MN Twins Opponents Hate Minneapolis, Apparently…
At 12-12 the Minnesota Twins have gotten off to a decent enough start. They’ll need better than that to get fans flooding back to Minneapolis and Target Field. As long as the Pohlads remain owners of the team, it may never truly happen.
It’s one thing for fans to dislike ownership and the current state of the team. They have understandably been put through the ringer. What is a bit of an eyebrow-raiser if that opponents don’t like coming to the Twin Cities either.
The Athletic has run some really interesting behind the scenes MLB stories this season, including insider looks into player group chats and even their tax returns. But recently, Stephen Nesbitt (The Athletic) took a deep dive look into how big leaguers travel these days.
MLB Poll: MN Twins opponents don’t like the Twin Cities
Within his piece, Nesbitt polled MLB players on their favorite and least favorite road venues around the league. While the Minnesota Twins didn’t rank at the top or bottom overall (only top and bottom five were revealed), there was an interesting note about the city of Minneapolis, itself.
According to a limited survey he conducted, the Twins (Minneapolis,MN) and Reds (Cincinnati, OH) came in tied as the “worst road city” teams in Major League Baseball.
The Cubs were first in stadium ambience, and the Chicago White Sox last. The Texas Rangers were first in facilities, and the Orioles last. The Padres were first in road city, and the Minnesota Twins and Reds tied for last.
I hope this answers your question, Chris. Players don’t seem to despise road cities because the atmosphere is intimidating; they care more about whether the clubhouse is cramped, if the food is good, and if the crowd has juice on a lazy Tuesday. Even a player on another team who agreed Baltimore’s facilities are lacking added, “Love the hotel, though.”
Stephen Nesbitt – The Athletic
While Target Field is a beautiful park, and the player-based amenities may suffice, it’s quite clear players aren’t jumping at the opportunity to play in Minneapolis. Regardless of what external factors you’d like to blame, these somewhat unofficial poll results are something that certainly caught my attention.
Let’s immediately address the weather elephant in the room, here, because it’s likely the biggest variable in these results. It’s cold and volatile in the spring, and certainly can be when you get into September (or god-forbid October) too.
And in between, it’s oftentimes hot, especially on a baseball field in the heart of a major metropolitan city. Most of those polled have not experienced Minnesota summers like we have, nor have they been out on any of our 10,000 lakes, either.
Addressing the elephant in the room… and other notes on subject
However, if this is the widely-accepted opinion of most players around Major League Baseball, you can’t help but wonder if those who play for the Twins feel the same way?
It can’t be totally ruled out, and everyone is different. But Twins players have a lot more time to enjoy what makes a Minnesota summer so great. And really, the Pohlads’ unwillingness to pay anyone is probably higher on the list of reasons they might eventually leave.
The Minnesota Twins can’t necessarily control what the feelings are regarding the state or city they play in. They can control the amenities they offer, not to mention their willingness to invest financially in a winning club/culture, as ways to overcome factors outside of their control.
Unfortunately, those aren’t areas historically known to be MN Twins organizational strengths either.
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