For the first time this year, I intentionally watched the Vikings Sunday. The reason, of course, was simply because it was the last game played in the Metrodome, a “souvenir game” so to speak.
It turned out to be reasonably entertaining for a late-season game between two teams who had no playoff hopes on the line. It even had some unusual quirks, such as the Vikings playing a solid first half, and most of all, not blowing the lead in the fourth quarter.
Outside of the stadium during the final game, it was below zero temperature before even calculating the windchill. I would like to go back to the ‘70s and read some of the material from when the community leaders at the time would have been touting the benefits of building a domed stadium in Minnesota.
At least the new billion-dollar baby will have a roof as well. Pro sports are for the upscale crowd these days. Why would rich people want to sit outside in terrible weather for three hours plus? How many $12 beers can you drink when it’s below zero?
The Metrodome was state-of-the-art at the time it was built, and it’s sad to see it be tossed away like an old car that would cost more to repair than it’s worth. It served us well – mostly because we always knew there would be a game and it would be comfortable.
That’s where the Twins still missed the boat with Target Field. Milwaukee’s Miller Field has the modern appeal like a Target Field, but also has a retractable roof for those awful-weather days you know will occur. The retractable feature, despite the high price tag, gives everyone the best of both worlds – open sunshine when it’s nice, and protection when it’s not.
I won’t be bidding on any Metrodome memorabilia, but definitely hanging on to memories of a stadium that wasn’t perfect but still was ours!
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