as it is similar to the Target Center logo, which is a very simple logo with a strong identity.

Posted on December 15, 2008 at 11:19 AM by Luke H.

Excellent pics. I really like how this is looking so far.

Posted on December 15, 2008 at 0:25 PM by Lafferty

Anyone else think it's odd that we have toilets where home plate is going to go? I mean we basically have construction workers taking a crap where baby jesus will be hitting seeing eye singles from.

Posted on December 15, 2008 at 0:28 PM by moda253

Fertilizer, my man. Fertilizer.

Posted on December 15, 2008 at 1:04 PM by Alex B.

#7 - Count em! That is the number of steel horizontal canopy supports now. I expect #8 by Friday, maybe early next week.

Posted on December 15, 2008 at 2:22 PM by Locker

Awesome pics Rick.

Man, I feel for the crews working out there today. You talk about some cold, crappy weather...

Posted on December 15, 2008 at 2:45 PM by OG Jeff

Thanks for the update and new pictures Rick. I don't want to sound pushy or unappreciative at all, but will you also be posting the last set of pictures from your recent tour of Target Field. I believe in a previous post you stated that you have just a few photos remaining from the tour: admin building, circulation building and steel. Thanks!!

Posted on December 15, 2008 at 4:13 PM by Jeff

its looking better and better every day. today I got a season ticket thing in the mail from the Twins (i think they did something in the paper too) "In one year...the Twins will be home" or something like that. it's this big ten page folder with all kinds of stuff on 2010 season tickets...

Posted on December 15, 2008 at 4:19 PM by luke

and yes, from pix i've seen, i think there will be a tall light tower and a lit "Twins" logo above the new scoreboard. at least that's what I've seen...

Posted on December 15, 2008 at 4:22 PM by luke

Locker: I love the canopy support countdown. Can't wait for #8! haha

Posted on December 15, 2008 at 6:11 PM by Lafferty

Laff, I appreciate the support. We need to get everyone on board with this. The first one who spots the next canopy support, wins a bowl a soup with Rick's 2009 construction calender or something like that. Now, I did see #7 on the ground for a few days before they put it up. That does not count. It has to be up and supported by the steel vertical beams. This will give us something to do over the long winter. The first one to spot #8 in the canopy support count-up (not countdown) wins!!

Posted on December 15, 2008 at 7:45 PM by Locker

"Anyone else think it's odd that we have toilets where home plate is going to go? I mean we basically have construction workers taking a crap where baby jesus will be hitting seeing eye singles from."

No, I don't think it's odd. Now, you noticing where the toilets are and feeling odd about it, is a testament to the power of the human mind and its ability to turn trivial things into emotionally encompassing "events."

Posted on December 15, 2008 at 9:48 PM by K L

KL is a robot

Posted on December 15, 2008 at 10:10 PM by Abe Frohman

I agree with the sausage king of Chicago. This board is getting rediculous, probably the result of the rediculous temperatures outside right now. In fact, I drove by the ballpark yesterday and didn't see anyone outside working -- too cold to build a stadium perhaps?

Posted on December 16, 2008 at 08:19 AM by mplsgreg

Thank you for the pics, Rick!
I apologize for bringing the convo off track, but this is merely an observation I've made since I moved to FL a couple years ago: does it seem like Minnesotans are less talkative during the winter? I get far fewer phone calls from MN during the winter months compared to the summer/spring months. And the communication on a lot of MN internet forums even seems to dwindle. Thoughts?

Posted on December 16, 2008 at 08:26 AM by Orlando Joe

indeed, orlando joe, we are quieter during the winter. it's hard to talk when yer balls are spooning your pancreas just to keep warm.

Posted on December 16, 2008 at 0:16 PM by yeahklye

KL is just upset because he gets skipped over in the alphabet. Everyone loves to say MNOP. KL have always been overshadowed by the more sexy consonants.

Posted on December 16, 2008 at 0:50 PM by MNOP

yeahklye that is the funniest thing I have read in months!!! I'm tearing up right now laughing because it's just too damn true!

Posted on December 16, 2008 at 0:52 PM by moda253

"Anyone else think it's odd that we have toilets where home plate is going to go? I mean we basically have construction workers taking a crap where baby jesus will be hitting seeing eye singles from."

MERRY CHRISTMAS....SHITTER'S FULL!

Posted on December 16, 2008 at 1:20 PM by kevin in az

Received my calendars this afternoon. Great job Rick! A great way to countdown the demise of indoor baseball and welcome in the new era!

Posted on December 16, 2008 at 1:41 PM by luckylager

K L is for Kevin Love

Posted on December 16, 2008 at 4:00 PM by UCLA

with the white shit outside today - i wonder how many home openers are actually going to be snowed out. God, we'll have to start our home games in frickin may.

Posted on December 16, 2008 at 4:08 PM by luke

I'm pretty sure we will have zero home openers in December. Quit whining about the freakin' weather!!

Posted on December 16, 2008 at 4:25 PM by luckylager

dude - think back a few months to April of this year. It was snowing on April 6th for God's sakes! April 6th is a home opener potential date. I say that the Twins should only play home games from May-August at TF, and the rest on the road.

Posted on December 16, 2008 at 4:30 PM by luke

Luke,

it will be fun... just enjoy it... you can move around and sit in the spendy seats... im looking forward to it..or hide like a lil girl under the homerun porch 2nd deck...

its all good, you must be bored....

Posted on December 16, 2008 at 4:37 PM by mazaratirick

Thank you luckylager, my thoughts exactly.

Posted on December 16, 2008 at 4:50 PM by Matt

luke - The reality is that it can also be 70 degrees and sunny on April 6 in Minnesota...

Posted on December 16, 2008 at 8:42 PM by Mike Brumley

Another bit off topic but I head on Colin Cowherd this morning on ESPN radio make a comment about teams spending money to win versus spending to turn a profit. The middle of his quote he says, "...the owner of the Minnesota Twins could buy and sell Steinbrenner's kids..." It's no secret about Pohlad's deep pockets (of which he keeps tightly sewn shut). I wonder if Pohlad is one of those guys who wants his money buried with him when he croaks. Which, BTW, anyone know if he plans on keeping the team in the family?

Luke, up here we've got fur thongs you can buy at a furrier for those games. Let me know and I'll send you a matching top top to go with it.

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 01:02 AM by chuck in ak

...yeah, that should have said, "...but I HEARD on Colin..."

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 01:04 AM by chuck in ak

Chuck - Supposedly the the Pohlad sons already run the team, as Carl is too old to handle day to day money-grubbing. I guess Carl must just go into a room every day where he counts stacks of $100 bills from one side of the room to the other, then repeats the process over and over.

The bit about buying Steinbrenner's kids is true. He's the wealthiest owner of any professional sport in the American sports...pretty crazy, when you think about it. The older I get, the more I admire Steinbrenner. The guy can be a jackass, but the truth is he wants to win so badly, that he'll do anything to see it happen. His family has spent a lot of money on the franchise - but his investment has been richly rewarded (not only with championships).

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 09:28 AM by OG Jeff

the twins have been run since pohlad bought them to make a modest profit year to year. carl pohlad is a wealthier man than george steinbrenner but the vast difference between the two markets means opportunities for the baseball club to turn even higher profits are limited. the yankees can easily throw money around because they are guaranteed so many more dollars from their media rights deals and various other merchandising ventures. huge market, national brand...they can spend.

i wish the pohlads would spend more on player talent but this isn't their business philosophy. if the steinbrenners operated the pittsburgh pirates or the kansas city royals i doubt we'd see them signing off on 160 million for one pitcher.

and any talking head from espn has an extreme east coast bias, that's a given.

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 0:58 PM by Tim

Why should the Pohlads spend their personal wealth? That doesn't make any sense.

Sure they need to spend a certain percent of their revenue on players. And maybe they aren't spending enough. Totally valid point. But to claim that they should dip into their own personal wealth...basically operate at a loss in perpetuity...how does that make sense...business or otherwise?

The Yankees...the wealthiest franchise is pro sports history is not an apt comparison.

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 1:01 PM by Dale

Man, I haven't heard the ESPN "east coast bias" theory in a long time. I was always intrigued that Minnesotans actually care what the McDonalds of sports journalism think.

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 1:08 PM by Lafferty

Damn, worried about snow on opening day?! Do you think Minneapolis will be the only team to have an outdoor stadium in latitudes where it snows? How on earth do fans in those other cities handle the elements for sporting events?

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 3:28 PM by Cedar Rapids Viking

Wake the F--K up. This is PROFESSIONAL SPORTS. Not a small business. You don't buy a sports team to roll in cash. Well, not unless you're a greedy bastard that has the whole fanbase on an IV drip of Kool-Aid. Nobody is advocating burning your own cash (although that's what some of the most beloved owners do). The idea is that Pohlad should put the tens of millions of dollars he's pocketing BACK INTO THE TEAM.

Why is it my business? Because I'm paying for his park. I dunno what pisses me off more - greedy ownership, or dumbass fans.

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 3:37 PM by OG Jeff

Pohlad sucks he'll drop dead soon but his sons will probably run it the same way. At least we got Zigy Wilf who actually wants a championship (the only owner in Minnesota) and will pay free agents. That is if the Vikes don't move in the near future.

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 4:26 PM by Matt

i think pohlads cheapness has inadvertently created an organizational philosophy that has led to success on the field. it's good to develope a farm system and not hand out huge, multi year deals. A lot of teams think that just spending money will buy wins. The Giants, Astros, Orioles are examples. It's easy to say "I wish they'd spend more money," but no one ever gives examples of whom they'd like to buy.

brb, I need to go to cubs food & get some more kool-aid.

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 4:26 PM by Abe Frohman

Dale the difference is running a business rather then wanting to win a championship, clearly pohlads would rather run a business then win a championship. Gotta agree with OG, wake up.

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 4:35 PM by Matt

In all the years of the Rockies' existence in Colorado, how many games have been snowed out? I can think of about four...in 15 years! And each one made the bleeding national news. Detroit to my knowledge hasn't had a snowout in recent memory, or the Royals, or the Cards, or the Brewers when they were at County. At the rate we're going, we'll average about four snowouts, A SEASON! That is the cold hard facts.

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 5:07 PM by luke

Hey TDF checking in here. Could someone please direct the person calling us names and telling people to wake teh F up to the nearest anger management group? Thanks. We'd like to get back to calm adult level conversations conversations about ballparks.

Serenity now!

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 5:24 PM by The dumbass fans

you havn't heard the east coast bias theory in a long time? do you ever watch espn? and colin cowherd is a jerk. this was the guy who mocked kirby puckett the day he died.

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 6:47 PM by Tim

"The Yankees...the wealthiest franchise in pro sports history is not an apt comparison."

This is not a true statement. The Yanks are not the wealthiest franchise in pro sports history - fact.

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 6:52 PM by Robot

Nor is MLB the wealthiest sports governing body in the world.

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 7:00 PM by Robot

Luke,
Where the hell are you getting these "cold hard facts"? Four snow outs a year? Here are some real facts from a MinnPost article published last March:

Between 1961 and 1981, the most games ever canceled by weather in a season at the old Met was seven, in 1980. According to the handwritten spreadsheet, the 1962, 1964 and 1970 Openers were the only ones affected. Three Openers in 21 seasons.

Between 1982 and 1996 — about the time the Twins ballpark argument commenced at the Legislature — only 1983, 1991 and 1992 would have been Dome openers when snow/rain/cold would have canceled games, had they been forced to play outdoors.

So, including today, since 1961, that's seven home openers out of 48 — or about 15 percent - that would have been problematic. But, if Opening Day were pushed each time beyond April 15, it looks like all but one of those snow/rain/cold days would have been avoided.

So Luke, enough of this Chicken Little, "the sky is falling" hysteria.
Target Field is going to be an open-air stadium, it might snow in April, it might rain in July. Games will be played in less than "ideal" conditions - just like God intended. Amen to that!

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 7:13 PM by lucklager

Note to self: avoid using the phrase "cold hard facts" in instances when I am posting statements that are not cold, not hard, and not factual.

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 7:25 PM by wicker chair

Lucklager - Frig God.

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 8:01 PM by Robot

Sometimes it snows in April
Sometimes I feel so bad, so bad
Sometimes I wish that games were never canceled,
but double-headers make up for that.

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 10:59 PM by Prince

luke you have to stop.

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 02:44 AM by please

luke, you're a babbling idiot.

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 04:47 AM by luke needs muzzle

all i can say is wow.... this is getting out of control....cant wait for my calander!!!!!

go punto!

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 08:02 AM by mazaratirick

Abe - You make a great point. Cheapness has developed an organizational philosophy, and it's forced the Twins to become superior in the area of scouting and development. As a fan, I'm really proud that our team doesn't "waste" money on bad players (except for Bautista, Cirillo, Ponson, Nevin, White, etc etc). Beyond that, they've done an awesome job of keeping things fresh.

My contention is that they are unwilling to spend any of the revenue sharing they get from the league - and one or two great players could make this team a serious threat in the playoffs. $27 million could get the Twins a couple superstars - not just mediocre washouts. Also, the Giants and Astros have been in the World Series in the past 6 years. Ok, I'll lighten up on the ranting.

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 08:22 AM by OG Jeff

Throwing my hat into the ring...

I hear what you're saying, OG, and I think fans who feel that way have some valid reasons to want management to shell out even a little more. That said, I agree with the Twins the majority of the time when they don't pursue the hottest FAs. True, our club is one or two great players away from being a serious playoff threat, but I contend that we're also one or two "great player" busts away from a decade (or decades) of futility. Case(s) in point:

- Sign a big name!

1999 Albert Belle (5 yrs/65 mil) - The pre-Belle Orioles were in the AL championship game in '97, but struggled in '98. Feeling they were just 'one great player away' they inked Belle. They haven't sniffed the playoffs since.

2001 Mike Hampton (8yrs/121 mil) - The pre-Hampton Rockies finished above .500 and felt that they were one big arm away from contending. With the exception of their miracle WS run they have been somewhere between bad and terrible, and they were STILL paying (literally) for Hampton when he was shipped off to the Mets and then later to the Marlins (the Rocks had to pick up some of the tab).

- Trade our surplus of MLB-ready talent (pitchers/OFs)!

1997 Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek for Heathcliff Slocum - the Mariners were in a pennant race with the Angels and needed to strengthen their bullpen to compete down the stretch. Sure, they made the playoffs in '97, but...anyone want to argue this one worked out well?

- We have talent in the minors, unload some of it for a big name!

A certain AJ Pierzynski comes to mind. The Giants emptied their farm system to get him, and we're still enjoying Nathan, Francisco, and...Boof? Ok, maybe not Boof, but the point stands.

I know, I know, don't play with scared money. And, of course, there are a lot of instances that prove the validity of making the big trade/signing. All I'm saying is that I understand the caution (though sometimes it's frustrating). The consequences for small/middle market teams when those deals go wrong are disastrous. And on the flip-side, when a small/middle market team pulls off the smart trade at the right time (AJ to the Giants) the result can be years of prosperity. That's why I don't think it's as simple as "OPEN UP THE WALLET, CARL!"

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 09:30 AM by kumbaya

Folks complaining about the payroll should take a look at the correlation between winning games and payroll. I'll give you a hint about the results - there's a correlation, but it's not that strong.

MLB's salary structure underpays young players and overpays old ones, regardless of talent. Successful organizations invest in their minor league systems, scouting, etc. Look at the Marlins - they can't sustain success due to their payroll limitations, but they produce talent like no other team in the Bigs at a far lower cost. Even the teams with money to spend have to be smart about how they spend it. In recent years, the Red Sox and Angels have been smart - the Yankees, Orioles, Tigers, and others have not.

The point is that spending for the sake of spending is useless.

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 09:47 AM by Alex B.

Good points, Alex.

Every year the offseason excitement revolves around the usual suspects (Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Angels, etc.) and for every successful FA signing or blockbuster trade there are two or three busts (look at the Yanks and Mets). To me that just further underscores the importance of spending your money or making your trades on the right players at the right time. Spending smart builds long term success, regardless of market size.

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 10:12 AM by kumbaya

Time to switch to decaf OG Jeff. I'm glad you're not the GM.

Alex B is the voice of reason.

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 10:35 AM by Dale

I don't get mad at Carl for not signing big name free agents. I get mad when he doesn't hang on to our own talent a la Johan Santana. You all know he should have given the taxpayers a thank you gift by signing him.

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 11:11 AM by Matt

Matt, with Johan there was no difference. He was going to test the free agent waters. There was not going to be a hometown discount.

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 11:29 AM by Alex B.

Oh I know, but I didn't say anything about a hometown discount. I wanted Pohlad to sign him to what he was worth on the market, to give the taxpayers, who are help building his ballpark, a thank you.

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 11:50 AM by Matt

I'd bet most of us would make terrible GM's, including myself. Spending the revenue sharing cash? I'm a total idiot.

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 11:55 AM by OG Jeff

I would be a great GM... my first job on the agenda is to inform everybody that the twin cities metropolitan area is not a SMALL MARKET

then i would laugh at texiria hes a bust waiting to happen.. tell cc to lose 100 pounds and would have traded hunter for a starter on a mlb club...

then i would sign bonds for the leauge min .. with a butt load of incentives.... if he dont work out like all those lamb types we brought in.. it will cost about 2 mill.. like the frank thomas deal oaland did.. if it does work out i get 40 hrs with justin and joe... trade cuddy for a jock strap to eat the contract and then open my awsome ballpark with at the least a trip to the world serise..

and then make every friday night buy one get one free beers at TF....

yea i like that!

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 0:46 PM by mazaratirick

#8 is up, Locker!!!!!

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 1:35 PM by Walleye

Mazarati, not only are you a ninja when it comes to evading ballpark security...you are a marketing genius.

Rick, any thoughts on how the economy might affect ballpark ticket pricing? Do you think the current recession might alter the proposed price structure?

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 3:02 PM by OG Jeff

then have st peter spell check these dang post for me...

its gettign worse...sorry

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 3:41 PM by mazaratirick

I think that Seattle is a great example of why spendy free agents are extremely risky. Their market is about the same as ours and their franchise is screwed for the next few years because of their spending spree.

(Although, any idiot could have told them not to sign Silva.)

The margin for error on these big signings is so much narrower for small market teams.

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 5:02 PM by Dale

How's the cold guys? It was 70 here today and I'm still wearing a jacket, we're such wimps here in TX.

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 5:12 PM by Eric in TX

Dale is right. absolutely right.
i didn't think Seattle was about our market size. I thought they were a mid-size market. how big is the Emerald City?

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 5:14 PM by luke

luke we are not a small market. We are a mid size market. You have to stop.

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 5:49 PM by Please

what's a "market"? just playin'!

man, looks like i have been missing "some fun" while i was away. what's new gentlemen? did i miss anything worth repeating?

peace....

Beta

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 6:52 PM by Betaband

Click link for listing of television market ratings... Twin Cities are number 14, just ahead of Seattle.

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 7:12 PM by luckylager

I meant to say the Twin Cities are just below Seattle (#13).

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 7:14 PM by luckylager

8th Cross-Section of Canopy is up now. It's actually the smaller one closes to the webcam that they added today.

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 9:38 PM by Camden P

Went to the Wolves game last night "aka the Lebron show" and saw the ballpark. I definitely like that canopy. Its looking good, 2010 cant come soon enough.

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 9:51 PM by Matt

Luckylager-
As far as baseball goes, we're on the small end due to four markets (NY, LA, Chicago and the Bay Area) having two teams. Throw in Toronto, which has a metro area of around five million, and suddenly two-thirds of the league plays in a larger market.

That said, our "small-market" is still a poor excuse especially given some of the payrolls by a few of the teams who play in similar or smaller markets (see link).

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 10:05 PM by Nate

Thanks Nate,
I guess I would expect the Twins to at least have a payroll somewhere in the middle instead of always in the bottom third. You can't knock the success they've had, but one big bat would have been a difference maker last year.

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 10:43 PM by luckylager

Betaband-

Turns out Dan L and Alex B are made for each other in a chat room forum.

Luke is afraid of his nipples freezing off during a snowed out opening day.

And one rendering for the plaza erects large steel-framed bats (instead of trees) with hops growing inside them.

Oh, and Carl Pohland is a tightwad.

And props to Locker for keeping tabs on the canopy sections going up, keeping this site a ballpark page. And speaking of canopy, I've been wondering for some time now: What is so special about this canopy? That's obviously an ignorant question but it's an honest, ignorant one. Is it just because it's the largest in baseball? And what does that refer to, its depth or thickness or surface area covered over the view level or...? Is it because of the incorporated lighting? I'm not trying to knock it, I think it'll look good. I guess I just don't follow what is so unique about it. To me it looks, well...like a canopy.

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 12:52 AM by chuck in ak

Nate, Add Washington and Baltimore to the list of two teams in a single market. Chuck in ak, I would have preferred the lights for the ballpark on light standards (poles), with an unlit canopy. Think of how they made the lights fit standards fit into Wrigley Field (the arches). They did a fine job there. I've been to other parks (Yankee Stadium for one) and was not impressed by that style of lighting. To me there's something a bit more magical about looking up and seeing the lights shining down over the field from light standards.

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 07:58 AM by JohnF

Congrats on spotting #8 first Walleye! I'm signing on right now to take a look.

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 09:08 AM by Locker

I heard that they are going to recycle the dome roof by removing sections, spray painting them gold, and wrapping them around the new ballpark steel supports to form the canopy. But seriously, what material is the new canopy going to be covered in? It's not cloth is it?

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 09:33 AM by mplsgreg

Pretty sure they're gonna be metal panels. "Champagne" was the color.

What "Champagne" looks like, I don't have a clue. Is it like a Grain Belt type of tone or more like a Windsor 7?

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 10:08 AM by Al Coholic

ya know JohnF, I think you may be onto something. I had never thought of that, but light standards are a bit more magical. And they provide that 'tall element' some folks desire.

It'll be aluminum panels. It should be a brushed metal look, but a Grain Belt Gold would be okay.

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 10:33 AM by Abe Frohman

Looking at the renderings, I'm not sure how the canopy will keep many people from the elements. It looks to only cover a few rows of seating in the top deck. I would prefer light standards as well. Where will the lighting originate from the LF, CF and RF portions of the field?

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 11:32 AM by Steeks

i was just over there and the park looks beautiful covered in snow...

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 11:38 AM by annoying customer

Chuck, I like the canopy because I've never seen one. I also like the 5 beams that are holding it up every so many feet. I have been stuck with that stupid Metrodome my whole life. Also looking at it live, it just looks better than these pictures.

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 11:40 AM by Matt

Steeks, Check the Shade Study on the Twins site. That is why we have a big ole canopy being installed.
By the way, #8 (steel horizontal canopy support) is officially up. Rick, can you send Walleye a bowl of soup with his free 2009 construction calender for posting that he saw it first?
Keep your eyes open for #9, probably late next week or the last week of 2008. Any other ideas for prizes for the person who posts #9 first on this site? How about a photo op with Rick in front of the old Met flag on opening day 2010??

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 1:20 PM by Locker

Assuming you are counting "horizontal" as the direction that points towards the field, the ninth is up today, at the end of the final right field section. They just now placed it onto the end of the one they put up yesterday.

The base for the next canopy section towards 1st base is already on-site on the ground, so it should go up soon.

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 1:53 PM by Wade Wilson

I know this is off-topic, but on Saturday my cousin Curt passed away. He was only 43 years old, had a wife and three young sons (all under 10) and owned his own business up in Cloquet. Curt was a terrific guy and a big Twins fan. I'm sure he will have great seats up in heaven, but will never be able to bring his boys to a game at Target Field. I know we all argue about some trivial stuff here, but be grateful for what we have. Be nice to people (even Luke). If you are over 50, or have a family history - get your colon checked. Happy holidays to all of you!

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 3:16 PM by luckylager

I should clarify, Curt's wife is not under 10. He would have appreciated that.

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 3:35 PM by luckylager

god bless you all!....

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 4:20 PM by mazaratirick

sorry to hear that lager. prayers are with the family.
i passed by TF today on the other side, on 3rd st getting out of downtown. MY GOD does it look awesome. Saw the big ol support for the scoreboard (which the last time i went that way about two months ago, didn't look anything like i saw today). i'm getting so excited! woohoo!
Merry Christmas everybody!

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 4:49 PM by luke

and for God's sakes Please, so I'm not an economic expert like you, that knows the size of each flaming market in the country. why dont you send me a list so I can do better research for you next time.

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 4:52 PM by luke

Drove by yesterday past the scoreboard. It felt like driving around the block at Wrigley. Finally getting a stadium feel.

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 5:39 PM by Paul

Wade Wilson, I'll give it to you. #9 Horizontal Steel Canopy Support is up! You win a free photo op with Rick in front of the Old Met Stadium Flag opening day, 2010. Just don't bring your friend Tommy Kramer with you. Now, I can't imagine #10 going up anytime soon. Again, I need ideas for prizes. I'll say whoever spots #10 first and posts it gets a complimentary insult from kev in az about actually posting it.

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 6:51 PM by Locker

i agree the scoreboard looks amazing from just a block away. when i was in the b ramp today, you actually get a fairly good view into the stadium through the area that will be covered by that wind screen. i'll give those construction workers massive credit for working through this weather.

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 7:12 PM by annoying customer

John F.
Washington-Baltimore is a tough call as two teams in a single market because while they're close enough to infringe on each other's territorial rights (if I remember correctly, Angelos was compensated for letting Washington move from Montreal by owning their TV rights on MASN), Baltimore and Washington are two different TV markets. Still, there is a lot of overlap due to Baltimore being the only team in the area for thirty years - you see just as many Orioles caps as Nationals caps on the streets of DC.

But this doesn't have anything to do with Target Field (which I can't wait to open), so I'll stop.

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 8:13 PM by Nate

Paul - couldn't agree more. it is starting to look so nice. aw what the hell, tonight wouldnt have been so bad for a ballgame now would it have been?? lol.
i have a question, and I'd appreciate it if anyone but Please answered this one: will the tarp be rolled out over the field during the snowy, winter months - or doesn't it matter, since it isnt being played on?

Posted on December 19, 2008 at 9:37 PM by luke

and, again, if Please wouldn't respond to this one either. I love that pic up there, of the View level from the Circ ramp (the one below the pic of the scoreboard frame). the part I like about that is the stairwells leading up to the tunnels that lead to the seats. Walking up those steps and seeing green grass, sunshine, and a great park is going to be a great visual every game.

Posted on December 20, 2008 at 12:11 AM by luke

Some very nice and updated construction photos courtesy of the Ballpark Authority. The new photographer - Tim Davis - does almost a good job as our own Rick.

Posted on December 20, 2008 at 07:37 AM by Mo

Rick does take some great shots. i hope he takes some tours when things like seat installation and sod installation take place. those would make some awesome pix.
thanks Rick for all your hard work.

Posted on December 20, 2008 at 0:21 PM by luke

thee tim davis?! the new gopher football offensive line coach & running game coordinator is also a professional ballpark photographer?! wow. very impressive. nice work by coach brewster on the hire....

:-)

Posted on December 20, 2008 at 0:30 PM by Betaband

Link - The construction update page says they will be installing the circulation ramp louvers early next week. Should be pretty cool to see the 7th street side exterior get finished off.

Posted on December 20, 2008 at 0:44 PM by Brian

I am pretty sure tarps are not kept on the field over winter. You don't really want a tarp on grass for more than a few hours. Tarps on the skinned area is another subject however.

Posted on December 20, 2008 at 3:32 PM by Steeks

Great catch Brian. I'm really looking forward to seeing that. I sure hope someone has a chance to get over there and take pics of the insallation process...

I'm now two weeks away from getting my next look (and first since it was basicall a hole in the ground) at the ballpark. I'll be in town Jan 9-10 for work from Bemidji, so I'm pretty excited about getting down there.

Moose

Posted on December 20, 2008 at 4:39 PM by Moose97

the 'skinned' area, is that the infield section? the littlest amount of moisture is murder on that stuff. and i suppose, five months of snow sitting on the sand/clay mix that makes up the infield...come April, one slide into second, the stuff is gonna come up in clumps...lol.

Posted on December 20, 2008 at 9:03 PM by luke

Click the link for video of the implosion of the RCA done. Hopefully, that will be the Metrodome in a few years...

Posted on December 21, 2008 at 3:55 PM by David_Mpls

so - no more RCA Dome. well, i am not sorry to see that place go.
i'm not sure if they'll implode the Dome. according to Minnesota Momentum, the newest of the Stadium Push websites (click my name for the link) in part "The ultimate goal is to build the “best stadium at the lowest cost” and in so doing, take advantage of existing stadium infrastructure at the Metrodome site and utilize new green technology to deliver a building that performs with renewable and sustainable energy" what I remember hearing is that the seats on the west Sidelines would stay in tact, and would become the west endzone. The field would be re-orientated to an east-west configuration.
So, it doesn't sound like a total implosion of the Dome is in order.

oh, and for the benefit of Please, I included a link, so he knows I'm not just blowing steam.

Posted on December 21, 2008 at 5:25 PM by luke

Thanks for the link luke.

I think the idea of using "part" of the Metrodome is a Marketing ploy. I bet that after they get the approvals, they will "discover" that they can't use part of the Metrodome after all.

Anyway, there is no way they are getting any money out of the legislature this year. With the state facing a 4.8 Billion deficit, no on is gonna agree to fork over 750 million for another stadium.

Posted on December 21, 2008 at 10:20 PM by David_Mpls

It appears as though the first stadia support has been installed for the Field Terrace level (in the extreme right field corner near the Metropolitan Club). This is the upper-deck level that you walk down to, FYI (the Upper Deck level you wal up to is the Field View level - the area that has been under construction for some time now. This is visable via web-cam #2, if you zoom in close.

Posted on December 22, 2008 at 08:54 AM by Moose97

you might be right David. who knows. we'll have to wait and see. but this might be the Vikings last chance to get something done before the lease expires. And, unfortunately, it's not as if they could relocate to TCF Bank Stadium or anything. Too small, not up to NFL standards...

Posted on December 22, 2008 at 09:32 AM by luke

Rick, I received my ballpark calendar in the mail last week and it looks great!

I noticed you did not have the October 4 game on the calendar, which is the FINAL regular season game in the Metrodome.

Posted on December 22, 2008 at 11:53 AM by Luke H.

Luke,

Glad you liked it! I've had great comments from everybody. (There are still some available, if anybody wants one...)

I had to use the first draft schedule, and something must have changed after I went to press...

Still, you gotta love that phrase: "the FINAL regular season game in the Metrodome."

Posted on December 22, 2008 at 0:01 PM by Rick

yup...too bad those commemorative patches for the last season at the Dome didn't include the words "Good Riddance".

Posted on December 22, 2008 at 1:21 PM by luke

The Twins will indeed be making some new uniform changes when they move to the new park. Don't ask me what they are, exactly. But it appears that CHANGE is coming.

Posted on December 22, 2008 at 1:43 PM by A bird

i'm wondering if perhaps they'll go back to the way the unis looked in the good ol days. 2010 will be their 50th Anniversary season (i cant believe it, they've been here for 50 years.)
do you think they would ever do an anniversary as an overall franchise, including the years as the Washington Senators? i think the Sens' first season was 1902? (it's an honest mistake Please, so don't jump down my throat.)
so, obviously they've passed the 100 year mark...but maybe a 125th Anniversary? in any event, that would still be a ways down the road.

Posted on December 22, 2008 at 3:36 PM by luke

luke , chill out, nobodys gonna jump down your throat

yes 1902 was the 1st year... and a few years ago they wore the old senator unis baggy and all in a game.. they are not to comfy to play in from what the players said... they are wool or somthing

Posted on December 22, 2008 at 3:54 PM by mazaratirick

I would like to see the '65 unis myself. I have a '65 Killebrew. They look really sharp as they are kind of an off white. They are made of wool though so they are really hot.
A newer version of those with the same material they have now would be sweet!

Posted on December 22, 2008 at 4:04 PM by J2K

yeah, i was thinking they were made of wool or something of the like. i dont know, they look comfortable, but look and feel are two different things.
slowly though, over the years, the Twins have been going back to their roots. i.e. reviving the logo of the two guys shaking hands (or at least making it more prominent), bringing back the "TC" caps...
what does everybody think - do you like the script Twins logo (like the one on the '65 jerseys) or the modernized one they have today?

Posted on December 22, 2008 at 6:00 PM by luke

I was putzing around on Wikipedia (not exactly a bastion of everything that is true in the world), but the entry for the Twins links them back to Kansas City in 1896, a team called the Kansas City Blues.
Has anyone heard that before? Maybe a bit of disambiguity, but i thought it was interesting. I posted the link. check it out.

Posted on December 22, 2008 at 6:08 PM by luke

ok, we need a limit on the number of posts a person can make in one day....babble babble babble babble babble.....blah blah blah blah..look at me typing so much and saying so little....blah blah...does anyone find it strange that there are toilets in the new ballpark? does anyone else find it strange that there will be seats angled toward the pitchers mound in a baseball park? hmmm?? wow, talk about strange! isn't everyone else as fascinated by me as i am? heee heee...lol...giggle giggle...i'm so funny...giggle giggle

Posted on December 22, 2008 at 7:39 PM by kevin in az

Kev you have me pissing my pants right now

Posted on December 22, 2008 at 8:11 PM by mazaratirick

Kev, who said anything about piss shoots at TF; or seats being angled towards the stupid mound? we were having a convo about retro uniforms...lol. pay attention.

Posted on December 22, 2008 at 8:21 PM by luke

Thank you kevin in az. luke you can't be serious, you have to stop, your killing this board.

Posted on December 22, 2008 at 8:37 PM by Please

the word we're looking for is...ANYWAY.
back to discussions about our awesome Target Field.

Posted on December 22, 2008 at 8:46 PM by luke

Thank you Kevin! You could not have said it any better!

Posted on December 22, 2008 at 11:12 PM by Rudolph

has anyone decided where they're going to select seats once the selection process stuff comes out next spring?

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 08:08 AM by luke

i know the first year i am going to try to sit in as many different sections as possible. that way i can have an honest opinion when someone asks me about seats (because not all cheap seats suck and not all expensive seats are great)

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 08:16 AM by annoying customer

Dave St. Peter updated his ballpark blog. It is just a review of the construction milestones in 2008. Click my name for the update.

I apologize for this complaint but didn't Mr. St. Peter promise an "insiders" view of "all aspects" of Target Field a few months back. In my eyes he has failed to hold up his end of the bargain.

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 09:38 AM by Jeff

i want to sit on the LF bleachers... thats what I put on my pref questionare... but i would love to sit in those right field plaza seats too... but thats not a option for season tickets

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 09:40 AM by mazaratirick

From Charlie Walters this morning:
A dining area behind home plate in the Twins' Target Field that opens in 2010 will be named the "573 Club" to honor hall of famer Harmon Killebrew's 573 career home runs. Look for statues of Killebrew, Rod Carew and several other former Twins stars to be erected at adjacent Target Plaza.

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 10:07 AM by luckylager

Dang Lucky, you beat me to it by 7 minutes.

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 10:14 AM by JohnK

nice touches on the restaurant name and the statues. the team has a great history and it's nice to see it will be celebrated. i guess if there isn't enough room for an official team museum, the bars, restaurants and plaza will serve a similar purpose with tons of photos and memorabilia.

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 10:19 AM by Tim

keep in mind that Charlie Walters makes alot of things up ... or just says that a "little bird" told him that TF will be a baseball only stadium, or "a source " tells him that the beer will most likley be cold for the start of 2010 in TF...

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 10:45 AM by mazaratirick

lol mazarati...i don't know, Charley does know his stuff. i emailed him once and asked him where he got all his info for his column. He said he makes about 100 calls a day. There have been times when his "little birdie" is right on the dot. and there have been other times when the birdie is just slightly late.
in any rate, i certainly hope the beer is cold. is there gonna be a microbrewery at TF? or a cigar club?

one other thought - do you think the Twins will take that seat out in Sec 100 (or 101 I cant remember) row 6, the gold one that Kirby hit that homerun to in Game 6 of the '91 series - and put it on display at TF? it obviously would be meaningless to incorporate it into the seats at TF, seeing as that he didnt hit the homerun there - but then again, it might be neat.

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 11:04 AM by luke

We can't get any love; from Buster Olney's blog today:
"If the season started today -- and thankfully it doesn't, because the wind-chill factor here in the Northeast is below zero, or about what it might be for those April games in the Twins' new ballpark -- the closer for the Milwaukee Brewers would probably be Carlos Villanueva. The Brewers' No. 5 starter would be Seth McClung, behind Yovani Gallardo, Jeff Suppan, Dave Bush and Manny Parra."

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 11:52 AM by Steeks

The Yankees are turning back the clock and selling bleacher seats in the new Yankee Stadium for just 25 cents for the first two exhibition games versus the Cubs in April. The same prices as when the original Yankee Stadium opened in 1923.

That is a cool way to go back in history and celebrate the past.

The Twins should do something like that for their exhibition game(s) in Target Field. Use the same prices as the final game at Met Stadium or the Twins first game in Minnesota in 1961 since it will be their 50th season in 2010.

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 11:55 AM by Luke H.

Hi Rick, This Mike Demitz from Creve Coeur, Mo. Thank you so much for sending me the calendar of the Twins's new ballpark construction. I finally picked it up at Post Office in Creve Coeur this morning. The calendar is very nice. I love it. Thanks again. New Target Field is under construction in the time for the 2010 season starts. They are making progressing now, but the winter weather is very terrible due to much snow in Minnesota. Thanks, Mike Demitz

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 1:13 PM by Mike Demitz

Where was the Charlie Waters article located? since i am trying to find it.

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 1:14 PM by NewGuy

totally! i agree with that.
Steeks is right too, thank God the season doesn't start now. but, I still can't wait. Pitchers and catchers report in...probably less than two months.
Bleacher seats for a quarter. I'm guessing there's gonna be some sort of limit on the buying of those seats? Like the first two for a quarter, then regular price for additional tickets?

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 1:16 PM by luke

NewGuy, click my name. it will lead you to his section of the paper's website. The article is titled "A Hint of Joe Mauer's Next Dealing" the statement about the restaurant is towards the bottom under the heading "Dont Print That"

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 1:20 PM by luke

Thanks! luke

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 1:31 PM by NewGuy

I was putzing around on the Twins site, looking at what would be "great seats" (of course they ALL will be compared to the Dome), and I saw this on the Twins site:
"Please note, there is a $10 per-ticket premium for tickets in the first row of sections 102 and 125 in the Field Box. There is also a $5 per-ticket premium for tickets in the first row of all Home Plate Terrace and Field Terrace sections."

I can understand to some extent the premium for front row in Terrace seats, but why a premium in the first row of sections 102 and 125? they dont seem incredibly spectacular to me.

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 4:25 PM by luke

you have a lot of time to putz around Luke.. do you work for the county?

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 4:29 PM by mazaratirick

I guess the yankees are not Fu$@ing around this year

Mark Teixeira agrees to $180 million deal with Yankees

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 4:32 PM by mazaratirick

say what you will about the red sox/cubs/dodgers/angels/mets etc but at least they don't sign EVERYONE that is available

i hate the yankees. i can't wait for them to come to town and hear the boos showered upon them....

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 5:44 PM by annoying customer

I hate the boston redsox more. Plus its not the Yankees fault, its MLB for not having a salary cap.

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 6:13 PM by Matt

I wish I was a billionaire so I could do the exact same thing the Yankees were doing with the Twins. Then everyone outside of Minnesota would hate me. I would love it.

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 6:16 PM by Matt

is that so mazarati? sports business is my thing - so i try to find the in's and out's. i'm on vacation this week, so i have lots of time to look around.

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 7:12 PM by luke

i respect the yankees because they've been good forever, save for some down years when CBS owned them. i liked the red sox more before they won a championship, now the organization and its fans just seem a little smug.

the yankees are spending like drunken sailors on shore leave, but that lineup is going to be murderers row revisited. slowey and the crafty ones on the twins staff are going to have to be spinning some up there to that group.

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 7:33 PM by Tim

i agree about the BoSox. curse of the Babe or not...I agree about the BoSox.

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 10:36 PM by luke

"the yankees are spending like drunken sailors on shore leave, but that lineup is going to be murderers row revisited. slowey and the crafty ones on the twins staff are going to have to be spinning some up there to that group."

Is it just me or do the yankees still look like a 3rd place team in the AL East. They got CC but lost Mussina (i know moose isn't as good as CC but he did win 20 games last year) Burnett is almost always hurt, and their lineup even with Tex is still old, slow, and filled with egos that need to be coddled. They'll be better, but so will the rays, and boston will probably be healthier than last year.

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 11:02 PM by Still not afraid

tell us more luke...what else do you agree or disagree with? everyone here checks this forum to read your blog which has taken over what was once a great ballpark message board. please please tell us more and do it in as many posts as possible. you could even try doing one sentence per post.

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 11:05 PM by luke sucks, go away!

With today's signing of Mark Teixeira to an 8 year, $180 million deal, New York has committed $423.5 million in salary in the past month, with $161 million going to pitcher CC Sabathia ($23 million per over seven years) and $82.5 million to right-hander A.J. Burnett ($18.5 million per over five) last week alone.

All I can say is that makes the price of Target Field look very small...It really makes you wonder how much higher these salaries are going to continue to climb until reality hits and the fans can no longer afford to go to games?

How much is too much?

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 11:05 PM by The Grinch

Wow, I don't listen to the radio or watch TV for a couple of days and I miss everything. The last thing I heard about Tex was that the Angels were done "working" with him. That was a while ago. My thought was, "Please, God, keep the Yankees out of it." God must be mad at me. Are all the players really so shallow that they "have to" take the biggest offer? Put me in those shoes and I would hope that I would have the respect/humility for the game to see the outrageousness of these offers. "I would hope..." is probably what they all said too... Money--how can something so amoral wield such influence?

Posted on December 24, 2008 at 02:21 AM by chuck in ak

The yankees will not win it all next year.... they have to spend like this to justify the prices they are charging @ nys... eat those quarter seats up kids... cuz after that game they will be the highest in sports.

Posted on December 24, 2008 at 07:21 AM by mazaratirick

Rick,

Thank you for working hard on this site all year. You've made my 2008 a lot more enjoyable by making this site available. Bill Smith's annual Christmas gift is that he's not in the AL EAST.

They added some side extensions to the scoreboard yesterday. I'm really looking forward to 2009, guys. Merry Christmas!

Posted on December 24, 2008 at 09:34 AM by OG Jeff

MY christmas gift would be more posts by Luke...

Posted on December 24, 2008 at 09:46 AM by Santa

I'm looking forward to 2009 too...gonna be great. I think they start sod installation next spring. Then, we'll know it's really close. I suppose they'll start seat installation next summer sometime?
Anyway, Merry Christmas to all. Have a great holiday. There, we'll see if that "takes over what was once a great ballpark message board."
Just for the record, this STILL IS a great ballpark message board. Thanks to Rick for all his hard work!

Posted on December 24, 2008 at 10:43 AM by luke

Merry Christmas all! First canopy lights being installed... sweet!

Posted on December 24, 2008 at 11:36 AM by Brian

Anybody know what the big "X" on the back of the scoreboard standard is for? Curious...

Posted on December 24, 2008 at 0:32 PM by Badjuggler

"X marks the spot"?

Posted on December 24, 2008 at 1:12 PM by Blitzen

Can anybody speak to the significant structure that is going atop the admin/office building in LF? I thought it was topped out but it appears there is some more height coming?

Posted on December 24, 2008 at 3:00 PM by Matt

Merry Christmas All!

Matt...what you see on top of the Admin building is the top of the elevator shafts. They put scaffolding and plastic around it so they can heat it while they lay the bricks inside. I do wonder, however, about the four sets or rod sticking up from the roof of the admin building. I am betting there is going to be some patio or porch of some sort up there.

Badjuggler...The drawings indicated some large logo on the back of the scoreboard. The X is probably partly to provide some lateral support to the scoreboard columns, and perhaps also to attach the logo to the back? Just a guess...

Posted on December 24, 2008 at 5:19 PM by David_Mpls

The "X" is probably for the giant jumbotron they are putting on the reverse side so people can tailgate/watch games down near the tracks across from the Ford Center.

Merry Christmas all! Remember the reason for the season...

Posted on December 24, 2008 at 6:00 PM by chuck in ak

that'll be great to have a double-sided videoboard. i hadn't thought of that. i didnt even know they were planning one.

Posted on December 24, 2008 at 9:56 PM by Blitzen

Are they? I did not think that they were?

Posted on December 25, 2008 at 12:36 AM by Matt

sigh

Posted on December 25, 2008 at 09:47 AM by Abe Frohman

Ahh what the hey lets make A few comments. If the Yankees want to spend that kind of money let them its a waste of their money not ours heheheh. Besides we have our own allstars we dont need someone elses. Yess I know some might not like what we have but hey at leaste I think at times they are fun to watch since you have no idea what they are going to do next. Remember we did go to the playoffs A few times on what the twins were doing for the last so many years. Who knows what big allstar will come out of the farm system next hmm. Nuff of that. It does not matter what the weather is going to be like since we will have A outdoor ballpark like it or not. Besides it gives us a chance to have a real double header not the planned out fake kind. Umm you know what I think we should stick to just the twins history of being here since thats what most people here would remember more than anything else. So if they put up history around or in the new ballpark it should be that. Hey it would be nice if it were called metropolitan stadium instead of what it is but I guess thats called progress new stadium new name new location and so on. I have rambled on too much.

Posted on December 25, 2008 at 10:29 AM by Leroy

I can't tell for sure, but it appears that they may have put the first light sockets in on the canopy.

Posted on December 26, 2008 at 08:51 AM by Camden Pike

RA Dickey??? HUH? What? Was Sidney Ponson not available this time around????

Posted on December 26, 2008 at 10:03 AM by kevin in az

Camden, I do believe I heard something about them starting light installation, yes.

Posted on December 26, 2008 at 10:18 AM by Blitzen

bill smith is going to be the death of this current team. is terry ryan still running this operation from the sidelines?! in my opinion bill smith is one of the worst GM's in baseball. seems to lack all ability/guts to make any kind of legit move on the free agent market or get something cooking on the trade market. he is in way over his head in my opinion.

winning the al central title doesn't cut it anymore. if it does for you then you must not be paying much attention. this franchise needs to make it back to the world series before i am going to be willing to admit they have accomplished anything worthwhile, especially in the last 3-4 years. and i don't think you can make it back to the series if you aren't willing to make a few tough trades/free agent signings along the way.

Beta....

Posted on December 26, 2008 at 11:37 AM by Betaband

Happy Holidays all - has anyone had a chance to check out (or take photos) of the circulation ramps (and wood coverings that were installed Mon. and Tue.)? Very much looking forward to seeing what they look like...

Moose

Posted on December 26, 2008 at 4:16 PM by Moose97

Beta, I think you should clarify what you mean when you reference "legit" moves. Anyone can demand 'real' action or make noise about the team not getting enough done on the field, but far too often (for my tastes) a list of such complaints is not accompanied by a list of the Complainer's ideas to solve the problem.

I would like to know what moves you think Bill Smith should have pulled the trigg