Right around that exact same time--immediately after the '98 Series in fact--my wife was diagnosed with cancer. She also went quickly--about three months--and very painfully. But there were hopeful moments and days when the pain wasn't so bad, and it was quite amazing to see her say her goodbyes to her many devoted friends on those precious days. She died knowing she was well-loved and had made a difference in many many lives.

She wasn't too much of a baseball fan, but she tolerated my mania. And she is inextricably linked to the great Kirk Gibson home run in '88. We were on a little outing, before we were married actually, and I started to watch Game 1 in the hotel room. She, quite rightly, wanted me to pay attention to her, so after Canseco's homer, I reluctantly turned it off. After awhile we were relaxing and she said finally, 'go ahead, turn it back on, I know you're thinking about it.' And so began the bottom of the ninth...

Ratt, there's a heck of a lot of love captured in that small little memory you shared. Thanks.

Once upon a time when I was 30 I didn't know anyone who had passed away from Cancer. Sixteen years later I know way to many, some very close to my heart. A good friend who started in my roto league 20 years ago was from Chicago and a diehard White Sox fan. He passed away several years ago and this year he turned all 10 of his roto-mates who couldn't have cared less about the White Sox into Sox fans for the 1st time. We all toasted Roger this year and hope he was smiling somewhere. I don't believe in God but sometimes I suspend the practice to get me through the day.

Anyway, life gets better. I'm remarried. My son is happy. Other challenges come along, but the good stuff seems even sweeter when you know in the back of your mind how bad it can get. And I had the wonderful privilege of knowing this woman for the time I knew her.