Twins Games Will Never Be The Same

I bought my first Twins tickets of the year the other day. Shortly after the purchase, I heard of Bob Casey's death. It's odd how I didn't realize it until now, but Twins games and Bob Casey go hand in hand. They always have, since the beginning of the franchise. Now, things will feel a little different at the Metrodome.

Many people have been talking about Casey's famous lines. You know, "Nooooo smoking in the Metrodome. Noooooo smoking," as Kent Hrbek takes a fake puff and waves a little no-no. And of course, "Kirbeeeeeeeeeeeey Pucket!" But Casey's influence penetrated deeper than that.

Everything he said, from the starting line-ups to "the Twins are not responsible for thrown bats or batted balls" was said in Bob Casey's voice. Every syllable made it feel like a Twins game. His voice is the only one Twins fans have known.

Maybe Casey was preparing us for his departure. Lately, there haven't been many special name announcements. When Pucket, Knoblauch and Hrbek left, Casey seemed to tone things down a little. Now we don't have to worry about listening to a cheap imitation of his famous announcements, not that anyone could compare.

But that doesn't mean his absence won't be felt. In my mind, Bob Casey will always be the Twins public address announcer.