Wow. Where do I start? I was really looking forward to this years’ Twinsfest as I have really focused my collection on tickets and cards and no longer have to carry around bats, large photos and the like. I had most of the players on a baseball I wanted except for the new guys so I was hoping my bag would be lighter than in years past. Wrong! Maybe it was lighter but man, that thing felt like a ton after lugging it around all weekend long!
All things considered, this Twinsfest was my best one since around the early 2000’s. I do not know if less people showed up because they lost 99 games last year or because the new policy for Mauer and Morneau but either way, I am not complaining! I had an awesome weekend! For those of you who do not know the new policy for the M&M Boys, you had to go to a different gate at the Metrodome and pick up a wristband. I heard there were various colors for each. I am unsure of the numbers on Friday and Saturday but Sunday there were three different colors for each player. 15 minutes before the signing was to begin, they announced which color wristband allowed the person to get in line and get an autograph. It totally eliminated the people getting in line before midnight the night before. I was very impressed and pleased with how it worked out.
I left work on Friday around 3pm and got to the Dome in quick fashion. I wore my winter coat because I thought I would be standing outside for a while. I decided to skip the wristband deal Friday night and headed to the floor of the Metrodome and got in line at Corner #2. I got Nick Blackburn on his 2011 Topps card, Scott Baker signed his 2010 and 2011 Topps card, Alexi Casilla signed his 2011 Topps card and Matt Capps signed his 2011 Topps card. I then went on the other side of the curtain to Corner #1 and got the following:
Joe Benson on his ML debut ticket with “ML Debut”
Ben Revere on his ML debut ticket with “ML Debut”
Kyle Waldrop on his ML debut ticket with “MLB Debut”
I was pretty excited because so far my plan was being executed to perfection! Since the next shift had the two other players who made their major league debut on the same day with Joe Benson, I decided to stick around Corner #1 for them. I was about 20th in line waiting for the next shift. That shift started and I got the following:
Jeff Gray on two Bowman rookie cards
Chris Parmelee on his ML debut ticket with “ML Debut” (Joe Benson on it already)
Liam Hendriks on his ML debut ticket with “ML Debut” (Benson & Parmelee on it already completing the ticket)
I was on Cloud Nine! The ticket turned out AWESOME!
I then zipped up to get in line for Rod Carew. Since I have been working on the All Time Topps Twins cards, I have needed quite a few Rod Carew cards. I have most of his cards signed and have now moved on to the League Leaders and other cards like that.
I got in line with the intention of getting through for Bert Blyleven. A friend of mine who I trade skeds with needed Bert on a HOF postcard and I wanted to get him one. Well, turned out Bert was personalizing and I did not want to get a personalized one for Jim. I stuck it out in the line and got Rod Carew to sign his 1983 Topps Super Veteran card. That finished off 1983 for my Twins team set. I got Ron Gardenhire to sign his 2011 Topps Heritage card and I was stylin’!
I then got right back in the same line as it was starting to form already for the next shift. This turned out to be the highlight of the first night of Twinsfest for me.
I had a 1987 Game 6 ticket signed by Dan Schatzader with “Winning Pitcher” already and thought since Hrbek and Gladden were at the same table, it would be cool to get each to sign their respective ticket with “Grand Slam” as they each hit a grand slam in the same Series. I believe that is the only time that has happened where two grand slams were hit by the same team in the same World Series. Anyway, I asked Kent if he would sign it with “Grand Slam”. In a gruff, grumpy voice he asked “Why?”. I told him that he hit a grand slam in the game and in the same tone he said “So?” At this point I was ready to just get his autograph and move on but said “Since you and Dan are here together at the same table, I thought it would be neat to have each of you sign it with ‘Grand Slam'”. He reluctantly signed it with it and meanwhile, Gladden was leaning in checking things out as I gave him the Game 1 ticket in an effort to keep the line moving. Dan asked me if they were my tickets and I had to be honest and tell him that I was saving up for college in 1987 and did not have the money to get tickets to the World Series and I picked them up a couple years ago. Kent signed it and handed it back to me. As I shuffled to Dan, Kent told me and Dan that he has a ticket from Lou Gehrig Day at Yankee Stadium. (This is where things really get cool). I asked him if he had a ticket to his major league debut game. He said “No. That was at Yankee Stadium.” I asked him if he wanted one. He said “No. No. No. Well, I guess that would be cool.” I told him I had a stub and that a few years ago he signed a full debut ticket for me and if he wanted the stub, he could have it. He kind of looked up at me like ‘Are you kidding me?’. I got the last Brad Radke card signed (completing my run of Topps Twins cards for him) and moved to the side while I dug around for the ticket. I found it and slid it on the table to Kent. He looked at it and his eyes got huge as he put his “cheater glasses” on to check it out. He and Dan looked it over and Kent said “Wow! Thanks a lot!” I told him that was thanks for putting “Grand Slam” on my ticket and walked away. It truly made me feel good to give something to a player as a small token of thanks for all they have done for us fans over the years. Kent gave me a lot of great memories and to give him a ticket for HIS debut made me feel great. I now have donated something to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown as well as Kent Hrbek’s personal collection. I then realized there was still time to get two of the new guys and went to Corner #4 and got Jason Marquis and Josh Willingham each on a sweetspot baseball.
My plan was executed perfectly and I even improvised and got a couple other guys that I did not think I would get until Day 2 or Day 3!
I headed down to the field and walked around for a bit. While there, I saw a table with a guy looking for old Twins tickets and had a list on a card so I grabbed one thinking I would check it out at home. I chatted with my ticket rep Craig for a bit. I enjoy talking to him as he knows my collection and what it means to me.
I headed home tired and sore but really excited and looking forward to Day 2!
That is awesome Kevin! What a great story about Herbie. I hope Caden was with you.