Chase Whitley

Chasing Success for #Yank Pitcher

Whitley get another quality start and timely hits in win over first place Jays

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 19- Chase Whitley has become valuable to the New York Yankees pitching rotation and there is no telling how more valuable he will become. Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium, in his seventh start, Whitley gave manager Joe Girardi another five good innings. A revived Yankees offense got the early lead and tacked on runs.

All is going good again in the Bronx, even the bullpen did their job in a 7-3 win over the first place Toronto Blue Jays.

For the second straight night the Yankees handed the first place Blue Jays a loss, the 25th straight home win over Toronto dating back to September 19, of 2012. But the important point for the Yankees was another win with good pitching, and the timely hit. All of a sudden first place is getting close and that seemed to be slipping away as of a week ago when they lost two of three games out in Oakland.

If they sweep the three-game series Thursday night, well first place will be a game-and-a half away. The Yankees would also be even in the loss column with Toronto.

There are two aspects to consider with the Yankees during this current string of games with opponents from the AL East. One is how the first place Jays suddenly, are not as invincible as they were a week ago. The other is, the Yankees are 6-2 in their last eight games and are doing things that have not been evident much.

And, the unexpected quality starts are contributing to a revival in the Bronx. Whitley allowed two earned runs and improved to 3-0 after starting his season with four straight no decisions.

“Did not know what to expect when he came up,” Girardi said. “We have never seen him as a starter. So our expectations have changed a lot.

The right-hander threw 95 pitches and has been a pleasant addition to the rotation. Whitley made his Major League debut against the cross-town Mets on May 15th after being summoned from Triple-A Scranton. The Yankees needed a starter in the rotation due to their rash of injuries.

He could be here longer, because, Girardi and the Yankees now know what to expect. Whitley has made a claim to stay in the Bronx. Eventually he will increase his length of time on the mound, and he could be a part of a rotation when the inflamed right knee of CC Sabathia heels and that may require more time.

Though he has not been in the Bronx that long, Whitley has adjusted and was talking like a veteran. He said, the command was not his best. He also gave credit to his catcher, Brian McCann who tied a career high with five runs batted in. The big hit was McCann’s two-run homer in the fourth inning that put New York ahead, 3-2.

There is also a difference in the Yankees clubhouse, and winning will do that.

“We’re relaxed and having fun,” Whitley commented. “It comes with winning, that’s contagious.”

He has learned quickly what it takes to be a winning pitcher, and of course the big hit and night from McCann helped the cause.

"It was about time I chipped it in, and tonight was a good night to do that," McCann said. "It was just nice to contribute… on the offensive side for a change." He also had a bases loaded triple, and this is the type of offense the Yankees have been expecting from their catcher who has been struggling to get the big hit at home.

McCann was hitting .174 in June. It was the type of game he needed and it came off the Jays’ best starter, Mark Buehrie, (10-4) who remained winless in his last 13 starts against the Yankees.

Girardi said, “We really believe in him as an offensive force and he showed it tonight. A couple tough lefties he's facing and he drives in five. He's done a great job behind home plate. He's never taken it behind home plate."

He added, “This is the team we are chasing. These games are extremely important playing teams within your own division.”

Two straight wins over Toronto. These are the games the Yankees need to win and they may be doing it at the right time with more than half a season of games left to play. There is no telling where this new feel of winning will take them. For now though, the Yankees are enjoying it and look for the sweep Thursday night.

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

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): NYPD Melee

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): NYPD Melee: Turnstile Jumpers Turn Arrest into NYPD Melee Photo by Andre Rivera By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 18- A small army ...

NYPD Melee

Turnstile Jumpers Turn Arrest into NYPD Melee

Photo by Andre Rivera

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 18- A small army of NYPD patrolmen responded after witnesses say an of out-of-control suspect had to be subdued.

Sources say a male and female were arrested for jumping the turnstile of the Number 2 train at the Prospect Avenue station at 2:15 p.m. on June 12.

The male suspect began kicking the window of the patrol car, when additional officers were called to remove and eventually restrain him.

One unconfirmed report stated that one of the 200 bystanders was also arrested for filming the incident, but that could not immediately be confirmed with the NYPD.   

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Subway Perv Sought by Cops

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Subway Perv Sought by Cops: Subway Perv Sought by Cops By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 18- Cops are asking for the public’s help to catch a man who exposed hims...

Subway Perv Sought by Cops

Subway Perv Sought by Cops

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 18- Cops are asking for the public’s help to catch a man who exposed himself to a 10-year-old girl on the #5 train.

At around 11 a.m. on May 11, a man boarded the #5 subway train at the Dyre Avenue station. Once the subway doors closed, the man exposed himself to a 10-year-old girl and a 42-year-old woman. Cops say the suspect fled the train at the Gun Hill Road Station.

Police released surveillance video of the suspect from the subway station. He is described as a black male in his 50s. He is six foot six and weighs 245 pounds.

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577. 

All calls are confidential.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Tanaka Terminates Toronto

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Tanaka Terminates Toronto: Tanaka Terminates Toronto Raises Mark to 11-1 as Yanks Top Blue Jays (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 18- M...

Tanaka Terminates Toronto

Tanaka Terminates Toronto

Raises Mark to 11-1 as Yanks Top Blue Jays

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 18- Masahiro Tanaka continued his sensational pitching as he earned his 11^th win of the year. 

The 3-2 win of the Yanks over the Toronto Blue Jays was the 14^th consecutive victory of the Yanks over their Canadian rivals in games played in the Bronx. The victory cut the deficit for the second place Yankees to 3.5 games behind the American League East leading Blue Jays. 

Yankees skipper Joe Girardi commented, “You want to close as much ground as you can.”

As has happened in each of Tanaka’s 14 games this season, the major story of the game is his performance on the mound. The 25 year-old has thrown a “quality start” in each of his 14 appearances in the majors. He is only the second pitcher to pitch at least six innings and give up three runs or less in each of his first 14 major league starts in more than a century. Steve Rogers of the Montreal Expos achieved that feat in 1973.

Former Met shortstop Jose Reyes hit the first pitch of the game into the stands in right for a home run. After the game Tanaka, recalled, “I think it was the first time in my career that I gave up a first pitch home run. It threw me off my rhythm.” After two batters were retired, two Blue Jays batters hit singles in the inning. 

Girardi described the first pitch in the following manner, “He [Tanaka] just threw a pitch right down the middle and Reyes knows this park very well.”

Although Tanaka expressed disappointment with his performance after the game, he only yielded two additional hits in the five other innings he pitched. He walked two, yielded five hits and fanned 10, double figures for the fifth time this year. His 113 strikeouts in his first 14 starts in the big leagues is third in history. His season ERA dropped after the contest to a minuscule 1.99.

Most importantly for the Yankees, the Japanese native did not yield a run after his first pitch. He was removed after six because of his pitch count of 104. 

Girardi was profuse in his praise of Tanaka throughout the season, “His stuff is pretty good and he knows how to use it and make adjustments. It’s hard not to say that his start is as good as anyone I know. I don’t think it’s fair to expect that from anyone. It’s just remarkable.”

Another experienced eye, that of the Yankees veteran captain, Derek Jeter, saw very similar to what the Yankee manager did in watching Tanaka, “He’s pretty much done that every time out. His ability to make adjustments from hitter to hitter is probably the most impressive thing. He makes adjustments throughout the game.” 

The self-critical rookie disagreed with the assessments of Jeter and Girardi, “I don’t feel I was making adjustments tonight. I was just trying to keep the ball down.” 

However he performed as he has done this season, it should be noted that Tanaka leads the American League in wins, winning percentage and ERA. 

The Yankee relievers, Dellin Betances in two innings and David Robertson in the ninth, did not give up a run.

Rookie Chase Whitley and veteran Mark Buehrle will be the starting pitchers in the second game of the three game set on Wednesday night.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Perv Teacher

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Perv Teacher: Perv Teacher Faces 14 Years in Attack on 10 Year Old Student (Photo by David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 16- A former Br...

Perv Teacher

Perv Teacher Faces 14 Years in Attack on 10 Year Old Student

(Photo by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 16- A former Bronx teacher charged in the unthinkable crime of a sex attack on a 10-year-old special education student, has pled guilty to the horrific crime.

The Bronx District Attorney announced that former 5th-grade teacher Anthony Criscuolo, 41, has pled guilty to first-degree felony rape and will be sentenced next month.

Police sources stated at the time that Criscuolo was a teacher at P.S. 386 in University Heights and had told the victim's family that she had won an award.

The unidentified 10 year old was attacked by her teacher inside his car on that spring afternoon in June, 2013.

Criscuolo had faced 25 years in prison, but the district attorney's office agreed to the deal in an effort to "not further traumatize this young victim" with the added ordeal of a public trial.

Criscuolo has also agreed to surrender his teaching license and be added to the sex offenders registry. Upon completing his sentence, Criscuolo will also be required to 18 years of post-release monitoring.   

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Little Italy Feast

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Little Italy Feast: Little Italy Feast Photos by Gary Quintal Italians and would-be Italians came out to celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony on Arthur Avenue. ...

Little Italy Feast

Little Italy Feast

Photos by Gary Quintal

Italians and would-be Italians came out to celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony on Arthur Avenue. Music, rides and of course food were on hand to celebrate. A procession was held in which the statue of the saint was carried throughout the neighborhood.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Stone-faced Park Gunman gets 44 Years

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Stone-faced Park Gunman gets 44 Years: Stone-faced Park Gunman gets 44 Years By Michael Brown Jr. and David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 16- A young man has been sentenced to 4...

Stone-faced Park Gunman gets 44 Years

Stone-faced Park Gunman gets 44 Years

By Michael Brown Jr. and David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 16- A young man has been sentenced to 44 years to life in prison for a triple shooting and double murder. The horror began with a dispute on the basketball courts in Devoe Park and ended in gunfire and death on the streets of University Heights.

After a five-week trial, Yenfri Ramirez, 20, was convicted by a jury in the shooting deaths of Edwin Liz, 17, and Allan Matos, 22, and the wounding of Efren Estrada, 39, that occurred in the early evening of April 7, 2011.

Ramirez, who was 16 at the time of the shooting, was found guilty in Bronx Supreme Court on the charges of murder in the second degree for shooting Liz, manslaughter in the second degree for shooting Matos, and assault in the second degree for wounding Estrada as well as criminal possession of a firearm in the second degree.

The altercation between the defendant and his victims stemmed from an earlier fight inside Devoe Park on University Avenue and West Fordham Road, when Ramirez had entered the fray after learning that the fight involved his brother.

The prosecutor claimed Ramirez lured his victims into chasing him to Fordham Road and West University Place, where he turned around and fired three shots from a .38-caliber revolver.

Edwin Liz was fatally shot in the back of the neck, while Allan Matos died from a gunshot wound to the back. Efren Estrada was shot in the leg and survived.

A police officer testified witnessing the shooting and responding officers discovered the murder weapon just steps away from where Ramirez was stopped.

At Ramirez' sentencing hearing held on May 29, Judge Barbara Newman stated she took into account Ramirez' age at the time of the shooting and also the fact that Ramirez had no previous convictions.

“This is a very sad day and difficult day however, circumstances have brought us here,” she said in her opening statement. It wasn't long after that the parents of the victims, read their "impact statements" to Ramirez who sat coldly indifferent to the whole ordeal.

Sentiments of families were often ones of revenge and justice for the cold-blooded murder of their siblings.

“I would like this man to be treated in the same way [as my son] by spending the rest of his life behind four walls,” said Reynaldo Liz, the father of Edwin Liz, via a translator.

“May God forgive you, because I never will,” said the mother of Allen Matos as she briefly looked to Ramirez who did not turn in her direction.

Ramirez, however, maintained his innocence until the end. “I ask forgiveness for what happened, but I didn't kill anyone.”

Ramirez was sentenced to 23 years for murder in the second degree, 21 years for manslaughter in the second degree, 3 years for assault in the second degree, and 5 years for criminal possession of a weapon all of which will be served consecutively except the assault and criminal possession which will be served concurrently.

Ramirez' defense attorney Maria Tobia had pointed to unknown DNA found by investigators on the trigger of the murder weapon, but that wasn't enough to sway the jury.

Tobia has vowed to appeal the conviction.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bronx Science Loses PSAL Championship

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bronx Science Loses PSAL Championship: Bronx Science Loses PSAL Championship By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 13 - Two very unlikely public high school baseball teams met i...

Bronx Science Loses PSAL Championship

Bronx Science Loses PSAL Championship

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 13- Two very unlikely public high school baseball teams met in the PSAL “B” Baseball Championship on Thursday afternoon. Bronx Science (17-4)  is one of this nation’s most prestigious academic high schools. It is far more known for winning scholastic awards than sports contests. 

Beach Channel (19-2) was severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Its students and their families suffered in many ways by the devastating storm. Unbelievably, its baseball team carried a roster of only 12 players this season.

Despite expectations, each team won its conference and defeated each of its opponents in the playoffs to reach the championship encounter. Strangely, each team’s last loss occurred on May 17 and to a similarly named opponent. The Bronx Science Wolverines were defeated by American Studies, 3-2, and the Beach Channel Dolphins lost to the Academy of American Studies, 6-1.

Yankee Stadium, the venue for the championship, was extremely appropriate as it is the site that has flown the most World Series flags in MLB history. 

The game was interesting and competitive but was played somewhat sloppily. Although 12 runs were scored in the game, there were only 12 hits. More than three dozen batters ended their at bats without hitting the ball in fair territory, 23 batters struck out, 14 walked and one was hit by a pitch. There were also a number of errors, wild pitches and passed balls.

A run was not scored in the first three frames, and David Polanco, the right fielder of the Dolphins, had the only hit.

Both teams pushed runs across the plate in the fourth. Science hurler Glenn Price created his own problem by walking the first five batters of the inning. Catcher josph Colandra and centerfielder Antonio Moccia received RBIs for their bases loaded walks. The final two runs were driven in on a single by pitcher Kelly Aponte.

The Wolverines cut the lead in half with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Consecutive single by Benjamin Kravitz, Daniel Bomfiglia and Glenn Price aided by two Beach Channel errors led to the runs.

Each team scored a single run in the sixth to keep the Dolphins advantage at two, 5-3.

In the seventh, three Science hits and two walks tied the score and filled the bases with one out. A fly to Moccia in center was caught and Moccia’s throw nailed Kravitz at the plate for an inning ending double play. The coach of the Dolphins, John Mangieri, described the play as “a big league play and a big league throw.” 

Moccia tried to deflect the praise to Colandra, the catcher by saying, “You couldn’t ask for a better catcher.”

A diverse but effective ninth inning for the Dolphins, error, hit batsman, walk and two singles produced two runs and a 7-5 victory and a first city championship for Beach Channel.

Mangieri saluted his entire team, “I’m proud of my boys and what we’ve overcome. They’ve been fearless from the beginning. I used everyone [all 12 players]. I tried to do the right thing. They were excited [to be at Yankee Stadium] but pretty relaxed during the game.”

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Joel Osteen

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Joel Osteen: Popular Pastor Wins Over Bronx with Message of Hope By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 12- Joel and Victoria Osteen hosted their seco...

Joel Osteen

Popular Pastor Wins Over Bronx with Message of Hope

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 12- Joel and Victoria Osteen hosted their second “America’s Night of Hope” at Yankee Stadium. The iconic venue in the Bronx was filled to capacity to see and hear the very popular televangelist and his wife, their son and daughter and Joel’s mother share uplifting and encouraging words as well as listen to upbeat and modern musical selections from guest vocalists and musicians. 

The rally at the historic stadium was only the centerpiece of a concerted effort to bring help to people in need in New York City. Hundreds of volunteers, many from Houston where their Lakewood Church is located, joined the Osteens in New York to provide assistance to those with specific needs. 

Last Monday, Osteen explained the mission of the Generation Hope Project, “We don’t just come in word. Young people [who will be coming to provide assistance] have a heart to help. They will be here for most of the week, with a concentration of efforts for several days. We know we can’t do everything. It will be symbolic that we leave something with the community.”

The couple told of this year’s theme of assistance, which will be mentoring of young people. They want those not blessed to have family members that encourage and uplift them as children to be given hope for their lives in the future. 

The pastor said, “We all have a responsibility to the next generation.” 

His wife focused in words of how much those who help another gain by that effort, “The people who are serving are being blessed.” 

Saturday’s rally was the sixth annual major event held at a huge athletic facility. It is neither accidental nor coincidental that the Osteens returned to the site of their first event of this magnitude that took place on April 25, 2009 and was the first non-baseball event in the new Yankee Stadium. 

Osteen explained, “New Yorkers are great people. They respond to hope. We didn’t know if they would accept a message from the South.”

The large crowd that attended the pioneer event signified the acceptance they received from residents of “The Big Apple.” Looking back on that day led Osteen to recently proclaim, “Victoria and I love the people of New York. We’re excited to be at Yankee Stadium again, and we believe people will be uplifted and filled with an expectation that their best days are yet to come.”

The Osteens, unlike many representatives of religions, do not have a sectarian outlook or appeal. They have an outlook and manner that transcends barriers of age, politics, socioeconomic class and race. Their universal appeal has much to do with their positive message, “Our message is about empowering and up lifting. We have much in common. It is about a relationship with God. It’s not formal or religious. People come who may not attend church regularly.”

In addition to the Saturday rally at Yankee Stadium, the Osteens were at the stadium on Friday afternoon to meet with clergy from all sections of the nation. At that meeting, Ray Negron, a Yankee executive, has been invited to testify regarding how the late owner of the Yankees, George M. Steinbrenner, changed his life. The extremely articulate Negron will be able to impact his listeners with an example the Osteens are trying to impart in all people. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Criminal Element ‘Hijacking’ Community-

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Criminal Element ‘Hijacking’ Community-: Criminal Element ‘Hijacking’ Community- Activist Says By Michael Horowitz BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 12- A criminal element is “hijacki...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Criminal Element ‘Hijacking’ Community-

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Criminal Element ‘Hijacking’ Community-: Criminal Element ‘Hijacking’ Community- Activist Says By Michael Horowitz BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 12- A criminal element is “hijacki...

Criminal Element ‘Hijacking’ Community-

Criminal Element ‘Hijacking’ Community- Activist Says

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 12- A criminal element is “hijacking” Co-op City and its shareholders, destroying the quality of life that shareholders are entitled to, civic activist Junius Williams charged this week.

The civic activist said that his goal is to assure that Co-op City does not become the nation’s largest urban ghetto.

Williams, the parliamentarian of the Building 21 Association and an unsuccessful candidate in last month’s Riverbay board election, said, “I’m not happy with just heat and hot water. I want the whole enchilada when it comes to quality of life in the community where I live.”

Williams has blamed Co-op City’s Department of Public Safety for the recent shooting of a young man at the basketball courts at Bellamy Loop.

The civic activist noted that the young men, who had been harassing him and his neighbors for close to one year, stopped hanging out at the Bellamy Loop basketball courts after last month’s shooting.

A Co-op City shareholder, who wished to remain unidentified, told the News, this week, that the criminal element, who had been hanging out at the Bellamy Loop basketball courts, are now hanging out in the  vicinity of Building 24.

The unidentified shareholder said that those hanging out there routinely smoke marijuana, and Public Safety officers, despite being called, have done little to stop this infringement on his quality of life.

Williams, for his part, stressed, “I want to make sure that they don’t come back here to destroy my quality of life and the quality of life that my neighbors have a right to enjoy.”

The civic activist said that if Public Safety officers had been proactive in removing the young men who were hanging out at the Bellamy Loop basketball courts on the night of the shooting, the crime would never have occurred.

“I blame the people in charge of management for what my neighbors I have had to live through,” Williams stressed. “I don’t blame my neighbors because I know that they have been proactive in reporting infringements on their quality of life to the people in the Public Safety Department,” Williams stressed.

The civic activist added, “The people in the Public Safety Department seem to think that we have to accept things because we have a large minority community. This kind of thing didn’t happen in Co-op City when people from other races and ethnicities were dominant in this community.”

Williams stressed that it is incumbent upon Co-op City’s shareholders to demand that they have the same quality of life that people on Manhattan’s Eastside and in Riverdale enjoy.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Man Stabbed Outside Bar

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Man Stabbed Outside Bar: Man Stabbed Outside Bar BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 11- Police were looking for two individuals wanted in connection with an early morning knife a...

Man Stabbed Outside Bar

Man Stabbed Outside Bar

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 11- Police were looking for two individuals wanted in connection with an early morning knife attack today at Aqueduct Avenue West and West Kingsbridge Road in the University Heights section. Police say the 42-year-old victim was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital and is expected to survive. Detectives were looking for two male Hispanics who possibly fled in a grey Toyota Camry. 

Photo by David Greene

Morrisania News: Bay Plaza

Morrisania News: Bay Plaza: New Mall Under Way On June 6, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. toured the forthcoming "Mall at Bay Plaza" near Co-op...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Sadness for Father's Day

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Sadness for Father's Day: Sadness for Father's Day Shooter Gets 23 yrs for Gunning Down Father of 4 BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 11- District Attorney Robert T. Johns...

Sadness for Father's Day

Sadness for Father's Day
Shooter Gets 23 yrs for Gunning Down Father of 4

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 11- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced the sentencing of Mark Laramore to a term of 23 years behind bars plus five years post release supervision for the killing of social worker and father of three Raymond Ortiz, weeks after fellow shooter, Shawn White, was sentenced to the same term for the same charge, manslaughter in the first degree.

 Laramore, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, was 17 years old at the time of the crime.

The 34-year-old Ortiz, who had a fourth child on the way, was gunned down as he took a rare night off from the two full-time jobs he was holding down to care for his family. In the wee hours of August 1, 2009, he was returning home from visiting friends in the Castle Hill section of the Bronx, when he dozed off while waiting for the BX22 bus, one he would never board.

Instead, he was approached by two armed men unbeknownst to him, White and Laramore, who, perhaps startled when the suddenly-awakened dad stood up, opened fire at close range, nearly a half-dozen .22-caliber bullets hitting their mark.

Laramore and White, along with two other friends, fled, but within days, were both turned in to police by their parents.

“Coping isn’t easy.  I have too much love in my heart to hate.  But the pain we carry is undeniable,” reads the statement by Lisa Ramos Ortiz, the victim's fiancée and mother of the son, Phoenix, who was born six months after his father’s killing. "He worked 16 hours a day up to 7 days a week to make sure our children would not need for anything, [telling me] ‘That’s what real men do,’” Ramos recalls. "He was selfless.  He was loved by his co-workers, his employers, because ‘everyone loved Raymond."

Adds the victim’s sister, Maribel Ortiz, in her statement to the court:  “There is always a song, a scent, a location that reminds me of Ray, and when it happens, for a brief moment, my heart aches and an indescribable pain takes over my whole body and soul.

"His children are the ones who continue to suffer the most. He was their hero, their protector, their teacher. Phoenix, who is an identical clone of my brother Ray, will never know how funny, energetic and great his daddy was.”

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Skating Rink Plan on Ice

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Skating Rink Plan on Ice: 100 PERCENT By Robert Press Skating Rink Plan on Ice Falling Out has Put Project on Hold BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 9- An illegal cr...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Skating Rink Plan on Ice

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Skating Rink Plan on Ice: 100 PERCENT By Robert Press Skating Rink Plan on Ice Falling Out has Put Project on Hold BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 9- An illegal cr...

Skating Rink Plan on Ice

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

Skating Rink Plan on Ice

Falling Out has Put Project on Hold

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 9- An illegal crosscheck in hockey is similar to hitting someone below the belt in boxing. The both result is a penalty. A break up of the four people led by Mr. Kevin Parker, known as The Kingsbridge National Ice Center to build a $345 million ice skating palace on the current Kingsbridge Armory, site has put the KNIC plan on ice for now. That is until the New York City Economic Development Corporation completes its 'Due Diligence' review of the armory project.

It seems that there was a falling out of the four KNIC partners as to just who has the expertise and experience to build the ice skating palace. Now the two separate groups are filing law suits against each other which should delay, if not possibly doom, the ice skating palace plan. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has issued a statement that he believes that the matter can be solved and sooner than later. He hopes that the proposal can move forward, the chillers turned on, and everyone can go skating as planned.

On Monday night's edition of Bronxtalk there will be a debate between the candidates for the 13th congressional district. This should be a very interesting hour since Congressman Rangel who at first took this primary jokingly has now changed his tune to what could be he farewell party. Bronxtalk can be found on Cablevision channel 67 on Monday nights starting at 9 PM and on the corresponding Verizon Fios cable channel 33.

The 13th Congressional District election is Tuesday, June 24th. The two main candidates are the same two main candidates from two years ago. This year the supporting candidates are different, and while there is another Hispanic candidate to try to take votes away from candidate Adriano Espaillat, I don't see her getting more than 2 percent. I found my trusty 'Crystal Ball' and asked it who was going to be the winner in the 13th Congressional race. At first there were clouds, but when the clouds broke there was a party going on. It was a victory party for new Congressman Adriano Espaillat. When I asked my crystal ball what the results were only the number '44' came up.

Petition gathering is now going on for state elected and Democratic Party positions, and will end at midnight Thursday, July 10th according to the Board of Elections website when all petitions for the September Primary are due. While you are being asked to sign a petition for the second time, the person should be reminding you that the primary for Congress if you live in the 13th Congressional District is on Tuesday, June 24th. If all this different petition signing and different primary dates are confusing you next year will be very easy on you as here in the Bronx the only local election is for Bronx District Attorney. Bronx DA Robert Johnson by the way has run unopposed in the Democratic primary, and has been found on several other party lines in November including the Republican line in past elections.

Now that Councilman Fernando Cabrera is out collecting signatures to run against current 33rd State Senator Gustavo Rivera, many people think it was State Senate Co-Leader, Independent Democratic Conference Leader, and 34th State Senator Jeff Klein who put Councilman Cabrera up to running against Senator Rivera. It was 32nd State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr. who preached to fellow church leader Councilman Cabrera to run against Senator Rivera, the man who has been out spoken against Diaz Sr. and his conservative values. From what I heard Senator Jeff Klein, who has become more of a friend to Senator Diaz Sr., has no love lost for Senator Gustavo Rivera, as Rivera has also been outspoken against Senator Klein and the IDC.

In the 78th A.D. race now that Assemblyman Jose Rivera will be facing a primary challenger we will have to wait and see if Jose is going to use his strategy from two years ago when Senator Rivera faced a token opponent. That was Rivera – Rivera. Now that Jose has endorsed Senator Klein for re-election it will be interesting to see how he will campaign. Will it be Rivera/Rivera again, Cabrera /Rivera, or both Rivera & Cabrera/Rivera this year? One never knows with Jose Rivera, just ask Albert Alvarez. By the way Rivera has endorsed Senator Jeff Klein, and has been seen at more than one Senator Diaz functions recently. Next week the 86th A.D. race.

For updates on the KNIC and 13th Congressional race along with other items that may come in after our deadline don't forget to check my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com 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): Bay Plaza

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bay Plaza: New Mall Under Way On June 6, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. toured the forthcoming "Mall at Bay Plaza" near Co-op City....

Bay Plaza

New Mall Under Way

On June 6, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. toured the forthcoming "Mall at Bay Plaza" near Co-op City. Diaz looks out at the construction from the mall's second deck.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Joel Osteen

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Joel Osteen: Joel and Victoria Osteen Host America’s Night of Hope at Yankee Stadium By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 6-  On Saturday evening,...

Joel Osteen

Joel and Victoria Osteen Host America’s Night of Hope at Yankee Stadium

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 6- On Saturday evening, June 7, Joel and Victoria Osteen are hosting their second “America’s Night of Hope” at Yankee Stadium. It is expected that the iconic venue in the Bronx will be filled to capacity to see and hear the very popular televangelist and his wife, their son and daughter and Joel’s mother share uplifting and encouraging words as well as listen to upbeat and modern musical selections from guest vocalists and musicians. 

The rally at the historic stadium is only the centerpiece of a concerted effort to bring help to people in need in New York City. Hundreds of volunteers, many from Houston where their Lakewood Church is located, will be joining the Osteens in New York to provide assistance to those with specific needs. 

Osteen explained the mission of the “Generation Hope Project”, “We don’t just come in word. Young people [who will be coming to provide assistance] have a heart to help. They will be here for most of the week, with a concentration of efforts for several days. We know we can’t do everything. It will be symbolic that we leave something with the community.”

The couple told of this year’s theme of assistance, which will be mentoring of young people. They want those not blessed to have family members that encourage and uplift them as children to be given hope for their lives in the future. The pastor said, “We all have a responsibility to the next generation.” His wife focused in words of how much those who help another gain by that effort, “The people who are serving are being blessed.” 

Saturday’s rally will be the sixth annual major event held at a huge athletic facility. It is neither accidental nor coincidental that the Osteens are returning to the site of their first event of this magnitude that took place on April 25, 2009 and was the first non-baseball event in the new Yankee Stadium. Osteen explained, “New Yorkers are great people. They respond to hope. We didn’t know if they would accept a message from the South.”

The large crowd that attended the pioneer event signified the acceptance they received from residents of “The Big Apple.” Looking back on that day led Osteen to recently proclaim, “Victoria and I love the people of New York. We’re excited to be at Yankee Stadium again, and we believe people will be uplifted and filled with an expectation that their best days are yet to come.”

The Osteens, unlike many representatives of religions , do not have a sectarian outlook or appeal. They have an outlook and manner that transcends barriers of age, politics, socioeconomic class and race. Their universal appeal has much to do with their positive message, “Our message is about empowering and uplifting. We have much in common. It is about a relationship with God. It’s not formal or religious. People come who may not attend church regularly.”

In addition to the Saturday rally at Yankee Stadium, the Osteens will be at the stadium on Friday afternoon to meet with clergy from all sections of the nation. At that meeting, Ray Negron, a Yankee executive, has been invited to testify regarding how the late owner of the Yankees, George M. Steinbrenner, changed his life. The extremely articulate Negron will be able to impact his listeners with an example the Osteens are trying to impart in all people. 

Tags: Joel Osteen, Yankee Stadium

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Shooting Near Yankee Stadium

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Shooting Near Yankee Stadium: Vendor Guilty in Shooting Near Yankee Stadium, Courthouse BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 6- It was a midday double-shooting that took place not ...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Shooting Near Yankee Stadium

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Shooting Near Yankee Stadium: Vendor Guilty in Shooting Near Yankee Stadium, Courthouse BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 6- It was a midday double-shooting that took place not ...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Shooting Near Yankee Stadium

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Shooting Near Yankee Stadium: Vendor Guilty in Shooting Near Yankee Stadium, Courthouse BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 6- It was a midday double-shooting that took place not ...

Shooting Near Yankee Stadium

Vendor Guilty in Shooting Near Yankee Stadium, Courthouse

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 6- It was a midday double-shooting that took place not only in the shadow of Yankee Stadium, but also the backyard of the very courthouse where defendant Horace Coleman was tried, and is now convicted, of murder and other charges.

Bronx County District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced the verdicts in the five-week-long jury trial: guilty of murder in the second degree, guilty of attempted murder in the second degree, and guilty of two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

On August 23rd, 2012, the streets around E. 161st Street & Gerard Avenue were busy with lunch-hour crowds when street vendor Coleman, age 52 at the time of the incident, drew a fully-loaded Magnum .357 revolver and fired at Clarence Pearson, age 41 and Douglas Watkins, age 60, in a dispute over borrowed money.

Because of the location’s proximity to the Bronx courthouses, four court officers who were in the immediate area gave chase, surrounding Coleman, who had walked a block away across 161st Street. Coleman, dressed in a pinstriped suit and a white fedora, dropped his gun and surrendered.

Pearson succumbed to his injuries two days after the shooting; Watkins, who was also shot in the abdomen, survived and testified at trial

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Susanna Imbo of Trial Bureau A34.

Coleman faces a prison sentence of 25 years-to-life on the murder charge; 25 years on the attempted murder charge, and up to 15 years behind bars on each of the gun charges.

Coleman is being held without bail and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 27th before State Supreme Court Justice William Mogulescu, Part H77.

Tags: Horace Coleman, shooting, Yankee Stadium, Bronx Courthouse

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Masahiro Tanaka, Yankees

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Masahiro Tanaka, Yankees: Tanaka is Only Bright Spot for Yanks By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 6- The Yankees ended their most recent homestand on Thu...

Masahiro Tanaka, Yankees

Tanaka is Only Bright Spot for Yanks

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 6- The Yankees ended their most recent homestand on Thursday afternoon with a 2-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics. The Yankees have achieved a victory in 10 of the 12 games Masahiro Tanaka has started. The win ended a four-game losing streak for the club.

Tanaka is continuing in the month of June what he accomplished during May. Tanaka excelled during his six starts in May. He compiled a record of 5-1 with a miniscule ERA of 1.88. The 25 year-old kept his pinpoint control throughout the previous month by averaging one walk per appearance yet fanning one per inning. His achievements on the mound earned him the award as Pitcher of the Month in the American League. He is the first Yankee rookie hurler to achieve that distinction.

With one out in the first inning on Thursday, Oakland’s catcher John Jaso took the first pitch from Tanaka into the rightfield stands. The home run was the first yielded by the right-hander in more than one month (May 3).

The four bagger did not disturb the Japanese native as he retired the next 10 batters he faced.

With two out in the fourth, he gave up successive singles, but retired the last batter with a strikeout. The first Oakland batter in the next frame singled. With two out, Tanaka walked his only batter of the game. The inning ended with a pop out. In the sixth, Tanaka’s final inning, one batter singled but never reached second.

Tanaka was removed after six. Yankee manager Joe Girardi explained the reasoning, “I think he threw 50 pitches in the last two innings. We felt fatigue had set in and it was time to take him out.”

Although it was his shortest performance in number of innings, Girardi expressed great admiration for how well he pitched, “He never let up and got the big outs he needed. It was a gritty performance on his part. [it was] maybe his biggest performance for us.”

Although Girardi did not want to call Tanaka the ace of the staff, he did so in other words, “He stepped up and kind of assumed that role. He’s going to give you distance, shut down the other team and give you a chance to win.”

Catcher Brian McCann took no credit for the starter’s excellence, “Stuffwise it was all there. He pitched great.”

An example of how Tanaka impressed the opposing batters follows. Rightfielder Stephen Voigt commented, “He stays on the corners. He keeps us off balance. His stuff is so good. “ [Despite Tanaka’s talent] I thought we had good at bats all day.”

Tanka admitted the team he faced for the first time was very difficult, “It was a tough game. They [Athletics] were resilient. They don’t give in.”

The rookie pitcher remained with Steve Rogers of the Montreal Expos as the only two pitchers in more than a century to pitch at least six innings and give up three or fewer runs in their first 12 major league starts.

All Yankees fans eagerly await Tanaka’s next start.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Flying Manhole Cover Kills Driver

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Flying Manhole Cover Kills Driver: Flying Manhole Cover Kills Driver (Photo by David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 5- Police and fire officials were on the s...