One guy's All-Metrodome Team

Before the Metrodome opened in 1982 I took a tour and thought it was the most magnificent ball edifice I had ever seen.

Twins All-Metrodome Team ballot

First base (1)

Ron Coomer 1995-2000

Kent Hrbek 1982-1994

Gene Larkin 1987-1993

Doug Mientkiewicz 1998-2004

Justin Morneau 2003-present

Second base (1)

John Castino 1982-1984

Chuck Knoblauch 1991-1997

Steve Lombardozzi 1985-1988

Al Newman 1987-1991

Todd Walker 1996-2000

Shortstop (1)

Jason Bartlett 2004-2007

Greg Gagne 1983-1992

Cristian Guzman 1999-2004

Pat Meares 1993-1998

Ron Washington 1982-1986

Third base (1)

Gary Gaetti 1982-1990

Corey Koskie 1998-2004

Scott Leius 1990-1995

Mike Pagliarulo 1991-1993

Nick Punto 2004-present

Catcher (1)

Brian Harper 1988-1993

Tim Laudner 1982-1989

Joe Mauer 2004-present

A.J. Pierzynski 1998-2003

Terry Steinbach 1997-1999

Outfielders (3)

Tom Brunansky 1982-1988

Randy Bush 1982-1993

Marty Cordova 1995-1999

Michael Cuddyer 2001-present

Dan Gladden 1987-1991

Mickey Hatcher 1982-1986

Torii Hunter 1997-2007

Jacque Jones 1999-2005

Jason Kubel 2004-present

Matt Lawton 1995-2001

Shane Mack 1990-1994

Kirby Puckett 1984-1995

Designated hitter (1)

Chili Davis 1991-1992

Paul Molitor 1996-1998

David Ortiz 1997-2002

Roy Smalley 1982, 1985-1987

Dave Winfield 1993-1994

Starting pitchers (3)

Allan Anderson 1986-1992

Bert Blyleven 1985-1988

Scott Erickson 1990-1995

Joe Mays 1999-2005

Eric Milton 1998-2003

Jack Morris 1991

Brad Radke 1995-2006

Johan Santana 2000-2007

Mike Smithson 1984-1987

Kevin Tapani 1989-1995

Frank Viola 1982-1989

Relief pitchers (2)

Rick Aguilera 1989-1999

Juan Berenguer 1987-1990

Ron Davis 1982-1986

Eddie Guardado 1993-2003, 2008

Mark Guthrie 1989-1995

LaTroy Hawkins 1995-2003

Joe Nathan 2004-present

Jeff Reardon 1987-1989

Juan Rincon 2001-2008

J.C. Romero 1999-2005

Manager (1)

Ron Gardenhire 2002-present

Billy Gardner 1982-1985

Tom Kelly 1986-2001

Artificial turf, a ceiling to keep out many uncomfortable Minnesota elements and seats for 60,000 screaming fans.

I still think it's an adequate football stadium but I can no longer stand it for baseball. Not being able to roll back that roof on the few sunny days we have has kept me away more often than not. That's in addition to the nasty bathroom situation, not enough seats facing home plate and narrow concourses that separate fans from the field.

So, I'm happy the Twins are moving outdoors to Target Field in 2010.

However, to commemorate their 28 seasons under the white top, the Twins will select an All-Metrodome Team later this month and will introduce the team at the final regular-season game Oct. 4.

Here's one guy's All-Metrodome team (Note: Harmon Killebrew and Rod Carew never played for the Twins in the dome).

• Starting pitcher (vote for 3): Bert Blyleven, Johan Santana and Frank Viola. Blyleven and Viola helped the Twins win the 1987 World Series. Blyleven and his 287 wins, 3,701 strikeouts and two World Series championships belongs in the Hall of Fame. Santana will be there before his career ends. Jack Morris had a great 1991 season, carrying the team to the World Series title, but he only pitched one season for the Twins.

• Relief pitcher (2): Jeff Reardon and Rick Aguilera, closers on the 1987 and 1991 World Series teams. They were the best closers the Twins had until Joe Nathan, who might be better than both.

• First base (1): Justin Morneau. Without question he's the most feared power hitter the Twins have had since Killebrew. He gets my vote over Kent Hrbek, probably the franchise's best-fielding first basemen but he just wasn't the all-around stud that Morneau is.

• Second base (1): Chuck Knoblauch. He was Rookie of the Year in 1991 and had seven productive seasons with the club. He gets the nod over John Castino, a tremendous talent forced to retire because of a back injury.

• Shortstop (1): Greg Gagne. He was the anchor of both World Series champion infields and is head and shoulders above the other four on the ballot.

• Third base: The "G-Man," Gary Gaetti possessed power, a great glove and a great arm. None of the others on the ballot come close.

• Designated hitter (1): This is one of the most difficult positions to pick but I have to give the nod to Paul Molitor. What a fabulous Hall of Fame hitter. My second choice is Dave Winfield, another Hall of Famer. Chili Davis deserves consideration as DH on the 1991 team but he only played two seasons in Minnesota.

• Catcher (1): Joe Mauer, hands down. He's a five-tool player who's destined for a spot in Cooperstown.

• Outfield (3): Kirby Puckett, Torii Hunter, Dan Gladden. Puckett arguably is the best all-around player in franchise history. Hunter was the best defensive player in franchise history. Gladden provided the grit for both World Series teams and is a radio analyst but I won't hold that against him. A close fourth is Tom Brunansky, who left via one of the worst trades (for Tom Herr) in club history.

• Manager (1): Tom Kelly is the man. Anyone who wins two World Series has to be. Ron Gardenhire is a close second with Billy "Slick" Gardner, the most humorous manager in Twins history, coming in third.

E-mail your team to me or post it on the bottom of this column.

Mike Bialka, sports editor, may be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5861.