I Couldn't Resist

Sitting down the first base line I saw Twins 2nd baseman Brian Dozier watching the pitcher warm-up. Yep- he was chewing bubble gum and blowing bubbles. So I zoomed in and got this shot.

Sadly, that's one more thing that Brian can do that I can't.

We Do It Again In Less Than Two Weeks

One of the great joys the past two summers has been to be part of the Trumpets at Twins event. Over 100 trumpet players get to stand out in centerfield and play the National Anthem. What a kick. It's the sound, the crowd, the noise, the sight we get to see. It's the ability to play the National Anthem! We do it again this year on Monday, June 8 when the Twins host Kansas City.

Here's the video I put together from last year's event. Enjoy.

Back to July- The All-Star Game

Okay, it's the first Monday of January. 

We are in a Winter Storm Warning Weather Advisory

The wind is howling around another polar vortex. 

It is the kind of day I have been saving these pictures for. 

 Let's go back to the "relative" warmth of a nice
July Tuesday evening at Target Field. 

Here are some of the pictures from
the Derek Jeter All Star Game 2014.

Pre-Game Festivities

	It is not hard to remember that the All-Star Game is a BIG event. The press coverage (left) is amazing. Everywhere you look you will see interviews, people looking important, etc. On the street outside the field there were special buses to bring people to the game, trailers that house people monitoring all the different radio frequency usages and on and on.
As we walked around the field there were names that we have heard many times. Sure, you get to see some of these during the regular season, but not all in one place. Even the pitcher who would end up being the star of the World Series. They all know each other, obviously, and they take the opportunity to stand around.
	All  the different colors of all the different teams and a lot of standing around as the teams are about to be presented.
But the star of the show for most fans was the Yankee star, Derek Jeter who had announced that this would be his last season. This was, therefore, his last All-Star Game. No. 2 walks along the row of non-starters (above left) and tips his hat to the crowd's ovation as shown on the big screen (above right).
	Yep, that's us from above as shown on the big screen.
The National Anthems (Canadian and US) were part of the festivities. Above left is the big flag across the outfield. Compare the size of the people holding it and you get a sense of its size. Above right, on the big screen, a close up of the trumpet players (of course) from the symphony. The banner photo above of the jet flyover as the national anthem came to an end. (Think about the timing that takes!)
	Final action- the honorary first pitch. That's Twins Hall of Famer Rod Carew waving to the crowd as he is announced.

The Game

	Names, names, more names. If you are the type that wants to collect names you have seen, this is the place to be.
	Bottom of the first and the past and present of Major League Baseball stand together- Mike Trout (left) and Jeter (right)
Jeter in motion. Here he is rounding first (right). Notice that the first base coach is in focus as Jeter flies by. Yep, he got a hit- a double. Below- the hit. Notice the ball a few feet in front of the bat. It's the blur down the third base line.
Darvish pitching (above) Greinke (right) Puig not connecting. The ball is in the glove already. (below)
	Utley ready to hit (above). Post-hit, he is standing with 1st baseman Cabrera. (left) Notice he didn't take his foot off the bag.
Neshek showing his very unusual pitching movement. It almost looks like a submarine pitch but then comes back up. He is fun to watch.	As Derek Jeter left the game he got one more extended standing ovation. He has been a class act and truly one of the  great names in the game. It's amazing how we can "dislike" the Yankees but continue to support a player like Jeter!	13
Baseball is entertainment and lives on the media. All pro sports are not played for the players. They are all played for the spectators entertainment- and the BIG money for the networks. Any way to promote the game, promotes them all. The signs above left with ESPN in Spanish, Fox Sports (with Joe Buck), and Fox's Latin American network were but three of seemingly countless broadcasters. It has also become standard operations to show support for and highlight American soldiers. The Fox feed from Afghanistan on the big screen (above right) got it's appropriate and deserved salute from the crowd.
I love to try to catch action shots. Here was one of the better ones. Action at second base. The ball is just about to enter the glove of National League shortstop Castro as Ramirez slides in.	With the American League leading it was only fitting that they put in or Twins closer, Glen Perkins. They also put in his catching partner, Kurt Suzuki. Yes, he got the save and a fine ovation from the hometown crowd. (Note: He has since gotten a very big deal with the Twins.)

 

	In the end it was the American League that took away the victory with little difficulty. It gave the AL the home field advantage in the World Series. Unfortunately it didn't help as the Giants took that.
The post-game interviews happen quickly. Jeter, (#2) naturally at the center. But so were the two locals, Perkins (#15), behind Jeter, and catcher Suzuki, still with his catching gear on (far left.)

It was a joyous time. The fun, the atmosphere, just being in a good ball park on a nice evening watching baseball. Sure, it was just for show. Which is why we go to games... for the show. I had at one point seen a baseball fans bucket list. Going to an All-Star game was in the top part of the list. I didn't think it would be that much fun. But it was. I'm glad we did it.

 

Give me some time and I will also post some of the pics from the celebrity game from the Sunday before the All-Star game. Gotta save some for another day when the warmth of The Summer Game is again needed.

Closing The Barn Door

Picture of the Chevy Truck on the concourse at Target Field after Futures Game MVP Joey Gallo's home run hit the windshield.

Perhaps, then, it is best to call this next picture, 

taken two days later of a different truck 

on the concourse at Target Field:

Closing the Barn Door After the Cows Have Been Stolen.

All-Star Game Festivities: 1

It all started on Sunday at Target Field. A beauty of a day with all the pomp and fun of baseball - the summer game.

Bullseye with the ball outside the field.

The outfield ready for The Festivities!

The Futures lineup of teams. Flags for each country.

The MVP, Joey Gallo, Texas Rangers prospect,  hit a two-run homer in the sixth. It hit the Chevy Truck on the concourse. He may very well become a star!

The Legends and Celebrities softball teams.

Vikings football star Adrian Peterson hugging Snoopy.

Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers warming up with Peterson. Yes, Fingers still has his mustache.

Keep tuned. There's lots more to come.

A Perfect Night for Baseball

Perhaps the best evening to go to a ball game- the longest day of the year. Last Friday was the annual Trumpets at Twins event where 130 of us played the National Anthem at Target Field.

Good weather. Sun. Clouds. Fun.

And sunset was at:   

T C Bear and friends showed up on the scoreboard for the 7th Inning Stretch.

But it was in the 9th that things got a little out of hand. You see the Twins were ahead 4-2. Closer Glenn Perkins could not manage to hold the score 

and blew the save.

Score tied 4-4 in the bottom of the 9th.

Up comes Brian Dozier.

Fuld and Escobar on base.

Look closely- this was taken just at the moment before the ball and bat connect.  

It's a good solid hit.

But there was also a good throw in to the catcher.

Base runner Escobar comes sliding head first.

Note the ball in the picture-

coming toward the catcher showing up in the space 

between the mitt and the runner.

A quick challenge to the call of "safe" at home was overruled.

Twins Win! 5-4. A great evening.

(Note: Posting of Trumpets at Twins at another time.)