Thursday, May 28, 2009
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Often referred to as the busiest multi-purpose stadium in the country, there are events taking place at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome over 300 days a year. It is home to the Minnesota Vikings, the Minnesota Twins, former home of Minnesota Gophers Football, and former home of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The facility has also hosted pro soccer, pro lacrosse, monster truck pulls, extreme motor cross events, NCAA tournaments of all varieties, conventions, weddings, and open skating sessions on the concourse. Being an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins, and having just missed out on being part of Generation X, nearly all of my professional baseball experiences have taken place at the Metrodome. Throughout the years I've attended about a hundred games or so...including a season high thirteen in 1993. The Twins finished with a record of 71-91 that year, resulting in a 6th place AL West finish. Sensing the bad karma I was bringing to the dome, I've only gone to about a half-dozen games per year since then.
Anyways, I recently attended what could very well be my last game at the Metrodome. Chances are, I'll get to another game this year...but the thought crossed my mind as Justin Morneau belted a grand slam over the baggie in right field and into the upper deck. The "Homerdome" lived up to its nickname that evening as the Twins uncharacteristically scored all of their runs by way of the big fly. Alan Trammell could not be found for comment.
Part of me will be sad to see the Twins leave the Teflon sky behind - that part of me is also an idiot. Constructed for a mere $68 million in 1979, the project actually came in under budget - and it shows. Never has a stadium been built with such Orwellian brutalistic efficiency. Its mission is to herd people in and out - in between the stadium yells at you in a militaristic German accent, "You will be entertained! You will be entertained, and you will like it!" While that's just fine for a football game, it is hands down the worst major league baseball stadium in the country. Seats do not necessarily face the field of play, and the three hours of craning your neck toward home plate is known to cause postgame back spasms. The upper deck is set back too far from the field of play, the field is some sort of space-age plastic, the roof is the same color as a baseball, the stadium is surrounded by parking lots, and to top it all off - you are watching baseball inside! Note that Google thinks it is the "Herbert" H. Humphrey Metrodome.
Okay. End rant. I really do have plenty of fond memories in the dome. During the 2002 ALCS, the dome got loud enough to throw my eardrums out of commission, the resulting loss of equilibrium shoved me back in my seat...all this from 55,000+ screaming baseball fans. Cool. Of course, the 1987 and 1991 World Series Championship teams played in the dome. Kirby Puckett's dramatic 11th inning game 6 walk-off home run set the stage for an incredible game 7 - capping off the greatest World Series off all time. I was in the midst of my childhood at that time, and as a child, even leaving the dome was a treat. The dome is entirely supported by air, and actually collapsed following a snow storm on November 19th, 1981. Anyways, to allow proper evacuation of the masses that attend games, gate attendants are often forced to bypass the revolving door system and open the remaining side-hinge doors. Physics takes over and the air blows you out onto the street, the dome essentially kicks you to the curb. Even today, it brings out the kid in most people.
Despite all its faults, the Metrodome has its quirks and charms. While locals hate to admit it, outsiders have come to consider the Metrodome the most recognizable symbol of the Minneapolis skyline. To see the icon up close, The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission apparently gives tours for a nominal fee of $3, so there is really little reason not to go. I of course would suggest going to see a baseball game before the Twins move in to their new ballpark across town. There will never be another baseball stadium (well, stadium used for baseball) like it.
Anyways, I recently attended what could very well be my last game at the Metrodome. Chances are, I'll get to another game this year...but the thought crossed my mind as Justin Morneau belted a grand slam over the baggie in right field and into the upper deck. The "Homerdome" lived up to its nickname that evening as the Twins uncharacteristically scored all of their runs by way of the big fly. Alan Trammell could not be found for comment.Part of me will be sad to see the Twins leave the Teflon sky behind - that part of me is also an idiot. Constructed for a mere $68 million in 1979, the project actually came in under budget - and it shows. Never has a stadium been built with such Orwellian brutalistic efficiency. Its mission is to herd people in and out - in between the stadium yells at you in a militaristic German accent, "You will be entertained! You will be entertained, and you will like it!" While that's just fine for a football game, it is hands down the worst major league baseball stadium in the country. Seats do not necessarily face the field of play, and the three hours of craning your neck toward home plate is known to cause postgame back spasms. The upper deck is set back too far from the field of play, the field is some sort of space-age plastic, the roof is the same color as a baseball, the stadium is surrounded by parking lots, and to top it all off - you are watching baseball inside! Note that Google thinks it is the "Herbert" H. Humphrey Metrodome.
Okay. End rant. I really do have plenty of fond memories in the dome. During the 2002 ALCS, the dome got loud enough to throw my eardrums out of commission, the resulting loss of equilibrium shoved me back in my seat...all this from 55,000+ screaming baseball fans. Cool. Of course, the 1987 and 1991 World Series Championship teams played in the dome. Kirby Puckett's dramatic 11th inning game 6 walk-off home run set the stage for an incredible game 7 - capping off the greatest World Series off all time. I was in the midst of my childhood at that time, and as a child, even leaving the dome was a treat. The dome is entirely supported by air, and actually collapsed following a snow storm on November 19th, 1981. Anyways, to allow proper evacuation of the masses that attend games, gate attendants are often forced to bypass the revolving door system and open the remaining side-hinge doors. Physics takes over and the air blows you out onto the street, the dome essentially kicks you to the curb. Even today, it brings out the kid in most people.
Despite all its faults, the Metrodome has its quirks and charms. While locals hate to admit it, outsiders have come to consider the Metrodome the most recognizable symbol of the Minneapolis skyline. To see the icon up close, The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission apparently gives tours for a nominal fee of $3, so there is really little reason not to go. I of course would suggest going to see a baseball game before the Twins move in to their new ballpark across town. There will never be another baseball stadium (well, stadium used for baseball) like it.
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