unbeLEEvable!

Dear Diary,

I have spent countless hours watching Garrett Forsythe play baseball. I have spent even more hours watching Garrett Forsythe's Phillies play baseball. The Phillies have been a part of his life since childhood and he has his Grandma Ciardullo to thank for all the joy and frustration that team has caused him. If it wasn't for Darren Daulton spending a summer at the Ciardullo household, I don't know where Garrett's mind would be from April until November.  

In the past 9 years, I too have become a mega Phillies fan. Most wives, I am sure, have become familiar with the "favorite team" of their husbands. It may be Chiefs football, KU basketball, or the sport I will never understand - Nascar, but it really takes a lot to be a true fan of baseball. There is a game on most every night, 9 innings average to run about 3 hours, and you can go inning after inning without seeing a single run score. Not many "baseball wives" can say they watch the game even when their husband isn't home, or they choose to watch the MLB Network over Regis and Kelly to see the latest trade rumors. I too have fallen in love with the Phillies. I know the players, the coaches, and because I am a true woman, I even keep up with the team gossip. It saddens me when a player I like gets traded, and I hate knowing I won't be seeing Davey Lopes and his stopwatch along the first base line for the 2011 season.

While I can honestly say I am not a fan of change, there are times when change excites me. As if it was Christmas morning, Garrett woke me up last night to tell me that Cliff Lee was coming to Philly. This guy stole my heart in 2009 when he spent part of the season with us before getting traded away to the Mariners. I was sad to see him go, and even held a grudge against the perfect game, no-hitter pitcher Roy Halladay for taking his place. As a surprise to everyone, Cliff Lee has decided to spend the next 5 years with the Phillies for a lousy $120 million. He turned down the Rangers 6 year offer of $138 million and even better, the Yankees 7 year offer of $150 million. It's pretty rare that a player take that big of a pay cut, but I guess it shows what kind of a guy Cliff Lee really is. Honestly, I have a feeling that once you are in the hundred million dollar mark, a 20 million dollar difference doesn't really change your lifestyle. All in all, Cliff wants to be in Philly and we want to have him!

I'll get to spend the next few months hearing my husband talk about how excited he is for the season to start. It's crazy to me to think that by opening day in April I will have an 18 month old and a new little lady to take care of. Just like the Phillies "family" changed in an instant, so will the Forsythe family. The difference is, we've offered her a lifetime contract with a possibility of allowance based on behavior. She will come on board knowing she will never get traded, sent down to the minors, or sit the bench because someone new comes along. She'll have a starting spot for 18 years, and once she's a "free agent," she'll always know she can come to us for help and advice! She's getting the ultimate deal, and even though it may not be worth millions, it's priceless!

Sincerely Yours,