Twins Bring More To Town Than Just Baseball

In the spring of 1974, $125,000 dollars was spent on renovations to Riverside Park otherwise known now as Joe O'Brien Field. In the same year on June 24 the Elizabethton Twins squared off against the Bristol Tigers as the newest added member of the Appalachian League. Thirty-two years later they'll do the same on June 21 verses Bluefield.

The Twins had opened the '74 campaign with a road win over the Kingsport Mets and many were anxiously awaiting the home opener on June 23. On that night mother nature would prevent that from happening as heavy rains forced the game to be moved up to the following evening.

With 605 fans looking on, Bristol would lay an off fashioned country whipping on the Twins 15-2. But on the field, fans got to watch a pair of future major league stars in the making. Butch Wynegar was the starting catcher for Elizabethton while Lance Parrish opened at third base for the Tigers. Wynegar would go on to star for the Twins and Yankees while Parrish was a standout for the Detroit Tigers. Fans got to see some future stars but the park seemed dead at times.

Much has changed in those 32 years thanks to current Twins General Manager Mike Mains. The Elizabethton Star and Ingles will sponsor opening night with a used car to be giving away to some lucky fan. The first 1000 fans will receive a 2006 Twins magnetic schedule. In all, the Twins will have 34 promotional nights. A trip to Minnesota to watch the Twins is a fan favorite sponsored by Uniglobe while "Gas Monday" should be exciting with the giving away of Whoopee Cushions.

The Twins will conduct a youth baseball camp on July 3nd at 10:00 a.m., while fans should bring their church bulletins every Sunday night for free admission. So much has changed since the Twins first came to town. During that era, some locals were bitter because they felt like the youth of Elizabethton was being pushed aside but Mains has went the extra mile to make sure that isn't the case. The Boys & Girls Club has a promotional night as do the local Little Leagues. On several occasions while I was conducting player interviews, many of the Twins were signing autographs for the local youth or seen mingling with the fans. Some former players chose to come back and made Elizabethton their hometown.

Others have established long-lasting friendships with many Twin followers. Several to this day have fond memories of Elizabethton. The late Kirby Puckett would ask about Larry "Mo" Riddle when someone would mention his days here. Puckett would smile recalling the days of Mo running the bases with his patented slide. Some recall the late Ralph Claymon shaking his fist at the umpire shouting "half crook" or calling the opposing coach a "knuckle-head."

From "Hillbilly Horseshoes" (tossing the U-shaped toilet lid seats on batting tees to Dave's McQueen's "Run for the Roses" horse race behind the outfield fence, fans will continue to enjoy watching America's favorite pastime being played at Joe O'Brien Field.

Story Written By Tim Chambers, Elizabethton Star