73rd Article at the Independent

Playoffs, walk-offs highlight memorable weekend

CHRIS DRUMMOND cdrummond@marshallindependent.com

As I was covering my last game of the day on April 23, I had purchased tickets to see the Minnesota Timberwolves’ playoff game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Target Center and in the same weekend purchased tickets for the Twins baseball game against the Chicago White Sox the next afternoon.

It would be my first full weekend in the Twin Cities without having to be on assignment. The drive there was anything but glorious, as the clouds began to darken while loud storms were consistent. As I finally made it to Minneapolis, the traffic downtown was intense. However, I finally made my way into Target Center for the second time that month (Women’s Final Four being the other time) and although I was in the nosebleeds in the arena, my seat was a pretty good one.

Some interesting things happened in the Wolves game especially when a fan tried to run on the court again for the third time in the Wolves’ postseason run but the game itself was absolutely amazing. It resulted in a Timberwolves one-point win to tie up the series at that point. After the game, though, is where the adventure started. My phone ended up dying and I had no idea how to get back to the hotel I was staying in. I had to drive to a gas station and charge my phone so that I could get home. I stayed in the gas station for 30 minutes and it was nearly 1:30 a.m. when I finally I got to my hotel and if it wasn’t for a strange knock on my door, I would have fallen asleep quicker than I did.

The next day was quite an adventure as well for a different reason. I didn’t realize how doggone cold it was going to be despite my hoodie, multiple shirts and jeans. It was rainy as well heading to Target Field and my hands were absolutely freezing. In the ballpark, I walked around to at least five different stands trying to acquire gloves. I finally found a station and they said it was $12 , so I had to make a business decision and succumbed to the cold to buy the gloves.

The game was a back-and-forth affair with the Twins losing most of the time until outfielder Byron Buxton for the Twins hit a two-run homer to tie the game at three-all. I was excited that the Twins weren’t losing anymore but as cold as it was, I wanted them to win in regulation! Eventually Buxton would hit a walk-off home run for a Twins win in my first game attending.

I then tried some Raising Cane’s chicken fingers for the first time and that was delicious as I was making my way back to Marshall. Thinking I had enough gas was my own fault and I eventually would run out of gas at a gas station. I bought an emergency fuel can and put two gallons in it, just to drive to the pump and fill up.

It was definitely an adventure filled weekend with lots of ranges of emotions from the games and events that took place, but definitely a first weekend in the Twin Cities I will never forget.