Twins fans gather at Target Field for chilly Opening Day



There was a weather curveball for the Minnesota Twins’ Opening Day on Friday, with chilly conditions and a chance for rain — but that didn’t stop fans from lining up hours before the first pitch at Target Field.

The day of season-opening festivities started with the Twins’ Breakfast on the Plaza event outside the stadium. On foot or in their cars, fans could pick up breakfast sandwiches — or, for those looking to get an early morning start to ballpark snacking — a hot dog or brat.

Season-ticket holder Anna Silverman was among the Twins fans who gathered early, and talked about her hopes for this season.

“You never know, because it’s a young roster,” she said. “If you're a die hard fan, (you) know the ups and downs of the season.”

But for Silverman, one hope rose above that uncertainty: “Just beat the Yankees. Please beat the Yankees. That’s all. Sorry, Yankees fans — no hate.”

The Twins won’t play the Yankees until July. As for Friday — there was a chance for rain that potentially could affect the game. But as of Friday morning it was on as scheduled.

A line of cars waiting for free food
Fans line up to get free breakfast sandwiches and hot dogs during the Minnesota Twins' "Breakfast on the Plaza" event on Friday.
Estelle Timar-Wilcox | MPR News

There was a lot of turnover in the Twins’ roster last season — and in the coaching staff and front office during the offseason. But the team was excited to welcome fans back for the day that serves not just as the start of baseball season — but also an annual sign that warm, sunny spring and summer days are on the horizon.

“It’s that time when hope truly springs eternal,” said Matt Hodson, the team’s director of business communications. “It’s been a long winter. We haven’t seen our fans here since the end of last September, and people are excited for the new year. They’re excited to be back in the ballpark, to be sitting with each other, to be experiencing that singular joy when you have 36,000 people rising as one and cheering together.”

First pitch for Friday’s game against Tampa Bay at Target Field is at 3:10 p.m.

Gates open at 1 p.m., with Twins legends Tony Oliva, Rod Carew and Kent Hrbek opening their namesake entrances at Target Field. Current Twins pitcher Pablo Lopez — who’s out for the season due to injury — will also be on hand, along with Dan Gladden, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Kirby Puckett Jr. and Catherine Puckett.

The first 10,000 fans through the gates will get a Twins beanie.

Winter Olympic silver-medal curling duo Corey Thiesse and Korey Dropkin of Duluth will throw the ceremonial first pitches, joined by Paralympic snowboarder and four-time medalist Mike Schultz.



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A Republican lawmaker charged in an alcohol-related driving offense won’t have to appear in court again until after the Legislature adjourns for the year.

A June 10 arraignment hearing is set for Rep. Elliott Engen, a Lino Lakes Republican who faces three misdemeanor charges following an arrest early Friday. He was stopped for speeding and other infractions in White Bear Lake; officers detected alcohol and he later tested well above the legal limit for driving, according to a citation.

Engen has apologized for a lapse in judgment; he promised to learn from his actions and “do better.” Aside from being a second-term legislator, he is also a candidate for state auditor.

A second lawmaker, GOP Rep. Walter Hudson, was in Engen’s truck at the time of the stop and an open bottle of alcohol was found in a rear seat. Hudson, a second-term legislator from Albertville, was in possession of a permitted handgun, which could cause him legal problems if he is determined to have been intoxicated.

Police officers wrote in their report that Hudson disclosed he had the gun as the truck was being searched. The report said police took the firearm for safekeeping and said he could pick it up at a later time, which Hudson agreed to.

“I regret the poor decisions that were made during this incident, and commend the White Bear Police Department for their professional response,” Hudson said in a written statement. “I’m grateful that no harm was done to ourselves and others.”

Two lawmakers stand and look around
Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, (center) and Rep. Bidal Duran, R-Bemidji, (right) join other Republican lawmakers gather in the House chambers Jan. 27, 2025.
Tim Evans for MPR News file

A third, unidentified passenger was in the truck as well, according to police. Hudson and that person were transferred to the police department until they could arrange rides.

The Minnesota lawmakers had been at the Capitol late into the evening Thursday as the House debated procedural motions on gun, immigration and social media legislation. The motions failed on 67-67 votes.

There is no indication yet that either Hudson nor Engen had been drinking on Capitol grounds, which would be a violation of a House rule against consumption of alcohol or drugs in spaces under that chamber’s control.

According to a White Bear Lake Police report, Engen initially said he had not been drinking when asked by the police officer who pulled him over — “nothing at all,” he is quoted as saying. He performed a field sobriety test, which the report says showed signs of impairment.

Engen gave a preliminary breath sample there, the report says, which estimated a 0.142 blood alcohol level. After he was taken by squad car to the police department “Engen spontaneously stated, ‘Sir, I had a drink three hours ago,’” the report says.

He told the Minnesota Star Tribune in an interview Monday that he had also consumed alcohol in the afternoon on Thursday as well.

Engen is charged with two impaired driving offenses and speeding. White Bear Lake police also said he was driving a vehicle with expired registration and an inoperable headlight.

Engen has not returned calls from MPR News. A court docket lists a “notice of appearance” on Tuesday.

He is being represented in the criminal case by Chris Madel, an Excelsior attorney who waged a brief Republican campaign for governor.



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