Todd Drew’s seats from Yankee Stadium II. Now resting comfortably on Marsha Drew’s deck down south.
I am honored to announce that Todd Drew’s Lasting Yankee Stadium Memory has been selected by Leigh Montville to be in The Best American Sports Writing 2009 (due out next month). This is only the second blog entry that has ever been included in the series (Derek Zumsted’s piece on Bugs Bunny was the first).
We have enjoyed many fine moments here at Bronx Banter since the blog began in late 2002, but no single moment has made me prouder. It is a moment laced with sadness because Todd is no longer with us. However, I’m certain that he would not want us to dwell on that. I’m not sure that it would be easy for him to be the center of attention either, but I do know that he worked hard on his writing and cared deeply about good writing. To be included in this series–one that he adored to no end–would have knocked him on his ass.
I like to think of him as bursting with pride right about now.
Quick story about this piece. Todd’s first draft was written in the second person. When I first read it, I intended to end the series with it because it was so strong (for various reasons, having nothing to do with the article, that didn’t happen). But there is something about the second person that generally rubs me the wrong way. So I asked Todd if he would be willing to try it in the first person. He was more than happy to oblige, as Todd was always looking to improve his work, try something new. A few days later, he sent me the article, now in the first person.
And he had it right the first time. It was meant to be in the second person. Which is the version that appeared on the blog and will now be in the company of the other great work in The Best American Sports Writing 2009.
So join me in a toast, to Todd Drew.
This is a great moment for us all, the entire Banter community. I’m thrilled to share it with you.
Alex, this makes me very happy.
And you are right to be proud.
Hats off and congrats to you and to Todd and his memory, and to Montville for the extra energy it must have taken for him to broaden the usual horizons for that volume. (And for being so damn good himself, for that matter.)
Yeah, kudos to Leigh as well as series editor Glenn Stout too.
I remember the morning I read Todd's post. I was moved to tears, more like sobs, sitting at my desk at work. The shock of it. It was beautifully written and brimming with emotion. I am overjoyed that it was selected by Leigh Montville, whose work I respect.
Alex, congrats to you and the Banter (and fellow banterites) for maintaining excellence in sportswriting. Best blog in the game.
Like the Hendrix reference.
[0] Tremendous stuff, Alex. A great credit to Todd, you and the rest of us here. And that a Boston writer picked it makes it even sweeter.
"So join me in a toast, to Todd Drew."
clink.
Well done, Todd and Alex.
Very, very nice. I am so happy to hear this. Congrats to you for the series Alex, and peace to Todd - it is a wonderful work.
the kid could write. good on him.
and it appears that it will be the final piece in the book ...
(lump in my throat)
Good work Todd ... we all miss you.
Yeah, the fact that it will be the final piece in the book is just too amazing.
Wonderful, wonderful news. Congrats to you, Alex, and the rest of the Banter crew.
Here's to you Todd, and thanks again. clink
I hesitate to use the word haunting in this context, but Todd's stadium memories, as revealed in the second person, make us feel as though we're joining him in the middle of a dream.
In any context it's a beautifully written piec, but even more so after his passing.
Man, he must love the site of those seats on the deck.
Congratulations, Todd & Alex., and thanks for bringing such fine work to the baseball blogosphere.
wow.
my initial reaction was pride and honor. this made my day.
todd is most deserving of this.
i love that marsha has their yankee stadium seats. alex - do you know where in the south she is? i guess i could always email her...
i just made the monumental mistake of actually clicking on Todd's article. furthermore, i made the mistake of scrolling down to the comments. it was really...what's the word...surreal to see Todd's name in print, as a commenter. it's like i could hear his voice, which i never heard.
then i saw it...
my own comment, stating how i was by my grandpa's side that day. i fucking lost it. i'm losing it now. i'd give ANYTHING in the world to be by his side. i know he was well more than twice Todd's age, but he's my hero and i still don't understand how he's gone.
i was even thinking - not sure if it was last night, this morning or in a dream - but how he was still alive. i "talk" to my grandma, but not my grandpa, 'coz i think he's still here. seeing that comment just wrecked me.
i miss them both.
Alex - thanks so much for keeping Todd alive. i keep my grandpa alive inside me everyday. i composed a 4-mallet Classical marima piece in tribute of him. it's called "Hero" and i play it every single day. today will have even more meaning. fuck, i'm shivering. i have a great picture of him up in a frame on a bookshelf. it's set up where i can see it, very first thing, when i open my apartment door. thing is, i avert me eyes every time i come home. every single time. i still can't look. i don't believe he's gone. they both are though...
NEVER to be forgotten. never.
I have several of Todd's e-mails to me, printed out and tacked onto the wall of my cubicle at work. I see them every day and think of him every day.
Hey, how much would he be LOVIN' this season?
[13] precious!
so much love
Rangers won big. i hope the Oreo's - somehow - beat the Shit Sox tonight.
i had another lesson cancellation - boo! - so i'll be able to catch the last half or third of the game on espn tonight. small bonus!
There has been some pretty strong writing on this blog over the years. And of course the piece in question was one of the strongest. It's nice to see it get its just due.
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Swisher RH
Cano 2B
Gardner CF
Molina C
[1-17] Yeah, what you all said...
One of the reasons I keep coming back...
Thanks guys