My crazy Aunt-in-Law

This is for you Becky (not the one in Florida...but I love you, too).

So my wife's Aunt Becky is in town for the Astros-cardinal's series. Last night was game 1 which WE (the Astros) won. Now Becky has been a cardinal's fan since Moses was a small child. I'm quite sure that if you took the money she has spent on baseball games and the things associated with baseball games, as well as her vast collection of paraphernalia (that is drooled over by her nieces and nephews who not-so-secretly wonder what's theirs when she's gone) she has that she would be richer than Bill Gates. But let me tell you why I admire Becky.

She's a true sports fan. She loves her cardinals. She has had weekend season passes forever. She and her sisters (a.k.a a close group of girlfriends) make the 90 mile trek to St. Louis every chance they get. The make at least one out of town game every year. Or at least they try. The last few years they have come to Houston.

They know the players, their strengths and weaknesses, they know who their wives are and what they do in the community. We joked that when the cards finished playing in the old Busch Stadium that the would have to untie Becky chained to the ballpark before they could knock it down. Last year during the cards' race for the pennant, Becky turned up on all sorts of media. She and her girlfriends could be seen on the cards' website wearing these sparkly red wigs. I even saw her on TV (wearing that same wig) while I was in the ICU watching one of the games of the NLCS. Patient care did NOT suffer that night by the way. A nice man let us watch the game on his TV. He was intubated, but we're sure he was an Astros fan.

OK, I'm kidding, the room was empty.

Anyway, I feel honored to be the only male allowed to come to all 3 games of a series with the girls when they've traveled. I am in awe of their love for their team. They have different jerseys for each game. They've made friends with the owner of the bar across the street from MY ballpark (Minute Maid). They are happy to talk to any cardinals fan they meet. And they enjoy good healthy banter between themselves and Astros fans. Just don't get personal. That's rude.

I have to go work on my chicken impersonation, which I will use when the cards decide to pitch around Berkman again because they're scared, even though I'm sure it will never be as good as Aunt Becky's.

Happy Birthday (it was yesterday) Becky, and thank you for allowing me into your family. I love your niece more than words can express.

P.S. When the Astros sweep the cards, I'll buy dinner Saturday night. It will be my pleasure!