Some things in sports don't make much sense. "Utah Jazz", 11 teams in the Big Ten--these things don't seem to make sense. So when the twins say goodbye to the metrodome at the end of the season to move into the outdoor Target Field next year, I'll add that to my list of things in sports that don't make much sense.
From most reports, locals in the twin cities are excited to get out of the dome and finally see baseball in the sun. The proposed Target Field will also help generate extra revenue for the twins--a successful and winning team over the years despite playing in a smaller market. But how successful will the twins continue to be as a baseball team without their significant home field Hump dome advantage?
Through the years, the twins have mastered the art of small ball to take advantage of their dome surroundings. As a result of playing on bouncy AstroTurf and under a ceiling that is the same white color of a baseball, the twins have drafted and developed players who can run, catch a baseball, and understand fundamentals--not easy to do these days. In fact, the twins play small ball and understand fundamentals better than any team in the MLB. They have some of the best scouts, a great manager who understands fundamentals, and a great former manager who understood it as well. Good enough to earn the respect of Ozzie Guillen, who refers to the twins as "piranhas" for their aggressive small ball play.
Looking at the franchise's history, the twins won two world series titles in '87 and '91, with both series going 7 games. Amazingly, the twins posted a combined 8 - 0 metrodome record in both series. Over the years, the twins have had impressive home records. As a result, they have been successful, winning American League Central division titles in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006, and tying for the division title last year (losing to the white sox in game 163 last season played in Chicago). These are amazing accomplishments for a team playing with limited payroll in a smaller market. In addition to the emphasis on speed and fundamentals preached throughout the organization, throw in the other advantages of the metrodome for the twins, such as quirky ground rules that give visiting teams fits and ear shattering crowd noise amplified by the enclosed roof.
Speaking of the roof, the humpdome ceiling along with the "baggie" out in right field and rock hard AstroTurf may have looked a bit tacky over the years, but I'm sure fans in the stands attending games in the months of April and May weren't complaining about the climate controlled temps at a balmy 70 degrees inside, as spring snow storms were pelting their cars in the lots outside.
If you were going to build another stadium in Minnesota, how could it not have a retractable roof?
Be careful what you wish for, twin fans. For me, leaving the metrodome for an outdoor field doesn't make a lot of sense.
The following sources contributed to this post:
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/11758062
http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/derek_jeter_says_metrodome_gave_minnesota_twins_an_edge/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_World_Series
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1987_World_Series
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