Citizens Bank Park

Day 156: Ahh, what a day. New Ballpark #3 presented a phenomenal game that put this park experience automatically at the top for this summer. It was a 3 hour drive, but a gorgeous day and good company. Upon reaching Philly I rolled down my windows hoping everyone would see where I was from and who I was there to support. A guy stuck in traffic getting off the highway leaned out his windows and said “Welcome to Philly, ladies” and gave us premium free parking pass for next to the stadium…Definitely a good start and we’ll pretend that’s why it’s the “City of Brotherly love”. As we walked in I told Carrie, "this is how baseball is supposed to be". The game was sold out, it was stifling hot, but people were pumped. A surprising number of Twins shirts and things were good. We got 3 runs in the first, but that was it for a long time. In the meantime we enjoyed the giant hot dog that shot hot dogs into the stands from the field, the Liberty Bell that lit up and rang for home runs (k, didn’t enjoy those home runs, but the concept was cool), the Philly skyline in the distance, and the entire song “Just another American Saturday Night”. We also enjoyed the “play the bongo drums” fan cams and the bull pen that was in the outfield on two different levels (later a home run was caught out there in the bullpen!) Negative points for the 7th Inning Stretch, there was no warning that it was coming and by the time we stood up and started singing the song was half over. The sun didn’t let up once and we were burning the whole time. Then comes the good stuff. 9-4 in the 9th, Twins are down and haven’t had anything since a solo Morneau homer in the 6th. The Twins fans in front of us left (leaving their “Circle us Bert” sign, to my delight), but it quite literally did not cross my mind to leave. Not that I ever do, but I had a feeling about this game, and I’m normally right when it comes to those feelings. So. In some miraculous way, we get 5 runs, including a Mauer homer (only his third of the season and his first hit of the day…”did you ever know that you’re my hero?” was playing in my mind) to tie it up! Suddenly, the Twins fans are much more visible. The ensuing 30 minutes were stressful and exciting. Homer in the 10th for each team and then several walks in the 11th that left Mauer and Morneau on the bases with Rausch (our PITCHER) up to bat. I thought for sure he’d bunt into a double play, but he someone pulled off a beautiful bunt and not only did we get out of the bind, but we got 3 more runs. Final score 13-10 Twins. Man, the excitement pulls me off my feet with absolutely no thought! The stadium emptied quickly, leaving the Twins fans (growing in number) to revel in the win. I was walkin on sunshine and thrilled. Carrie said on the way to the car, “Man, I’m a Tigers fan, but I’m really having fun pretending to be a Twins fan today..everyone see her hat!?” Ahh. It was all marvelous. Definitely worth the drive, the tickets, and any heckling I received.