Now, I have to take you back to July of 2006. That's when Mrs. That Guy and I found out we were having a baby. It was decided very quickly that our baby was going to be a Phillies fan like her dad. Mrs. That Guy is an Orioles fan (mostly thanks to her college years spent in Baltimore and to be honest I even root for the Birds when they aren't playing the Fightins). So before our daughter's little brain was even fully developed a deal was struck. I gave up my rights for her to be an Eagles fan and Mrs. That Guy gave up on her chance to have a little Orioles cheerleader. Since the NFL pretty much blows and I am lucky if I watch more than a quarter the whole season, I figured I really got the good end of the deal.
The little one really seemed to enjoy being a Phillies fan (after birth, that is). Even though all the experts said babies shouldn't watch tv, I would let her watch an inning or so and she would love it. This past October, her favorite phrase was "Let's go Phillies!"
Ok now more recent history. This past Sunday we took my father-in-law to an Orioles game as a belated father's day gift. It was a great day. Mrs. That Guy, This Guy and Mrs. This Guy, This and That Guy's parents and That Guy's mother and sister-in-law all were there. Even after nearly 15 years, Camden Yards is a great place to watch a game and despite the heat we all had a great time. I "allowed" the little one to wear Orioles gear and she was really getting into the game. You have never seen anything more cute than when a two year old yells charge right on cue.
So finally back to tonight. As we drive home, I suggest that we listen to the Phillies on the radio. And the answer was, "Daddy, I don't like the Phillies. I want to hear the Orioles."
Well, my heart dropped quicker than a Brad Lidge slider. My dreams of a lifetime of suffering along with my daughter (last year as the obvious exception)as a Phils fan was "out of here". How could I let this happen? It was just too cute when she said, "Go O's!". How could I have known that one day at an O's game would change two and a half years of hard work? I mean, I was sad when a 6 year old This Guy spent one summer as a Giants fan (Yeah I know. One can only wonder why that happened) but this was totally different. My mind started racing as to how to change her mind. My first response was saying what I always say to her when she does something that dissapoints me, "Daddy is very sad that you don't like the Phillies," I said. Her response, "You're right daddy. I like the Phillies."
Phew, if only I knew it was that easy. I wonder if that will work when she is 16?
So for now our family is back to normal and all is right as the pennant race gets underway. Let's go Phillies!
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