LaVelle Neal
So here’s the deal: I’ve stood in just about every MLB stadium with a mic in my hand and mustard on my tie. But that first day at Target Field in 2010? That was something else. I wanted to talk to LaVelle E. Neal III because the man doesn’t just cover Minnesota baseball—he gets it. We talk old flagpoles, Lakers floorboards, and why it still smells like new stadium all these years later. If you’ve ever wondered what makes a ballpark feel like a hometown, LaVelle breaks it down better than a press box bratwurst in the fourth inning.
LaVelle, you and I were both there April 12, 2010, when the Twins played their first game at Target Field. What was the vibe like as the city headed back toward outdoor baseball?
It was a journey. The old Met was great for baseball, terrible for football. The Metrodome flipped that. Carl Pohlad had wanted a new baseball stadium since the early ’90s. There were threats to move the team, even to contract it. But eventually, a deal got done, and Target Field became real.
At first, people weren’t ready for how good it would be. The Twins did a great job blending old and new. That flagpole in right field? It’s the original from Met Stadium. The Town Ball Tavern honors Minnesota’s local leagues, and part of the bar floor is made from the old Minneapolis Lakers court. It’s details like that—preserving history—that make it special.
So what did Target Field do for the city of Minneapolis?
It brought pride. It connected with downtown—Target Center, First Ave, the Loon. There’s community. You can hit a bar and walk to the game. People were ready to get back outside. It’s a gorgeous park—Kasota stone, the overhang nodding to the Met. It’s walkable, accessible, vibrant. They even made sure the umpire’s room was built with the possibility of women in mind.
You mentioned the Town Ball Tavern before. I did a story on that floor. What else stands out?
The scoreboard has Minnie and Paul shaking hands over the Mississippi. There’s a marine-grade plywood wall, a new Captain’s Deck in right field—it’s a modern stadium that keeps evolving. The team keeps investing to keep it fresh. It still looks brand new.
What about the fans’ relationship with Mauer and Morneau during that era?
That was huge. Mauer was the hometown hero. Morneau, the Canadian, fit right in. We called them the M&M Boys. Both MVPs. Both beloved in the community. Mauer had family at every game. Morneau's dad was a fixture. Now they’re both retired here. They became part of Minnesota’s DNA.
You’ve broken some big retirements. What’s the secret to building that trust?
Respect. Listen more than you talk. Don’t sensationalize. I’ve seen guys letting off steam on the road and never printed it. They knew I wasn’t there to burn them. That goes a long way.
If someone’s never been to Target Field, how would you describe the experience?
It’s one of the top five in MLB. You can see the field from anywhere. There’s great food—Kramarczuk’s, Gray Duck Deck, Town Ball Tavern, Hrbek’s Bar. You’ve got the skyline, that flagpole, Minnie and Paul on the board, and a playground for kids. Statues of legends line the entry. It’s history and modern comfort, all in one. It’s what a ballpark should be.
NOTE: The above was edited for clarity and length.
You can read the full transcript here.