Carlos Beltrán

Latino Sports Honors Carlos Beltrán

(Photo courtesy of NY Yankees)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 2- A festive luncheon was held at Yankee Stadium last Friday afternoon, several hours before the first game of a seven-day home stand to welcome Carlos Beltrán to the Bronx and to the New York Yankees. 

Latino Sports has previously honored Beltrán with a Latino MVP Award as Rookie of the Year in the first year of the organization’s existence, 1989. After Beltrán’s final game with the Mets, several journalists approached the baseball great to shake hands and extend well wishes for his future. 

At that time, Julio Pabón, the founder and president of Latino Sports, told Beltrán that he would receive a proper greeting upon his return to New York. The baseball great returned to New York this season and the meaningful welcome was in place on Friday.

Pabón took the occasion to briefly explain the 25-year history of Latino Sports and the reason for its founding and the need for its continued existence. He also educated his audience on the history of the relationship of the New York Yankees and the residents of the surrounding community. 

He introduced two specials guests, NYY General Manager Brian Cashman and Senior Vice President Corporate/Community Relations Brian Smith. The two Brians spoke in agreement with Pabón’s thoughts that relations between the organization and the community have improved. 

Beltrán, a soft spoken and humble man with great talent as an athlete, graciously accepted the gifts he was presented with. His words exhibited his intelligence and maturity. His concern and gratitude to those present, especially the children, was also apparent by his manner and thoughtfulness.

Several of those in attendance, perhaps including Beltrán himself, were thinking this luncheon and Beltrán’s signing with the Yankees should have taken place a decade earlier.

At the age of 18, the native of Manatí, Puerto Rico was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the second round of the 1995 First-Year Player Draft. In his first full season with the Royals, 1999, his fine performance led to his selection as American League Rookie of the Year.  

Although he drove in at least 100 runs in four of his five full seasons with Royals, the outfielder was traded to Houston in June of 2004. 

On January 11, 2005, he signed with the Mets as a free agent. It was that winter that he was also in contact with the Yankees, with whom he hoped to sign. At a press conference after his free agent signing in December of 2013, Beltrán spoke of that missed opportunity by the Yankees, “I grew up being a Yankee fan, a Bernie Williams fan. I used to look up to this organization. They always did what it takes to put good teams out there and in championships. Eight-nine years ago, hey couldn’t commit to the years I wanted. They were having problems with the salary cap. They got Randy Johnson and I signed with the Mets.” 

What the Yankees passed up by not signing Beltrán can be understood by his being chosen as a National League All-Star in five of his seven seasons with the Mets.

After two All-Star seasons with the Cardinals, the eight-time All-Star is finally a Yankee. His personal background makes him very comfortable and very pleased to be playing in the Bronx, “I’m proud that on this side of town we have a lot of Puerto Ricans. I have a double responsibility, representing the Yankees and representing my country.” His loyalty and pride in his homeland was also exhibited by his membership on Puerto Rico’s national team in all three sessions of the World Baseball Classic (WBC)-2006, 2009 and 2013.

Using different words than he spoke in December, the meaning of Beltrán’s words were the same, “I am proud to be a Latino. I like to walk in the barrio because that’s where I come from.”

He also spoke of his love and respect for his parents, “I come from a humble family. God gave me the ability to play baseball [but I am] more proud of my parents for giving me values.” 

Beltrán has not only conducted himself as a gentleman, but is a socially conscious individual. He has been involved in numerous positive endeavors during his career, especially those that are beneficial to children. He realizes his position as a renowned major league baseball star comes with responsibility, “My opportunity as a baseball player is to give back. I want to do something for the Latino community. Every day I live I try to impact other people’s lives. I believe we can change lives. We are going to work on a project to benefit the people.”

His efforts and accomplishments have been recognized with his being the recipient of the Thurman Munson Award in 2009, the Joan Payson Award in 2010 and the Roberto Clemente Award in 2013. 

Although Beltrán is currently on the disabled list with a bone spur on his right elbow, he is working hard to prevent the need for surgery and an absence of 10-12 weeks. 

His record on the field and his character off the field have merited him consideration of one day being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.  If he successfully completes his contract with the Yankees, one day there may be a luncheon in Beltrán’s honor to celebrate his election to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. 

The ceremony brought good feelings to all present, regardless of age or personal background. The food was delicious and plentiful, and more importantly, the atmosphere was joyful and very positive. The guest of honor was very deserving of so meaningful a display of affection and respect.

Boos for Hughes' Return

Boos for Hughes' Return

A totally different outcome for Phil Hughes in his return to the Bronx

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 2- Phil Hughes was booed mildly at Yankee Stadium Sunday afternoon when his name was announced before the first pitch as the starting pitcher for the visiting Minnesota Twins. He was the second former Yankee starter making a return to the Bronx this season. Fans get one more opportunity to greet and boo Robinson Cano of the Mariners Monday night in the Bronx, a makeup game of an April 30th game that was postponed by rain..

When the Yankees decided to not bring back Hughes, their first round pick in 2004 after seven seasons, where he compiled a 56-50 record with an ERA of 4.53, it was, as they say, all about business. The fly ball pitcher was not fit to pitch at Yankee Stadium after a miserable 4-14 season of 2013 that went with an ERA of 5.19.

But, baseball has become a business. The Twins have a healthy and happy Hughes and it showed Sunday after a masterful eight-inning outing against his former team. The 27-year old right-hander never looked more comfortable on the mound at Yankee Stadium holding his former team to two-runs, three hits, and striking out six.

The Twins with six runs in the ninth inning, including a home run off Yankees closer David Robertson went on to win 7-2, taking the series and Hughes (6-1), won his sixth straight game.

Best part of it, the knock about Hughes was his tendency to throw the home run ball at Yankee Stadium. He was more of a ground out pitcher. After his best outing of the season perhaps the Yankees, with a depleted and injured pitching staff have second thoughts of not bringing him back to the Bronx.

“I had pretty good stuff pretty good fast ball. “Tipped my cap to Larry Rotshchild as I was coming out,” said Hughes about his former pitching coach. "It was a little strange but after the first inning I was hoping I wasn’t walking towards their dugout.”

The fans, he said, by the bullpen area did not give him a Bronx cheer. He also threw a ball to one of them. And as the game went along, Hughes got into a groove after giving up a run in the first inning.

“Got into my game routine and did not think about it,” he commented. “I had pretty good stuff and pretty good fast ball.” The three hits were all consecutive in the fourth inning and then he would retire his final 15 batters.

The obvious question is, did his win in the Bronx have any type of vindication, this after a season of discontent and the Yankees making little effort to bring him back? Though Hughes wasn’t one to show emotion and he showed no change in his demeanor.  

“Doesn’t mean any more,” Hughes said about the win being more significant against the Yankees. He signed a three-year contract with the Twins last December 5th and has been part of a pitching staff that has a combined 4.41 ERA.

He added, “Looking at last year, obvious there was emotion before the game… It was easy. I had a few wandering thoughts as I was warming up. Once I threw the first pitch it was all business. I won four games last year. I know how precious these are.”

In his seven seasons as a Yankee, Hughes' career record at the new Yankee Stadium was 28-21 with a 4.82 ERA and 71 HRs allowed in 356-1/3 innings. The problems of the home run ball also hindered his efforts but the Yankees said it was all about business and nothing to do with his command in their decision to not re-sign him.

“You make pitches in this game you get people out,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire commented about his starter. “What we hoped would happen, happened. He was relaxed. He’s under complete control and moving the ball in and out. He never stopped attacking, made some pitches and that’s what baseball is all about.”

Gardenhire added, “You come back, you want to win…Its baseball. He wanted to come back here and win a game for this baseball team.”

Hughes certainly came back and won a game for his team. The Yankees at this point may be questioning after this return to the Bronx, why did they let Phil Hughes go?

Comment Rich Mancuso: ring786@aol.com  facebook.com/Rich Mancuso  www.newyorksportsexaminer.com  

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Masahiro Tanaka

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Masahiro Tanaka: Another Stellar Pitching Performance by Masahiro Tanaka; Yanks Win, 3-1 By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 1- Rookie pitching sensat...

Masahiro Tanaka

Another Stellar Pitching Performance by Masahiro Tanaka; Yanks Win, 3-1

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 1- Rookie pitching sensation Masahiro Tanaka pitched another masterpiece on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium, thus continuing his extremely impressive pitching against major league opposition. Living up to the high expectations, the native of Japan earned his eighth victory in his first nine decisions this season.

Already considered the ace of the Yankee starting rotation, the 25 year-old is quickly becoming one of the standout starters in MLB. When asked by a reporter if he considered himself the ace on the Yankees, Tanaka modestly replied, “No, I don’t feel that I’m the ace.” When Yankee catcher Brian McCann was asked the same question, he replied somewhat differently, “He’s a top of the rotation starter. I can’t say enough about him.”

Tanaka yielded an unearned run that began with an error committed by third sacker Kelly Johnson on the first batter of the first frame on Saturday afternoon. Asked if he felt extra pressure when errors like that are made, he replied, “No one wants to make an error in a game. [After it], I wanted to come up strong.”

This he did as he then held the Minnesota Twins scoreless in his next seven innings on the mound. The rookie scattered four hits and walked two batters in eight innings. He faced the minimum nine batters in his final three innings in the game.

Tanaka fanned nine batters in the game, raising his total to 88 in the 2014 campaign. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, his number of strikeouts ranks third since 1900 for the first 11 starts on the major league level. He is topped only by Kerry Wood (94) in 1972 and Herb Score (92) in 1955.

His start as a major league pitcher ranks him among the best at this early stage of his career. He and Steve Rogers of Montreal in 1973 are the only pitchers who have pitched at least six innings and not given up more than three earned runs in each of their first 11 starts in the majors.

His latest start was the third in which Tanaka has not surrendered an earned run. In none of his starts has he yielded more than eight hits. He has only walked a total of 12 batters in his 11 starts, an average of little more than one per game.

The accolades for his work come from all quarters. Yankee closer David Robertson, who earned his 12th save in 13 attempts by pitching the ninth on Saturday, stated, “He’s shown us what he can do. This is what we expect of him.”

On the offensive side of the ledger, another rookie, Yangervis Solarte, has proved to be very welcome in the Yankee ranks. The infielder hit safely three times on Saturday and is currently batting .299. His most important hit of the game was a solo home run with two out in the fourth that knotted the score at one.

The tie was broken in the bottom of the eighth. Jacoby Ellsbury singled. He then stole second, which pressured the catcher to throw the ball into center. Ellsbury scored on a single by McCann. After the game concluded, Yankee skipper Joe Girardi said of Ellsbury’s effort in the eighth, “That’s the difference in the game.”

The rubber game of the three game set will be played on Sunday afternoon. Rookie Chase Whitley will be making his fourth start for the Yankees and former Yank Phil Hughes will start for Minnesota.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Croton Water Filtration Plant

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Croton Water Filtration Plant: More Questions on Filter Plant Construction Riverdale Report By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 30- It seems like the Department of E...

Croton Water Filtration Plant

More Questions on Filter Plant Construction

Riverdale Report

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 30- It seems like the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is up to its old trick of saying one thing and doing another. Some people like former Croton Water Filtration Monitoring Committee (CFMC) Chairman Bob Fanuzzi may believe the double talk DEP tells him as is evident by his tenure as CFMC chair for the past year 2013.

It seems that the DEP did not want to answer the tough questions it was getting from many people such as myself, so the DEP told CFMC chair Bob Fanuzzi that it no longer needed monthly meetings since the Water Filtration Plant was almost complete, and went to quarterly meetings. Mr. Fanuzzi complained at first, but went along with the DEP. It seems that Mr. Fanuzzi's replacement and new chair of the CFMC in 2014, Father Richard Gorman, has told the DEP that he will be having monthly meetings and has scheduled his second monthly meeting in a row for Tuesday March 27th. I will have a recap of the meeting in next week’s column.

The matter of the cutting down of over 150 trees by the reservoir came to be during CFMC chair Bob Fanuzzi's tenure. As a component of the water filtration plant the DEP said that the earthen berm of the Jerome Park Reservoir was being compromised by the tree roots in it, and the DEP said the trees had to be removed. I have to give Mr. Fanuzzi some credit for his admiral discourse in questioning the DEP on the matter of the tree replacement before they were cut down. CFMC chair Bob Fanuzzi however never got anything in writing, and the DEP and Parks Department are now squabbling as to just who has to replace the trees since it was a Parks Department contractor that cut the trees down for the DEP who now says it is a Parks Department's problem. The cost estimate to replace the trees is $850,000 by the Parks Department, if the trees are to be replaced at all.

At the September 2013 CFMC meeting, I asked about an evacuation plan for the plant in the event of an explosion or other emergency, this after there was a horrific explosion had occurred in another state a few weeks before. DEP said that there was no need for an evacuation plan since the plant was not using chlorine gas on the site, and that was fine with CFMC chair Bob Fanuzzi.

Then there is the matter that I brought out at the December 2013 CFMC meeting of the plant having no fire alarm. I also questioned the DEP on letters that I received from a former supervisor (Mr. Robert Solomon) of the water filtration plant construction from the company that was fined for not having the proper master electrician at the plant site during critical electrical work, this after Mr. Solomon the supervisor was let go. The claims included that unlicensed workers had replaced the licensed workers, faulty under code wiring was being installed, mold problems at the plant, no fire alarm at the plant, and that the plant would not be in operation until after 2015 if the plant could be operational at all. By the way Mr. Solomon called me after September meeting of the CFMC to inform me that CFMC chair Bob Fanuzzi was given this information in July of 2013, and he said that CFMC chair Bob Fanuzzi had done nothing.

The DEP came to the Community Board 8 Environmental and Sanitation meeting this past week on Wednesday May 21st to inform the board of construction at gate houses # 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 at the Jerome Park Reservoir since the reservoir is entirely in CB 8. This was the first E & S meeting in a year, and second in two years that former CFMC chair Bob Fanuzzi had attended. Mr. Shane Ojar when questioned by myself and another person said that the DEP was at the meeting to hear community concerns only about this project, and that our questions concerned the water filtration plant which should be addressed at the next CFMC meeting. I questioned the staging areas of the construction among other items of concern to the community around the reservoir that has suffered too much already from the DEP that wanted support for this project. Mr. Ojar could only say we don't know yet, much like the answers he gave CFMC chair Bob Fanuzzi when it came to cutting down the trees at the reservoir. As a long standing member of the E & S Committee of CB 8 going back to the original Croton Water Filtration Plant that was proposed for the Jerome Park Reservoir in the late 1990's I wanted to know all the facts about this construction project, and I wanted it in writing. DEP said that the gate houses had to be repaired as they were in very poor shape. I then said that the entire reservoir is in need of repairs, and it should then be shut down since it is in such bad shape and of no need to the water system of New York. DEP then agreed to send the hard copy of the presentation to the community board office. When DEP will send it I do not know, but I will look at it and I will not say yes to anything that will be regretted later.

Those poor perfectly good healthy trees on the reservoir berm that were cut down, shame on you former CFMC chair Bob Fanuzzi for letting them be cut down without anything in writing from the DEP. Didn't you know better?

If you have any comments about this column or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Baby Giraffe

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Baby Giraffe: Baby Giraffe Makes his Zoo Debut Photo Credit: Julie Larsen Maher © Wildlife Conservation Society BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 29- A male Baringo ...

Baby Giraffe

Baby Giraffe Makes his Zoo Debut

Photo Credit: Julie Larsen Maher © Wildlife Conservation Society

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 29- A male Baringo giraffe calf is one of the newest animals at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo.

The young giraffe was born during the winter and lives in the zoo’s African Plains exhibit.

The giraffe’s mother is Margaret Sukari, and the father is James Michael. The Bronx Zoo names all of its giraffes in memory of Mr. and Mrs. James Carter, benefactors for whom the Carter Giraffe Building is named.

Newborn giraffes are approximately six feet tall at birth and can weigh more than 100 pounds. As adults, they can be more than 17 feet tall and weigh more than 3,000 pounds. Giraffes are the tallest animal in the world and have an 18-inch-long tongue that they use to grasp branches and pull leaves from trees.

The gestation period for a giraffe is 14 to 14.5 months. The newborn calf stands and starts walking within the first couple of hours of birth. The calf will nurse for approximately one year, but will begin eating some solid food at three months old.  Eventually it will transition to a diet of leaves, alfalfa, hay, kale, pelleted grain, and other produce.

Giraffes are native to grasslands, savannas, and open woodlands in central, east, and southern Africa. The Baringo giraffe (aka Rothschild’s giraffe) is found in western Kenya and eastern Uganda. While some populations are still robust, the overall population is declining. The Wildlife Conservation Society works across the globe and throughout the giraffe’s African range to save wildlife and wild places. WCS is working to protect giraffes in key African landscapes like Zakouma, Chad, Murchison Falls, Uganda, and in the Sahel of South Sudan.

To plan your trip, visit bronxzoo.com or call 718-367-1010.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Puerto Rican Day Parade

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Puerto Rican Day Parade: Puerto Rican Day Parade Set for Sunday By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 29- Forget about Fleet week. The real kickoff to summ...

Puerto Rican Day Parade

Puerto Rican Day Parade Set for Sunday

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 29- Forget about Fleet week. The real kickoff to summer in the Boogie Down is the sound of salsa wafting through the Grand Concourse during the annual Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade

This year some 110 groups from throughout the country and South America will march on the Grand Concourse in a celebration of the Bronx’s rich Puerto Rican heritage. The opening ceremony takes place in front of Poe Park at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 1st. The parade will kick off 1 p.m. at 192nd Street and the Grand Concourse.

“The Bronx Puerto Rican Parade is no longer a local activity. Now we have international organizations participating,” said Francisco Gonzalez, chairman of the parade. 

Citing the bands and cultural groups from South America and the Caribbean who will be on hand, Gonzalez said, “We embrace everybody.”

Marriacchi bands, Jamaican steel drum bands, car groups, salsa dancers, school bands, West Indian, salsa, Hip Hop and Ragaeton musicians, bicycle clubs, culture groups etc. from various cultures will all participate in the annual event.

The parade will honor the work of non-profit groups who have been struggling to make their communities a better place and promoting culture despite having a hard time getting funding in this tough economic time. 

Elected officials of all stripes are expected to march in the parade during this heated election year.

In addition to the fun and music, the parade serves a more noble purpose. The event funds the scholarships for the parade prince and princess. The message is one that children from the Bronx can go on to achieve great things.

“If people like (Supreme Court Justice) Sonia Sottomayor can come from humble beginnings so can you,” Gonzalez said.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fun in the Sun

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fun in the Sun: Summer Guide 2014: Where to go and what to do this summer Click here

Fun in the Sun

Summer Guide 2014:

Where to go and what to do this summer

Click here

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): We Need Cops!

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): We Need Cops!: Hey Blaz: We Need Cops! Too Many Shootings, Too Few Cops! COMMUNITY BOARD NEWS N’ VIEWS by Father Richard F. Gorman Chairman Community ...

We Need Cops!

Hey Blaz:
We Need Cops!

Too Many Shootings,

Too Few Cops!

COMMUNITY BOARD

NEWS N’ VIEWS

by

Father Richard F. Gorman

Chairman

Community Board #12 (The Bronx)

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 22- Our newly arrived Commanding Officer at the Forty-seventh Precinct, Deputy Inspector Raul R. Stephenson, is certainly receiving his “baptism by fire.” The number of shootings as of late has placed our Precinct in the top tier of shootings in our beloved Borough of The Bronx and the entire City of New York.

I trust that the good Deputy Inspector has not, and will not, become disheartened. I suspect not. Something tells me that he is fired up to make our numbers in this category go down and stay down. I can tell you that my colleagues and I on Community Board #12 (The Bronx) stand ready to support our Commanding Officer in any way that we can. I can tell you that one course of action for which the Community Board will be advocating will remain sizably increasing the number of Police

Officers in our Forty-seventh Precinct.

Traditionally, our local Precinct has been routinely short-changed when it comes to the assignment of new and/or additional Police Officers. In terms of territory required to be policed, the “4 – 7” ranks right near the top in our Borough. I hasten to add that the confines of the Precinct are by no means contiguous and compact. The Woodlawn Heights neighborhood juts out on the northwestern margins of Bronx Community District #12 and the Pelham community that includes that portion of The Bronx that bears a Pelham Manor / Westchester County Zip Code and that one must traverse through Westchester in order to access correspondingly hangs out like an appendage along the District’s northeastern boundaries. This geographical idiosyncrasy, with its nonconforming peculiarity, does not make for easy patrolling.

Add to this the fact that the population of Community Board #12 (The Bronx), thanks to the haphazard, pro-development-despite-the-detriment policies of the prior Municipal Administrations of Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, has substantially shifted upward and you have, in my humble estimation, a cogent and reasonable argument that more cops are called for in the “4 – 7,” and sooner rather than later. Nevertheless, One Police Plaza, “1 – P – P,” as it is affectionately called, the Headquarters of the New York City Police Department (N.Y.P.D.), stubbornly clings to the outdated and specious argument that the Precinct is adequately staffed by a sufficient number of cops.  Maddeningly, the powers-that-be at Police Headquarters cite alleged scientific and statistical support for this rather unscientific determination that totally and obviously ignores the aforesaid significant facts. They routinely allude to the rather mysterious and not-ever-to-be-faulted “RAND FORMULA” that supposed provides a systematic, precise and infallible methodology for assessing how many Police Officers are needed and justified in any given command.

“RAND FORMULA” be damned! Whatever it is, it does not suffice for our Forty-seventh Precinct. We genuinely and straight away need more Police Officers and we should not continue to be short-changed. A new Administration sits tall in the saddle at City Hall. It has promised to be more attentive to the needs and concerns of our neighborhoods.

Let it hear this concern of Community Board #12 (The Bronx) and be attentive to this need.  Mayor Bill de Blasio has promised and signaled that he is neither enamored nor bound to the priorities and approach of Administrations past. This issue of ours would be an excellent opportunity and venue to so demonstrate.

Our men and women in the Laconia Avenue stationhouse do an outstanding job protecting us day in and day out. It is about time that they got more help to do so. They deserve it . . . . . . and so do we! What do you say, Your Honor? May we have more cops . . . . . . PLEASE?!?!?

Until next time, that is it for this time!

Did Security Ignore Shooting Warnings?

Did Security Ignore Shooting Warnings?

Co-op City residents claim management is ignoring drug dealing, violence

By David Greene

 

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 21- A man was shot in the head on a public basketball court in Co-op City and one resident claims the Department of Public Safety was warned of the impending violence.

 

The FDNY reports EMS was dispatched at 9:17 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, to the basketball courts across the street from 100 Bellamy Loop for an arrest-- but discovered a male victim in his 30's had been shot in the head.

 

The victim was rushed to Jacobi Hospital in critical, but stable condition.

 

Shortly after the gunfire, police were looking for the suspect or suspects, who reportedly fled in a silver Toyota Corolla.

 

One resident who declined to be identified, said he heard the shots less than two hours after residents had called the Co-op City Department of Public Safety, who patrols the massive complex, that violence was about to breakout.

 

The source continued, "There was a group of about five or six people and they had two pit bull dogs, so we called public safety and told them it looked like something was about to go down."

 

The resident could not say if officers responded, but explained how the River Bay Corporation, the management office for the complex, has been slow in responding to complaints about the escalating drug sales in front of the building.

 

"We've been asking for more security," the resident continued, "They would come out for about a week," before the patrols would stop and the drug dealers would return.

 

The resident also claims that River Bay objected to residents holding a prayer vigil outside the building last summer.

The source fumed, "The drug dealers could come and go as they please, but we couldn't gather and pray outside our building."

Under the watchful eye of Councilman Andy King, residents held their prayer vigil on the sidewalk. Days later River Bay installed one surveillance camera in the back of the building.

 

The resident concluded, "The summer's coming back and it's starting up again and now their selling the drugs in plain sight. They’re not even hiding it anymore."

 

A second resident of the building was unaware when she said, "I never heard of a problem here, that's why I'm a little shocked when I heard Bellamy Loop." She believed that most of the problems in the area was centered on Benchley Place around the corner.

 

Police have no motives or suspects at this time, but continue to investigate.

 

An inquiry with the Co-op City Department of Public Safety was referred to the River Bay Corporation management office.

A secretary at River Bay said that Vernon Cooper, the Riverbay Executive General Manager would return the call for comment, but hadn't respond before the publication of this article.

Co-op City is the largest co-operative housing complex in the United States, if not the world and consists of 35 high-rise buildings that house about 50,000 residents. Co-op City opened in 1968.  

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bronx Week Parade

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bronx Week Parade: See More Parade Photos: Click Here

Bronx Week Parade

See More Parade Photos:

Click Here

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Doubleheader

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Doubleheader: Yanks-Pirates Split Doubleheader By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 19- For the first time in a decade, a single-admission doubleheade...

Doubleheader

Yanks-Pirates Split Doubleheader

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 19- For the first time in a decade, a single-admission doubleheader was played in the Bronx. The last time Yankee fans in the Bronx could see two games in one day for the price of one was on September 29, 2004. A very large crowd of 46,858 took advantage of the fine weather to flock to Yankee Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Game One

The Yanks continued their domination over the Pirates in the Bronx with a 4-3 win in game one of the twin-bill. The victory raised the Yankee mark to 8-0 in their inter league games played in the Bronx.

A first inning solo homer by Pirate second sacker Neil Walker was answered by three Yankee runs in the bottom of the inning. The first five Yankee batters reached base successfully. Brett Gardner walked. Derek Jeter followed with a single. Jacoby Ellsbury was hit by a pitch, which loaded the bases. Mark Teixeira drove in two runs with a single, which increased his hitting streak to eight straight games. The third run was knocked in by Brian McCann who singled. 

In the second, a single by Kelly Johnson, augmented by a stolen base and a throwing error by the Pirate catcher brought him to third. He was driven across the plate by Gardner’s double.

After the contest, Yankee starter Hiroki Kuroda explained the benefit of the early scoring of his teammates, “They gave me an early lead in the game [and] I was more aggressive.”

Fortunately for the Yanks, the four runs were sufficient for the win as the team’s sole offense after the second inning was a single by Zoilo Almonte in the fourth. He was the only one of the last 20 Yankee batters to reach base and he was picked off first. 

Kuroda earned his first winning decision since April 14. He yielded three runs, five hits and two walks in his six innings on the mound. 

Yankee relievers, Matt Daley, Matt Thornton, Adam Warren and David Robertson blanked Pittsburgh in the final three innings. Robertson earned his eighth save of the year by retiring the last four Pirate batters, three by strikeout. 

The two day, three-game visit to the Bronx was a home coming for Pedro Alvarez, the Pirate third baseman. Alvarez, a native of the Dominican Republic, lived in the area as a teenager and attended an academically prestigious school in the Bronx, Horace Mann, before enrolling at Vanderbilt University. In the stands supporting the Pirate clean-up batter in his first MLB games at Yankee Stadium were his parents, sister and other relatives and friends. 

Alvarez’s single in the fourth gave him a hit in 18 of his last 20 interleague games.

Game Two

Thirty minutes after the first game concluded, the second began.

The rare opportunity to be in a ballpark for seven hours may be more difficult for some than they would have realized. The length of time affected both the crowd in the stands and the players on the field. 

The vast majority of the crowd left the park early. The starting lineup for each team in each game was quite different. The sloppiness was more apparent than usual. Each team committed two errors in the second inning, which allowed runners to score. Two base runners were thrown out trying to stretch and a runner was picked off base. 

Each starter, Vidal Nuno for the Yankees and Garrit Cole for the Pirates, pitched effectively for six innings. Interestingly, Cole was originally drafted by the Yankees, but did not sign so he could attend college. 

In the seventh, Yankee reliever Alfredo Aceves gave up a home run to Josh Harrison, the first batter he faced. The homer broke a 3-3 tie to give Pittsburgh the lead and eventually the win. The Pirates scored an additional run, but the Yankees did not. 

The 5-3 win by the Pirates ended the Yankee Stadium winning streak over Pittsburgh in the Bronx.

Yankees

Five Yankee Home Runs Produce a 7-1 Victory over the Pirates

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 18- Not since October 10, 1960, in the fifth game of that ill-fated World Series for New York have the Pittsburgh Pirates won a game at Yankee Stadium. The two teams have not again met in the World Series, but have competed against one another in interleague play.

The Yanks won all three games in the Bronx in 2005. The Pirates lost all three meetings at Yankee Stadium again in 2007. The Pirates returned to the Bronx this weekend and played at the new Stadium for the first time on Saturday afternoon. The 7-1 win by the Yankees was the seventh loss in a row by the Pirates in the Bronx.

The difference was the home run ball. All seven Yankee runs were scored via the home run and the Pirates only run also came by a four bagger. It was the first game in more than one year, April 29, 2013, that five different Yankee players hit home runs in the same game.

The Yankee offense began in the first frame as Derek Jeter singled to center with one out. The base hit was #3,350 for the Yankee captain. He now needs only 70 to pass Carl Yastrzemski for 7th place in MLB career rankings. The next batter, Mark Teixeira knocked in the first two runs of the game with his ninth homer of the season. It was the eighth in the last 17 games for the hot hitter. After the game, Yankee skipper Joe Girardi happily remarked, “It’s great having him back.”

Two innings later, Zoilo Almonte became the first of three Yankee batters to lead-off an inning with a home run. In his second game and second at bat of the year, the native of the Dominican Republic hit the first pitch he saw into the stands in right.

Brett Gardner began the Yankee sixth with his third homer of 2014. Alfonso Soriano led-off the seventh with a home run on a 1-1 pitch.

In the final go-around at the plate for the Yankees in the eighth, catcher Brian McCann hit a two-out homer with Gardner on base by a walk.

After the game, Teixeira, who started the home run attack, commented, “It’s good to see us break out today."

Girardi explained a baseball truism to reporters, so they could better understand the success of the team at home, “Our team is built for this park. You know you’re going to play 81 games here.”

The lead-off home run by Sterling Marte off reliever Dellin Betances in the sixth is the only run given up by Yankee pitchers in the last 27 innings.

With three of the Yankees five starting pitchers on the disabled list, Nova, Pineda and Sabathia, David Phelps was assigned his third start of the season, all in May. Phelps had a strange start but earned the win. In the first three innings, he didn’t surrender a hit, but walked three and hit a batsman. He gave up three hits in the fourth and two in the fifth, but no one crossed the plate.

The righty spoke about his performance. “It’s a really weird game when you throw 100 pitches in five innings and don’t give up a run. Mac [catcher Brian McCann] did a great job today keeping me in his glove.”

Girardi spoke more positively of the starter, “He made pitches when he had to. Our defense played pretty well behind him. We got him up to 100 pitches [his longest outing of the season]. We know he’ll continue to improve.”

The Yankees and Pirates will play a doubleheader on Sunday, starting at 1 pm. It is the first single admission doubleheader to be played at Yankee Stadium since September 29, 2004.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Gunning Down Carjackers

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Gunning Down Carjackers: Hero or Vigilante? Man Charged with Gunning Down Carjackers BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 16- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced that ...

Gunning Down Carjackers

Hero or Vigilante?
Man Charged with Gunning Down Carjackers

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 16- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced that a Grand Jury has indicted defendant Jeffrey Pierre in the shooting deaths of two men May 9^th, 2014 at 4:35 AM, on Rombouts Avenue in the Bronx.

Pierre, age 33, is alleged to have shot to death Kaiison Lewis, 23 and Jermaine Johnson, 28.

It is alleged that Pierre was in his 1998 Mercedes-Benz outside 3805 Dyre Avenue, waiting to get food, when Lewis and Johnson got into the car as well. The men then exited Pierre’s vehicle, running a block-and-a-half and getting in to Johnson’s car, a 2002 Acura, which was parked in front of 3730 Rombouts Avenue.

Pierre is accused of following them to that location, where he allegedly opened fire, killing both men. Thirteen shots were fired from a 40-caliber semi-automatic weapon at the two victims. Police say Pierre fled the scene and was apprehended a few minutes later on Dyre Avenue after throwing the gun on the ground. That 40-caliber firearm was recovered. During the investigation, a 9-mm semi-automatic weapon was also recovered on the ground lying next to Johnson’s vehicle.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Assistant District Attorney Paul Rosenfeld.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Another Violent Week Across the Borough

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Another Violent Week Across the Borough: Another Violent Week Across the Borough By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 16- The mild temperatures have continued with the string of ...

Another Violent Week Across the Borough

Another Violent Week Across the Borough

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 16- The mild temperatures have continued with the string of violent incidents this past week that have left at least five people dead and 11 wounded, after nearly a half dozen incidents across the borough. 

At 11 p.m. on May 8, the body of a man was discovered by police on the roof of the Gun Hill Houses at 711 Magenta Street. Police say he had been shot in the head and back.

Detectives would later release photos of several tattoos on the man's arms and hand in hopes that someone would recognize the still-unidentified victim. described as a white male between 20 and 30 years-old.

Police were called to reports of shots fired at 4:42 a.m., on May 9, when they discovered two men who were shot and mortally wounded on Rombouts Avenue in the Eastchester section.

In what was being described as a carjacking gone wrong, police discovered Mount Vernon residents Jermaine Johnson, 28, and Kaiison Lewis, 23, both been shot multiple times. Johnson died at the scene and Lewis died a short time later at Jacobi Hospital.

Police have charged Jeffrey Pierre, 33, in the crime.

On May 11, officers in the 43rd Precinct were called at 4:45 a.m. to the intersection of Castle Hill Avenue and Gleason Avenue in the Parkchester section.

The 22-year old male victim was shot in the head and chest and died at Jacobi Hospital. A second victim was also shot, but was expected to survive.

Police in the 47th Precinct were called to 768 East 215 Street in Williamsbridge at 9:30 p.m. on May 11 and discovered Quashawn Thomas, 19, had been shot in the head.

Thomas was rushed to Montefiore Hospital North where he died a short time later. Police reported they continue to hunt for this assailant.   

Fordham News: Pitching Phenom

Fordham News: Pitching Phenom: Pitching Phenom Rookie Shutout Mets for Second Straight Night By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 16- The final game of 2014 Subway Series...

Fordham News: Pitching Phenom

Fordham News: Pitching Phenom: Pitching Phenom Rookie Shutout Mets for Second Straight Night By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 16- The final game of 2014 Subway Series...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Chase Whitley

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Chase Whitley: Pitching Phenom Rookie Shutout Mets for Second Straight Night By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 16- The final game of 2014 Subway Series...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Chase Whitley

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Chase Whitley: Pitching Phenom Rookie Shutout Mets for Second Straight Night By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 16- The final game of 2014 Subway Series...

Chase Whitley

Pitching Phenom

Rookie Shutout Mets for Second Straight Night

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 16- The final game of 2014 Subway Series was the first game in the majors for each of the starting pitchers. It is a rare game in which both starters are debuting in MLB. The most recent time it happened was on September 7, 2010 when Dillon Gee, who was scheduled to start Thursday for the Mets, faced Yunesky Maya of the Washington Nationals.

Chase Whitley, an Alabama native, 24 years of age, was given the ball for the Yankees. Whitley was drafted by the Yanks in the 15th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft while he was a student at Troy University.​

Until this season his time was primarily spent in the bullpen. He started only eight of his first 144 minor league games. In 2014, the righty started in six of his seven appearances with Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He compiled a record of 3-2 with an ERA of 2.39.

Jacob deGrom, 25, the starter for the Mets, was drafted by them in the 9th round of the same draft as Whitley. The Floridian was attending Stetson University when drafted. Unlike his counterpart on the Yanks, deGrom started each of his minor league games. His record with Triple A Las Vegas was 4-0 with a 2.58 ERA.

Of his rise to the majors, deGrom commented, “I was surprised when they called me. I was thinking it would be a little later, but I’m really glad it happened now.”

Both starters pitched as if they were experienced, veteran players in front of a small crowd rather than major league neophytes pitching in front of a crowd in excess of 40,000 during the Subway Series.

Whitley pitched 4.2 innings, yielding only two hits and two walks while blanking the Mets. Girardi explained he was lifted because, “We felt he started to tire.”

Other than that, both managers were extremely impressed, Girardi enthused, “His performance was spectacular. He was able to control his emotions. He continued to throw strikes.”

The opinion of Mets skipper Terry Collins was quite similar, “He executed his pitches. He was very impressive.”

Although deGrom suffered the loss his outstanding performance on the mound did not earn it for him. He hurled seven innings, giving up only four hits and two walks but also the only run of the game.

The run came in his final inning as Mark Teixeira drew a walk and scored on a double by Alfonso Soriano.”

DeGrom also earned the praise of both managers. Collins remarked, “Tremendous command of his stuff. As the game went on, he got better. [He] kept us right there.” Girardi was in agreement, “I thought his change-up was excellent. He seemed to relax a little bit. He did the little things i.e. batting, fielding, that helped.”

Interestingly, both starters got base hits. The hit by deGrom was the first for a Mets pitcher this season.

After the contest, deGrom explained his feelings, “In the first, I was nervous. It was awesome facing those guys. I watched Jeter when I was growing up. I couldn’t have asked for a better team to face. It’s a feeling I’ll never have again.”

A native New Yorker, Dellin Betances, did the most impressive pitching in the contest. In 2.1 innings of relief, Betances gave up no hits and fanned six of the seven batters he faced. Girardi opined, “He continues to grow in front of us.”

The 2014 Subway Series has now concluded.

 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bronx Veterans Honored

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bronx Veterans Honored: Bronx Veterans Honored The Monroe college Student Veterans Association (SVA) participated in the official breakfast honoring Bronx veterans...

Bronx Veterans Honored

Bronx Veterans Honored

The Monroe college Student Veterans Association (SVA) participated in the official breakfast honoring Bronx veterans. Along with Allen "Chief" Hansen, CPO/ EOD, USN (Ret), who is the Director of Monroe's Veteran's Services and a member of the Borough President's Veterans Advisory Council, 10 Monroe students who have served in the military attended.

"This is a great event for our students to see that the Borough President and the people of the Bronx appreciate their service," Chief Hansen said. "Also, it's educational because they meet people who fought in earlier wars and get a greater understanding of who they are in the long line of American servicemen and women. It's definitely something they learn and benefit from."

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Terminator Tanaka

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Terminator Tanaka: Terminator Tanaka Pitcher Shuts Down Mets, Gives Yankees Hope By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 15- Masahiro Tanaka is now the stopper ...

Terminator Tanaka

Terminator Tanaka

Pitcher Shuts Down Mets,

Gives Yankees Hope

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 15- Masahiro Tanaka is now the stopper for the New York Yankees. The Mets were first hand observers and will not say anything different after the right-hander shutthem out at Citi Field Wednesday evening. And there should be no doubt about the stopper role because that is what the Yankees needed to end a four-game losing streak.

He was also what the Yankees needed to stop a six-game losing streak against the Mets dating back to last season. And with CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, and Michael Pineda, three quarters of the Yankees’ starting rotation on the disabled list this is what manager Joe Girardi was looking for.

“We needed a win,” Girardi said. “After losing a couple of tough games at home he got better as the night went on. He’s been special. The young kid throws good… he has a lot of weapons and knows how to handle the baseball.”

Though Girardi did admit, Tanaka will be managed differently because of the injuries. In other words, despite getting the first complete game shutout of his Major League career, Tanaka who threw 114 pitches, will be protected from going the route. Girardi knows he does not need his best to also go down with an injury.

But, Tanaka was purchased by the Yankees to pitch like every other starter. Go deep into games and get the win, providing there was enough run support. The Mets showed a resurgence of power and run production, in two games at Yankee Stadium this week, but they came home to Citi Field and again their bats went quiet.

And it was attributed to Tanaka who became the first Yankees rookie pitcher to begin the season at 6-0. At this rate, and there is every expectation he will continue to be dominant, Tanaka is a cinch to win the AL Rookie of the year or AL CY Young Award.

However, there is a long way to go before Tanaka is considered for those prestigious post season awards. The Yankees are more inclined for Tanaka to keep pitching well, and to be the one who can keep the ship afloat as their ailing pitching staff gets back to health.

Here is how dominating Tanaka was: He threw 28 splitters where the Mets hit into eight outs and managed only one base runner. Eric Young Jr. hit a double in the sixth inning, one of their four hits and that was the only other time they had a runner reach second.

He had the Mets swinging and missing. He had them confused at the plate, just as he has done in seven previous starts against American League opponents. So, by now, not even teams in the National League can figure a way to hit that splitter.

"I knew what was coming, but I couldn't hit it," the Mets’ Daniel Murphy said. "He's commanding all his pitches to all zones. The splitter is the equalizer. You don't see it that much, someone using it in any count like that.”

Tanaka said, through his Japanese translator, "I just go up there and basically try to win every single game.” At this rate, and the way the Yankees have been scoring runs, they would love to see Tanaka on the mound every game.

The spotlight of pitching in this inter-league Subway Series game, and opposing the debut of Mets rookie pitcher Rafael Montero, did not cause a distraction. He gets on the mound and gets the job done, as has been the situation since his debut on the mound at Yankee Stadium last month.

He became another storyline in what has become an interesting three games between the Yankees and Mets….

As for the Mets, who will debut rookie Jacob deGrom in the series finale Thursday night, manager Terry Collins praised Tanaka. deGrom is one of those young promising arms getting an early season look, like Montero early in the season, and needed with Dillon Gee on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right lar.

Collins also saw the difference again of long balls that went for outs at Citi Field. Six home runs hit by the Mets in two games at Yankee Stadium will make a manager see things differently.

He said, "You asked me about the home run barrage? We hit three of them tonight. They were just in the wrong park.”

The night belonged to Tanaka and the Yankees. And the Mets may have come to a decision and anointed Jennry Mejia as their closer when Kyle Farnsworth was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas. Though Farnsworth has a right to refuse the assignment and could be with another team.

To that, a frustrated and disappointed Farnsworth had his say in the matter. He said there was anger and disappointment in the decision to let him go. And for the Mets, who appeared to have Farnsworth in the closer role, it was another way to get the bullpen up to par. Farnsworth was not the answer, neither is Jose Valverde who could also be out the door.

But the Yankees have a different situation. They have a stopper in Masahiro Tanaka.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  facebook.com/Rich Mancuso  www.newyorksportsexaminer.com

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cinco de Mayo

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cinco de Mayo: Little Italy Celebrates Cinco de Mayo (Photos by David Greene) Several thousand Bronxites turned out for the 10th Annual Cinco De Mayo Fes...

Cinco de Mayo

Little Italy Celebrates Cinco de Mayo

(Photos by David Greene)

Several thousand Bronxites turned out for the 10th Annual Cinco De Mayo Festival in Belmont, held this year on Saturday, May 3 along Crescent Avenue. Children enjoyed a free air-ride, games, contests and face painting. Dozens of vendors sold all kinds of Mexican delicacies. A live Marina chi band performed and X 96.3 FM aired the event live. The event is a collaboration between the office of the Bronx Borough President's office and the Mexican-American community. The event was founded in 2005 by El Grupo Unidos.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): JLo

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): JLo: Jenny Wants Kids to Walk Around the Block JLo Fights Obesity in the Bronx BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 14- Montefiore Medical Center announced a...