Tonight the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings square off. And then in a matinee tomorrow, the Minnesota Twins will take on the Detroit Tigers in a one game play-in for the playoffs as both teams finished tied for first in the American League Central. These games mark two of the biggest games played in Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome history.
Brett Favre, long considered the greatest quarterback of all-time by many is looking for 'revenge' against his old team. It is the biggest week 4 match-up in NFL history. The game is expected to be the highest rated cable football game in history.
Win or lose it would almost seem to be fate for the Twins to have won a coin flip to have the tie-breaker played at the dome. It only seemed fair that the consensus loudest stadium in America, if not the world would be in the spotlight in a high stakes game at least one more time.
The Metrodome has long been considered the toughest place to play baseball due to the bright white roof and homer hankies that help camouflage the ball. The noise level can be deafening. Despite these almost lamentable conditions, we still have the memories of the intensity in the Dome during the 1987 and 1991 World Series match-ups that the Twins won.
The 1991 World Series was ranked by ESPN as the best World Series ever played. Four games were decide on the last at-bat and three games went into extra innings. The Twins won that World Series in the 10th inning of Game 7 on their last at-bat, 1-0.
Those World Series featured legendary performances by Kirby Puckett. Puckett who was a Minneapolis statesman would also become a tragic figure. At age 35, glaucoma would end his playing career. One personal tragedy after another would culminate in his death at the young age of 45.
But next season, the Twins are moving to their new stadium, Target Field. The Vikings lease runs out in 2011. If there is not a new football stadium in the works by that time, there is concern that the Vikings could leave the mid-sized Twin Cities sports market.
One thing is sure though. The Vikings days in the Metrodome days are limited. Therefore fans should take a moment to appreciate it as the Metrodome hits its pinnacle of excitement this week.
We will soon be saying good bye to the only sports complex that has hosted a World Series, a Final Four and a Super Bowl.
For those of us that have been to Minneapolis (or lived there), we understand the beauty of the Metrodome's location. It is an integral part of the city and is a unique part of the city's skyline.
Were the Metrodome ever to be destroyed, it would mark the end of an era. It is located in downtown and is within walking distance of the Mississippi River and the University of Minnesota (which also borders the river). As well, the dome is a hub of urban activity on game days.
Most would likely argue that the prettiest views of the Minneapolis skyline come from off various spots on the Mississippi River and Lake Calhoun. Such views generally do not include an actual view of the dome. But that is what actually makes the dome's presence unique. It has seemed to add a dual identity to Minneapolis.
A complex identity was always important for a city that has a downtown only nine miles from its Twin City counterpart, St. Paul. Each city created various landmarks and cultures to distinguish themselves.
Those taking the City Rail to the games from the Mall of America in Bloomington (built on the old site of Metropolitan Stadium where the Twins and Vikings once played) know they have hit the urban heart of Minneapolis when the rail wraps northwestward and the Metrodome appears in periphery.
Picture 1: Minneapolis skyline with view of the Metrodome.Picture 2: A Minnesota Vikings football game at the Metrodome.
Picture 3: Minnesota Vikings fans have rallied around their once nemesis, Brett Favre.
Picture 4: A Minnesota Twins pregame at the Metrodome.
Picture 5: Kirby Puckett makes perhaps the most iconic catch in World Series history.
Pictures 6-7: Views of Minneapolis from Lake Calhoun.
Picture 8: A 1930's style house off of Lake Calhoun. City planners wisely planned various parks and trails off of Lake Calhoun, so that all Minneapolis residents could enjoy the entirety of the lake. Such planning is commendable, given the high prices, such land would have commanded.
