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OTHER STADIUMS

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MEMORABLE MOMENTS AT METROPOLITAN STADIUM

All Star Game: 1965

World Series: 1965

Seven A.L. batting titles by
Rod Carew.

Harmon Killebrews 500th homerun on August 10, 1971.

520 ft. homerun by Harmon Killebrew on June 3, 1967.

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 Detroit Tigers
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Metropolitan Stadium
Minneapolis, MN

Today, Minnesota Twins fans probably wish that their team played outside at Metropolitan Stadium, instead of at the Metrodome. However, Metropolitan Stadium has been gone for more than three decades. In 1953, a group began looking for a site to build a stadium that one day could bring a major league baseball team to Minneapolis. In 1955, a site was chosen to build the stadium in Bloomington, MN, a suburb of Minneapolis. Construction on Metropolitan Stadium began in June 1955. The stadium was completed in just one year and opened on April 24, 1956. The Minneapolis Millers of the American Association league became the first tenant at Metropolitan Stadium.

When it opened Metropolitan Stadium had a capacity of 18,200. A huge three tier grandstand extended from behind homeplate to the first and third base dugouts. From the outfield, the three tier grandstand towered over the playing field. The press box was at the top of the upper deck, and huge lights stood above the rim of the upper deck. Not connected to the lower level of seating, additional seats extended down both the first and third base lines. Trying to attract a franchise to the area, the seating capacity was raised to 21,000 in 1957. The same year an exhibition game between the Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds was played at Metropolitan Stadium. In 1958, the man who would eventually bring baseball to the area, Calvin Griffith, toured the area when his team, the Washington Senators, played an exhibition game at Metropolitan Stadium. Griffith liked the area and told the city that if he moved his team, they would be the first place on his list to move to. By 1960, the capacity at Metropolitan Stadium increased to 30,000 with wooden bleachers added behind the left and right field outfield walls.  

In 1960, Griffith agreed to move to Minneapolis if Metropolitan Stadium was enlarged to seat 40,000 fans. Major League Baseball approved the move on October 26, 1960. The Washington Senators moved and became the Minnesota Twins. By 1962, the second deck at Metropolitan Stadium had been extended to the right field foul pole, and the scoreboard sat in right center field. The Minnesota Vikings (NFL) moved into Metropolitan Stadium in 1961. In 1965, in exchange for a reduction in rent, the Vikings financed and built a double decked grandstand in left field. The capacity was now at 45,919. Metropolitan Stadium remained the same until it closed. In the late 1970s and early 1980s Metropolitan Stadium fell into disrepair. The Minnesota Twins and Vikings began wanting a new facility to play in. The Metrodome, a domed stadium, was built in downtown Minneapolis for both teams. The last game at Metropolitan Stadium was on September 30, 1981. Demolition at Metropolitan Stadium began on January 1, 1985 and was completed four months later. The Mall of America is now located on the site.
metropolitan stadium video

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Target Field Signature Stadium Collection Poster
2010 Opening Day Target field Poster with Signatures
12"x20" Limited to 2,010

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Target Field Inaugural Season Silver Coin Card
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First Pitch at Target field
by Rob Arra
13.5" x 39" Framed

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METROPOLITAN STADIUM FACTS STADIUM SITE TODAY
  • Tenants: Minnesota Twins (MLB), Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
  • Capacity: 18,200 (original) 45,919 (final)
  • Surface: Grass
  • Cost: $8.5 Million
  • Opened: April 24, 1956 (MLB)
  • Closed: September 30, 1981
  • Demolished: 1985
  • Dimensions: 329-L, 412-C, 329-R (original) 343-L, 402-C, 330-R (final)
  • Architect: Osborn Engineering
  • Get Tickets Here: Metrodome-Indians-White Sox-Twins
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LOCATION: Site now inside of the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN.

METROPOLITAN STADIUM PICTURES

Aerial of Metropolitan Stadium in the 1970's. View down the first base line. View from the third base grandstand. Outside Metropolitan Stadium. Looking toward homeplate. Looking toward homeplate in the 1950's. Looking into Metropolitan Stadium in the 1960's. View od the grandstand in the 1960's. View from the first base grandstand in the 1950's. View from behind homeplate in the 1970's.
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