South Georgia city honors Drew brothers, native sons

<p>The mayor this south Georgia city proclaimed Wednesday to be Drew Day in Hahira in honor of brothers J.D., Tim and Stephen Drew _ the first trio of siblings selected in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft.</p><p>The three were born in Hahira and were standouts at Lowndes High School in Valdosta.</p><p>"It's an honor and a privilege to have three siblings to accomplish what the Drew brothers have done," Mayor Myron Crowe said as the city celebrated by placing signs on the city's main street and on U.S. 41 that read: "Welcome to Hahira, Home of J.D., Tim and Stephen Drew."</p><p>J.D., the eldest, was looking for a home in Los Angeles where he will play next season with the Dodgers, but Tim and Stephen were present.</p><p>"It's a huge honor to be raised in this community," Tim said. "It's nothing that we have done. We've just done the best we can with the God-given ability we have."</p><p>J.D., who was a college star at Florida State, became a free agent after leading the Atlanta Braves to their 13th consecutive division title in 2004. He signed a five-year, $55 million deal in the offseason with the Dodgers.</p><p>Stephen, the youngest of the trio at 21, was drafted as the 15th overall pick by Arizona last year. After a stellar junior year at Florida State, he withdrew from school to continue negotiations with the Diamondbacks through his agent Scott Boras.</p><p>Tim, a member of the Braves with J.D. this past season, agreed to an offseason deal with the Rockies after becoming a free agent. He will have a chance to play with Hahira native and former Lowndes teammate Aaron Taylor in Colorado.</p><p>Tim said he hopes Stephen and Arizona work things out in the next few weeks so the two can spend time together during spring training. The Rockies begin Feb. 18 in Tucson, Ariz., and their complex will neighbor the Diamondbacks' spring training park.</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x283b0c0)</p>