They were able to get back on a once popular train that resumed trips to Target Field so they could cheer for their favorite team in the MLB playoffs.
The return of the Northstar was welcome news for Twins supporters in the North Metro.
“Thrilled,” said Janice of Brooklyn Park. “Couldn’t be happier. Best way to end the season and get into downtown. I wish it would have started a lot sooner than the playoff games.”
“We’re pretty excited,” said Jimmy Klein of Blaine, who rode the train to Target Field with his wife Tina. “Yeah to save time and money. Just hop on a train, drops you right off at Target Field and hop on and get back to your car.
After being derailed for a few years, the Northstar baseball express is temporarily back on track. Twins fans are hoping to ride the rails all the way to the World Series.
“I’ve been to ’87. ’91 (World Series games),” said Richard Glover of Coon Rapids. “This is the year again.”
Said Janice: “Yup, we’re gonna do it this time.”
“Two game sweep,” said Circle Pines Council member Steve McChesney.
Trip “was a breeze”
On Tuesday, the Coon Rapids Northstar station was full of passionate Twins fanatics, as they were eager to jump on the train and see game 1 of the Wild Card Playoffs between Toronto and Minnesota in Minneapolis.
“It’s very convenient,” McChesney said.
Everyone was ecstatic that the Northstar is up and running to special events again – especially Twins games. The train eliminates the hassle factor of driving to downtown Minneapolis and dealing with parking and traffic woes. It’s also cheap. One-way tickets cost $3.25.
“We used to hop on the Northstar pre-covid for all our games,” Janice said. “That was the best commute into Target Field.”
“Exceptionally happy,” Glover said. “I would have got season tickets had this been available to us. But driving down and paying 15, 16 bucks a ticket for parking, plus the cost of a ticket made it kind of hard.”
“With 20 to 30,000 people, even during a regular season game, we sat in those parking lots for longer than we’d like to get out,” McChesney said. “So having the train lets you right off at Target Field and you get right back on after.”
When the Northstar left Coon Rapids, optimistic Twins fans settled in for their ride to the ballpark. Tina and Jimmy enjoyed every second of the trip, as the train traveled down the tracks, speeding through Anoka and Hennepin County.
“Oh it was a breeze,” Jimmy said. “It was a lot of fun. First time, good experience. Definitely do it again. Hopefully they keep it running. It takes you right to Target Field.”
When the Northstar crossed the mighty Mississippi at Nicollet Island, the Klein’s knew they were getting close to Target Field.
“It was relaxing,” Tina said. “You’re with a bunch of fans. We came to this game today because the Northstar was running.”
Baseball bliss
Inside the ballpark, Tina and Jimmy had prime seats in the Delta club, as they were part of a jam-packed crowd of 38,450. The decibel level was off the chain as Minnesota fans were hoping the Twins record 18-game playoff losing streak could finally be vanquished.
Said Jimmy: “This is my first playoff experience at a baseball game.”
“We’re losing our voices already,” Tina said.
When the game finished and Minnesota got that coveted post-season win, Tina and Jimmy were jubilant.
“We couldn’t ask for anything better,” Jimmy said. ” The weather, the fans. Taking the lead. Don’t know what else to say. Good experience.”
“It’s Pablo day,” Tina said, referencing Pablo Lopez, the Twins winning pitcher.
This was a snapshot in time for the couple and they readily admit that the Northstar gets credit for making their magical day possible.
“Ride the Northstar,” Jimmy said. “Just come to a baseball game. Hopefully they keep it running during the regular season. We would definitely consider becoming season ticket holders.”
Said Tina: “I agree with him completely.”
According to Drew Kerr of Metro Transit, plans for more Northstar rides beyond this week will be determined if the Twins continue playing in the postseason – which they have after Minnesota eliminated Toronto on Wednesday to advance to the ALDS against Houston.
“We are excited to provide Twins fans a convenient and cost-effective ride to this week’s playoff games,” Kerr said. “We hope those who are returning or riding for the first time will continue to use Northstar for future trips.”
