My Great Uncle Stan is kind of a big deal, especially in the world of the Minnesota Twins. He’s one of about 70 season ticket holders who have had season tickets since the team started in 1961 (most of which are companies, not individuals). The St. Paul Pioneer Press highlighted him on the front page of today’s paper.

Not only has he been to over a thousand games, Uncle Stan has some great stories with the teams too. He’s traveled with the 1987 World Series team, he was best friends with former owner Carl Pohland and other Twins greats like Harmon Killebrew and Rod Carew. In fact, many of the players used our family’s old business Sussel Builders to finish or build their homes. We have nearly a dozen baseballs in my parent’s basement signed from past players.

His seats are great, they’re front row, right above the Twins dugout. He lets me use them when I’m home as long as he’s not going. My favorite part of the seats are the kids who come running down between innings to catch a ball as Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer run in to bat. Um, that and the fact you can see right into the dugout… and yes, I’ve caught a ball or two too. Sometimes I even get free bubble gum and sunflower seeds from the players!

Tomorrow is the final Opening Day for the Twins in the Metrodome. Next season they move to the North Loop of Downtown to the brand new Twins Field. It’ll be the first time they’ll play outside since the 1981 season. And while it’s unseen if the Twins will have to play an opening day in the cold and snow, there is one thing that’s forsure: my Uncle Stan will be there.