I met Todd many years ago, but we have interacted most
recently by being in the same fantasy basketball league, which has been a great
experience, more so for Todd than me. But more on that in a minute.
Todd joined the league in 2009, playing under the team name
Parr K. Fleur (parquet floor, like the Boston Celtics play on, get it?). His
start was inauspicious, finishing 14th in a 14-team field. He had
all the makings of a “donor manager,” the guy who coughs up his $75 every year
to be divided among the top three finishers, which, more often than not, has included
yours truly.
Todd accepted the challenge, however, and fought his way to
5th place the following year, an impressive jump. At some point, Todd
shared with me that, throughout his fantasy career, he had a unique talent for
trading away players who, unbeknownst to him, were about to suffer a season-ending
injury. I dubbed him “League Psychic,” and that is the team name that Todd
played under for the next nine years.
Todd won the league in his third year, the 2011-12 season, which
is pretty impressive in a very competitive league. This time, the roles were
reversed; I finished 11th. I am ashamed to admit it, but I was green
with envy, since I had never won the league myself. But I got over it quickly and
was happy for Todd. In our talk this week, Deirdre shared that Todd was very
excited about his championship. I smiled when she said he did not share news of
his win right away, perhaps because he had bike-related plans for the $390 in
first-place winnings. It warmed my heart to hear Deirdre recall Todd’s
happiness over his victory.
Todd notified me last year that he would not be participating
in the 2019-20 season because he did not think he would have time. I was
disappointed. Todd was always a great manager, and I liked keeping in contact
with him through our league. He kept it fun when others (me) got a bit
obsessive. He frequently joined in the “smack talk” of our online live draft
each October, which can get a bit salty at times, but always kept things upbeat
and fun. In a normal year, we would be doing that draft this weekend. Like everything
else this year, the season sucked, ending prematurely in early March.
Todd got the last laugh, though. One his friends, whom he brought
into the league when we had an opening, finished first this year, his second
win in three years. I finished 12th, and still have not won the
league a single time in, ahem, 18 years.
When I got the news, I texted two other managers – my brother-in-law
and my former coworker, Carlos Puma – and told them, “We lost League Psychic.”
They were in disbelief, despite the fact that I don’t think either one of them
ever met Todd in person. I think we will hold a moment of silence during our
next live draft to remember Todd. He will be missed.