Home Town Fan

I was working in Dallas in 2011 and 2012. I had a contract with Lockheed Martin that was on again off again until 2016. At this time, I was traveling weekly to Dallas. I left Monday mornings at 6am and would return Thursday evening around 7pm then work remotely on Fridays.  I would listen to sports radio on my trip to and from Dallas every week. It was hard to listen to the commentators and not become a fan of the local team. I like baseball and I was not into dynasty fantasy football yet. It was a slow sports period, and I became a fan of the Texas Rangers. I started watching them on TV because they never showed the Twins on local channels. I still followed the scores of the Twins but could not watch the games. I considered myself a 2-way fan. I got to know player names on the Texas Ranger’s team. I knew some stats just from listening to the radio shows.

I convinced Michelle to spend some time with me at my extended stay hotel that I kept in Dallas. She came up in August of 2012 and spent a few days with me. Instead of me driving home on Thursday night, we stayed for a Texas Rangers vs Minnesota Twins game on August 23^rd. It was a night game so luckily it wasn’t too hot for a Texas August evening. I knew I was going to be able to sit down and cheer on both teams equally, I remember bragging to Michelle about how this would be easy. She just smiled, tilted her head and showed me her cute dimple. She didn’t say much. Michelle wasn’t a baseball fan, so she was really just there because I wanted her to come with me. Michelle was so sweet and loving, sacrificing a hot Texas evening for her husband’s stupid antics was a small price for her. How did I get so damn lucky?

As soon as the first pitch was thrown out, I started cheering on the Twins and immediately hated the Rangers. I was very surprised at how quickly my roots showed up. I truly thought I could just listen to some sports radio for a couple of months and become a fan of a team then cheer them against my childhood team? Fat chance.

I didn’t listen to much sports radio after that weekend. Michelle and I listened to 80’s rock and Carrie Underwood on our way home Friday. The things she did for love. That is a trip I will always remember. As for Michelle, it is probably one she forgot as soon as we got home! I love you honey, you’re the best.