The eight grand hit.

My buddy Bute in Houston got in to a fifteen month no interest sweepstakes that entailed his money back if the Astros win the World Series. We are not talking chump change. Houston winning would put eight grand back in his pocket. I chatted with him before the start of game seven last night and it was obvious he was pumped up:

"The bastards are going to give me a heart attack village idiot. I don't know how much more I can take. They went seven with the Yank's and now another game seven. I'm serious. Everyone around me is trying to calm me down." I tell him to chill and everything will be okay no matter if they win or lose - "I have been waiting a long time for this to happen amigo. It's like how you always tell me you want to see the Chiefs win the Super Bowl. Plus I have eight grand riding on it."

Eight grand will elevate anyone's heart level. I told him to relax again and just enjoy - "No matter win or lose I have enjoyed the Astros this year. They have been good for the town." Bute's neck of the woods saw some damage from the hurricane and he has described some of the places in town as Mad Max like - "I'm ready to get that money!" He then tells me to thank Junior for Alex Bregman. He was referring to our friend Junior in Albuquerque and the Astros third baseman who is a native as well.

"It looks like I will be headed to Phoenix for Thanksgiving. Jamie, Cathy & the nieces are going to dads and then Cathy's niece is getting married over the weekend. I'm looking forward to it. What are your holiday plans?" I thought a change of banter would be calming for him - "Spending it with the family," he replies. He then asks how old Jamie's kids are nowadays - "Emily is a freshman at UMKC and Makaila is a sophomore in high school. They are both doing well and I am looking forward to seeing them over the holidays."

The talk turns to something more than baseball or money - "It's not just the money. The Astros have brought a lot of welcome relief to the town. People here deserve a title, and I know the cardiac kids are going to bring it home for us." - I am happy to report Houston won and Bute is relishing the moment. I hope the Chiefs win the Super Bowl one of these days. To me it would be like an experience Bute is having now. I will definitely be at the parade when it happens!