The past press tours included a nice dinner, speeches and autographs for the kids only.
This year we were all kids !
The festivities were scheduled to begin at 12:00 so we arrived at the mall at about 10:30.
We wandered around the set up area for a few minutes, looking over the attractions.There was a booth for purchasing game tickets, a Wii type home run derby and a Wheel of Fortune - like prize wheel.I finally asked one of the workers about the agenda and he showed us where everything would start. There was already about 30-40 people lined up near a large planter so we joined them. We could see the Indians' employees setting up the chrome pedestals with ropes forming a snake-like course to the entrance.Pretty soon they led us all up through the gateway.There still were no players or celebrities to be seen and by now there was maybe 50 - 100 more people behind us.
The following four photos are a panoramic view of what we looked at for the next 2 hours !!
The edge of the prize wheel can just be seen in the top,right corner of the first photo.
Here you can see the people lined up ahead of us in between the red vinyl webbing. 
They did start the home run derby and the prize wheel around 12:00 but the line didn't start moving until a little after 1:00 PM.
The rest of the photos got a little screwed up. Not having posted any for about three months, I forgot you have to add the last photo first and first photo last and the ones in the middle in the correct order so it all makes sense and I was making myself crazy !! So we're going right to the GOOD stuff. (but there is more at the end so you still have to scroll through the whole post !)
Our fearless leader. Manny Acta. I had no Tribe cards of him yet so he signed my Indians note pad.Later I'll attach a card to it, put the whole thing in an 8 1/2 x 11 clear page protector and place it in my autograph album.
Tom Hamilton, our radio announcer. He belongs in the HOF someday. Many fans at home like to turn the volume down on the tv,watch the game and listen to the radio. Sometimes it's not exactly in sync though ! 
John J. Adams, no doubt, one of the most loyal of all Indian fans.He buys two seats for every home game.One for him and one for his drum ! Sitting on the top bleacher row in left center field he bangs his drum to stir up some excitement and can be heard through the entire park.
Mike Hargrove. One of the most respected figures in Cleveland and all of baseball. He's back with the Tribe this year as an advisor and will be working with the 1st basemen.
Len Barker. Everyone likes Big Len. He is very pleasant and easy to talk to. He is well known here for his perfect game on 5/15/81.
Michael Brantley was one big draws for this tour stop. He should have a great career ahead of him and hopefully in Cleveland.
Shin-Soo Choo. Another major attraction after coming off a very good season last year.I don't have any other auto relic cards, so I asked him to sign this Sweet Spot.
Here's Len Barker signing in an empty store front. They used this small store for a break room.
This is my oldest son Josh, holding my place in line while I took some pictures.
Finally we're getting in !! There were tables set up under the Indians sign where Choo and Brantley were seated.
This is why we got there early.The line seemed to go on forever. There had to be at least 3 - 400 people there. Probably more.
Ketchup, Mustard and Onion also made an appearance. Along with with Slider. I couldn't get close enough to get their pictures
This is the " Wii " Home Run Derby screen. Josh and I didn't try it.We left that for the little kids.
Tom Hamilton and Manny Acta did a very lengthy question and answer session. Just behind Tom's head, you can see the black wavy hair of Matt LaPorta. He stepped into the autograph booth after we had went through. Tony Sipp and Joe Charboneau were also signing but,unfortunately, we missed them too.
The prize wheel !! 
A Shin-Soo Choo bobblehead !!
It goes great with my other ones, but.....
.... I need a longer shelf !! 
Nice. Sometimes long waits are worth it.
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