Todd was a great friend of mine and I cannot believe he is gone. Todd loved baseball and he also loved his family and friends. I have too many memories to quote just one but most of all I remember many nights sitting with Todd and his son Thaddeus watching baseball on t.v and sucking down some cold ones and laughing the whole time, dammit Todd was such a character. I love you man!
Follow this tribute and get updates
me, my wife and uncle were staying at the avi's dry park and were coming into the casino to wash up in the bathroom and we had walked by todd and asked me how tall i am we started talking after that and its funny he was playing this game to people he would pretend to drop something and tell the person that walked by hey sir or ms whichever walked by and said hey you dropped something and the person would stand their for a few mins and look around and keep walking and he would do it some more for a while he helped us out when we needed it so when i heard he died it hit us all from what we knew of the man he was a good guy buy yet we always got in trouble by security when we hanged around him he will be missed by us all
todd was a legend where i came from . southwest detroit . we all wanted to be like him . everybody always had nothing but good things to say about todd . i was able to meet him on a few accaisions . clark park , patton park, or down at romanoski . where we all played softball . he even sponsored a team and i still own the T C tee shirt .his father even played softball on a few of my teams . he was so proud of his son . but also very humble I learned alot about being humble just by being around his father . god bless the cruz family . rip todd
wow, where does time slip off to?
Todd and I were neighbors and friends. I knew his Wife and sons although they were just young guys the last time they came out to visit their dad.
Todd and I shared a common love..."The great American Past time"
Never made it to the show like he did, but he sure shared his stories with me.Thank you Todd..I will never forget the time when Tommy Lasorda called my house and asked t speak to you...You wanted so much to get back into the show that you left my number as a back up....
I could go on for hours...days...but it will just have to wait till I see you again friend...
Always your friend and neighbor, Lloyd Dunkin
I met Todd when he was signing cards at baseball card shows in Colton. My friend put on the small shows and Todd would come over and sign cards and pictures all day long. He would wear his Oriole uniform, bring his bat, and teach and talk baseball to the kids all day long. He was a great person to know and he was great with the kids. I learned of his passing from a mutual friend. I was searching for him to him to coach my grandson in hitting. He will forever be in our thoughts. Mike Foster
I met Todd when he was signing cards at baseball card shows in Colton. My friend put on the small shows and Todd would come over and sign cards and pictures all day long. He would wear his Oriole uniform, bring his bat, and teach and talk baseball to the kids all day long. He was a great person to know and he was great with the kids. I learned of his passing from a mutual friend. I was searching for him to him to coach my grandson in hitting. He will forever be in our thoughts. Mike Foster
In 1996 I was a 21 year old living in southern California when I ran into Todd on a golf course in Simi Valley. We were both out there alone so we played our round together. I was too young to know anything about his career but he was great to me and offered to autograph a few of his cards that he had in his car. I just came across those cards so I looked him up and learned of his untimely passing. Very sorry to hear of this. I only got to spend a few hours with him as I never saw him again after that day. All my best to his family and friends.
I'm so sorry, I just heard about Todd. I new Todd quite well. He played on my adult baseball team and gave me many memories. Todd was a good friend and an exceptional player. RIP Todd
I was a batboy for Nuevo Laredo Tecolotes in the Detroit Mexican League at Clark Park. The opposing team's best hitter was up when a shot off his bat sounded, I lost sight of the ball it was hit so hard......I turned towards 3b and there was Todd full extent to his left in mid air! Out!!! My Dad, Stanley & Bill jogged by me towards the bench and pointed to 3b........."Did You See That?!?!?"
To this day whenever I play ball......I play with the passion Todd showed.
Joe Saenz
Todd was a great guy! iI met him while he worked with shortly at a health club.He was funny,caring,a total blast to be around.I loved his stories about the game.Sad to hear he passed.RIP Todd.You were a great guy to know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
omg i just found out. im alan and he loved my singing. he was a vibrant fun person to be around. im shocked. man i will miss that guy. my deepest sympathy to his family. im sad. and was hoping to see him again show off his world series ring and sing karoake. of course it was a thrill and never forget. to know a pro ball player. i felt privilaged. again im so sorry. may god be with him. sincerly alan simpson from colton ca. only the good die young.
I wish to thank all of his fans and friends for all of their support and best wishes.
Regardless of what the papers all say, Todd passed due to a heart attach. Yes, he was in the pool. Unfortuneately--- had he not been in the pool at the time, I believe he may still been here with us because he couldn't cry out for help when he was under the water "just having fun". At least he didn't suffer and he passed doing his second favorite thing to do. Going to the pool, gettin some rays and talking to all those who might listen. His first love, of course, play baseball....God, I MISS HIM SO! Merry Christmas my love.--- Cindy
i just found out. im deeply saddened. i met todd in colton. he liked my singing karaoke. and we became friends. enjoyed seeing him from time to time.a vibrant fun loving guy.and for me a honer to personally know a great pro ball player. he loved kids.always working with them. im sorry cindy. its a shame.he was a geat guy. i will miss him. my condolences to his family.now hes in hall of heven fame with the rest of the greats. so long friend. sinecerly alan.
Hi, my name is Maiya Cruz Todd's granddaughter me and my brothers thaddeus and isiah always think about my grandpa and always remember the times we spent with him. i still wish he was here with me now to see how much my brothers and i have grown. My dad Is Thaddeus and i think i remember you Cindy im not sure but my grandma Isabel and my aunts and uncles always talk about him when im up there in Michigan. I live in riverside right now but when i go to Michigan i go to my aunt sharons house and we always look at his pictures and we have a great time. I'd like to thank everyone for making a tibute page for him. my family and i miss him deeply thank you - Maiya Cruz
Hi, my name is Maiya Cruz Todd's granddaughter me and my brothers thaddeus and isiah always think about my grandpa and always remember the times we spent with him. i still wish he was here with me now to see how much my brothers and i have grown. My dad Is Thaddeus and i think i remember you Cindy im not sure but my grandma Isabel and my aunts and uncles always talk about him when im up there in Michigan. I live in riverside right now but when i go to Michigan i go to my aunt sharons house and we always look at his pictures and we have a great time. I'd like to thank everyone for making a tibute page for him. my family and i miss him deeply thank you - Maiya Cruz
Hi, my name is Maiya Cruz Todd's granddaughter me and my brothers thaddeus and isiah always think about my grandpa and always remember the times we spent with him. i still wish he was here with me now to see how much my brothers and i have grown. My dad Is Thaddeus and i think i remember you Cindy im not sure but my grandma Isabel and my aunts and uncles always talk about him when im up there in Michigan. I live in riverside right now but when i go to Michigan i go to my aunt sharons house and we always look at his pictures and we have a great time. I'd like to thank everyone for making a tibute page for him. my family and i miss him deeply thank you - Maiya Cruz
Just heard about the accident. Played with Todd on the Spirit in 1987. Great guy trying to get back to the majors. Lots of fun to play with and just hang out with. He is the second of the '87 Spirit to pass this year. Another Teammate Jeff Edwards also died recently in Arizona. Man was another great guy. will miss them both.
I am a manager at Buffalo Wild Wings in Bullhead City Arizona where Todd came to retire. Todd was in our establishment at least once a week. He was eager to sign autographs, give quick tips to the kids and share awesome stories of his long fun filled career. We will miss our smalltown pro athelete. Your stories still live with us...
Thank you Robb I haven't been in since Todd passed because it's very hard for me still. Thank you for caring for Todd and for all your support. I'll be in soon. Cindy
I remember when I first met Todd back in 86 he played ball for The Spirit in San Bernardino, Ca, he was always a happy person making people laugh. He was part of my family for a few yrs. He went with us to Family Reunions, BBQues....We would run into each other from time to time. I will surely miss him. Rest in Peace My Dear Friend
Todd spoke often of his Spirit friends and playing with them. He missed all his ball friends very much. Even all his fans. He loved to go to the Stampede games all the time too and meet with "the guys of the game" afterward to give them pointers. Yes, He will be missed a great deal. Cindy (his wife)
You were a fantastic player. I remember watching you playing for the Orioles in 83' when I was five. I've been playing baseball my whole life. Thanks for giving me someone to look up to.
thank you so much for creating this tribute. Todd would be proud! I miss him too. Cindy
*****READ DESCRIPTION***** I have been getting a few complaints about the 1985 slide... I tried hard to find a picture of the same event without the cardinal banner, but it was either in black and white, or it had the banner. I decided to go with the banner one because it had color. Another thing I noticed was that people were giving this video lower ratings to this video just because of that slide. I can't really do anything about that, but is that really something bad enough to give 1 star to the video?
Paul Roberts
12 years agoCindy or Thaddeus please call me if you read this. This is Paul from the apartments in Colton! 417-689-0911.