My First Beer at Target Field

I was apprehensive taking out my first case of beer at Target Field. Yeah, I know… I had done this 1200+ times before at the Dome. This was different.

I remember my final beer sale for a Twins game at Metrodome. Section 127, Row 17,

Who would buy my first beer in the new stadium?

Fortunately, it didn’t take long… My first beer sale at Target Field… Section 106, Row 15. He bought a Mich. Golden Light. I shook his hand and informed him that he was my first beer sale in Target Field and then probably bored him with my vending history.

This beer meant something to me.

I could not tell you who bought my first beer at the Dome. That was 21 years ago, and it was just a part time job back them.

21 years later, selling beer at Twins games has become a crazy part of my life and I wanted to make sure that I knew who bought my first beer at Target Field.

Thanks John. Hope you 2 enjoyed the game today.

Getting My Feet/Left Foot Wet

Saturday, March 27, 2010… I finally got a chance to climb the steps at Target Field. Orientation is over, alcohol training is complete, and I have learned the entire history of DNC (the concession company at TF) twice… It is time to take my first steps in the new stadium.

Wait a minute; these stairs are not the same as they were in the Dome.

I used to know every step at Metrodome. After 21 years, I could have probably vended in my sleep and not stumbled. Honestly, I could tell you every spot in the Dome that had a step over 10” deep. There were a half dozen of these oddball steps, and they were marked by yellow tape so fans didn’t trip. People in sections 117 and 118 used to count the number of people fell each night on a step about 14 rows up. Seriously!

Each stair at the Dome was a step down or a step up (depending on your direction *chuckle*) just like the stairs in your house.

This stadium is different.

The steps in the lower level are long. 2 steps across and then 1 step down. It is brutal. I feel like Mr. Krabs from Spongebob walking down the aisles. Left, Right, Down, Right, Down, Right, Down, Right. My left foot was taking all the impact because of the design of the building.

By the 3rd inning, I was noticing a definite favoring of my left leg and tried to switch it up. It wasn’t easy. Target Field has a railing in the middle of every aisle, on every level, whether it is needed or not. Leading with my right foot either caused me to hit the post, or the fan in the aisle seat. (I’ll save that story for later)
­­­­
This stadium will take a lot of getting used to.

Mauer IN, Nathan OUT.

The Joe Mauer contract is absolutely fantastic news to this beer vendor. Not that I have a man-crush for #7 or anything, but he is the reigning MVP and the best player at his position in baseball.

The secret to any Beerman's success is a successful team. A successful team puts happy fans in the seats. ... and happy fans drink lots of BEER. Joe Mauer brings in lots of happy fans.

Unfortunately every successful baseball team also needs a great closer. The Twins had that in Joe Nathan... until today, when Joe decided to have Tommy John surgery to end his season.

As important as Joe Mauer is to the Twins, I would argue that Joe Nathan is even more important. The team went over a month in 2009 without #7 and still won the American League Central in game #163.

How will they fare in 2010 without Joe Nathan for the entire season...?

A successful team has happy fans. Happy fans drink lots of beer. Every successful team must have a solid closer.

The Twins no longer have that...

First Views of Target Field

So far, I have spent 9 hours in training at Target Field for a position that mostly requires the ability to climb a lot of steps. Not sure why we sat in a classroom so much. If they really wanted to train beer vendors properly, they would bring in Stairmasters, set the timer for 180 minutes, and say, “Alright, CLIMB!” Anyone who couldn’t finish the set… Go Home!

At least we got to see some of the stadium this time. We sat up in Legend’s Club for part of the training. This was my first view of Target Field. It looks nice, to say the least… even on an overcast, 50-degree day in March.

The concourses are open and very wide. Anyone who has been in the Dome for a sold-out game will appreciate this. The outfield upper deck seats even look like a fun place to watch the Twins play. Unlike the same seats at Metrodome where you were about 4 miles from home plate, these are right on top of the action. The steps look a bit steep; but at least there won’t be a time delay to hear the crack of the bat.

Got my uniform today. The bosses apparently wanted us to be noticed out there. It is a fluorescent green, neon propelled, 9-volt battery polo shirt. Pictures just don’t do this shirt justice, but this car kind of gives you an idea of the color.

13 days to the first event
19 days to the exhibition games with St. Louis
&
29 days to Opening Day at Target Field.

See you then.