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Designed to be expanded when it opened for the Minneapolis Millers (American Association) in 1956, the Met had its capacity more than doubled to 45,919 when the Twins arrived. Three separate seating areas, all unconnected to the original structure, were added in the outfield and along the left field line, including a huge double-decked grandstand behind the left field fence. The Met had a grass field and relatively short power alleys (usually 360'-365'), but a deep centerfield until 1975. It hosted one no-hitter and one World Series in its 21 seasons, and on August 25, 1970 a mid-game bomb scare sent fans spilling into the outfield for safety. The Twins abandoned their poorly maintained ballpark in favor of the new Metrodome in 1982, and in 1984-85 the stadium was razed to clear space for a convention center and amusement park. (SCL)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » September 2, 1958: Minneapolis approves a $9 million bond issue to expand Metropolitan Stadium to 41,000 seats. City alderman Byron Nelson predicts it is a "dead cinch" that Washington will move there. » July 4, 1961: At Metropolitan Stadium, the Twins sweep a pair from the White Sox, winning the opener 6–4 when Julio Becquer hits a 9th inning grand slam as a pinch hitter. Cal McLish shuts out the Twins in game 2 until the 8th inning when the Twins score 4 runs, 2 on Harmon Killebrew's only career inside-the-park-HR, off McLish. Appropriately, it is the Metro’s first IPHR. The Twins win, 4–2, behind Jack Kralick. » April 12, 1965: In Minnesota, the Yankees drop their second straight 11th inning opener, as the Twins win 5–4. Twins starter Jim Kaat, stranded because of the ice and snow, is brought to Metropolitan Stadium by helicopter. Kaat is matched by Jim Bouton, who goes five innings, giving up two earned runs. Bob Allison's wind-blown fly ball in the 11th drops untouched for a three-base error by Hector Lopez, one of eight errors the two teams combine for. Cesar Tovar's 2-out single scores the winner off Pedro Ramos. » October 7, 1965: Jim Kaat gives Minnesota a 2-0 World Series lead by driving in two runs, defeating Sandy Koufax 5–1 at Metropolitan Stadium. » July 5, 1969: Minnesota regains the American League West lead behind the pitching of Jim Perry and a 13–1 rout of Oakland at Metropolitan Stadium. » August 24, 1981: In his first ML game, Kent Hrbek homers in the 12th inning to give the Twins a 3–2 win over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The 21-year-old 1B grew up in Bloomington, MN, less than a mile from Metropolitan Stadium, and jumped directly to his hometown club from Class-A Visalia (California League), where he was hitting .380 with 27 home runs and 112 RBI. » September 30, 1981: In the last ML game at Minnesota's Metropolitan Stadium, Kansas City clinches at least a tie for the American League West 2nd-half title with a 5–2 win over the Twins. Next season, the Twins will play in the brand-new Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis.