Advice from the Iron Ranger

When veteran Twins fan Patrick Minelli learned we were headed to the new outdoor ballpark today, he couldn't resist giving some wistful advice:
He wrote:
Bring an umbrella and adequate clothing Friday. Forecast: Passing showers or sprinkles, high of 59. - The Ranger

If we bring an umbrella, it won't be the first time we've taken advice from The Ranger, the alias for the editor of the Shakopee Valley News. Stan hired Pat in 1985 (Pat will dispute this) and he was one of Stan's best hires ever (Pat won't dispute that). He soldiers on today, keeping Shakopee informed, as in when exactly will the Minnesota River floodwaters recede and allow traffic to resume on Highways 101 and 41?

Pat grew up on the Minnesota Iron Range, the son of a printer. Hibbing. Home to Bob Dylan and Kevin McHale and other illuminaries too numerous to mention, although Pat will often attempt to do so. Meanwhile, Stan was born in Miner's Hospital in Crosby-Ironton, way south of Hibbing, adjacent to an open pit iron mine. No good, Pat rules. That's the lowly Cuyuna Iron Range and nativity on that range -- which produced the iron ore to win World War II -- does not qualify Stan to boast as a Ranger. Not pure enough. Sorry, no pedigree.

Pat's a pure baseball fan too, of course. When Major League Hall of Famer Johnny Bench dropped by the office to promote his book, Pat did the interview. He didn't fob it off on the sports dept. That's Pat with the old Cinncinnati Redlegs catcher, above, inspecting the photographer's lens. Johnny, apparently another purist, is claiming there is a spot on it.

Pat has raised a family of baseball fanatics. They're all purists, so they're delighted that there's a new, traditional outdoor ballpark and baseball can again be played the way it was meant to be played -- even if it means bringing an umbrella.

Wonder how he'll feel if we pass on the hot dog and cracker jacks today and go for the steak sandwich and gelato?