Take me out to the ballgame...by train! Excited fans on the way to the first ever Twins game at Target Field - April 2, 2010 - preseason vs. the St. Louis Cardinals
The train stops this close to the stadium...
...Literally just outside Gate 6 (the jersey number of Tony Oliva)
Target Field Station - the intermodal station for both light rail and commuter rail - literally built in to the stadium. One catch...those no pedestrian signs are a bit confusing, as they are placed at the pedestrian entrance to the station and stadium when coming from the North Loop.
Or you can take the other train...the Northstar Commuter Rail, which will serve 53 of the 81 home games.
It stops right below the stadium. Just go up one escalator.
Ellis on the Northstar with Target Field outside the window
Target Plaza, a great urban space outside the ballpark.
Target Plaza is popular not only before games (like this), but also on days when there is no game at all.
"The Mitt" on Target Plaza is a popular place to sit.
Empty Target Plaza (on a cold early March day). At left is a parking ramp, screened by thousands of baseball card-sized metal slats that flutter in the wind, making a cool wave-like effect.
Installation along 7th Street showing historic images of Minnesota baseball parks. Skyway to one of the adjacent parking ramps in background.
The Metropolitan Club, with a view of Target Plaza (foreground and right) and right field out the far side.
Talk about sense of place - the gates feature handles in the shape of our fair state.
Bike racks include the Twins logo - supposedly plentiful, I bet they'll have to add more.
Ellis likes the murals on the outside of the stadium facing 5th Street
Enough of the urban experience, dad! Let's play baseball...crossing the threshold at gate 34 - the number of Kirby Puckett's jersey.
The stadium is full of historical pieces and references. This is the original flagpole from old Metropolitan Stadium, now the flagpole at Target Field.
Where does the stadium end and the rest of the city begin? The view out the left field corner - the flagpoles in the foreground, the Budweiser sign is above the popular rooftop deck inside the stadium, and the watertower is on top of the Ford Centre across 5th Street.
A little boy's first glimpse of Target Field
The Minnesota Twins take the field for the first time. Nice view, eh?
And the first pitch
Our hero, Joe Mauer, savior of urbanity in Minnesota, at the plate.
The IDS Building, the tallest tower in this picture, has been a landmark on the Minneapolis skyline for nearly 40 years. Target Field adds another beloved landmark.
Father and son at the first Twins game at Target Field
The view from the concourse in left field. Those bleachers in right field are covering up a parking structure. I've seen liner lofts, these are liner bleachers. Now that's good urbanism!
The outfield
Minne and Paul, the two mascots from the original 1961 logo. They are shaking hands across the Mississippi River, promoting unity between the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Even the upper deck in left field is pretty close to the action - not a bad seat in the house! "If those of you in the cheaper seats would clap your hands, and the rest of you rattle your jewelry"- John Lennon
Popcorn here, get your popcorn!
The evening sun reflecting off the skyline...sublime
The first of many beautiful nights for baseball
The future site of Target Field, 2007, view from centerfield towards home plate. The Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (garbage burner), in the background, now provides heat for the field and common areas.
The view from centerfield to home plate - 2010
