Today makes it official. As a fan of the Minnesota Twins, today marks the day that we never, repeat, never again have to suffer major league baseball in the atrocity known as the Metrodome.  Today marks the Twins’ home opener against the Boston Red Sox, making what was once a dream of outdoor baseball in Minnesota a reality.

As you can see, this is a top-notch facility which should be a cathedral of baseball for the next several decades. You can see more photos of this incredible new ballpark here.

Part of me still won’t believe until I see the first pitch a few short hours from now. The reason why I have such doubt is because Minnesotans have a reputation for being exceptionally cheap. Everybody knew the Hubert H. Humphery Metrodome was a terrible joke Minnesota foisted on baseball in 1982.  Easily the worst stadium in all of baseball, nobody is going to miss the HumptyDome’s outfield walls made of Hefty bags, outfielders losing balls in the roof which was smartly done in the same color as a baseball, and those fifteen-hop singles only artificial turf can bring you.

I’m sure over time people will find quirks about Target Field that they don’t like (Aside: How long will it be before we have to hear about not building a retractable roof despite the fact that it doesn’t have one because the infamously penny-pinching Minnesotans wouldn’t pay for it?), but there is no way this new park can’t be considered a quantum leap forward.

And as for the second-rate Metrodome? Don’t worry, it still has a use; providing a home for the second-rate Minnesota Vikings.