Today's goal was to see Jason Kipnis and get his autograph and a picture with him. Success!!!! We were at Goodyear at the training complex at 8:45 and ready when the gates opened at 9:10! Jason was one of the first ones out and he signed a few autographs including one for Joe!
Then he took time to pose for a picture with me!!!
This was certinaly one of the top highlights of the trip for me! I still can't believe how lucky we were to see and get the opportunity to meet him. The guys we were standing next to and the Indians staffer all said that it truly is luck in who signs on what day and we were extremely lucky to get him to stop by today. I am glad that we were moving early to get this accomplished.
Joe was very successful this morning on his own getting autographs from the entire broadcast team (radio and TV) and several players including Carlos Santana, Ryan Raburn, pitching coach Micky Calloway, and even Manager Terry Francona at the very end of our time there.
The time waiting was pleasurable thanks to the company of some other fans and talking about the upcoming season...we were like Cubs fans hopeful for the upcoming year.
Following the autograph seeking we headed over to field #3 to watch the end of batting practice for the big boys. Joe and I were behind the plate watching and grandpa went to the hill to see if he could get any foul balls. The players were talking about target practice with the fans on the hill behind the fence in left field! Grandpa was a big target!
Joe wanted to switch and so we went to the target range and tried to catch home run balls. Joe got two more today, only one was hit over the other a player tossed over to him at the end of the practice which was just as good. During the practice Joe was spotted looking like a member of the knot hole gang peaking through the fence at the players.
After batting practice we headed out to lunch at Panda Express where we got fortune cookies. . . My fortune this day?
Patti doesn't know how we could "restore our energies" with all the stuff we have been doing but watching baseball seems to do that for me.
After lunch it was back to Goodyear Ballpark, home of the big footlong according to Joe, for the game against the Brewers and another WIN! Hope they can win like this starting March 31st and keep it going through Octobrr!
We also got see Rizy the Goodyear mascot dance on the dugout - Joe was a chicken and would stand next to him for a picture so this is the best I got.
In the back of the statium there is a large sign which Joe stood by for a photo.
We finished up the game and headed back for dinner with Patti and Dick at Mellow Mushroom Pizza which had some great variety and was pretty good pizza in all. Before dinner we did a little shopping and since we're not able to find a rattlesnake for been we thought this python would have to do for his Arizonia gift! Do you think I can get this through security?
Last day in Phoenix tomorrow, it will be sad to say goodbye to all the baseball and Patti and Dick who have been the best hosts anyone could ever ask for, but it will be great to be home, snow and cold included, to see Melanie and Ben and to make sure everyone at work remembers me!
At least we have one more game to go tomorrow, Indians vs Angles at Goodyear! One more shot for a footlong with Chilli and cheese and onions Joe!
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