Quote:
Originally posted by Teflon Skies
I admit it. This one was pure indulgence on my part. Metropolitan Stadium was never thought of in the same vein as other old ballparks but, to me, it was a magical place just the same. This is where I saw my first big league baseball game and where I returned time and again to the third base bleachers seats to spend pleasant summer evenings watching the Twins of the 1970s. Who remembers Vic Albury? Steve Braun? Bob Randall? Bombo Rivera? They are still as vivid to me as Rod Carew and Bert Blyleven and Roy Smalley. The Twins didn't always field a winner, but they were an entertaining team to watch. The opponents of that era also occupy a special place in my baseball memories. I'll never forget seeing Mark Fidrych pitch in 1976 or Reggie Jackson and the Yankees come to town in 1977. I remember the awesome Angels pitching duo of Nolan Ryan and Frank Tanana and how lumbering part-time Twins DH Craig Kusick owned Tanana. I remember a favorite vendor named Masseo who had to be 80 years old and would sit down next to me to pour my beer and visit for a moment or two before getting back up. I remember the smell of cigars and cigarettes at the park and, even though I didn't smoke, how it somehow seemed appropriate. Baseball during the years I was going to the Met had a real romance for me. I can't help but think back to the time there as some of the most pleasant moments I've spent. Enjoy this park!
-TS
Capacity: 45,181
Left Field Line: 330
Left Field: 350
Left Center 410
Center Field: 410
Right Center: 410
Right Field: 370
Right Field Line: 330
Fences: 8 feet (wire mesh)
Bitmap: Metropolitan Stadium
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Just beautiful. From the money tree on top of the scoreboard to the paths from the dugouts to homeplate, sure brings back memories. Leo Cardenas, George Mitterwald, Rich Reese, Cesar Tovar, Jim and Craig Nettles, Tom Hall, and Frank Quilici to name a few. Saw Tanana pitch but missed Ryan by one day, it was a three hour drive for us to get there so we only saw about 5 games a year. Oh to be a kid again.....