There we were with the sun, the concrete and 5,000 people. We had just gotten Tom Kelly’s autograph and were waiting for the past Twins heroes to arrive. There was a gap of a half-hour between the finish of one group and the beginning of another.

It grew hotter as we searched for the Rod Carew line. You may wonder why we didn’t call it a day and get out of the sun. Well, there wasn’t much in the way of alternatives. The game didn’t start until 6:10 p.m. and the gates didn’t open until two hours before the game. We had two hours to kill and we had brought two Rod Carew bobbleheads that we had gotten years before.

We stood in line behind a guy who must have been vaccinated by a phonograph needle. Talk, talk, talk. It was OK for a while, but after an hour it began to grate. My wife’s face grew pinker and pinker and I told her she should get out of the sun, before the concrete claimed her. She left and reappeared looking much better as the line slowly inched forward. She told of a spot near some stairs where cool air from inside occasionally leaked through. She recommended it highly. It seemed like good advice as I was getting a little dizzy.

I thought a cool drink for both of us was just the ticket and headed to a concession stand. Ordered two Cokes and thought I misunderstood the price.  “I thought you said eight dollars,” I told the vendor.  “I did,” the vendor said. Need overcame cheapness, and I paid. I took Kay’s Coke back to her as she waited in line and I returned to the magic spot with an occasional cool breeze wafting over me. There were a couple of ladies with me, but we were all too hot and tired to talk.

We finally got to Carew’s autograph tent. He signed and we had achieved our goal. Not only that, it was nearly 4 p.m. and we could get into the air-conditioned Dome.

We found the right gate and got into line. (I don’t know how I’d find my way around the Dome without a line to follow.) We stood beside a family from Mandan, N.D. that had driven down to see the Twins play. I missed a chance to ask them if they would have come if there was no certainty of a game. (Open air stadium, next year) In thinking about it later, I guessed that they probably would. That they came not only for the Twins, and there is a lot to do in a big city.

The Twins were giving out logo straw hats, which we were happy to get. They should have given them out a day earlier for us sun sufferers, but they are neat straw hats and I’m sure that they will be put to good use.

The game itself was close, but our Twins lost. They were ahead 3-1, then 3-2, then behind 6-3 with Sean Henn and Luis Ayala faring poorly in relief, which was not unusual and they are no longer with the team. I think this game was the straw that broke the camel’s back for them.

The Twins rallied and closed within a run, but as has been the case this year, could not close the deal.

We arrived safely home after a long day. Not always enjoyable, but we had done what we set out to do. However, we would have complained mightily if we were ordered to work under those conditions. But, it was a good day for a baseball fan, who talked briefly with Gardy and others and got some neat memorabilia.