Jay Ettinger
I’ve asked a lot of players what it’s like to hit a walk-off or win a pennant—but talking to fans like Jay? That’s where you really feel what a ballpark means. I was there on Opening Day at Target Field in 2010. It was unforgettable. But hearing Jay describe how the place changed a whole neighborhood—and how the smell of a cigar at the old stadium brings back memories of his grandpa? That’s the stuff right there. Target Field isn’t just where the Twins play. It’s where Minnesota shows up, connects, and remembers. You can’t make that up.
When Target Field was announced, after decades in the Metrodome, what was the local reaction like?
People were thrilled just to be outside again. The Dome sounded great in theory, but it turned out to be a sterile, closed-off environment. You missed the smells, the blue sky, the fresh air. Even though it was loud, it dulled the senses. Getting back outside brought everything back. The whole vibe changed. Plus, Target Field helped bring the North Loop neighborhood to life—it’s now one of the most popular places to live in the city.
I was there on April 12, 2010—Opening Day. What was it like for a fan?
Electric. Mauer was coming off an MVP year, and the anticipation had been building. They had exhibition games before that, but nothing compared to that Opening Day. And again, Target Field changed the city. None of what you see in the North Loop now was here before.
That 2010 team was stacked. What did having a winning team and a new stadium do for the city?
It brought the city to life. Downtown was already happening, but this took it to another level. You could feel it in the air on game days. Target Field revitalized the area—it literally gave rise to the neighborhood around it.
Target Field has so many Minnesota details—from the Minnie and Paul sign to local construction workers holding the flag. As a Minnesotan, how does that hit?
It’s the most Minnesota thing ever. We feel like “fly-over country,” so we love when something is ours. This ballpark is deeply tied to our identity. Even athletes who come here for a short time often stay because it’s just that kind of place.
What would you tell someone visiting Target Field for the first time?
It’s a true ballpark—not a stadium built just to make money. The focus is still on baseball, but there’s variety and charm. People come in from all over Twins Territory—Dakotas, Iowa, even Canada—and make a weekend of it. It’s special.
Why do you think baseball holds such a unique place for fans?
The access to players is different—tossing balls to kids, signing autographs. It’s more personal. And baseball is outdoors. That activates all your senses. I remember the smell of cigars in the old Met Stadium—it reminded me of my grandpa. Baseball connects you to people and memories in a way that’s hard to explain.
Great to hear about a park that’s truly a ballpark.
One more thing—when the Twins are winning, all the noise—politics, division—fades. It brings people together. 1987, 1991, even last year’s playoffs—you feel the unity. I hope Target Field continues to be a place where people make those memories and feel that togetherness.
NOTE: The above was edited for clarity and length.
You can read the full transcript here.