As familiar as these parts of the baseball world might feel, you might be surprised by a couple of things. Let’s take a closer look.
Kansas City Royals – March 28, 30, 31
Kauffman Stadium: Capacity 37,903
2023 Attendance: 1,307,052, up from 1,277,686 in 2022 (averaged 16,136, ranked 14th out of 15 AL teams, 28th overall)
For the second year in a row, the Twins begin the season in Kansas City. Last season started with a three-game sweep to launch the Twins on their playoff campaign, but at the end of July, the young and streaking Royals returned the favor with a three-game sweep of their own the next time the Twins visited Kauffman Stadium. With Bobby Witt Jr. locked up for the long term, the Royals look to make a statement against the reigning division champs.
The Royals’ home park’s first season of use was 1973 (under the name Royals Stadium) with artificial turf. It was renamed Kauffman Stadium in 1994 after the team’s first owner, Ewing Kauffman. Kentucky bluegrass replaced the turf in 1995. Folks hoping to check this one off their bucket list better hurry up, though, as they are proposing a Target Field-style move to downtown, fresh with its own propaganda website.
Kauffman has an open bowl format and is southeast of Kansas City, in a complex with the Kansas City Chiefs stadium. Visiting fans have excellent access to the players during batting practice, and other than Opening Day (which should be an overpriced sellout), they can also get great seats for low prices. The outfield concourse reminds me of the Twins’ Fort Myers facility, with its open boardwalk vibe, and is similar to Dodger Stadium regarding the geometric alignment of the field and seating.
Kauffman resides outside of Kansas City’s pace, so tour guides send a journeyer into town for BBQ and nightlife. There are a few hotels across the highway if you want to walk to the stadium, but there is plenty of parking there as well. The difference between premier and regular parking is about the time it takes to load up a ticket-buying app, so it is not necessarily worth the extra cost.
Hopefully, once the series is over, the Twins will be firmly set in their winning ways and ready to head 568 miles northeast to tackle their Upper Midwestern rivals, the Brew Crew.
Milwaukee Brewers – April 2-3
American Family Field: Capacity 41,900
2023 Attendance: 2,551,317, up from 2,412,420 in 2022 (average 31,497 per game, ranked 9th out of 15 NL teams, 15th in MLB)
The annual rivalry interleague matchup with the Brewers will only take up about 24 hours, and hopefully, it goes better than the 0-2 trip to Milwaukee last year. Carlos Santana will be wearing the away jersey this time and looks to mash in his former team’s home park. With Corbin Burnes now hurling for the Orioles, the Brewers will be looking to prove that they still have what it takes to compete.
American Family Field began as Miller Park in 2001. The offseason prior to 2020 brought new cash inflow and a new name. This retractable-roof complex looks like a combination of an airplane hangar, a Metrodome, and an advertisement convention. Yet, when the Brewers got it going, the place also brought out an energy that could deliver electric baseball. The food options in the stadium revolve around sausage and don’t stray far from there, but like Kansas City, the parking lot is Tailgate Central.
The Twins and Brewers have been rivals since Milwaukee dwelled in the American League. When MLB instituted interleague play, the league designated certain pairs of teams to play annually. As they say, familiarity breeds contempt. The local fanbases have learned to love the home and away series every season, and they have learned to hate each other. Word on the street is that American Family Field is one of the least friendly places to wear a Twins jersey–or the best, depending on where your ticket seats you.
The Brewers isn’t just a fun name; it’s a destination reality. Local and global-level breweries make this city a beer connoisseur’s playground. The Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, and Lake Michigan coastline provide alternative travel stops for various tastes. Once inside the ballpark, the immortal “sausage race” offers a beloved in-game diversion. Bud Selig and Bob Uecker have statues and museums, and you can circumnavigate the entire stadium and experience it in an inning or two.
The Twins will be traveling 1332 miles for 5 games, 2 off days, and ____ wins?
How do you think the Twins will fare on their opening road trip? Anyone planning to go to either series? Any favorite watering holes or tourist traps? Baseball is almost here, Twins Territory…let’s get talking!
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Let’s Road Trip is a series of stories exploring the Twins’ 13 road trips during the 2023 season. I will focus on stadium highlights, attributes, Twins history, and community amenities. Potential pitfalls and roadblocks get considered, and travel considerations get mentioned. My handy-dandy Baseball Road Trips by Timothy Malcolm and Moon travel guides will be a go-to for this conversation.