Kansas City Royals 8 – Minnesota Twins 12
Target Field – Minneapolis, MN
September 22, 2019
One final dress-rehearsal for Target Field before the Yankees try to repeat a broken record in the playoffs. The Twins looked great, until they made it way closer than it had to be at the end. This final game of the year was much different than the one in 2018.
Last year we had what wound up being Joe Mauer’s final game, Paul Molitor’s final game as manager of the Twins, and nothing to play for once inning 9 was in the books. But in 2019 we were Joe Mauer-less, coached by a guy not much older than me (Rocco Baldelli), fighting to clinch the AL Central, back and forth with the Yankees for the record for most homers/bombas in a season, and not ready to close Target Field until we had some REAL October baseball played on home soil.
The great news about the playoff potential (which has now been clinched and confirmed that we will have the Yankees play here at least one game)? More game(s) and commemorative playoff baseballs. The bad news? The Twins were not going to be very generous with equipment. I look forward to the final game of the year because of this Christmas in September/October tradition. But I will easily sacrifice that for the chance at snagging a playoff commemorative baseball at my home stadium for the first time.
The other bit of good news? Not only did I get my almost-standard 4 balls, but I ended up with a LaMonte Wade Jr. game worn hat. For those keeping home, here’s a running total of what I’ve snagged at the ballpark in my lifetime:
- 1062 balls (duh!)
- 13 bats (plus on bat knob/handle)
- 21 PAIRS of batting gloves
- 5 INDIVIDUAL batting gloves
- 19 lineup cards (of varying types)
- 1 pair of cleats
- 1 rosin bag
- 1 wrist band
- 1 helmet
- 1 fielding glove
- 6 hats
Not bad, huh? I guess my future tiny house will have to be all baseball themed.
Ball 1: Brusdar Graterol
Ball 2: Zack Littell
Ball 3: Mike Montgomery
Ball 4: Bat Boy
And here is the song that is referenced in the title. Again, for the FOURTH time, raise up them devil horns, rock out, and then go out and save the planet. This album rocks!… HARD!
