Behind Enemy Lines

I grew up in St. Louis.  Needless to say, I am a Cardinals fan.  I guess you could say I never really had an option...

And I suppose Denver doesn't have an option either :)

St. Louis is often referred to as the best baseball city in America.  I grew up going to Busch Stadium with my family and watching Ozzie Smith do backflips while everyone cheered. 

Now I live in Ft. Worth.... home of the Texas Rangers. 

Cards vs. Rangers 

World Series 2011

See my problem?

I am surrounded by family and friends that are SO excited about the prospect of the Rangers winning the World Series. Every store, every house, every street corner has big GO RANGERS signs hanging up.  Everyone is wearing Nelson Cruz jerseys instead of Albert Pujols jerseys. Eeeeek!!!!

And I wish that the Rangers were a bunch of jerks. I wish that they were rude and arrogant and unlikeable....but they're not.  It's sort of fun to watch them. It's fun to live in a city where everyone is exited about baseball. It reminds me of childhood.

So how do I stay true to my team without being an obnoxious in-your-face type fan? Do I hang our Cardinals flag outside the house? I don't really want to get egged or have my car keyed.  Do I wear my cardinals t-shirt in public? Or dress Denver in his adorable Yadi tee?

Also, one of the most fun parts about the Cardinals being the World Series is cheering for them with other Cardinals fans.  My friends here that care about the World Series are bound to be cheering for the Rangers. Can't you picture that bar? Or living room? When David Freese hits a grand slam, and I stand up yelling and screaming and cheering and everyone else is sad and angry and glaring at me?  Ick.

So don't worry mom and dad. You brought me up right. I won't be betraying my team. I will cheer for the Cardinals no matter who they're playing against. I'm just not sure how zealous to be. Ya dig?

Any thoughts? Suggestions? Ideas?