Kent Strunk: The Lifelong Twins Fans Building Family Traditions One Game at a Time

The Minnesota Twins have been part of the state’s identity since the team arrived in 1961, creating a deep connection that spans decades. Families across Minnesota have grown up with the team, weaving Twins baseball into their yearly routines and experiences.

Many households have stories of grandparents who remember the early Met Stadium days, parents who cheered during the 1987 and 1991 championship runs, and kids now growing up watching games at Target Field. For Kent Strunk, the stadium has become more than just a place to watch baseball—it’s a place where memories are made, passed down, and relived.

Starting Young: A Family’s First Team

Many Twins fans can recall their first game as a defining moment. Whether it was holding their parent’s hand while walking into the stadium or catching a foul ball, those early memories stay vivid. Parents often make it a point to introduce their children to baseball not just as a sport, but as a shared connection.

Kids grow into fans by donning miniature jerseys, collecting baseball cards, and learning player stats during car rides or over dinner. Over time, the team becomes part of a child’s personal story, linked to family outings, summer nights, and tradition.

Game Day Habits

Some families never miss a pregame stop at their favorite diner or insist on sitting in the same section season after season. These rituals become part of the game itself, shaping the overall experience and building anticipation before the first pitch even takes place.

Whether it’s bringing a homemade scorecard, arriving early to watch batting practice, or wearing a lucky cap, these small customs carry meaning. They add to each season and help create a sense of continuity as the years go by, turning game day into something uniquely personal.

Marking Milestones with the Twins

Life’s biggest moments often find their backdrop at the ballpark. Families celebrate birthdays in the stands, propose during the seventh-inning stretch, and mark anniversaries with tickets instead of dinner reservations. The stadium becomes a witness to more than just baseball—it’s part of the family.

Over the years, photos taken in the same seats or traditions like attending every Opening Day turn into a scrapbook of memories. The roar of the crowd, the crack of the bat, and the familiar skyline beyond the outfield blend into personal milestones that are hard to replicate anywhere else. There’s something timeless about marking life’s chapters with the sound of cheering fans and the smell of ballpark popcorn in the air.

Bridging Generations Through Baseball

Baseball has a way of connecting generations without needing much explanation. A grandfather teaching his grandson how to score a game, a mother sharing stories of her favorite players from the Metrodome era—these moments create a bridge that spans decades. The language of the game remains the same, even as players and stadiums change.

Even when families live apart, watching the same game on TV or texting about a clutch hit keeps the bond strong. The Twins became a reference point, something that brings people home even when they’re far away. In many cases, it’s not just about watching together, but feeling connected through history and loyalty.

Carrying the Tradition Forward

Younger fans aren’t just tagging along—they’re becoming keepers of the tradition. Whether it’s a child standing proudly in a Little League uniform or a teenager starting their own collection of Twins memorabilia, the next generation is stepping up.

Community ties only heighten the connection. Youth baseball programs supported by the Twins, school nights at the ballpark, and neighborhood viewing parties all help make the team feel like part of something larger. As seasons pass, so does the responsibility of keeping the spirit alive, blending old memories with new enthusiasm.