TARGET FIELD, MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.– Of the 30,084 people that attended Sunday’s pivotal American League Central matchup against the first place Cleveland Guardians, somehow I was able to find a spot in the Minnesota Twins press box. Don’t worry, I didn’t have to bribe anyone (good thing too cause I have no money) to get in because I have the media pass and everything.

My mission was to snag some pictures for the Twins 100 year anniversary celebration of the 1924 Washington Senators World Series title. Specifically, Hall of Fame pitcher Walter Johnson’s Hall of Fame plaque. It was brought to the Twin Cities from the Pro Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York just for the occasion. The Senators were a charter member of the American League in 1901 and stayed in our nation’s capitol until 1961 when they moved to Minnesota to become the Twins. Hey, it’s Minnesota sports, we’ll take a title anyway we can get it.

It’s always been a dream of mine to cover the Twins and I got to live a sliver of that on a Sunday afternoon that was recognizing the franchise’s long history. So, I’m going to recap my day at the Twins game from the parking lot to the press box and all my stops in between.

In between gates 34 and 29 at Target Field, there is an entrance exclusively for media. I check in and they give me my media pass, good for that day only. While I wasn’t able to get into the clubhouse and talk with the players or coaches, my access was to the concourse, the press box, and field level before the game.

Security sends me to an elevator where I go up to the second level of the ballpark on the right field side. I walk through the Thrivent Club that takes up most of the seats on that level. Then I walk along the concourse all the way behind the home plate area and find the entrance to the Herb Carneal Press Box. But before I reach the press box, I found an area where the Twins were showcasing old Senators memorabilia. Even Hall of Famer and former Twins and Senators pitcher Jim Kaat was on hand for the festivities.

Back to the press box, which was full of seating for newspaper writers and booths for the TV and radio broadcasts. It’s filled with newspapers from significant moments in Twins history, along with mementos from other key Minnesota media figures. For example, longtime sports writer Sid Hartman’s famous tape recorder that he used for all of his big interviews with athletes and coaches over his historic career.

After I got settled there, I needed to find that plaque to make it a successful day. So I went to an elevator that is only available to the press and made my way down to the bowels of Target Field. I walk through a long hallway that leads me to the visiting dugout’s camera well. I’m on the field. Before the game, the Twins honored that 1924 Senators squad with a pregame show that included a 1920s-style broadcast of the ballclub.

I see the plaque and am able to get a couple shots of the piece of baseball history. But I want a closer shot. Unfortunately, I’m not allowed past the baselines and have to wait and hope they put it on display somewhere around the ballpark. So I go back to my seat and watch the game, laptop in front of me and live-tracking the game just like a beat writer who has been covering the team all season.

Perks are available for the press, kind of. Other perks include media guides and the use of statisticians who communicate important stats through the press box.

Midway through the game and I still need to find a close up of the plaque. So I walk out of the press box and go down the hall through the Thrivent Club to the Truly on Deck area along the right field line, which is a bar/restaurant that has replicas of important Twins items. A walk right in and there it is! The Walter Johnson plaque on display for everyone to see! I snag some close ups and can now go back to the press box to watch the rest of the game. Here are a couple of my favorite photos of the plaque.

The final score was a heartbreaker, a 5-3 loss where the Twins had the bases loaded with nobody out in the 9th inning that brought home no runs. Still, it was a Sunday that I’ll never forget. I wanted pull back the curtain and let you go behind the scenes at Target Field with me. Now if only the Twins can get a hit with runners in scoring position.

Check out more on Monday’s episode of the Morning Sports Desk with CJ & Corey!