When the Twins play their last game in the Metrodome on Sunday against Kansas City, they say goodbye to one of the best home field advantages in the history of pro sports. The quirky place gave the Twins an edge including in two World Series championships that were won in game sevens at home. The 1991 World Series against Atlanta is arguably one of the greatest ever. The dome was frequently a place in which opponents found it difficult to see the ball in the air and on occasion was totally deafening. To the Twins the place could be inspirational.
The dome was a financial silver bullet for the Twins who never drew more than 1.5 million at Met Stadium, the franchise’s home from 1961-1981. Original team owner Calvin Griffith saw attendance increase from 469,090 in 1981 to 921,186 in 1982. A few years later owner Carl Pohlad counted the cash when the Twins became the first American League franchise to draw over three million fans.
The dome may have prevented franchise relocations by the Twins and/or the Vikings. Moving to a covered facility boosted attendance for both teams.
While the Twins will play in a full stadium with more than 50,000 fans on Sunday, their last game ever at Met Stadium (also against Kansas City) drew only about 16,000 in 1981.
Gophers’ coach John Anderson hopes to have a new baseball stadium no later than three years from next spring when the program is celebrating its 125th anniversary. Baseball is the oldest sport on the University of Minnesota campus.
If Badger fans buy football tickets from University of Minnesota students for tomorrow’s game, they face an obstacle for entrance into TCF Bank Stadium. They will have to show photo identification as a Minnesota student.
Gopher quarterback Adam Weber said Wisconsin and Minnesota were his two final choices for college. The former Mounds View High School player said that for the final decision his Minnesota background was too significant not to become a Gopher. His dad Bobby Weber played for the Gophers, although he grew up in Wisconsin and attended medical school at UW Madison.
Weber said his roommate, Eric Decker, feels like he has two years to “make up for” when the Gophers play Wisconsin tomorrow. Decker, now a senior, was injured and couldn’t play in last year’s 35-32 loss in Madison.
Decker now ranks sixth in Big Ten history with 212 career receptions.
Nate Tice, the former Edina High School quarterback and son of ex-Gophers coach Mike, is a walk-on with Wisconsin. Nate started his college career at Central Florida, and then left for junior college before joining the Badgers earlier this year. He’s a sophomore quarterback.
The Badger offense is 16-for-16 in scoring opportunities inside the 20 yard line this season. Texas, best in the nation, is 23-for-23.
Minneapolis area resident Michele Tafoya will be a sideline reporter along with Suzy Kolber for Monday night’s ESPN Vikings-Packers game at the Metrodome.
All-time, the Packers have a 49-46-1 record against the Vikings. The Vikings are 24-23 at home in the series that began in 1961. In the last 23 games the Packers have outscored the Vikings by three points, 541-538.
Vikings’ rookie Percy Harvin leads the NFL in kickoff return yardage at 35.8.
Russell Gliadon of Saint John’s is one of 18 Division II and III players on the watch list for the annual Fred Mitchell Outstanding Place-Kicker Award. The award is named for Fred Mitchell, the record-setting place-kicker, Wittenberg University Athletic Hall of Famer, author, philanthropist and Chicago Tribune sports columnist.
Canadian native Cory Joseph is one of six high school point guards with a five star rating by Rivals.com. The Gophers are in the chase for him and may have an edge because of family connections. Brother Devoe will be a sophomore guard for the Gophers this season. If Cory comes to Minnesota he not only can play for two years with his brother, but their mother won’t have to split travel time to two different schools to watch her sons play college basketball.
No decision has been made on who will be selected as the color commentator on Gophers radio broadcasts but a former Gopher seems a likely choice.
The Wild is 7-0-1 in home openers at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild hosts Anaheim on Tuesday and tickets are available.
Former Wild defenseman Martin Skoula recently signed a one-year contract with Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh after tryouts with Florida and Columbus.
Former Wild forward Marian Gaborik and other New York Rangers presented the “Top 10 List” earlier this week on the “Late Show with David Letterman.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y859_hB2VLo&feature=player_embedded