Basement Updates

I made a slight change to the basement in light of the current Twins roster.


I took down the the Mike Redmond Metrodome Banner and replaced it with the Delmon Young banner I had bought earlier. Redmond is with the Indians now, so I thought I'd make sure the wall reflects the current roster.

Metrodome Banners

I finally got some things hung on the walls in the basement. There's still a hole and some stains in the ceiling where the water line broke, but I'll deal with that later.

I hung the three Metrodome banners along one wall. These banners include Michael Cuddyer, Francisco Liriano and Mike Redmond.


I also hung my Hank Aaron photo next to my desk. There's still a lot of work to do including putting all my 1987 Bobbleheads back into their display case, putting the 1965 Twins items back into a display case, and hanging many, many Twins 8x10s on the wall. I also have a lot of old, signed magazines that I need to figure out where to put.

TwinsFest Mini Helmets

Tonight I finished assembling the wardrobe in the basement. Now I can really start arranging the basement and hopefully start hanging some pictures and especially my MetroDome banners.


I took a few pictures of some more items that my younger son, David, got signed at TwinsFest last weekend. He got two mini helmets signed. One by Denard Span and one by Mike Redmond.


I was able to get a picture of Denard Span handing the helmet back to David, but I don't have a picture of Mike Redmond signing his. Redmond's line was the one we darted into at the absolute last minute and barely had time to get our items out of our backpacks and ready for the players to sign.

Items From TwinsFest

Tonight I started the long process of cataloging all the items we got signed at TwinsFest. This involves scanning the flat items such as cards, magazines and pictures, and taking photos of the larger items like mini helmets and bats.



I then update the web site of the owner (me or one of my two sons) with the items. For my sons' web sites, I also include a picture of them getting the item signed, if I was able to get one.


I have photos of them getting most of their items signed, but occasionally there isn't enough time. For example, on the first night of TwinsFest, David and I decided not to go to the station containing Scott Baker, Mike Redmond, Alexi Casilla and Matt Guerrier because the line was too long. We went up to see Kent Hrbek and Tony Oliva instead. after getting through that line, we went back to the Dome floor to meet my wife and other son. We walked by the Baker/Redmond/Casilla/Guerrier station again, and there was nobody in line and only 5 minutes or less left. We ducked under the ropes and got right to the front of the line, struggling to get a mini helmet, photo and cards ready for David, and my items ready as well. We were a little slow, but got our items signed. In this situation, I had no time to take any photos, unfortunately.

Tonight I got a David's cards and photos scanned in. I had a lot of photos of him getting these signed, including Nick Blackburn, Kevin Slowey, and Denard Span, which I have included here.

One Return and Basement Purchases

Today in the mail I received one response. Stan Williams signed and personalized a 1960 and 1968 Topps. On one card he added the years he played for the Twins, even though it wasn't a card with him in a Twins uniform. Mr. Williams has signed for me in the past and always personalizes the cards. He has written, "To Rog", "To Roger", and on one of these cards he even wrote "To Roger P.". On Monday, I sent out 8 requests, including 2008 Goudeys to Al Kaline and Rollie Fingers.


Today my wife and I did some shopping while my boys were at an Al Newman Holiday baseball clinic (which they really enjoyed). We happened to stop at the Twins Pro Shop in Apple Valley and it looked like they had just received a fresh batch of the banners that they hang outside of the Metrodome with players on them from last season. They are about 6 feet tall and about 2 feet wide. I couldn't resist and bought one of Michael Cuddyer and one of Francisco Liriano. I had my eye on one of Mike Redmond but didn't buy it. While driving away, I got about 2 blocks and decided to go back and get it.

These are going to look great hanging in the basement, once I get it all done and have inspired me to get going on the basement cleanup so I can get more painting done and get them hung up.