Despite Wind, Rain Mpls Home Run Derby Was A Night To Remember
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Fans at the Home Run Derby experienced a little wind, a little cold and even a little rain at one point, but very few people seemed to mind.
Whether it was their first All-Star Home Run Derby experience or one of many, fans were excited to see it back in Minneapolis, at Target Field.
The fans lined up early outside Target Field, ready for All-Star action.
"It's only here once every 30 years," Kyle Weber, of Mound, said.
Actually, 29.
The last time the Home Run Derby was in Minnesota was 1985 at the Metrodome.
"I was looking at some of the video from the metrodome from the last time and it was definitely a little different," Terry James, from Winnepeg, Manitoba, said.
Ticket sales for the All-Star Home Run Derby sold for $2 in 1985.
Today, tickets range anywhere from $200 to more than $2,000.
"A lot more than two dollars. We bought the strip for all the events and it was $1,200," Leo Byrne, of St. Paul, said.
"We saw the face value on the tickets, and I will say, my wife did think about maybe putting them up online. But I said no we're going to the Home Run Derby," James said.
What hasn't changed is the fan spirit.
On Monday fans weathered less than ideal weather.
"We expect this anytime," Byrne said.
"I didn't think it would be this cold. I guess it's only one day though right," Marlene Dyson, from Huntington Beach, said.
Marlene and her husband Norm came from Huntington Beach, Calif. to see the Home Run Derby. It's their 14th All-Star experience.
"When I retired we decided we'd do each year we'd go. It gives us a chance to see a different city, a different stadiums," Norm Dyson said.
Even if prices aren't cheap and the weather is a little cool, it was a night baseball fans from near and far will remember.
"Hopefully it's fun enough for everyone and they can bring it back here more quickly next time around," Kyle Bubke, from Victoria, said.