Up close and personal

As rain fell from the sky, hundreds of Cardinals fans lined up across the parking lot at the Osage Community Centre on Sunday.

At the front of the line was 13-year-old Kyle Best and his parents, Bob and Gail. The Cape Girardeau family were the first to arrive at the Osage Centre as the annual Cardinals Caravan made its stop in Cape Girardeau.

"We wanted to be first in line so we got here early," Gail Best said.

The family took their spot at the front of the door at 1:15 p.m. -- almost four hours prior to when doors opened for the event.

The caravan gave fans the opportunity to meet Cardinal baseball players Adam Wainwright, Chris Duncan, Tyler Johnson and John Rodriguez.

Kyle Best was looking forward to meeting outfielder Chris Duncan. He also wanted his Adam Wainwright rookie baseball card signed by the pitcher.

"We're pretty big Cardinal fans," Gail Best said. "It's pretty rare for us to miss a game on television."

Behind the Best family in line was Mandy Ray and her son, Austin, of Jackson.

"We got here at 1:30 p.m. because we wanted to be first in line -- we just barely missed getting that spot," Mandy Ray said.

Austin Ray, 8, said he was excited to meet Wainwright. "Mom wishes Molina was here," he said about Cardinal catcher Yadier Molina.

"I'm just excited to see him excited," Mandy Ray said.

The World Series Champions in Cape Girardeau drew fans from Sikeston, Mo. Cory Gardner and his grandfather Ron arrived at the Osage Centre around 3:30 p.m.

"I want to get this baseball autographed," Cory Gardner said as he revealed a ball in his baseball mitt. "I really want John Rodriguez to sign it."

As Rick Hunter waited near the front of the line, he found out only children could walk through the autograph line. He was a little discouraged but was determined to meet Chris Duncan. "I'll get to him some way," he said.

The Delta man arrived at the Osage Centre at 2 p.m. He didn't mind the cold, rainy weather.

"I'm glad because if it was nice out, I'd probably be at the back of the line," Hunter said.

Penny Williams, with the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department, said 1,000 tickets were sold for the event and additional standing room tickets were released on Sunday.

This year's Cardinals Caravan set a record for ticket sales for the event, she said.

When fans were allowed inside the Osage Centre, they rushed to grab the seats closest to the Cardinals players' table.

Missy Keller and her sons, Austin and Justin were in the third row.

"Going to an actual game is better," said 10-year-old Austin. "But this is pretty neat, too."

The boys were looking forward to meeting outfielder Chris Duncan.

"I'm going to tell them 'thank you' after I meet them," Austin said. "Thank you for coming, thank you for the autograph and thank you for winning the World Series."

jfreeze@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 246