Transcripts

[CHATTER] MARK ZDECHLIK: Twins' fans began filing into the Metrodome well before the big celebration with the world champions began at about 2:30. Many of them were high school students, legitimately ducking classes for the day to celebrate the World Series victory. It seems young people have just one word to describe the 1991 Minnesota Twins.

SPEAKER 1: It's great. They're awesome.

SPEAKER 2: Awesome.

SPEAKER 3: Awesome.

SPEAKER 4: I think they're awesome.

MARK ZDECHLIK: After a series of pre-programmed concerts, dances and cheers, the official Metrodome celebration finally got underway. And judging from the booing crowd, it was top-heavy with politicians, including Governor Arne Carlson and the mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis. After all, the fans were there to see the Twins, and when their heroes took the field, the Metrodome roared with excitement.

[APPLASUE, CHEERING]

Several World Series highlights appeared on the domed screen, and several players briefly addressed the crowd. Pitcher Jack Morris, the series most valuable player, shared the spotlight that's been shining on him with the rest of the club.

JACK MORRIS: First of all, I think it's important for everybody here to understand that I might have stole the spotlight in the last game, but without these men behind me, there wouldn't have been a last game. There's no "I" in "team."

MARK ZDECHLIK: Young people dominated the Metrodome crowd, but not everyone at the celebration cut classes to get there. Some took time off of work. Terry Bacon didn't even have to make up an excuse to escape work. He recently retired. Many fans immediately yell out Kirby Puckett when asked who their favorite player is. Bacon found it difficult to answer that question.

TERRY BACON: If I were to pick a favorite player for the series, it would be pretty hard to do. I think that each game, it's been someone different. Of course, the crowd favorite is definitely Kirby Puckett. And I think he has a lot to do with it. Hrbek, all of these, everyone takes a part in it, whether they're instrumental in the win or being part of the win. I just don't really have a favorite. I love them all.

MARK ZDECHLIK: Sean McGhee of Jefferson High School also credited the entire team.

SEAN MCGHEE: They've got so much class [? when ?] they play. They play with class. They don't put anybody down. They just play with enthusiasm, intensity, and heart.

MARK ZDECHLIK: With the conclusion of the Metrodome celebration, the roar of Twins' fans won't be heard again until next season. That's a bit disappointing for many fans who've been glued to the playoffs and the World Series night after night, including [? Colley ?] Christmas.

SPEAKER 5: It's kind of sad looking back at all the games I've been to and now we won't be able to go to games until next spring. So we're looking forward to the spring and when we can go back to the games and everything.

MARK ZDECHLIK: Although the cheers of Twins' fans are fading, vendors of World Series memorabilia say fans are snatching up everything from miniature bats to caps, T-shirts, and bumper stickers to savor their memories of the successful 1991 season. This is Mark Zdechlik.

[APPLASUE, CHEERING]