Saying farewell to a friend
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jan 18, 2009 
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Just returned from the memorial service for Todd Drew. For those of you who didn’t know him, Todd was a long-time reader of this blog who later started his own site and eventually joined up with Alex Belth’s crew at Bronx Banter.
Todd passed away last week at 41.
I knew Todd was a season-ticket holder who loved to write about sports and had a real passion for classic sportswriting.
I didn’t know he raced motorcycles when he was young. Or that he loved the New York City Ballet, enjoyed a good cigar when the Yankees won and was a fan of boxing. I wasn’t surprised to learn he kept score at every game he attended. The best fans always do.
Todd worked for the ACLU and helped educate first-time voters about their rights. He had spent nearly half his life with his wife Marsha, who spoke eloquently about her best friend and husband. Alex also spoke and read aloud from one of Todd’s posts.
At the end, the large crowd sang Take Me Out To The Ballgame. Many wore their Yankee caps and smiled. If a man can be judged by the company he keeps and the memories he leaves, our friend Todd was a good man.
If you ever read Todd’s blog, you know he enjoyed capturing those moments that make New York so unique. I experienced one of those snatches of time on the subway headed uptown to the service.
A subway preacher stood up in the car next to where I was and launched into an impassioned sermon about the coming rapture and our need to repent. I turned up the volume on my iPod and tried to lose myself in The Hold Steady.
But this subway savior was persistent and he looked right at me. “What do you believe?” he asked. “What do you believe?”
That’s not a question you want to answer without some time to prepare. So I said the first thing that came to mind.
“I believe the Yankees should keep Robinson Cano,” I said.
A middle-aged guy with a beard and a Yankees cap was sitting a few seats away. “Amen, brother,” he said with a chuckle.
The train rumbled into the station and we all went on our way.
Had Todd been there, I think he would have gotten a kick out of it.
————
Donations can be made in Todd’s memory to any of these organizations:
ACLU
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor,
New York, NY 10004
Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club Inc,
1930 Randall Avenue,
Bronx, NY 10473
The Doe Fund,
232 East 84th Street,
New York, NY 10028
Once again…RIP Todd Drew. I really liked his blog. Pete: that story is classic! haha.
Kevin
Thanks for this Pete. Am so glad you went and could relate all this to us.
Thanks Pete for sharing.
Pete: Thanks for sharing. It really was a beautiful service.
Thanks, Pete.
Yes, keep Robinson Cano!
R.I.P Todd Drew
Great post Pete.
RIP Todd
Pete did you really say that….thats classic
From the last thread-
Doreen: No problem. I still don’t feel like I did it justice, though.
Rebecca -
You can’t. It’s one of those things that “you had to be there.” But you did fine, believe me.
I find it amazing that a man who wrote on the internet had so many people come to his funeral that really didnt even know him
It shows two things to me: 1. we live in a wonderful time, and 2. our fan base is truly like a family.
Doreen: Thanks. Y’know, that’s two posts he’s inspired in what, 48 hours?
Dang.
Great Post!
thanks for sharing, great post. may Todd R.I.P
Pete: Excellent post.
Rebecca: Also, excellent post on your blog.
I love that you sang “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at the end of the service. Very fitting.
rodg: That song’s gonna mean something more to me now…
Nice job, Peter.
“But this subway savior was persistent and he looked right at me. “What do you believe?” he said. “What do you believe?”
“I believe in the soul, the ****, the *****, the small of a woman’s back, the hanging curve ball, high fiber, good scotch, that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days.”
–Crash Davis
Nice post Pete
R.I.P. Todd
Back on the Jim Rice issue:
Everyone loved the curse-ridden (excuse me while I throw up -I don’t believe in curses, but the Sox and their bretheren played that for all it was worth) Sox and loved them even more when this team somehow overcame almost 90 years of misery to finally win. I’m surprised they didn’t make a movie out of this – it could bring tears to your eyes. In the eyes of baseball, this is still the little team that could. Boston is a fantastic city, one of my favorite places, but it’s made out to be some kind of small-town wonderland with a charming ballpark and that sweet, passionate group of fans, Red Sox Nation. There’s supposedly something pure about rooting for the Sox – if you are a Sox fan, you have paid your dues and kept the faith. A WS title is your just desserts after waiting for so long. On the other hand, rooting for the Yankees is made out to be almost dirty, as if only the spoiled and entitled would root for this monolith. A WS title is considered unfair reward for fans who, unlike Red Sox Nation, have not had the unfortunate task of remaining faithful to a luckless franchise. It’s sickening.
Sorry for the cross outs!
Todd Drew must have been a truly special person. I read the most recent article of his that was posted here (I forget the title – Shadow something?) and it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. Baseball to me is poetry, so I understood everything he was trying to say in that piece. 41 is too young, way too young. RIP Todd.
Betsy -
They DID make a movie out of it. I watched it. On a plane. Not a good choice by me, I must say.
Actually, the movie was made during the 2004 season, and fully expected the usual demise of the Sox by season’s end. Unfortunately for us, but fortunately for them, they got their “happy ending.”
The name of the movie escapes me right now, but Drew Barrymore was Jimmy Fallon (?) were in it.
Sigh.
I agree with your sentiment, however.
Doreen and Betsy: You’re thinking of _Fever Pitch_. I refuse to watch it.
You braved watching Fever Pitch, Doreen? Ahh I see, you were on a plane and held against your will. Yep, thats the only thing that would possibly lead me to seeing that movie, lol.
RIP, Todd. I have *known* Todd on here a long time, since the days of early days of Kasey and Anaconda around here, I think. I was incredibly saddened to hear of his much too early death. I was glad I was at home and not at work when I read the news – the lump in my throat and moist eyes would have been tough to explain. Todd had the gift of words, of expressing his thoughts and sharing himself with you through them. You really got a sense of the person he was through his words – and that is a gift not many people have.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about it, Pete (and Rebecca). For those of us who weren’t able to be there. It sounds like a mermorial service that truly did justice to Todd’s memory. The fact that so many people showed up who had never met him in life, or only met him a few times or only became a friend via email – is truly a tribute to him.
Rebecca -
Good choice!
We were on a plane, I think it was in 2006 or 2007 and I THOUGHT I could handle it. After all, I am a grown-up and I knew the ending. WRONG, wrong, wrong.
Thank you Pete. RIP Todd.
Angel –
I could have turned it OFF! Which is what my husband (sitting across the aisle and one row up – I had the girls) kept telling (nay, pleading) me to do. But it was as if I was a prisoner – as if, had I kept watching, the ending could be different. Or, more likely, like watching a train wreck. It was embarrassing.
Great story Pete.
I’m sorry to hear about Todd. RIP.
Angel: It’s weird in a sense, that you can know someone only online and yet feel like you get to know them like a best friend.
Yet this is the world we live in.
Sad they made that travesty of sham of a mockery of a movie. The book “Fever Pitch” is great. It’s non-fiction, written by Nick Hornby (best known for High Fidelity), about his obsession with the Arsenal soccer club in north London and the nature of fandom in general. Recommended if you can find it.
Heh Nick, that is true. It was a good read, although I’m a Man-U girl myself. Substituting the Red Sox for Arsenal just was just sheer butchery in my opinion.
I had no idea that movie was based on a non-fiction book. (I didn’t hang around for the credits.)
Man U? Blech. Oh well, at least you chose a good baseball team.
Rebecca – I think when you get to know people online its more about the person they are than what they look like – which makes it more real – especially if you’re all just being yourselves. I pretty much am in real life like I am on here.
Its really irrelevant what someone looks like when what they are to you is their thoughts behind their words on a page – and I think that is what forms the bond so quickly and strongly in some cases. I would have loved to have known Todd for real. He was one of a kind.
Nick: Careful now, I’m Man U too!
Well, I also like Real Madrid and Chelsea, so maybe you should just ignore me.
There was also a UK movie:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F.....1997_film)
Angel: I’ve been posting in various forums since 2002. I totally know what you mean.
(sorry for the double)
I know, I know.. but its a family thing. My poppa was Manchester born and bred – so it kinda got handed down to me. Its in my blood just like the Yankees are, what can I say?
They’re kind of a bit like the Yankees of english soccer, actually.
How do you all follow the Premier League? Do you watch the games at all or just through the Internet/ box scores?
Ahh trainwrecks of movies. I totally get how you couldn’t look away from it, Doreen. I feel like that about a few movies I’ve sat through, lol. So awful, they’re strangely compelling.
Rob: Usually just online. I don’t follow that closely…I follow the Euro and World Cup more closely.
I get them on cable, Rob. I’m pretty much useless at World Cup time.
Nick in SF: The British version is better–it’s about soccer (well, football) instead of the Sox. Much better. And it has Colin Firth. Can’t go wrong with Colin Firth.
RIP Todd.
Rob: I get to see more Champions League games on TV than Premiership games, though once in a while I’ll get up early and go down to a pub to watch a big match. Mostly I just follow along online or just read about what happened. I’ve been to one Arsenal game in person, back in the great ’98 Double season, and one Atletico Madrid match in Bercelona.
make that in *Madrid*. I had some great hot chocolate in Barcelona, though.
Amen to that Andrea!! (the Colin Firth bit, that is)
Pete: You are not only a fine beat writer and blogger with a great sense of humor; you’re a mensch!
Angel– you get a package like MLB.tv or they play them enough to follow your team? I’ve always wanted to try following a season (since I played for 9 years) but never see it televised.
Speaking of trainwreck sports movies and English futbol am I the only one who liked green street hooligans? My cousin told me I had a man crush on Elijah wood’s blonde in-law but I thought I just liked the story.
Mr. Darcy!
I get the Fox Soccer Channel on my cable package, Rob. So I get what games they show (not as comprehensive as Extra Innings) because its no exclusively European soccer and it does soccer all around the globe – but I do get to see quite a few games.
http://msn.foxsports.com/socce.....cermatches
Well there goes the neighborhood in terms of an under. There’s probably another 7 left in this game somewhere. Glad my call was 20 minutes too late.
Mr Darcy AND Mark Darcy. I also really liked him in Love Actually.
he was lovely in Love Actually. I loved his story line.
Love Actually was such a cute movie.
Thanks for the fsc schedule angel.
Love Actually is my favorite Christmas movie. Might have something to do with how great kiera knightly looked but I love what that movie makes you feel. The best movies are the ones that get you to feel something. If you didn’t see Seven Pounds with Will Smith I’d suggest it; made me cry more than once.
That was a movie that was completely unexpected. I thought it was just going to be trite “christmas movie” when I first saw it, but its ended up being one of my favorites. Just a great cast and great intermingling stories. The deleted scenes on the DVD are hilarious.
It was kind of accurate in its portrayal of what “love” is. Its different things to different people, but no more invalid in its experience just because its experienced differently. You definitely become invested in the characters, even the one’s with which you have nothing in common with – like the couple who found love on the set of their..err.. movies, lol.
Love Actually, Rob? Do you need to join Chick Flick Anonymous?
Here’s something to wear if it’s chilly the next time you watch; http://tinyurl.com/85faq8
Yeah that’s what I’m saying, the good ones get you to leave the theatre drained, not because the movie was boring or any of that but because you feel like you just lived what you watched. FWIW that little boy’s story line was my favorite.
Holy crap did any of you see that hit? Hope Magahee (not even gonna try to spell that) is okay…
Yeah Nick I have a real problem when it comes to love stories, I own Jersey Girl. But I’m 6’5″ so people don’t usually say much about it LOL and I bet A-Rod could pay half my rent for the price of that scarf, LOL I’d take one if I was feeling any ‘goosebumps’
Glad to see willis moving. The hit didn’t look that bad live but anytime a guy is carted off we should keep our thoughts with him. Neck injuries are nonsense.
That looked painful, Rebecca.
LOL Nick. Now what specifically is the Chick Flick Anoymous part of that outfit? The kravat-gone-crazy or the somewhat ugly vest?
My husband says that it doesn’t qualify as a chick flick because of the porn stunt double storyline and the substantial use of the f-ire tr-uck word.
“But I’m 6’5” so people don’t usually say much about it LOL”
Heh, I bet they don’t.
No nonsense* leaving out the no was a pretty critical error. Pitt. V arz in the superbowl ? I may have to watch paint dry that day…
Speaking of chick flicks, what the heck is up with that Pittsburgh players hairdo?
powerful stuff pete, rest well todd…
Doreen, that’s right – Fever Pitch. Not that I saw it, but what a waste of $$, lol.
I own Jersey Girl.
==============
The Ben Affleck/Liv Tyler/Blink and you will miss J-Lo movie? Or the Dylan McDermott/Jami Gertz/Cheap imitation of Pretty Woman movie?
The George Carlin (best comedian, ever)– kevin smith movie about the transformation of a man making excuses for all his regrets and what life “did to him” into one who accepts his world as a nexus of choices he makes himself everyday.
Btw I watched pretty woman again recently, what is the big deal about this movie aside from Julia Roberts legs?
One can find love with a hooker?
Rob: Julia Roberts’ legs.
S.A.– I thought the rule was you cant make a hoe a housewife?
Rebecca– I know, my last name ends in s too, but the iPhone sometimes does whatever it wants. Since it is the giver of Internet until I pay my cable bill I won’t anger it.
Rob-I guess sometimes the rule can be broken?
Nice piece Pete. RIP Todd.
Thank you.
I too went to the memorial and had never met Todd. I felt compelled to honor Todd, as he came across as one of the most genuine people I have ever known. His writting gave a glimpse of this wonderful person. RIP
Today is Martin Luther King Day. It was last Martin Luther King Day that I was first introduced to Todd, when his guest post appeared here as part of the January pinch hitting series. Thanks, Pete, for introducing me to such a wonderful person.
Thanks for sharing this Pete!
Nice post, Pete. Great story.
Whole load of great info on your site – have taken the feed.