You're special to me ...

[Rosie]

When I heard the news of Ron Drogo's (aka spnited's) passing last night, I was heartbroken.

This morning, I'm still as heartbroken and wishing I'd taken the time to let him know how much I appreciated him.

I appreciated his insight, his ability to cut right through the BS, his bluntness, even his dislike of fantasy sports. There were times his posts, some directed to me - some not, made my day in the real world that much better.

And now I can never tell him that.

So, before this day goes any further, I want to thank all of you and let you know - you all mean a lot to me. Through the years, this place has become a very special place for me, even though there are times it aggravates me to no end. Which, come to think of it, isn't much different than my real life. :)

I love you guys.

 

[Ace]

You too, mom!

 

[Moderator1]

^

 

[outofplace]

Y'all are going to make it dusty in here. I never knew spnited's real name. I just found out it was him that passed away.

I know he and I had our arguments (a lot of them), but damn, I'm going to miss his presence around here. I know we all will.

Wonderful sentiments, Rosie. I very much agree.

 

[CentralIllinoisan]

It wasn't until clicking this thread I learned of spnited's true identity -- like unmasking a superhero only after his death. And he was a superhero of sorts, to us anyway. Never knew him personally, but it sounds as if I was worse off because of it.

RIP, spnited.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

You folks are my last links to my former life. I cherish all of you, even in your most wrongheaded and borderline insane moments. Take care, each and every one.

 

[imjustagirl]

People can rip this place all they want, and we are what they say we are. We are bitter, and we are judgmental, and we are mean. But we are kind, and we are loving. And we are a family, on some level.

I have met boyfriends, lifelong friends, and employers through this board. My life is better for having gotten to know all of you, and anyone who doesn't understand why I'd travel to Seattle to drink with a bunch of people I'd never met just doesn't get it.

I love you all.

 

[mustangj17]

I didn't know about the passing until opening this thread. At first, I thought it was one of our sick jokes. I didn't really know anything about Spnited except for we made a lot of old jokes about him and of course we called him crotchety.

But he was one of the few board members who knew about track. He always had awesome insight about track and even when he got angry or disagreed with people he never got personal. It will be weird without him around.

 

[farmerjerome]

This place will always be like an extended family to me. I guess that's why the news this morning hit me especially hard.

I only met Ron once, but I've been on this board for seven years. I know when I go to work today people will look at me strange when I tell them a friend of mine on a message board has passed away. But you guys get it.

Love all around.

 

[dooley_womack1]

Ron-nited's passing sure drives home what YGBFKM pointed out on the obit thread. That life is just too short to worry about petty things and to nurse hurts. Time can always run out.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

For me to try and pretend I knew Ron the way some of you in NYNJSportsJournalists.com is a joke. But I did get to see him at a couple of outings, and I can tell you he went out of his way one day to meet up in Manhattan during one of my odd treks to civilization. Always full of life, always with an encouraging word ... yet not a trace of BS. That last component is more important to me than many of you know. And, while a kind soul, he took no crap from some who think their handles and access to this board equates to a bully pulpit.

Rosie, don't stop sending people to their rooms. Like Ron, you do it primarily because you care.

FJ, do you have some Toronto photos to share? I know you had more than your share of superb pics.

And to IJAG, FJ, Rosie and everyone else: This place is a family. I lean on it and get far more than I give. I'm sorry about that, but I appreciate it more than I can possibly express.

Now that I've indulged in more selfishness, back to more important topics. Like Ron.

 

[Brooklyn Bridge]

Make sure someone you care about knows that. It seems that whenever someone passes we remember that, but then go on with our lives not too long afterward.

I lurk much more than I post, but do value the SJ board.

 

[Double Down]

People can rip this place all they want, and we are what they say we are. We are bitter, and we are judgmental, and we are mean. But we are kind, and we are loving. And we are a family, on some level.

This is one of my favorite things ever written to describe this place.

Sometimes I think I'd be a better journalist if I had focused the time and energy I spent here on my work or my career. It's not really true (because I've learned a ton here about writing) but it's what I think about sometimes when I'm particularly annoyed with this place.

But I know -- if that had been the case -- I'd be less of a person. I'd know less, understand less, feel less, and have laughed far less. Would not have met several of my (now) best friends.

We are what they say we are.

And, also, more.

 

[Moderator1]

The short version: We suck and we're great.

 

[patchs]

I'm not on here as much as I sued to be and it's a tough day, Ron's passing and it was 5 years ago today that I was moved out of sports, but I've always enjoyed spending time here.
I feel blessed I went to Toronto and got to meet Ron and so many other SportsJournalists.commers.
I can't imagine my life without some of the good people I've met here.
I'll be toasting a double-double to Ron and SportsJournalists.commers at work today.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

I suspect he'd tear into this thread.

But he'd appreciate the sentiment, too.

 

[bigpern23]

Never had the pleasure of meeting Spnited, but I enjoyed his posts immensely. Having been on this board for seven years or so, I feel like I knew him in the way that I know other writers at games I've covered. It feels odd to have a vacant feeling in my stomach for a man I never met, but he will truly be missed.

I didn't see an RIP Spnited thread (I think there ought to be one - perhaps since this thread has become a defacto one, perhaps we could change the title to announce the news?), so here's the Star-Ledger's treatment of his death.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/ron_drogo_former_staffer_in_st.html

 

[Mystery Meat II]

Never had the pleasure of meeting Spnited, but I enjoyed his posts immensely. Having been on this board for seven years or so, I feel like I knew him in the way that I know other writers at games I've covered. It feels odd to have a vacant feeling in my stomach for a man I never met, but he will truly be missed.

I didn't see an RIP Spnited thread (I think there ought to be one - perhaps since this thread has become a defacto one, perhaps we could change the title to announce the news?), so here's the Star-Ledger's treatment of his death.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/ron_drogo_former_staffer_in_st.html

Should give you grief for not reading since he would have wanted it that way, but I don't have it in me right now, so:

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/82273/

 

[bigpern23]

Never had the pleasure of meeting Spnited, but I enjoyed his posts immensely. Having been on this board for seven years or so, I feel like I knew him in the way that I know other writers at games I've covered. It feels odd to have a vacant feeling in my stomach for a man I never met, but he will truly be missed.

I didn't see an RIP Spnited thread (I think there ought to be one - perhaps since this thread has become a defacto one, perhaps we could change the title to announce the news?), so here's the Star-Ledger's treatment of his death.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/ron_drogo_former_staffer_in_st.html

Should give you grief for not reading since he would have wanted it that way, but I don't have it in me right now, so:

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/82273/

AH ... hadn't checked the Journalism Topics board and a search for spnited didn't turn up the thread. Oh, well ... carry on.

 

[21]

People can rip this place all they want, and we are what they say we are. We are bitter, and we are judgmental, and we are mean. But we are kind, and we are loving. And we are a family, on some level.

This is one of my favorite things ever written to describe this place.

Sometimes I think I'd be a better journalist if I had focused the time and energy I spent here on my work or my career. It's not really true (because I've learned a ton here about writing) but it's what I think about sometimes when I'm particularly annoyed with this place.

But I know -- if that had been the case -- I'd be less of a person. I'd know less, understand less, feel less, and have laughed far less. Would not have met several of my (now) best friends.

We are what they say we are.

And, also, more.

These two posts say it all for me.

Like so many of the early members here, I came to this place by accident and stayed by choice. I met the one person I was meant to know, forever. I've 'known' some of you here better than I know my own screwy family. I love that we all feel it when someone loses a job, a parent, a pet. I love that you can come here and completely lose your mind, your dignity, your pride....and the next day, business as usual. Laugh and move on.

I love when colleagues say they've 'heard of' SJ but don't ever visit. Liars. 8)

And I love, so sadly, that we're all grieving for someone most of us never met, and wishing he was here to know how much he will be missed.