The bronze statue of Kirby Puckett is unveiled Monday. Puckett's former wife, Tonya, and son Kirby Jr. are at left. Photo by Jerry Holt, Star Tribune.
"Gushing" is the best word to describe the near-universal reaction by Twins fans soaked in the sights of Target Field for the first time Monday afternoon. "Awesome" was the one-word descriptiion used again and again by men, women and kids alike.
"I just love it," said Eagan resident Jim Miller. "I've been to something like 50 ballparks around the country and this has to rank in the top five of all of them. I've walked around it a few times, but this is my first time inside. It's gorgeous. The concourses are unbelievable."
As for critics complaining about their tax dollars being used to build a new stadium, "it's worth it. And when the naysayers come in here and see it, they're just going to go whoa. It might even help the Vikings get their new stadium when people see what a first-class stadium looks like."
Miller proudly noted that this was his third time attending a home opener in a new Twins stadium.
Mark and Karin Gaertner sprung their three kids from school in St. Paul so they could attend the game "but they promised to do double homework tomorrow," Mark Gaertner said.
"We try to travel to a new stadium every year, so it's amazing to realize this thing is right here in Minnesota," he said. "Absolutely awesome."
Fans weren't the only people gushing. A few writers in the press box were overheard waxing ecstatic about meeting, however briefly, Harmon Killebrew and Rod Carew.
