Reporter's Notebook: Another Dream Fulfilled, The Sequel
However, I must recall back to my days as a MLBlogger. There had always been that dream of actually working a press box at a Major League Baseball game.
There are dreams. Then, there are dreams.
The week before, I made it through my first media stint at a professional baseball game. It was a beautiful night to “play two” at CHS Field. And, somehow, I made it through.
However, I must recall back to my days as a MLBlogger. There had always been that dream of actually working a press box at a Major League Baseball game. A pipe dream, nonetheless.
That dream finally came true.
On July 16, the Minnesota Twins hosted their Pride Night against the Detroit Tigers at Target Field in Minneapolis. Through my work with the magazine, I was able to obtain a press credential. I arrived without fail, clearing through the protocols at the ballpark and settling into my press box seat.
There were some thoughts going into tonight’s game. One, has been this long battle towards accepting us as part of the fan base inside the ballpark – especially in a Major League ballpark. At this point, it is not about acceptance, but rather just let us be. Let us be fans in the stands.
These thoughts stem from years at attending “Pride Nights” at Target Field and at the Metrodome. As well as other events that catered to the LGBTQ+ community by other sports franchises. This year had been a mixed bag from NHL teams not wearing Pride warmup jerseys and MLB players making anti-LGBTQ+ statements to more successful events.
This night felt genuine. There were a lot of the special jerseys with the rainbow logos throughout the ballpark. I suspected some of them wearing those special jerseys might not be a part of the LGBTQ+ community. But, who am I to judge?
The game itself had Joe Ryan taking the start for the home squad against the Tigers’ Will Vest. Sadly, Miguel Cabrera was not starting this night. However, I saw Edouard Julien the week before as a Saint Paul Saint. He was leading off for the Twins. He was joined by Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and Joey Gallo in the lineup against the Tigers. This was the second of four games this weekend and a chance for the home squad to take back the loss from the night before.
Alex Kirilloff started things with a solo home run in the bottom of the second for the Twins. The Tigers answered at the top of the third with five runs, thanks to some lovely fielding by the Twins and a three-run homer by Javier Baez. In the end, the Tigers took their second win in a row, 7-1.
You could call it a consolation, but I did meet Hall of Famer Paul Molitor, MVP Justin Morneau, and television play-by-play announcer Dick Bremer briefly. They certainly welcomed me to the gig.
As did some members of the LGBTQ+ community who knew me. Quite the surprise for them to see that I was in the building with them.
It was all a dream. A dream fulfilled. A bucket list item marked off.
This was a dream that was planted many years ago. I mentioned my friend and DEI guru Miguel Ramos before on this website. If it weren’t for him, this night would not be possible. Ramos’ work for the Twins up until last season was the primary reason to pursue this dream of mine.
After this experience, there aren’t many bucket list items – and personal dreams – left to fulfill.
Now, it's back to the automobiles…
All photos by Randy Stern