2011 Twins Game Recaps, View from the Ballpark

2011 Game 59: Twins 6, Indians 4

21 Comments

Weather: 83°F, clear
Wind: 9 mph
Attendance: 15,278
Time: 2:34

Twins record: 22-37 (last in AL Central, 11.5 GB)
Fangraphs boxscore | MLB Game Wrap

Highlights:

  • Highest WPA, hitter: Tolbert .246 (2-4, R, 2 RBI, SO) | Highest WPA, pitcher: Mijares .104 (0.2 IP)
  • The Twins have now managed to string five wins together for the first time this season.
  • The Twins drafted a college middle infielder.

Lowlights:

  • Lowest WPA, hitter: Casilla, -.088 (0-4, GIDP) | Lowest WPA, pitcher: Baker, .067 (7.0 IP, 9 H, 2 HR, 3 ER, 5 K, HBP)
  • Despite drafting a middle infielder, the Twins will still be rostering Tolbert & Casilla for the foreseeable future.

There typically hasn't been much chatter about the actual games in the Monday morning recaps, but just because I run View from the Ballpark that doesn't mean talk about the actual game isn't welcome. Then again, this is the first time that the Twins won on a Monday since the Monday after the Big Move, way back at Game 16. So, if you have observations about last night's break from the trend, do share them.

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Here's this week's View from the Ballpark:

photo by Flickr user Curtis Cronn

Though I never was able to attend a game here, this was one of my favorite ballparks in all of baseball. A substantial part of the park actually still exists, but unfortunately has been pitched to the needs of a radically different tenant, erasing a few of the signature elements I really loved about the place, such that the view from this spot no longer exists.

photo by Flickr user Curtis Cronn

Remember, no embiggening.

21 thoughts on “2011 Game 59: Twins 6, Indians 4”

  1. That looks like a dome stadium with the bank of suites and what looks a curtain covering other seats to the left of the bank of suites. Also looks like a more modern design from the 70's perhaps?

    1. You and free are on the same track with the Stick and the Big A. Not entirely off the mark, but further off than San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium.

      1. Correct!

        Here's the reason why SBG was on the right track: before the MLB expanded to San Diego, the PCL Padres played the 1968 season at San Diego Stadium, having moved there from Westgate Park (now the site of the Fashion Valley Mall). The Portland Beavers were also in the PCL at that time. Both teams shared their stadiums with other sports - the Padres with the AFL/NFL Chargers and the NASL Jaws and Sockers, and the Beavers with the NASL and MLS incarnations of the Timbers, the USFL Breakers, and the WFL Storm and Thunder.

        If you look very carefully at the image above, you can see the sidelines and midfield circle for soccer games, just past second base.

  5. How about a few more looks at PGE Park? It was, at least in my opinion, one of the most beautiful and classic ballparks in minor league baseball.

    First, here's some public art outside the main entrance:

    photo by Flickr user weezerthewonderful

    Here's a better look at that clock behind the art:

    photo by Flickr user anneohirsch

    Let's step inside.

    photo by Flickr user Chris Yunker

    Probably time to check out the game.

    photo by Flickr user uncleboatshoes

    Walk on down the first base line toward the plate with me.

    photo by Flickr user jcbwalsh

    That left field line is barely shorter than at the Bandbronx.

    photo by Flickr user pencrush

    Look, too, at how far below grade the outfield is!

    photo by Flickr user Mary Anne Thygesen

    Making our way toward left field, we can see this is really a great place to catch a game anytime, day:

    photo by Flickr user jcbwalsh

    or night:

    photo by Flickr user barjack

    or even after a storm.

    photo by Flickr user Curt

    How about a few more looks at the scoreboard?

    photo by Flickr user PaulHorner

    There's that ridgeline Doc mentioned:

    photo by Flickr user ghindo

    You can watch the operator do his thing from right inside the park.

    photo by Flickr user jcbwalsh

    Just don't drop your camera or your beer when you're out on the scoreboard's little balcony. It's a long way down.

    photo by Flickr user jcbwalsh

    The view from there is pretty good, too.

    photo by Flickr user jcbwalsh

    Of course, if you prefer you can watch from the seats at grade above the left field wall, kind of, but not really, like in Fenway.

    photo by Flickr user catechism

    Just remember to root-root-root for the home team,

    photo by Flickr user jbrownell

    and enjoy the fireworks

    photo by Flickr user jbrownell

    knowing you just visited one of the most beautiful little ballparks in the country.

    photo by Flickr user jbrownell

    And you can savor your night while waiting catch the train home just outside the park's glow.

    photo by Flickr user beej55

  7. As for the difference in configuration for foot and ball vs. stick and ball, you can see here how they've changed the park.

    Soccer in the old configuration:

    photo by Flickr user orangeateblue

    photo by Flickr user jcestnik

    Looking to the corner, you can see the office of The Oreganian overlooking the park.

    photo by Flickr user jcestnik

    And between the sideline and the outfield wall there was enough room to warm up or stay loose.

    photo by Flickr user Chris Yunker

    Now all that is gone.

    photo by Flickr user stahancyk

    PGE Park is now a soccer-only venue with mismatched stands and roof heights. Here's what it looks like after the reconfiguration.

    photos by Flickr user wajiii

    Now, don't get me wrong. The Timbers seem to have some pretty enthusiastic fans.

    photos by Flickr user frozenchipmunk

    But, if baseball ever makes it back to Portland, it won't be played here. And, quite honestly, that makes me sad to think this place won't see any more little guys like this.

    photo by Flickr user jbrownell

    1. Does make me a little sad to see old ballparks either demolished or "renovated" into something else. I could accept the soccer renovation if the new seating section meshed with the rest of the park. Instead it just feels half-assedbaked.

  9. Oh wow. I've been to this park twice (before renovation). Both times it was to see marching bands. My older brother and sister were there for the Rose Festival in 1987. Then my younger sister was there with the same marching band for the same festival in 2008.

    Just a beautiful stadium. The new pictures make me sad.

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