Metrodome

2) The debuts of promising young pitchers Stephen Strasburg (21) and Aroldis Chapman (22), who enter the season as the top NL Rookie of the Year candidates, despite the fact they could both start the season in the minors.  Strasburg played for Tony Gwynn at San Diego State before the Nationals chose him with the first overall pick in the 2009 draft and signed him to a record contract worth $15.1 million.  His college resume includes a 23-strikeout game, a no-hitter, and a 1.32 Earned Run Average in his final (junior) season.  Chapman, a southpaw, defected from Cuba just before signing a huge $30.25 million, six-year deal with the Reds.  He played on the Cuban team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

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The 12-inning thriller that was the last regular season game ever played at the Metrodome was exactly what I wanted to see.  When the Twins and Tigers played a four-game series in Detroit last week, I found myself rooting for the Twins to close the gap in order to create an exciting finish to the regular season – ideally a one-game playoff.  When that happened, I decided it would be great for the city of Detroit to send their team to the playoffs, but what I wanted most was to see a great game.  My wish came true when the two teams played a nail-biter that could have gone either way, but eventually sent Minnesota to the postseason.  Props to both teams for giving the fans what they deserved.

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