My bucket overfloweth: MLB All Star Week

One of the events of MLB All Star Week has been on my bucket list: See the Home Run Derby live. But after this week, my bucket list is overflowing with other amazing adventures. What a great show, Minnesota. So proud of you!

Midwesterners are paranoid about two things: Our losing sports teams. And our weather. It rained Monday, delaying the Home Run Derby by 1 hour. But then this gorgeous rainbow appeared and all was right with the world!

First up: Futures game and Celebrity softball game

Sunday afternoon, good old Tom Kelly, Bert Blyleven and Tony O managed the “Futures” stars in a World vs. USA game. This was, surprisingly, one of my favorite things about the whole weekend. Amazing young talent!

Has Bert mentioned he’s Dutch? This is what he wore to the pre-first-pitch meeting at home plate. Go Netherlands!

Loved seeing Tony O manage the World Team.

Skipper TK, back in action!

Lucky for baseball, that NBA gig didn’t work out for a couple of the guys.

The Clydesdales did a lap. The Dalmatian came to MN, too!

The Twins’ Kennys Vargas can play! I slept better that night, knowing we DO have a first baseman. Hopefully he is up here soon.

Softball is tougher than it looks: Celebrity softball

After an encouraging afternoon with Futures, it was time for Legends in the Celebrity softball game. We laughed nonstop at these antics. Our fave moments:

Larry Fitzgerald and AP. Wish they were BOTH Vikings!

 

All the teams sent their mascots! Several danced in our section and on top of the 3rd base dugout, right in front of us. I was partial to Rose (Reds). Matt liked the Marlins fish. TC Bear was clearly a great host!

 

Jack Morris vs John Smoltz. Again. With a little (!) less on the line than Game 7 in 1991. Gave me chills to see them both on the mound again.

John Smoltz actually took himself out of the game and tapped Jennie Finch to take the mound.

Jennie is an Olympic Champion softball pitcher. AP is a MVP NFLer. He came up to bat and asked her to pitch as she really would. Those pitches SMOKED by him! Just as he smokes by linemen all NFL season…

Monday: Home Run Derby

This is one of my favorite TV shows each year. It’s an event, even more clear when you go to this show live. But so fun to watch this power, especially guys from the National League who we rarely see at Target Field. Brian Dozier and (former Twin) Justin Morneau were crowd favorites, but my pick was Cespedes. We still have no idea how to pronounce his name, but he won the slugging title this year — again (he won last year too).

Mike and Mike (from ESPN), emceeing the action as eventual winner Cespedes steps up.

 

Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton had some record long balls in our Target Field. He’s a slugger with an attitude!

 The ultimate party

Tuesday was Target Field’s night to shine. We saw All Stars past (Hank Aaron was there!) and present. And probably future. I must admit I didn’t take many pictures. I was soaking in every second of this magical night!

 

 

The Clydesdales (and the Dalmatian!) came back for the Big Game.

An aerial shot from the NY Times that still makes my heart swell with pride. Way to go, Minnesota. You’re the true all star for hosting an amazing party. Happy I could be there. My bucket overfloweth.

Photo from NY Times.