Day one of Twinsfest 2008 found me getting to the Metrodome three hours before the doors opened. It was really a dumb move on my part but I really wanted to make sure I got Mauer & Morneau on my 16×20 photo so that I can put it away without carrying it around to any more events. I was probably number 120 or so in one of the two lines outside gate H. I did all right in the cold until the last half hour when the sun went down and the concrete sidewalk we were waiting on sucked all the heat out of me. Once I got in, I immediately headed to the Mauer & Morneau line. That happened to be where about 90% of the people waiting outside was also headed. They only allowed 300 people in the line. I believe I was about 188 (at least according to the counter at the entrance). I was able to start to unthaw while I waited the hour and a half before the M & M Boys started signing. The line moved the slowest of any line I have ever been in. It rivaled Harmon Killebrew’s speed (in his defense, he has the nicest signature in baseball). I was able to get my photo signed by each player to finish it up (Santana & Hunter signed it at the autograph party in the summer of 07). I got it with about 20 minutes left of signing so I am sure that some of the last of the 300 people in line did not get autographs.
After I left the M & M line, I went to see how the line was for Kent Hrbek. There was nobody in line! I paid $30 for two autographs and got a couple cards signed for sets I am working on.
I then headed to the field to do my annual shopping adventure. I bought a couple paper items (remember the Great Airplane Toss of the late 80’s?) and some 9 pocket sheets and headed home.