R.I.P. Dave

10 February 2007 @ 22:48 | Posted in » Baseball, Sports

Dave Snyder died today in a one-car accident (news video). This is very sad news. His wife was in the vehicle with him. Apparently, she was shaken up, but will be okay.

Phillies online discussion was shaped by Dave. I have chronicled some of the history of this elsewhere on this blog. The short of it is that in early 2001, MLB forced each team to come under the corporate umbrella for web sites. The Phillies site suffered greatly from this mandate.

When it first changed, the very active discussion boards went down. When they came back up, they were riddled with problems. Dave stepped up and put together the renegade site, http://www.philliesphans.com.

That site for the next year and a half was the best discussion board on the ‘Net despite the content. Reasoned discourse was the norm and it was a pleasure to be part of that community.

In the summer of 2002 we planned a get-together at Veterans Stadium to see a game. Gert and I drove up and met a bunch of my online friends, including Dave. What a splendid day it was! Despite Putsy’s heat stroke that landed him in the hospital, everyone had a fabulous time.

Unfortunately, the culture on that board changed in 2003 and I eventually left. This past December there was a major problem with the board and Dave threatened to shut the site down. He actually did close things up and then charged to participate. I did not agree with that decision and ended up on one of the other boards that was formed then.

It’s unfortunate. I haven’t spoken to Dave much recently, and now I will not have that pleasure again. Even if Dave and I did not agree on everything (a similar theme, it seems with those who are remembering him this evening), Dave was passionate and loved the Phillies. As we all do.

Rest in peace, Dave. Phillies discussion will not be the same without you.