DAY TO REMEMBER: Fans meet Jose Altuve after camping out for hours at Academy in Katy
KATY, Texas (KTRK) -- Newly crowned American League MVP Jose Altuve met with Houston Astros fans at the Academy Sports and Outdoors in Katy.
The line of fans wrapped around the Academy store located near I-10 and the Grand Parkway in Katy.
Altuve was scheduled to appear for an hour.
Franchesca Forsythe, 31, was the first in line.
"He's very sexy," she said.
Franchesca was born with no eyes and was trampled at another store, her mother said. Academy made it up to her with Monday's visit from Altuve.
"It's going to encourage her and her therapy because Altuve allowed me to record him telling her to work hard like he does and hit it out of the park," she said.
Caroline Boschma was there for a fan who cannot take part in the fun.
"My husband is an Astros buddy, but he is at home post-cancer. He said, 'You got to go support him for us.' So I am here," she explained.
Nancy Comacho waited in line for a friend.
"She goes to dialysis three times a week and I take care of her because I am her caregiver," Comacho said. "I love my job and I love her."
And then there is Angel Bridges. Her friend Joanna Hines made a hat back in 2005 when the Astros last made it to the World Series. This year it came out of the closet during the Astros playoff run.
Bridges said, "I'm kindergarten teacher. I wore it to school, no matter what I had on. I did not take it off."
Bridges only it took it off to sleep and shower. Her friend would be proud.
"She actually passed away," Bridges said. "So the hat means more to me now. She was my best friend, and she would be sitting here right here if she was here today."
Bridges says she feels certain her friend is here too -- certainly her memory is.
One woman heard about the autograph opportunity on Sunday morning and drove with her children from Austin to see the MVP who has become a fan favorite.
"Who wouldn't do this for him?" said one woman.
Academy provided posters for Altuve to autograph.
