Goodyear? Great day!

Friday was our last day in the Phoenix area. We wanted to get a good look at the Cleveland Indians new home at the Goodyear ballpark (The Cincinnati Reds will be moving from Sarasota next spring to join them.) Luckily it was half price day and we got in for $6! A nice lady at the side entrance gave me a special ticket for autographs—two rookies, Wes Hodges and Trevor Crowe, would be giving autographs outside the team store at noon.

It was nearly 12:30 until the visiting team, the Oakland A’s, appeared through the center field area. Kurt Suzuki was the first one to approach the fan throng near their dugout. He made sure all were accommodated, even asking “Anybody else?”

More players were soon to follow, including Mark Ellis, Jack Cust, Bobby Crosby (whose #7 had been left behind, and he was wearing #82 until game time), Sean Dolittle, Chris Denorfia. And they posed for pictures. Look at Bobby Crosby, how cute is that?

We moved from our outfield foul-ball territory seats down the left field line to something a little shadier. Hall of Famer Bob Feller had a table set up directly behind us where he was giving autographs and chatting with fans with a “Welcome to the Wigwam!” He would autograph his book for free; if you wanted a signature on anything else, it was $10, which went to the Bob Feller Museum. He had an array of photos available. One showed a Navy vessel, and he and my husband got into a lively, extended conversation about the Navy and all things related. He also posed for photos. He spent hours doing this. We left at 2pm to get on the road for home, and there was still quite a sizable line. The announcer said that he does this at all the Indians’ games here at the park. It was a great day and a great trip this year. See you in Arizona next spring!