The Twins Home Opener is Here! Here's why the new stadium and this day are so special

Target Field represents the dawning of a new era of competitiveness for the Twins and vibrancy for downtown Minneapolis.

Target Field is a size challenged ballpark - wedged into downtown Minneapolis, but ranks among the best of the new ballparks. This is awesome since we live in an era when most every city that wants one owns a beautiful new ballpark. Target Field lacks a body of water to add atmospherics and a sense of place for those sweeping cityscape camera shots you see on national broadcasts, but wins for its architecture, integration into its city and for possessing the kind of artful touches that make fans proud.

Statues of Twin hall of Famers greet visitors to the games at Target Field. The Hall of Famers themselves, as well as more recent Twins stars, will welcome fans at various gates.

Minnesotans will not only see the sun for the first time since 1981 while attending a Twins game in Minnesota, but they will encounter homages to franchise history everywhere from Harmon Killebrew statue on Target Plaza to the old Met Stadium flagpole on the right field plaza.

Target Field powerfully evokes Twins history, but even though the stadium pays homage to the Twins past, it stands as a reminder that the Twins as a ballcub never has been more relentlessly competitive than they've proven to be in the last decade, and that the Twins as a franchise has never been healthier or more promising than today.

Some of the exciting home opener happenings today are:

• Unveiling of the Kirby Puckett statue
• The raising of championship flags by Twins stars: Jim Kaat, Jim Perry, Bert Blyleven, Frank Viola, Jack Morris, Eddie Guardado, Corey Koskie, Shannon Stewart, Brad Radke and Bill Smith
• Unfurl of giant U.S. flag
• The raising of the Twins Territory flag
• The debut of viewing of the Target Field
• An appearance from some special guests
• An induction of the Twins retired numbers
• The ceremonial first pitches
• The first time the Twins will take the field

The End of the Dome Dog Era has come: Hormel and Twins Split Ways

Last week an announcement stated that the very famous Dome Dogs are now dead and that the Austin-based Hormel Foods Corp. and the Minnesota Twins no longer have a corporate partnership. This has stirred an outcry from many Twins and Hormel hot dog fans, wondering why this change is happening and what will replace the popular menu item.

When the Metrodome went down, those who love baseball's concessions as much as the game wondered if the Dome Dog would go with it, or if the popular snack would simply be renamed to suit the new outdoor stadium, well the answer is out.

Hormel began a corporate partnership with the Twin in 2001. They supplied Dome Dogs (hot dogs) at the Twins games and other promotional opportunities, but the agreeable split was tied to the real estate change. Hormel spokesperson cited increased costs for sponsorships at the new stadium as one reason the Minnesota meat maker will be "focusing on different marketing initiatives in 2010," Julie Craven, Hormel's vice president of corporate communications wrote. "We wish the Twins the best of luck during the inaugural season at the new stadium."

Hormel hot dogs have played a prominent food role at Twins home games in the Metrodome, including Hormel Dollar-A-Dog Night on Wednesdays and the Hormel Hot Dog Row of Fame, which featured a jingle that proclaimed a "wiener winner." The company also sponsored Minnesota Twins bobblehead doll giveaways at games. Spammy, the Spam can mascot for Hormel, took part in the team's annual Mascot Softball Game at the Metrodome. The announcement of the split stated that there may be other Hormel products offered at Target Field, but the decision is pending. We should find out Hormel's fate sometime before the first preseason exhibition games starting April 2.

Kevin Smith, the Twins' executive director of public affairs, said the team and Hormel "enjoyed a great corporate relationship for nearly a decade" but both entities have "amicably parted company." At the new stadium, the Twins have promised "Minnesota-focused signatures items" being part of their concessions offerings.

I wouldn't say this is a crisis, but it definitely is a public relations issue that the Twins need to address. Of course, no remorse is shown in either company public statement, but Hormel could be upset with the big change and the Twins need to consider this and care about the relationship. Also, the new ballpark better be looking for new great food promotions and creations that could take the place of the Dome Dog in Twins fans hearts.