All Good Things

There had been a change of plans at the top. I had originally given my tickets to my dad and uncle for my dad's birthday, because today's game was a noon first pitch and I usually have to teach, but we had the day off for Eid. Gratitude overflows. My uncle didn't mind that I was a bit of a de-gifter as I asked if it were okay that I take my dad to the game, if he were up to it. My dad took some pain killers and gave it a try.

We missed the first pitch at the Dodgers were already up a run by the time we entered the Thrivent club at the third batter.

My dad going to a game is no small feat these days. He's actually a huge reason I shelled out the medium bucks to get the seats that are padded and come with a heated area where you can sit indoors. The last time my dad went to a game was two seasons ago. My brother and I took him to opening day with my son. Though we parked in handicap parking and got as close to the stadium as humanly possible, navigating the walk and the crowds was very difficult for our dad. At that time he had had 5 aneurisms. Six and seven came this last summer a with world class surgeon in Houston, TX. Surviving those (I mean, SEVEN aneurisms) I'm going to guess, though ever the optimistic pessimist, my dad had, perhaps, written off getting to a game ever again. Though, he'd never say it. I told him I found a place to park that minimized walking and the crowds were quite light where I got seats.

We walked in and a lovely couple noticed our pause as I realized people were actually sitting in my seats. An older couple, I didn't want to give them a hard time and was navigating what to do when I heard "There are spots here by the window if you want them." They were comfortable seats indoors and one even said 'reserved for handicap'. My dad felt excited. "It's RESERVED!"

Though the Twins were down a run I was grateful to be at the ballpark on a gorgeous Wednesday with my dad. I let him wear my son's cap and offered to buy him one when we realized it didn't really fit. I laughed as I had him try on mine. "Dad, my head hasn't grown since I was ten." "You fit a lot inside of it though!" He responded.

Before you knew it, first pitch in bottom of the first and Edouard Julien tied the game on a solo shot going to the opposite field. 1-1. "He's a french Canadian from Quebec, Dad." I offered, knowing the team has entirely changed over since we last took in a game together. "I was going to say" he added, "I don't know many of these names these days.

I got a text from my pal Billy Menz because he and I were going to try to use the game to talk fields a bit, also having a day off from MPS. "Dad, are you okay if I meed my colleague for a sec?" "I'm fine!" He said.

I felt almost as guilty leaving him as I do leaving my son.

Billy and I met outside by the resturant, the "Truly on Deck". "You have the fancy seats" Billy said, "I don't think they'll let me in." I smiled and we talked about taxes and where baseball fits into it all. "Why do you think I'm meeting you?" I joked.

We went into the restaurant, which, has AMAZING views by the way. It also has amazing hamburgers apparently, as Billy got one so that we could talk shop. I was jealous, having given up red meat a year ago.

We talked fields and baseball and school as only two math teaching baseball loving parks commissioners can. I excused myself after an inning and a half to go back to my dad.

"Sorry dad. We have tons of things to discuss.... I had made the connection unsure if you could get to the game today."

"It's FINE." My dad offered. At this point it was 2-2. I wondered if my dad wanted to go down to the seats but each time I offered he seemed good.

"This is the best. I can stretch my back out if I need to and then sit back down also. It's perfect." he assured me after I bought us some butterfingers and we sat back down.

It was a few innings later when another pseudo meeting I had scheduled came around. I'm insanely fortunate to be able to make connections through being a parks commissioner and one has been with the director of community engagement for the Twins. We first connected because I was the softball coach at South. Chelsey came by because our schedules haven't been syncing, so I had offered last night "I'll be at the ballpark tomorrow if you have a moment!"

Well, she did, and before you knew it my dad was having a grand old time talking to her. Our joint storytelling of the 1987 series and me being on TV as a kid got brought up. "It's in the archives somewhere I'm sure." My dad was always so proud of me getting interviewed and my massive knowledge of baseball. It made me realize that was the first time i was on TV... in my pajamas... the night the Twins won the 1987 world series.

"I wasn't born yet" Chelsey conceded.

"Man you missed out." I stated. She smiled like she knew she did.

"What about Jack Morris' 10 inning gem in 1991? Were you alive for THAT?"

She shook her head. "1992"

Made me realize that getting older isn't all bad.

Somewhere in that conversation Edouard Julien hit his second home run opposite field. The Twins were up 3-2.

"We CLEARLY have a ton to talk about" Chelsey offered when we both realized we'd been talking for almost an hour and hadn't even gotten to the subject of parks and baseball yet. We checked out calendars and 'penciled in' a more formal meeting.

Ohtani almost hit into a double play to Julien to end the game, but LA reviewed it and won. that happened while I was in the bathroom. I came out and told my dad. "I think that this is the universe's way of letting me actually SEE the first win of the home season."

He laughed. One pitch later the Twins had won the game 3-2.

"Dad, you must be the good luck charm!" I offered. We got out of the ballpark almost as easily as we got in and when I dropped him off at home he offered to make me some popcorn... "Because we couldn't find it in the stadium" he offered.

So I went inside and had some popcorn with my dad. We sat on the porch for a bit and discussed how fun the day ways. Almost like we walked out of a field in Iowa and had a catch.

Thanks for a great day dad. Happy Birthday. 77 to go with you 7 aneurisms. Nice work.

Stats of the day:

Julien 3-4 2HR

Buxton RBI

Paddack 4 2/3 5K

Funderburk (W)

Okert (s)

Next up Twins: At Detroit, Tomorrow 4/11 12:10pm

Next up for me: also Detroit 4/19 7:10pm

(the perfect spot to sit for my dad)

(not a bad view to have a chat with a colleague... both decked out in Twins gear)