Metrodome memories
When I saw the video of the Metrodome roof collapsing and dumping all that show on the Minnesota Vikings' home field, I had to wonder what else could go wrong for the Vikings. The roof already had fallen in on them in a figurative sense with the Brett Favre cell phone scandal and the Randy Moss mutiny, so this was just icing on a rotting cake.
The situation did bring back some memories, however, since I was in the Metrodome for the only time the roof failed while there was an event taking place underneath it. That was on April 26, 1986, when a severe windshear tore the roof above the bleachers in right center field and dumped rainwater into the stands during the ninth inning of a game between the Twins and California Angels.
The tear caused the light standards to swing toward the seats and created some panic in the stands, but the roof did not deflate and the game resumed after a short delay with the Twins leading, 6-1. The evening became even more memorable when the game was restarted and the Angels proceeded to hit three two-run home runs in the ninth inning to win the game -- the final blow a two-out shot into the upper deck in right by rookie first baseman Wally Joyner.
My other memory of that game came afterward. Reggie Jackson, nearing the end of his great career, did not start the game, but came on as a pinch hitter in the top of the ninth. He walked and scored ahead of Joyner, but complained after the game (perhaps only half-seriously) about manager Gene Mauch's decision to send him in to play right field in bottom of the ninth inning -- right under the spot where the roof was damaged.
Joyner went on to have a terrific season and help lead the Angels into the playoffs, but that was the year of the famous Game 5 collapse against the Boston Red Sox in the American League Championship Series. The Metrodome game was quickly lost to memory in a season that included several big events in Angels history -- including Don Sutton's 300th career victory.
Associated Press photo
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Comments
That was right around the time Reggie almost killed the queen, right?
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Pete's reply: Actually, Reggie didn't make his attempt on the queen until 1988. The roof collapse may have been a preemptive strike by MI5 to prevent him from going through with his evil plan.
Posted by: Chris in Hawaii | December 16, 2010 3:31 PM
Saw a Twins-Indians game there a while back. Sat behind the Indians bullpen.
My mentally defective buddy decided to cheer for Paul Assenmacher, by yelling 'PAUL ASS!', which forced me to finish with 'ENMACHER' to prevent being ejected from the Dome as we were surrounded by children.
He would do the same thing at the '97 ALCS, this time we were nowhere near the bullpen.
He just likes to curse out loud.
To this day, I am pretty sure Paul Assenmacher is his favorite player.
Posted by: SHAMROCK | December 16, 2010 8:28 PM
When I attended North Dakota State University, I would go down to Minneapolis to see the Orioles when they were in town.
One particular weekend over the 4th of July was a blast. I got to see all three games of the series plus an exhibition with the USA and Cuban national teams. I even had a funny conversation with one of the Cuban players.
Some people hated the Metrodome with the baggie roof and giant vacuum effect when you went through the doors but I always enjoyed going there for games. The fans were classy all the way, you could see the game well from almost anywhere and it was LOUD.
This will probably end up being the final straw to get rid of the Metrodome but there were a ton of great sports memories there and some for me personally I'll never forget.
Posted by: Mark H. | December 17, 2010 9:36 AM
I lived in Minneapolis for 4 years and would try to see a baseball game once and a while, especially when the Orioles came on their annual trip. I saw Johan Santana get a ridiculous amount of Ks against the Tigers in one game, but by far the most memorable experience was seeing Ripken get his 3000th hit. He had 2997 going into the game, and I thought it unlikely that I would see history, but he was pretty hot (for a guy known for his rocksolid consistency, he was actually a very streaky hitter) and he got those 3 hits in his first 3 at-bats. It was a great moment.
Posted by: Orsulakfan | December 17, 2010 11:52 AM
Some day I will write about my Kingdome memory. As Warren Zevon might have said, "It ain't that pretty at all."
Posted by: waspman | December 17, 2010 2:58 PM