k-bro Twins Fest Report - 2012

Nothing breaks up a drab, blah, boring, post-holiday winter's weekend quite like talking baseball. And the best place to talk baseball, and see baseballs, and hear baseball stories, and to think about baseball, and otherwise get your baseball fix in January is TWINS FEST!

I was especially motivated to go this year, because Brad Radke was appearing for the first time since he retired. I don't normally like to spend my time in autograph lines, but this was for Brad Radke, so I had to.

He shared an autograph station with Jacque Jones and Shannon Stewart, so it was kind of like a 2004 reunion tour. The line was longer than I expected, but fortunately I made it in just in the nick of time (they closed the line 5 or so people behind me).

Success!

I didn't want Jacque and Shannon to feel bad, so I got theirs too.

For the record both Jacque Jones and Brad Radke are better looking in person than any picture I've ever seen; they both have fabulous smiles.

Brad has short hair now. But he's still good looking. But not so much in this picture.

After I finally got my autographs, I went inside. It's the first time I'd been in the Dome since they put on the new roof. It was a lot brighter in their than it used to be. I can't imagine trying to catch a fly ball with that sun-bright roof.

It was crowded, but not as much as it was a couple of years ago.

I sat at the ESPN1500 radio area, which is one of my favorite things to do -- you can relax, and listen to the radio guys interview the players. It's a great way to see the guys as they're being interviewed.

Justin Morneau also commented on the bright white roof.

When we started wondering around, we checked out Bert Blyleven's new Hall of Fame plaque, ...

Hmm. I don't think it really looks like him.

visited the Twins Pro Shop, ...

You can get your very own Mike Lamb banner.

and found TC Bear, among other things.

Best mascot in the Majors.

By the time I did all that, the Twins Grab bag booth was closed down because they had run out of grab bags for the day. I was really disappointed because for $15, you can get a treasure of stuff -- old stadium giveaways, media guides, and other prizes. Bummer. Next time, I'll get those first.

All in all, though, I had a great time. And now I'm really in the mood for baseball to start.