(With apologies/thanks to Mariah Carey and to my niece Samantha, who played this song over and over in my car on Saturday)

Dear Giancarlo,
My goodness, I’ve been reading a lot about you lately … and I’ll just say that I’d like to dedicate this song to you as you make decisions about your future. And, if this photo is any indication, red is definitely your color. I hope to see you in St. Louis on April 5 — I’ll be wearing my soon-to-be-purchased (fingers crossed …) Cardinals Stanton jersey.

Happy holidays!

Love,
Chris

All I Want For Christmas Is You, Giancarlo Stanton — As A Cardinal

I don’t want a lot for Christmas.
There is just one thing I need: an impact bat for my team.
I don’t care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree.
I just want you for my team’s own
More than you could ever know.
Make my wish come true!
All I want for Christmas is you — as a Cardinal.

I don’t want a lot for Christmas.
There is just one thing I need: the new NL MVP and those home runs for my team.
I don’t care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree.
I don’t need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace.
Santa Claus won’t make me happy
With a toy on Christmas Day (unless it’s a Cardinal bobblehead of you).
I just want you for my team’s own
More than you could ever know.
Make my wish come true!
All I want for Christmas is you — as a Cardinal.

Oh, I won’t ask for much this Christmas
I won’t even wish for snow (especially because I hate it — and you probably do too).
I’m just going to keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe (now that’s for a different song about you …)
I won’t make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick (especially knowing Mo and Girsch have already made their pitch to you).
I won’t even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click
‘Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to a brand-new Cards cap so tight
What more can I do? (Seriously — just let me know.)
Giancarlo, all I want for Christmas is you — as a Cardinal.

Oh, all the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere.
And the sound of children’s
Laughter fills the air.
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing.
Santa, won’t you bring me that impact bat we really need?
Won’t you please bring Giancarlo to the Cards?

Oh, I don’t want a lot for Christmas.
This is all I’m asking for.
I just want to see you, Giancarlo,
Standing right outside the Busch Stadium door.

Oh, I just want you for my team’s own.
More than you could ever know.
Make my wish come true!
Giancarlo, all I want for Christmas is you — as a Cardinal.

(Because, really, this photo is the stuff dreams are made of — return-to-the-World-Series dreams, of course.)