Needless to say, we're not like the Florida Marlins or the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (excuse me, it's just the Tampa Bay Rays now). People in Florida don't care about either franchise quite frankly; and, they show it by lack luster attendance at the park. Yes, and the Marlins still accomplish very low attendance - even after two World Series championships in 1997 and 2003.

Yes, the Twins also accomplish very low attendance, even after two World Series championships in 1987 and 1991. People still love their Twins in these parts, though. They love sitting in a musty, dark, downtown football stadium to watch their young heroes play every night.

Did he say "football stadium"? Yes I did, and that was not a mistake. Most people know by now that the Twins share a multi-purpose stadium with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings. This is one of those negative aspects about being a Twins fan. Matter of fact, it's been one of the negative aspects ever since they immigrated here in 1961.

But, the Twins are visibly erecting a new ballpark just up the light rail line from the Metrodome. And, it's looking good. Dave St. Peter (a Twins front-office big wig) even said once that the Twins have been playing for more than 40 years in a "stadium;" now, they're getting a ballpark.

This is true. Even back to the old Met, as it is affectionately called around here, the Twins played in a stadium. The Met was an outdoor park just across the street from where the North Stars played. Critics said the Met looked like it was built with an Erector set. It looked aesthetically boring on the outside. The Vikings played there, too; in what was known as the smallest stadium in the NFL.

For the Twins fan, the game has never been played in a "ballpark" to call their own. All will change in 2010 when our new ballpark opens. Twins fans will enjoy coming to the ballpark, instead of leaving after the seventh-inning stretch because their neck hurt.

The on-the-field game for the Twins fan is not what it used to be. There really are no stand-outs like Carew or Kaat; Puckett or Hrbek; and, unfortunately, Hunter or Santana. It's a young game on the field these days; and the program vendors make lots of money on game nights.

The canopy out in center field is yellowing with age; as it's now been 20 years plus since we last won our first World Series. But, the people still come to the Dome.

In a couple years, days will look brighter for the Twins. Literally. Sunlight will once again shine on the

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