It’s a wonderful night/You gotta take it from me/It’s a wonderful night/Come on and break it down

Here is my Top 10 Things That Happened Regarding Baseball (Top 10 TTHRB)

10. I got autographs from six rookies/minor league players that I will probably lose in the next day or so. (Sorry Curveball, that must make you shudder.) Maybe I’ll be a responsible autograph collector and put it somewhere safe.
9. Met up with Jolene (which doesn’t seem baseball-like) who was working at the booth next to where Mike Redmond was sitting. Jolene, thanks for prodding me to take his pic and not just stand there.
8. Told Those Girls where to drink in Minneapolis (hope they found a few good places)
7. TBL took me through the Rookie/Minor League/Down on the Farm (free) line twice and patiently explained the routine so I wouldn’t look too stupid. (Shout out to Denard Span for being super charming to everyone.)
6. Came to the realization that Kevin Slowey is cute! Amy has been telling me this since the beginning but I had just brushed her off.
5. Was shocked by the lack of pink Mrs. Joe Mauer t-shirts in the crowd (and a little saddened not to have them to mock.)
4. Ooh-ed and ahh-ed over the new stadium display (see you in 2010)
3. Listened to my co-worker (who doesn’t know shit about baseball, mind you) audition for the National Anthem contest thingy.
2. Bought Minnesota Twins (baseball) home opener tickets (see you at the dome on March 31, behind home plate, upper level, 30 breath-taking – literally – rows up.)
1. Had my first Dome Dog and Beer at the Metrodome for the 2008 season!

MOD
I made a mix to use for when I have to run tons of errands (and usually dread it.) Now before you start doubting my sanity, I know that a lot of these are the top songs I have been talking about the last week or so but…they are just that damn good!
Run the Damn Errands Mix
Carry On Up the Morning – Babyshambles
Delivery – Babyshambles
You Talk – Babyshambles
Intervention – Arcade Fire
Rootless Tree – Damien Rice (you all know I only like this song because of its use of the word “fuck”
Wonderful Night – Fatboy Slim
Walk Away – Franz Ferdinand
Baby Fratelli (acoustic from Budhill Singles) – Fratellis
Cigarello (acoustic from Budhill Singles) – Fratellis
You Held the World in Your Arms – Idlewild
She’s Crazy – The Kelly Family
My Doorbell – White Stripes
Dry Your Eyes – The Streets

Whoops, looks like I need a swear count: 4

‘Roid Rage/Human Growth Rage

I sure do hope spring training comes soon. They only things filling the sports news slots are reactions to the Mitchell Report (ba, ba, bum) and rumors. Skip to the end for non-Mitchell Report baseballness.

We have all commented on or mocked the Mitchell Report (which now has an Olympic like theme for the opening, thank you) that was released last week. My Land O’Cubicles has been in a flurry taking names down and keeping track of who is reported, who denies and who admits usage. With the release of Knoblauch’s name many of my crazy-drinking-baseball-game-attendees have been preening righteously. I guess after ten years the hurt feelings have not gone away. To quote Mr. Darcy:
“Maybe it’s that I find it hard to forgive the follies and vices of others, or the offenses against me. My good opinion, once lost, is lost forever.” – Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen.

I think the one thing that was highlighted for me, in a very shallow way, is Schilling martyring himself out in the following article:
Schilling Calls on Clemens to give up Cy Youngs if Rocket doesn’t clear name

Now, it appears that Clemens is speaking out (via Youtube):


I guess we will get all the details in his interview with 60 Minutes.

Twins Fest 2007!
January 25 – 27 will have the Metrodome all in a flutter with meeting our new players and sighing in relief over the ones we kept. This lipgloss-wearing gal will most likely be there but you won’t see her standing in any autograph line. (I just don’t have the attention span and dedication for that.) I am more of a people watcher, early ticket buyer and shopper. I am betting that many of you will be there also. Who will you be standing in line for?

Skol Vikings! / Let’s win this game / Skol Vikings! / Honor your name

Forgive me Father for I have sinned.

Last night I cheated on Baseball went to a football game. Yes, football. That game where they wear very tight, shiny pants and have a hundred people on their bench.

It felt weird to be in the Dome and seeing the ugly turf painted with white stripes and a giant Vikings head in the center. I kept pointing out the pitcher’s mound, first, second and third bases.
It felt odd to walk on the plaza and see the sea of purple and gold (instead of red and blue.)
It felt outlandish to see the parking prices range from $20 - $40 around the dome.
It was peculiar to see the giant tent full of Vikings souvenirs and apparel (even pink stuff!)
It felt bizarre to see those Helga hats (Vikings hats with horns and blonde braids.)
It felt wacky to be singing Skol Vikings instead of Take Me Out to the Ball Game.
It felt uncanny to not know any names of the players instead of all the names, ERA, pitching rotation, nicknames, hometown of the baseball players.

Thanks to my favorite male cousin for giving me a free beer.
Gracias to the fine people at the Chili’s food stand outside of the Dome for the free southwestern egg rolls and mozzarella cheese sticks. We don’t know why this manna of food was bestowed upon us but we ate it.
Danke to the manager in my office who gave me the free tickets to the game.
Merci to the band playing on the plaza for having awesomely 80’s hair and not knowing how ridiculous you look when you are playing and winking towards the ladies.

Grey, dingy, dome roof - I must be talking about the Metrodome!

All about the Metrodome!
In a few years the Mighty Metrodome, in its entire grey dingy dome roof splendor, will be retired. There was an article in this morning’s Star Tribune with facts about eating habits in the Metrodome. Here are some of the morning interesting ones:
· Baseball fans eat and drink more at the Metrodome when the Twins are winning, they prefer draft beer to bottled and spend the most at concession stands on Tuesdays. And they love their ice cream -- possibly more than at any other major league ballpark. Jen’s note: Helmet Sundaes!!!
· The combined sales of draft (16.66 percent) and bottled beer (16.3 percent) comprise one-third of the total concession sales at Twins games. Jen’s note: However, Foley accounts for 12.6 percent of all Miller Lite consumption.
· Much of that food is purchased on Tuesday nights, when fans spend an average of $8.31 at concession stands. Fans spend the least on Wednesdays, an average of $6.62. Jen’s note: Wednesday nights are Dollar Dog Night so it is much cheaper to eat.

There are many options for seeing a game in the dingy old Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. It depends on your mood: Do you want cheap seats last minute? Do you want to see the game happening in front of you? Do you want to escape all the college kids that are there on Half-Price Student ID night? I have sat in ALL the possible sections and I like them all for different reasons.
Behind Home Plate – I have sat in the section behind home plate and it is not as glamorous and you may think. First of all, yes, you get a prime view of the catcher’s behind but otherwise you can’t see the calls and the net darkens your view a little.
Lower Level, First Base side – This just happens to be Amy’s favorite spot. Hmm…wonder why, eh? Could it be a certain blonde Canadian, eh? Would it be the first baseman right in front of us, eh? It is a pretty cool spot to view the pitcher, batter and Morneausey’s butt but the fear of getting pegged by a foul ball. Yes sir, I don’t care if Amy does get me a batting helmet to wear (which would look stupid) it just won’t make me feel safe to have my noggin in the way of a tipped foul ball. Nope. My life is worth more than Morneausey’s butt.
Lower Level, Third Base side – Twice now Amy and I have scored sweet seats in the first row at the Twins bullpen. These are my favorite seats minus the fact we have to walk 40 rows up to go to the bathroom. It is worth having Johan warming up right in front of us. It is also worth trying not to awkwardly stare at “Baby Jesus” Mauer as he is squatting in front of us, I mean I could lean over the railing and knock on his helmet. It is also worth watching Amy watch Moreausey taking swings at the warm-up plate in front of us. The funny part, we were trying not to stare and take pictures so the came out fuzzy due to the fact we weren’t really focusing. I did take a few pics with my camera phone which wasn’t as covert as I wanted it to be. Due to the fact that my camera button makes this loud shutter noise. Yep, a spy I am not. I have attached two photos below...
Lower Level, Left Field, Home Run Porch – these are good seats, you may be far from home plate but you get to have room to watch and chat.
Upper Level Behind Home Plate – Eh, I could take or leave these. Not great views.
Upper Level, Center Field, Cheap Seats – These are my favorites because they are not assigned and you can jockey for a cool spot. If you get in the right section and make enough noise Torii Hunter will wave back at you as he runs onto the field. It is also prime location for hanging and chatting whilst watching the game. Ideal: Sitting cheap seats on a Wednesday night, eating Dollar Dogs and playing Twingo (Twins Bingo). Life doesn’t get better than that.

Johan Santana warming up in the bullpen

Morneausey taking a few practice swings in front of us

Only 34 days until Home-Opener!!! Tomorrow night, Wednesday, February 28, the Twins play their first Spring Training game against Boston at 6:05. I don’t think it is televised but I will be listening to it on the radio…most likely. Y’all know it is my Aunt Karin’s and my TV night (Criminal Minds and CSI: NY). Lame but true.

Hey Ma! I am going to be on ESPN!

Hello Metrodome, see you in 42 days!

It appears that the next year is locked down in ink with the newest one-year deal going to Cuddyer. Cuddy signed a one year, $3.575 million deal and avoided an arbitration hearing. Looks like the decision makers are getting smarter about not going as far as having these arbitration hearings. Too bad they didn’t learn that lesson a year and a half ago with Kyle “Hissy Fit” Lohse. You know that I don’t like to speak ill of the traded but I am glad we don’t have to deal with Lohse anymore since the only thing he did well was kick water coolers and throw his glove, snot nosed little punk.

Here is the recap of our big signings:
Joe “Baby Jesus” Mauer – four years and $33 million
Nick “Sparky” Punto – two years, $4.2 million
Morneausy –one year, $4.5 million
Leeeeeew Ford – one year, $985,000
Juan “Rinks” Rincon – one year, $2 million

Ah, Spring Training
Whilst perusing the official MN Twins site I came across some info regarding Spring Training. Here are the highlights:
· Twins are always one of the last clubs to have its pitchers & catchers report.
· First scheduled workout is this morning (Monday, February 19).
· Pitching is the big focus point, trying to build our rotation. So far Boof, Glen Perkins and Garza are in with a possibility of Baker.
· New faces: Ramon Ortiz, Sidney Ponson, J.D. Durbin and Kevin Slowey.
· Silvia is a question mark.
· Bullpen is looking good with Nathan, Reyes, Rinks, Pat “Sideshow” Neshek, Crain and Guerrier.
· Position spots are all filled with the DH being up for grabs.

42 Days until Home Opener. On that note the Baseball Masters of the Universe have moved the Twins home opener against the Orioles up an hour in the timeslot. It appears that ESPN has picked up the game so it will now start at 6:00 p.m. which ROCKS! A.) We be on ESPN, baby! I better be rocking my fancy hair and lipgloss just in case the camera shows my section. All my out-of-state friends, watch for me!!! B.) I am old so I am happy that I will get home an hour earlier. However, the guys are bummed because they say this is cutting into our tailgating drinking time. Guess we’ll have to leave work an hour earlier. C.) You know ESPN has picked up this game due to the rockstar status of the Twins which is giving major props.

Let the countdown begin...

Here Lucy is at her 1st Twins game on her 1st birthday!

60 days until Minnesota Home Opener
60 days until I am sitting in Section 233, Row 12, Seat 1
60 days until I have to decide which Twins t-shirt I will wear
60 days until tailgating
60 days until the Twins Rally in the IDS Crystal Court
Which leads into 60 days until I have to think of a reason for being absent from work during the rally time
60 days until I get goose bumps and teary eyes from the 2006 montage
60 days until the introductions of our players are made on the field (some of them starting with: Your 2006 Cy Young…, Your 2006 MVP…, Your 2006 Golden Glove…, Your 2006 Batting Champion…)
60 days until BASEBALL!!!

Are you ready for some baseball news? It appears that New York’s Yankee Stadium will be hosting the 2008 All-Star game. 2008 will also be the last season that the Yankees will be playing in Yankee Stadium as they will be moving to their new stadium. What will happen to the House that Babe Ruth Built?

So have I have been throwing around this idea of going to New York to watch the MN Twins play against the NY Mets in June. I haven’t finalized anything yet so I don’t know if I am going to drive or fly or teleport. I did ask Amy if she wanted to go but she’s non-committal at this point *hint, hint* and I know that Stacy would love to go back to New York *alternative hint, hint* so there are options out there.

Did you know the distance from the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome to Shea Stadium is 1214.80 miles? That would take about 19 hours and 20 minutes to drive (according to Mapquest). Roadtrip anyone?