All Good Things Must Come To An End

Last night, sitting in those blue seats of the Metrodome for the very last time, it didn't seem real that the place a generation has grew up with was closing it's doors for it's last Major League Game. I know I have no room to talk, as last season was my first year actually attending a major league baseball game in person, but after how many games I've been to this season, the Dome has pretty much become my home away from home.

I had friends from out of state texting me last night after the game was over, telling me they were pulling for our beloved Twins in hopes of defeating the Yankees at least once and that we, as Twins fans, should hold our heads high because of what the team accomplished in the last month. That we had nothing to hang our heads over.

Three weeks ago, if you would have told me that the guys would have to play game 163, again, and actually make it to the post season, I would have laughed at you because I was one of many that counted them out. But the drive and determination of this team reminded me, you never give up on your team because they will come back and surprise you in ways you never thought possibly.

Fans in Twins Territory, along with the whole team, have nothing to be ashamed of this season. Our team played some amazing games this season, especially these last 3 against the Evil Empire. They didn't just roll over and let the Yankees walk all over them, they made them fight for it, which I am super proud of. We had some major players go down early this season with injuries, even later this season, and the rest of the team stepped up and took over where the "leaders" left off.

I think the perfect example in this, and yes call me bias if you want, was Cuddy. He was the team cheerleader and to watch him take over at first with Justin going down was amazing. He has stepped it up so much this season and I felt so bad for him at the beginning of the season when everyone I talked to would give him crap wondering when he would cave again or get injured and find himself back in Triple A. But he stepped it up and tried to carry this team the later part of the season.

This team has so much to be proud of this season. We've got Joe Mauer with his third batting title, the team brought one last division title to the Dome and a million more memories for everyone to remember for the rest of our lives. I know I will never forget the atmosphere in that Dome for game 163.

Now it's time for us to move to Target Field and make some new memories and enjoy a new ballpark that a whole new generation can get to call home.

Short and Sweet

Minus a couple crappy calls in tonight's game, they Twins pretty much screwed themselves over tonight. Too many missed opportunities and blown plays. Sloppy baseball at it's best. Yes we didn't just roll over and let the Spank-me's take it from us, but still. You guys play better baseball then this.

I'm not sure what the hell Joe Nathan's problem is again, but I thought we were over whatever little fight we were in, pretty sure after tonight we're fighting again because I'm not very happy with him. I'm not very happy with Jason Kubel either, but he and I haven't been fighting for the last 2 months.

I hate the Yankees, that will never change, but that was pretty much a stolen game for them. They got lucky with that one. I wanna know who paid off the umps.

All I'm saying is this, you guys need to pull your heads out and stop playing scared. Pretend it's game 163 again and go out there with the fire and determination you had on Tuesday damn it.

For Those Who Still Believed...

Words can not describe how proud I am of this team. I will never forget this game for the rest of my life. Being at the Dome with 54,000+ fans, screaming my lungs out in excitement was worth every penny. To hear that many fans chant MVP at the tops of their lungs when Joe was up to bat. Amazing. To hear that many fans sing along with Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'", amazing.

For all the people that said they'll never do it, screw you. This team has more heart and dedication than any other team I've seen. Cuddy's shirts from last year are perfect right now, 162+ NO excuses.

These guys went into this game with a never surrender attitude. They never gave up. They fought so hard for this, everyone knew how bad they wanted it.

I have to say, part of me says this one was for Heidi. I couldn't help but stand there after the game, watching these guys and thinking "How much would Heidi love this?" I know she's up there watching, but I have never known a bigger Twins fan in my life. So Heidi... this one was for you. Now can you help us out with the Yankees a little? lol

For the first time this season a game has left me speechless. I am so proud of the guys and no matter what happens, you all proved them wrong when they said you couldn't do it.

It Ain't Over Till It's Over

It's only a matter of time...

To be quite honest, I'm not even really sure where to start the post for this weekends do-or-die series, other than with this. I spent the entire weekend being nice to the Chicago White Sox, even saying thank you when they would do something to help us. I even made the promise that if they swept Detroit, I would never say anything bad about AJ again. So since they didn't sweep the Tigers, I have something I need to get off my chest...

AJ... you suck.

Ah, I feel better now :)

As it was originally planned for the weekend I was only supposed to be attending Sunday's game with Betsy, but as we both watched Friday nights game and knew we were still in this fight we decided to attend Saturday's game as well and boy am I glad I was there. That was a make me sick to my stomach game but it was worth it. I'm not sure who lit the fire under these guys asses, but I'm glad whoever it was did it. It seems to be working and I just pray that it carries over till Tuesday's game.

I think Friday nights game was an amazing way to start off the weekend. As I was watching with my mom during the first inning, she happened to make that comment that Delmon Young reminded her of Kirby Puckett, with a quick glance I could see what she was talking about. So with the bases loaded, I made the comment "channel your inner Kirby, Delmon." and amazingly he must have because the next thing I knew that ball was in the seats giving Delmon his first grand slam.

I did feel bad for Delmon though, he was interviewed after the game was over and was asked if his dad was there to see his grand slam, he responded with, yes his dad was there, but he wished his mom could have been there to see it. Believe me Delmon, she was watching :)

I was just in awe watching these guys this weekend, fighting till the end, knowing what was on the line. Back to Saturday's game... those guys do have a way of stressing us out till the very end. But once again, our rock star Cuddy showed everyone he can make big swings happen when they are needed the most. To see the excitement on his face and the rest of the teams face watching the replay online kinda gave me chills cause you can see how much these guys want this.

Also, Nick Blackburn pitched a beautiful game against Zack Grienke. I'll admit I was worried facing Grienke during a do or die weekend, but again these guys checked fear at the door and wowed a few critics that said we couldn't/wouldn't. Amazing job Blackie :)

Yesterdays game was a mixture of emotions for me. I was excited with knowing what could happen, but at the same time I was kinda sad because I knew there was a chance we could be walking out of the Dome for the last time. Apparently the guys aren't ready to say goodbye to that bubble just yet and we have to play game 163 again, which thankfully this time around I will actually get to be there with Betsy and Krystal. There was no way in hell I wasn't going to be at that game tomorrow so we used every available resource to try and get tickets.

All I could think during the earlier parts of yesterday's game was, "save some runs for Tuesday!". I spent a good portion of the game scoreboard watching until the final score was posted for the Tiger/Sox game, then I focused more on our game. But when Kansas seemed to start rallying, I was glad we had those extra runs, as I'm sure Carl was thinking the same thing.

The post-game ceremony to close out the Dome was really good. Most of the team from the '87 and '91 World Series were there along with most of the All-Metrodome Team, the only ones missing were Torii, Johan, Chuck and of course Kirby. They did a wonderful tribute for Kirby along with having Kirby Jr. take down the last number in the Countdown to Outdoor Baseball over in the home run porch.

But I think Kent Hrbek said it best when he said in his speech, "We've got to come back here on Tuesday and drink some more beer!" And actually, I may just have to have one Tuesday night.

Detroit's sending Rick Porcello to the mound while we're sending Timmy. I've got faith and a whole lot of prayers. Go after it guys, we'll all be there to cheer you on. You've all made it this far, just keep plugging along.