When I made the move to central Minnesota, one thing I said I would do more is attend Minnesota Twins games. For some who have visited with me, I may have shown you the Twins tattoo right above my right ankle to show my crazy fandom.
So, now being just an hour away from Target Field, I had to do something I’ve never done as a Twins fan: attend Opening Day! I did just that on Thursday, April 3. What a day it was, one I will always remember!
Knowing the gates would open at 1 p.m., I arrived at about 12:30 p.m. to take in as much of the day as possible. Plus, I wanted to make sure I got there early enough to get a free Twins beanie hat, given to the first 10,000 fans. When I arrived and saw all the people there, I wasn’t sure if I would get one at first. Thankfully, I did.
I walked in and found my seat in a lower-level section on the side of the opposing dugout. Soon after, a small group asked me to take a photo of them, and they, in return, took my photo. Afterward they mentioned how Opening Day was a tradition for them, and I told them this was my first Opening Day. I do hope to make it a -tradition!
I always love taking in a game at Target Field, as it’s my heaven on Earth, but this experience was certainly unique. I’ve attended colder spring Twins games, including the team’s second game of the season, so the lower 40-degree temperatures were very familiar. But everything else was definitely -different.
Players, coaches, and other team personnel were all recognized before the game. Both teams – the Twins and visiting Houston Astros – stood along the infield foul lines as the cast members from Chanhassen Dinner Theatre’s production of “Grease” performed a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. A large American flag had been unfurled in the outfield for this song and, at the end of it, a couple of fighter jets flew over the field.
The clouds finally broke to display a sunny, picturesque scene for baseball right before first pitch. The Twins then jumped out to a strong start. Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan struck out all three Astros batters in the first inning, and the Twins scored two runs in the bottom of the inning.
It was relatively quiet for the Twins after that in an eventual 5-2 loss. But, in the top of the ninth, we did watch the Twins’ pitching staff strike out All-Star and potential future Hall of Fame player Jose Altuve for the fifth time in the game – the first time he has struck out that many times in a game. Twins fans rose after Twins reliever Darren McCaughan got to two strikes on Altuve in that ninth inning and roared when he finally recorded that third strike on him. Many fans, including me, held up five fingers to recognize the feat. Opening Day or not, you just never know what you’ll see when you come to the ballpark!
Despite the end result, it was an awesome day, one this crazy Twins fan will remember for the rest of his life! I encourage others to take in this special day in the baseball season. I assure you that you won’t regret it! On Facebook, I shared photos and the following message.
“Everyone who knows me, knows I’m a die-hard Twins fan, but one thing I’ve never done as a Twins fan is go to Opening Day. Well, I can now cross that off the bucket list! The Twins lost to the Houston Astros 5-2, but the sun broke right around first pitch to welcome in Twins fans! I had a blast in my heaven on Earth – Target Field – on a hallowed day in the baseball season! I hope to make this a spring tradition! Baseball season is my favorite season, and I’m so happy to have been a part of its official start this year in Twins Territory! Go, Twins!”