Twins' new stadium a sight to behold

MINNEAPOLIS - The Twins have a better baseball team than the White Sox, at least through the first five weeks of the season.

They definitely have the better ballpark.

The Twins had to survive contraction talks in 2002 and slumming in the Metrodome for 27 years, but their new home - Target Field - was undoubtedly worth the wait.

Sox starting pitcher Mark Buehrle hadn't even caught a glimpse of the playing surface on a rainy Tuesday afternoon, but he was already giving the spacious visitor's clubhouse a big thumb's up.

"This is all I need to see to know it's a lot better," Buehrle said. "I know it's going to be cold and rainy, but it will be better than that smell in the dugout and just being in the Dome."

Minnesota fans obviously like the $522 million stadium, which seats 39,505 and is tucked behind the Target Center (home of the NBA's Timberwolves) in downtown Minneapolis. It was cold and drizzly Tuesday night, but all tickets were sold for the 15th time in 17 games.

"We were lucky in April, we had great weather," said Twins designated hitter Jim Thome, who played for the White Sox from 2006-09. "It reminds me a lot of Cleveland (Jacobs Field) early on in the day. You see it kind of revitalize the city and our crowds play such a big factor in how we've played. It's been a big boost."

Entering the stadium, it's hard not to be struck by the limestone and glass exterior. Inside, the same light brown limestone mined from nearby Mankato, Minn., is also prominently featured.

There is also a video scoreboard that is the fourth largest in major-league baseball, and a nod to the past with statues of Kirby Puckett, Harmon Killibrew and Rod Carew.

The "Celebration Sign" sits atop the center-field bleachers and is a tribute to the original Twins logo featuring "Minnie" and "Paul." They shake hands across the "flowing" Mississippi River when the Twins hit a home run.