Early Pitchers’ Duel Ends with a One‐sided #Yankee Win over #Mets in Final Subway Series Game

Early Pitchers’ Duel Ends with a One‐sided #Yankee Win over #Mets in Final Subway Series Game

By Howard Goldin

QUEENS, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- As they had in the three game Subway Series in April, the Yankees again captured the September version two games to one. As was predicted by many, the three important contests were sold out and a playoff atmosphere was felt throughout the ballpark. Many fans were attired in Yankees pinstripes or the orange and blue of the Mets. Many chanted and cheered for their respective favorite team while traveling on the #7 train or walking toward Citi Field.

The fans of both teams were treated to a true pitchers’ duel for the first five innings. Yankees veteran hurler CC Sabathia, 35, ran into trouble immediately as the first two Mets batters, Ruben Tejada and David Wright doubled. Wright’s double drove in the first and only run Sabathia yielded. He also walked two batters in that frame, but surrendered no additional runs and only three isolated hits in the next five innings he pitched to earn his fifth win of the season.

Sabathia has held opposition batters to a .190 average since his return from the disabled list. He expressed his pleasure since coming back, “To be able to help the team out and try to get wins, just to be healthy enough first of all and to be able to go out and do it, it feels good.”

Mets starter Matt Harvey, 26, was nearly unhittable during his five inning stint. He blanked the Yanks, giving up only an infield single to Brett Gardner in the third. He fanned seven of the 15 Yankees who were retired, throwing 51 strikes of his 77 pitches.

Despite his superlative pitching, as had happened several times previously this season, Harvey was the subject of controversy. After the 11‐2 defeat by the Yankees, many reporters questioned Mets skipper Terry Collins and Harvey regarding the reasons for Harvey’s early departure.

The veteran baseball manager appeared uncomfortable with the situation. He stated Harvey’s removal should not have been a surprise as “everybody knew Matt was going out early’ and was based on pitch count and preparation for the post‐season. It was the second straight start in which Harvey threw 77 pitches or less.

After not having given up a run for the ninth time in his 27 starts, Harvey seemed defensive and stressed his desire to be on the mound, “I want to be out there and pitch for the Mets. The last thing I want to do, especially in a close game like that, is to come out. I’m going to be ready for my next start, whenever it is.” When Harvey will pitch again and for how many innings is not apparent.

Had the Mets pen men not totally faltered, there may have not been a controversy. The Yankees took complete advantage of the Mets secondary relievers, obtaining eight hits, drawing six walks and, most importantly, scoring 11 runs in the final four frames.

The meaningful win of the Yanks coupled again with a Toronto loss cut the Blue Jays American League East lead to 2.5 games. The Yankees, with increased confidence, now travel to Toronto for a crucial three game series before returning to Yankee Stadium on Thursday. The magic number of the Mets to clinch the national League East pennant still remains at eight.

BRONX NEWS: Another District Manager Bites the Dust at CB7

BRONX NEWS: Another District Manager Bites the Dust at CB7: Another District Manager Bites the Dust at CB7 By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Community Board 7 District Manager Dustin ...

Another District Manager Bites the Dust at CB7

Another District Manager Bites the Dust at CB7

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Community Board 7 District Manager Dustin Engelken announced during the District Manager's report that he will be leaving his position as District manager as of October 10th, thus giving CB 7 three weeks notice. 

Engelken would only say it was personal reasons. He said that his wife has accepted a job offer in Germany, and that he would be moving there with her. 

Engelken was chosen as the new DM of CB 7 at the May 2014 board meeting. He now becomes the third District Manager in as many years to leave CB 7. Tom Lucania of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz's office will assume the duties of the District Manager until the board finds a replacement once again. There is speculation that Ms. Iashia Bravo may become the next District Manager of CB 7.

Not withstanding the reappearance of Iashia Bravo (who was the Housing Chair of CB 7 very briefly before she resigned from CB 7) there was speculation about her reappointment to CB7. Ms. Bravo said that she might be seeking to run for the 78th Assembly District seat next year, but there could be another position she may be going for now that she was replaced by the Assemblyman Marcos Crespo the new Bronx Democratic County Leader as Executive Director of the BDCC that opened up as the meeting went on. 

#Community Board 7 #Politics 

BRONX NEWS: Who Really Won #SubwaySeries: Scott Boras

BRONX NEWS: Who Really Won #SubwaySeries: Scott Boras: Who Really Won #SubwaySeries: Scott Boras  #Yankees get the win and Boras won Harvey #Mets innings battle. By Rich Mancuso  QUEENS, NEW Y...

Who Really Won #SubwaySeries: Scott Boras

Who Really Won #SubwaySeries: Scott Boras 

#Yankees get the win and Boras won Harvey #Mets innings battle.

By Rich Mancuso 

QUEENS, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- The New York Mets may have lost a series finale game to their crosstown rival Yankees Sunday night at Citi Field, but the real winner was agent Scott Boras who won the first round battle of an innings limit pertaining to his client Matt Harvey. And there could be more of a battle ahead with the Mets and Boras if these Harvey rules proceed as planned.

For the moment the Mets are in control of their own destiny with a six-game lead over the Washington Nationals with 13 games remaining and playing sub .500 teams with a schedule in their favor. The magic number to clinch the NL East remained at eight after a 11-2 loss to the Yankees, and chances are it will dwindle with the 60-90 Atlanta Braves and three games next for the Mets.

But the Harvey innings debate will continue because his five innings pitched, an infield hit and no runs allowed were outstanding. Harvey the competitor did not want to be lifted after throwing 77 pitches, and manager Terry Collins would have preferred to keep him on the mound with the Mets holding a 1-0 lead.

And nine pitches later, the Yankees got to the Mets bullpen and quickly had a five-run sixth inning. So for round one of this Harvey innings limit, Scott Boras won the battle. Take it as a loss that the Mets can afford. However circumstances would be different if their lead over the Nationals was a game or two.

Or if this was a postseason game, where the Mets are expected to be next month, would Harvey and that precious arm that Boras deems as important to his assets, gone another two innings? That is a matter of discussion for another time and the outcome of another Harvey start will in all probability lead to more questions.

Certainly this has become a predicament for the manager who would rather be planning a possible postseason rotation. But the rules appear to have been implemented and it certainly seemed that Harvey was in control with a 97 mile fastball, a nasty changeup and all done on 12 days rest.

The team on the other side needed this win more than the Mets.  Suddenly a three-game series for the Yankees starting Monday night up in Toronto looms as the significant series of the season because the Toronto Blue Jays lead in the AL East has dwindled to 2-½ games. And the Yankees have their ace back, because CC Sabathia with a knee brace had his third respectable start tossing six innings of five hit ball and allowing one run.

But Boras also won this battle Sunday night, though the Yankees bats feasted on a Mets bullpen that did not have it because the Matt Harvey innings rules were in place. There is a perspective that Harvey would rather not have it this way, and of course every Mets fan in the house would not have it this way either.

In the end it is always about the well being of Matt Harvey and the Mets going with the plan. Boras is the winner as Harvey goes with the plan, and he has no say in the matter. Saying the wrong thing obviously goes against the wishes of Boras and if this was a boxing match, Boras right now would win by unanimous decision.

“My job is to get ready,” Harvey said. “Whenever they call me to pitch, I will be ready for that. Tonight I wanted to be out there more than anything. The last thing I want to do is not play and not pitch.” 

Don’t bypass that this interleague rivalry had significant meaning again because over 130,000 fans attended the three games that set a Citi Field series record. The Yankees got a reprieve when Harvey left the game and getting around the question, the first preference for Collins was to allow Harvey to continue.

Collins is old school and got around the question. He does not agree with these Harvey rules, and has to go with the plan. Don’t forget this is a manager who at one time in previous tenures would have been more outspoken.

“You either adjust to it or you get out,” he said about the rules he needs to respect. “So I’m going to adjust to it. I might get out of here pretty soon, but I’m going to adjust to it for now.” Harvey had struck out seven Yankees in the five innings. 

But the Boras battle made that preference go the other way. Errors by Daniel Murphy and David Wright also contributed to the Yankees big inning and Carlos Beltran, who has come up in big games for the Yankees had a two-run double off Hansel Robles that put his team in the lead, and a three-run Dustin Ackley home run also contributed to the damage. 

Ackley and the Yankees were aware that Harvey was throwing well. “We couldn’t really string anything together,” Ackley said. “And yeah, when he (Harvey) did come out we got some guys on base. We knew that was a good chance to really make something happen and we just continued to roll pretty much the rest of the game and didn’t hold back at all.”

Harvey was repetitive and made his case. More than once he said, “I’m getting ready for every start.” But Boras had to hear Harvey’s plea as to why he stays prepared, and with 176 ⅔ innings he is close to tying a career high in innings pitched, but the postseason is what every position player and pitcher wants.

“The last thing I want to do is not play and not pitch especially in the postseason,” Harvey said. “That’s where everybody wants to play and everybody wants to pitch and that’s never changed for me one bit. That’s always been on my mind. I always want to be out there.”

Yes, Scott Boras won the first battle and the Mets lost a game because of the innings limit. But Boras may not have an answer to what Collins said after the loss about how difficult it was to take Harvey out of the game after letting him bat in the fourth inning with a runner in scoring position.

“It was the perfect storm,” Collins said. “You couldn’t have set it up any worse than it was.” Round one for Scott Boras in this battle of the innings watch and the next one could be more interesting as the Mets try to reduce that magic number.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  Twitter@Ring786 Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso

#Yankees #Mets #SubwaySeries #MattHarvey #ScottBoras 

BRONX NEWS: Playoff Hopes Alive for #NYCFC

BRONX NEWS: Playoff Hopes Alive for #NYCFC: #NYCFC Playoff Dreams a Still Alive By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- NYCFC returned to Yankee Stadium on Saturday night with t...

Playoff Hopes Alive for #NYCFC

#NYCFC Playoff Dreams a Still Alive



By Howard Goldin



BRONX, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- NYCFC returned to Yankee Stadium on Saturday night with the hope of advancing to playoff qualification when the regular season ends. NYC (9-14-7) was successful as it won its second consecutive match, both at home. The 3-2 victory over the San Jose Earhquakes (11-12-7) raised the New Yorkers to 34 points. The six points gained in the last two contests moved them into position for a playoff berth.



Two potential difficulties must be overcome for playoff qualification to become a reality when the regular season closes in five weeks. NYC must fare well on the road as three of their final four contests will not be played at home. The other potential problem is that several of the teams battling NYC for a playoff position have more matches remaining in which they can compile points than does NYC.











The star of Saturday’s contest, Ned Grabavoy, correctly remarked, “We can only control ourselves.”



Neither team in Saturday’s contest scored in the first half, but five goals were scored in the second 45 minutes. NYC coach Jason Kreis stated what he believed was the reason for the second half spurt in scoring, “Both teams were dead set in getting those three points [for a win].”



The veteran Grabavoy, now in his 12th season in the MLS, scored the first goal of the game with an assist from David Villa in the 51st minute. Twelve minutes later, Frank Lampard passed to Grabavoy who scored his second goal on a header.



The final NYC goal was headed into the net by team captain Villa on an assist by 18-year-old Angelino, a fellow Spaniard and Grabavoy. Villa is one of the leading scorers in the MLS with 16 goals and eight assists.



The Earthquakes began the match just one point below the playoff qualifying line in the Western Conference. They made a herculean effort in the final 20 minutes to gain additional points, but fell short. This was their fourth straight winless contest.



English superstar Lampard gave an insightful and realistic look at the last few weeks of the 2015 season, “All that matters is wining at this point. We can try to win all the games. If it’s not enough, we can hold our heads high.”



#NYCFC #Soccer #YankeeStadium

BRONX NEWS: #Yanks Shut Out #Mets, 5-0

BRONX NEWS: #Yanks Shut Out #Mets, 5-0: #Yanks Shut Out #Mets, 5-0 By Howard Goldin QUEENS, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- The second Subway Series game on Saturday afternoon was an exact ...

#Yanks Shut Out #Mets, 5-0

#Yanks Shut Out #Mets, 5-0

By Howard Goldin

QUEENS, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- The second Subway Series game on Saturday afternoon was an exact opposite in the circumstances of the previous evening’s contest. The Yankees, with a combination of home runs and excellent pitching, defeated the Mets, 5-0.

The victory of the Yanks and Toronto’s loss cut the lead of the Blue Jays to 3.5 games with 15 games remaining. The Yanks still retain the lead for the first Wild Card spot in the American League over Houston. The loss for the Mets only delayed the date of their clinching the pennant in the National League East as their winning it is inevitable.





The Yanks wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard as the first three batters in the games scored. Jacoby Ellsbury led off the game with a single. The next batter, Brett Gardner, follows with another single. On a  2-2 pitch, Carlos Beltran cleared the bases with his 16th home run of the season, his 389th of his illustrious major league career. The veteran outfielder described the circumstances of the at bat, “He [Syndergaard] threw me a pitch [fastball] in the strike zone and I was able to get the bat on it.”

The native of Puerto Rico does not view himself as a home run hitter, but sees his role in the following words, “Right now, my job is to help this team win ballgames.” He has been successfully doing just that as he has batted safely in 37 of his most recent 42 games. During that stretch, he has batted .315 (47 FOR 1490 and driven in 23 runs.

The first inning has been the inning of choice for the Yankees to score runs as the Bronx Bombers have scored more runs in that frame than any other major league team as scored in any single inning.

Yankee catcher Brian McCann was responsible for the only other runs score as he drove in Beltran, who had singled in the sixth, with his 26th home run, a career single season high. He leads all catchers I the majors in home runs.

The five runs were more than necessary as Yankee pitchers shut out the Mets in their third of the last four games they played at Citi field.

BRONX NEWS: Subway Series Game two: Vastly different for #Yank...

BRONX NEWS: Subway Series Game two: Vastly different for #Yank...: Subway Series Game two: Vastly different for #Yankees By Rich Mancuso QUEENS, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- At this juncture of the Subway Series i...

Subway Series Game two: Vastly different for #Yankees

Subway Series Game two: Vastly different for #Yankees

By Rich Mancuso

QUEENS, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- At this juncture of the Subway Series it is more important that the Yankees win these games in September because every win still leaves that slim chance of catching the Blue Jays for the AL east division title. And the Mets are only looking at another win to decrease that magic number and prepare for their first postseason in nine years.

Friday night it went the right way for the Mets. And because baseball is a game that is played everyday, Saturday afternoon at Citi Field it went the Yankees way as they used their formula of pitching and the home run ball in a 5-0 shutout over their crosstown rivals.

Yes it was a vastly different game for the Yankees, and they did not have to come from behind as they tried and failed to do the night before when Masahiro Tanaka gave up the home run ball. The Mets, a team with 39 come from behind wins could not overcome an early deficit and Yankees manager Joe Girardi got a win using a starting pitcher and six other arms out of the bullpen.

With a rubber game set for Sunday night, and with so few games left to play, this once meaningless series that is meant more for for the fans, has another significant game to be played. And a win for either the Mets or Yankees has more meaning than bragging rights as to who is the best.

Because there is a magic number that needs to be reached for the Mets and because the Yankees with 14 games left to play have hopes of still chasing Toronto for first place,bragging rights is not the agenda this September.

As for Girardi, lifting his starter Michael Pineda with one out in the sixth inning with two on base, this game was vastly different. Pineda was throwing scoreless ball at that point, but every game is important and going to the bullpen meant how important it was to get this win.

Even going as far as using his setup man Dellin Betances and the closer Andrew Miller, that was how important this was and different. Logic would say with a 5-0 lead that using key components of the pen in this game was not necessary. But Girardi plays the percentages with full knowledge that the Mets are that comeback type of team.

“We’ve got to win ballgames,” Brian McCann said. “That’s the mindset.” McCann hit one of two home runs off Mets’ starter Noah Syndergaard in the sixth inning with two on, his 26th that leads all catchers in the major leagues. It also extended that Yankees lead to 5-0. Carlos Beltran hit a three run homer off Syndergaard in the first inning, his 16th and 389th of his career.

The mindset to McCann and the Yankees is to win as many as they can. Three games remain with the Blue Jays beginning Monday night up in Toronto so one can understand the logic of making sure to get this win. And the Yankees hope to remain in distance, all of course depending on what happens Sunday, because if the Blue Jays lose and the Yankees take the finale, the deficit is 3-½ games.

The Girardi strategy worked. After Justin Wilson walked Daniel Murphy to load the bases he struck out David Wright, and Juan Uribe who pinched hit for a suddenly hot Lucas Duda, and that started a string of seven straight Mets going down by strikeout of which four came from Wilson.

A bullpen that may have been prematurely taxed? They did not give up a hit until a pair of them in the ninth off Chris Martin. Going that extra mile and using Miller to get the final out, could have some significance Sunday night and with those three games up in Toronto.

“My hope was I didn’t have to use him” Girardi said about deploying Miller. “This was a game you can’t afford to give away.”  So getting this win was different, but it is September baseball and managers with expanded rosters have that liberty of having more than enough arms in the pen.

Now it is up to CC Sabathia to give the Yankees some distance in the finale of this series. And if Sabathia and that knee brace cooperate, and if the Yankees use the home run ball that they are made for, there will be no questions about the strategy that Girardi used Saturday that made this game different.

They may get that opportunity if Matt Harvey rules apply. They could see 70 pitches or five innings from Harvey, but Mets manager Terry Collins said, “There is no pitch count. He’s not going deep in the game. He’s Matt Harvey I always feel good when he’s pitching.”

That is not a case for Girardi to be concerned about. His main concern is getting the wins, after all this is September and going to the big dance in October.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  Twitter@Ring786   Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso

#Yankees #Mets #SubwaySeries

BRONX NEWS: Early Decisions Derail #Yankees in #SubwaySeries

BRONX NEWS: Early Decisions Derail #Yankees in #SubwaySeries: Early Decisions Derail #Yankees in #SubwaySeries #Mets Dominate Quiet Bombers By Howard Goldin QUEENS, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- The reward for ...

Early Decisions Derail #Yankees in #SubwaySeries

Early Decisions Derail #Yankees in #SubwaySeries

#Mets Dominate Quiet Bombers

By Howard Goldin

QUEENS, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- The reward for the victor of Friday night’s Subway series contest at Citi Field was far more important than bragging rights. The Mets, victorious over the Yankees, 5‐1, raised their lead over the second place Washington Nationals to nine games in the National League East with 15 games remaining and cut the magic number to clinching their first pennant in a decade (2006) to eight.

The defeat of the Yanks cost far more than embarrassment as they fell to 4.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East, the largest deficit for them in the 2015 season.

On July 31, the Mets had a mark of 53‐50, trailed the Nationals by two games. The Yanks were in first place with a six-game lead and their season record was 58‐44. Since that date, the Mets have compiled a record of 31‐13, 17 of those victories have been comeback and the Mets have also tied the Blue Jays for the major league lead with 72 home runs. On the other hand, the Yanks have only played .500 ball (22‐22).

The difference in success between the two clubs can be traced in large part to unexpected decisions made by the management of each prior to the trading deadline, July 31. The reputation of the Mets ownership for not spending large amounts of money to acquire top talent from other teams or calling up their young and talented hurlers from their minor league system earlier than planned have been disregarded this year by general manager Sandy Alderson once a decision was made that a pennant was within reach in 2015. The Yankees also changed from their recent free spending methods in order to obtain a championship each season by making no major moves this year.

The result of Friday’s contest was a reflection of those earlier decisions. Steven Matz, in only his fifth start in the majors, gave up a run in the first, but held the Yanks scoreless in the next five frames to raise his record to 4‐0. His skipper, Terry Collins, remarked, “He was really impressive. He settled down [and] gave us six innings.”

Newcomer to the Mets, Yoenes Cespedes, has been carrying the team since his first game on August 1, but was hitless on Friday. Collins commented, “As good as Yo has been, it’s going to take a lot more than one guy to win games.” The home run was decisive from some of the other guys. Lucas Duda and Daniel Murphy hit solo home runs off Masahiro Tanaka and veteran infielder Juan Uribe, another July acquisition, hit a two run homer in the seventh. 

Collins praised his importance to the team, “This guy is a big time player. Not only has he been a terrific guy in the clubhouse [but] he’s gotten big hits for us.”

Big hits were something the Yankees lacked without Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez and Brian McCann in the starting lineup. The Yanks left 10 runners on base while only going 2 for 8 with RISP in their 25th one run scoring game this season.

#Yankees #Mets #SubwaySeries #Tanaka #Yoenes Cespedes

BRONX DA EN BUSCA DE NOMBRAMIENTOS JUDICIALES

BRONX NEWS: BRONX D.A. SEEKING JUDICIAL NOMINATION: BRONX D.A. SEEKING JUDICIAL NOMINATION BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)-  -- Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson announces that, today, h...

BRONX NEWS: BRONX D.A. SEEKING JUDICIAL NOMINATION

BRONX NEWS: BRONX D.A. SEEKING JUDICIAL NOMINATION: U BRONX D.A. SEEKING JUDICIAL NOMINATION BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)-  -- Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson announces that, today, he...

BRONX D.A. SEEKING JUDICIAL NOMINATION

BRONX D.A. SEEKING JUDICIAL NOMINATION

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)-  -- Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson announces that, today, he informed his staff he has now requested that Bronx County Democratic Chairman Marcos Crespo support his nomination for a  position as a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court.

Johnson said, "This spring, I did what I have done every four years, which was to submit my name for re-election to continue in the role of District Attorney for another term.  And once again, the Bronx Democratic Party, as well as the Republican and Conservative Parties, bestowed upon me their nomination to serve as District Attorney for another term.

“I have gained tremendous satisfaction from working with this Office and all its staff to provide justice and fairness for the people of The Bronx.  However, after 42 years of public service, including the U.S. Navy, The Legal Aid Society, as a Bronx Assistant District Attorney, as a Criminal Court Judge, and as the D.A. for the past 27 years, after much inner reflection, I have concluded that I would like to serve in another capacity. It is time for change in my life. The judicial position will allow me to make  a career move that provides the change that I seek without giving up public service.

“Contrary to what has been reported, no one, including anyone associated with the Bronx Democratic Party, has ever offered me another position, nor has anyone asked me to step down or retire as the District Attorney. I have, over the years, enjoyed their full faith and support both personally and through many electoral processes.

“I understand that this position cannot be offered to me prior to the Judicial Convention on Thursday, September 24th. I would not make that presumption. In fact, having gone to the Convention in 1987 as the candidate of the then County Chairman and coming out without the nomination, I understand the process better than most. I realize that the decision rests solely with the Judicial Delegates.

“Should I not be granted the nomination, I will stand for reelection in November to the position of District Attorney in order to continue to serve the people of the Bronx, a job that I love.  It is a position that allows me to secure justice for Bronx residents and the people of New York.

“I will be making no further comment on this subject."

#BronxDA #Robert t. Johnson

Él víctima estrangulada Huracán Sandy

BRONX NEWS: He Strangled Hurricane Sandy Victim: He Strangled Hurricane Sandy Victim Man Sentenced for Killing Nurse BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Nurse Madonna Martin survived Hurricane S...

Esperanza para la visita del Papa

BRONX NEWS: Hope for Pope's Visit: Pope’s visit to New York Viewed as uplifting occasion  By Michael Horowitz      BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Most Bronx reside...

BRONX NEWS: A Meaningful Subway Series Begins

BRONX NEWS: A Meaningful Subway Series Begins: A Meaningful Subway Series Begins #Yankees vs. #Mets By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- This weekend should see sell‐out ...

A Meaningful Subway Series Begins

A Meaningful Subway Series Begins

#Yankees vs. #Mets

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- This weekend should see sell‐out crowds and great excitement at Citi Field as the Mets and Yanks meet for a very meaningful three game series. It is the most important Subway Series other than when the two teams met in the 2000 World Series. This one counts for much more than bragging rights.

Both teams are currently good bets to play after the 2015 regular season concludes. Thus, the games being played two weeks before that season ends are very crucial to each team. 

Unless there is a complete collapse on the part of the Mets, it will only be a matter of time before the Amazins clinch the pennant in the National League East for the first time since 2006. Yet, they are coming off a two-game losing streak to the Marlins at their home field, which has been a downer to its fans and personnel. A good showing against their crosstown rivals will not only increase the energy level and confidence, but will assist them in clinching the pennant earlier. Thus, they can better prepare the team for its postseason contests.

Mets skipper Terry Collins recently spoke of the importance of the series with the Yanks, “We’re playing for something big and they’re also. There will be a big crowd, a lot of noise and we have to go out and play...I think we will be excited.”

Although the Yankees seem a sure bet to be a Wild Card winner, that will place them in a must win game against Houston or Texas before qualifying for the American League Division Series. Obviously, capturing the pennant of the American League East would be far more preferable. They are currently trailing the first place Toronto Blue Jays by three games. Thus, it is extremely important for the Yankees to win as many of the games remaining. Winning at least two of the three contests this weekend should raise the confidence of the team before they travel to Toronto on Monday for a three game series with the Blue Jays.

The veteran player who had become the Yankees leader, Alex Rodriguez, expressed enthusiasm of the forthcoming contests with the Mets, “It means everything. NY’s the capital of the baseball world, and to have both teams playing so well and being so relevant, I think it’s an especially important series.”

#Subway Series #Yankees #Mets

BRONX NEWS: He Strangled Hurricane Sandy Victim

BRONX NEWS: He Strangled Hurricane Sandy Victim: He Strangled Hurricane Sandy Victim Man Sentenced for Killing Nurse BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Nurse Madonna Martin survived Hurricane S...

He Strangled Hurricane Sandy Victim

He Strangled Hurricane Sandy Victim

Man Sentenced for Killing Nurse

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Nurse Madonna Martin survived Hurricane Sandy, even though her Far Rockaway, Queens apartment was devastated by the November 2012 storm. But she would barely make it past Thanksgiving – killed not by an Act of God – but an act of a co-worker, Richard Bloomfield, who offered up a room in the Mott Haven home he shared with his mother, only to strangle Martin to death fewer than five days after she took him up on that offer.

Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson announces that, following a plea of guilty to manslaughter in the first degree, the 43-year-old Bloomfield has been sentenced by Supreme Court Justice Denis Boyle to 21-and-a-half years in prison followed by five years post-release supervision and a waiver of his right to appeal.

Bloomfield was a dialysis tech who worked with the 22-year-old nurse at the Columbia-Presbyterian dialysis center, and he had a bit of a crush on her. But she lived with her boyfriend in that Far Rockaway apartment, and when Sandy swamped it, she camped out in her boyfriend’s office for a couple of weeks. But when he moved to Florida for a new job and where she was to soon join him, Madonna Martin was temporarily homeless – and Bloomfield made his kind offer.

On November 19^th, Martin moved in to the extra room in the private house the defendant shared with his mom, at 635 Fox Street. But she would live there less than a week. On November 23^rd, Madonna Martin packed up her belongings, ready to move out the next day to join her boyfriend, but Bloomfield figured that if he couldn’t have her, no one could – and he strangled her to death in the wee hours of the morning, just hours before she was going to leave for Florida.

But it got more bizarre. Bloomfield dragged Martin’s dead body into her car. He stuffed all her clothing and belongings in as well, and took off. A mile-and-a-half away, at Bruckner Boulevard and Brook Avenue, he found a dumpster and tossed in all of his victim’s belongings. Then he maneuvered his victim’s dead body into the driver’s seat. And he waited. Hours later, he called 911.

When police and EMTs responded to the scene, he admitted what he’d done, telling them, “I killed my friend. I killed my friend.” And when police went to his apartment and met his mom, she handed them her son’s handwritten note. It was an apology for killing Madonna Martin.

Two family members of Madonna “Donna” Martin read victim impact statements in court. Maricris Etnel described her sister and the impact of her death: “Donna chose to see the good in everyone and trustingly expected them to have her best interest at heart. Instead Richard Bloomfield had ulterior motives when he exploited her innocent and selfless nature by offering a room to rent. Donna’s trusting personality was taken advantage of as she fell victim to the actions of a methodical and malicious man.

“This shocking experience caused my family such an unimaginable pain, heartaches and anguish. Our holidays, birthdays, and seasonal activities will never be the same. Especially Thanksgiving because the anniversary of Donna’s death lies so closely.”

Madonna Martin’s brother-in-law, Gillie Etnel, added:  “Madonna had choices in her life, but she chose the right path. She chose to stay away from clubs and bars, and she chose not to drink and smoke. Instead, she chose to dedicate her life helping and saving lives by becoming a nurse. This career she chose gave meaning to her life because she loved it, and she was excellent in this field. Madonna had a bright future ahead of her, and the defendant chose to take her life in which he does not own.”

Mario Perez, the boyfriend who was just a day away from spending the rest of his life with the victim, also spoke to the defendant and the Court: “Madonna showed me how to enjoy life.  After the hurricane, we lived at my job.

               

Perez described how he went down to Florida to his new job and how Martin was to join him right after: “Five days she was out of my sight – and that’s all it took for this man to kill her…No time will ever replace the time I would have had with her.”

Addressing Bloomfield, Perez concluded, “You took pure joy from this world.”

#Hurricane Sandy #Strangled #BronxDA #Richard Bloomfield

BRONX NEWS: Hope for Pope's Visit

BRONX NEWS: Hope for Pope's Visit: Pope’s visit to New York Viewed as uplifting occasion  By Michael Horowitz      BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Most Bronx resident...

Hope for Pope's Visit

Pope’s visit to New York

Viewed as uplifting occasion 

By Michael Horowitz

    

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Most Bronx residents seem to be looking forward to Pope Francis II’s visit to New York City next week, viewing it as an uplifting occasion in a world that is in desperate need of the spirituality that he exudes.

Sylvia Greenebaum explained, “The Pope is a wonderful man who is reaching people all over the world. He’s a wonderful man who takes an interest in the average person.”

Ted Jefferson added, “The Pope’s visit is a blessing that we need very badly. I’m a Christian, and the Pope is a great man of God, and it is inspiring that he is coming to New York. There is so much killing in our world, and there is an evil spirit that seems to be involved in everything. We all need to see someone like the Pope because we have every reason to appreciate who he is.”

Juliette Owusu, with her young children, Elijah and Elizabeth in tow, stressed, “The Pope’s visit is a great opportunity for everyone who believes in Christ. He is an icon who is having a big and positive influence on the world. He commands our respect.”

Carmen Kalmanowicz, who was raised as a Roman Catholic, emphasized, “I like the fact that the current Pope is expressing a more modern brand of religion than other popes have. A lot of people love him, and so do I. I would love to talk to him during his visit to New York City. I like the fact that he, like I, is not focused on Catholicism alone. He’s a man of the church who is reaching out to Catholics, as well as people who have religious beliefs that are different from his.” 

Susan Wilson added, “I think that it’s good that the Pope is coming to New York. It’s important that he come to see the city, and I’d love to see him if I could."

Sylvia Samuel, echoing the sentiments of other Co-op City shareholders, emphasized, “We need to see the Pope. He’s a spiritual person, and I feel his spirit in very positive ways. I feel his positive energy whenever I see him on TV.”

Expressing a minority view among Co-op City shareholders, Kimberly Brown said that the Pope’s visit to New York City means nothing to her. 

#Pope Francis #Papal Visit 

BRONX NEWS: Despite Hype Ice Rink Sits Unused

BRONX NEWS: Despite Hype Ice Rink Sits Unused: Despite Hype Ice Rink Sits Unused What to Do With An Empty Ice Rink? Riverdale Report By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK (BRON...

Despite Hype Ice Rink Sits Unused

Despite Hype Ice Rink Sits Unused

What to Do With An Empty Ice Rink?

Riverdale Report

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- It seems that after Mayor Bloomberg had to have an ice skating rink in Van Cortlandt Park, the space is now empty, and becoming an eyesore to the community. 

I am talking about the old unused tennis court that sits on Broadway just south of the end of the # 1 Subway line. Over 3 years ago Mayor Bloomberg had the Parks Department put out a Request For Proposal to have an Ice Skating Rink be put in the unused tennis court on Broadway. The RFP was sent out, and a contract was drawn up with the vendor and the city. It was for 15 years with an increasing scale of fees to be paid to the city after the first two free years of the contract.

Ice Rinks Inc. which has other ice skating rinks in city parks was the vendor, and for the first year of operation of the Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink everything seemed to be going well. In the second year of operation was where things seemed to fall apart. It was a rather warmer winter, and the equipment that Ice Rinks Inc. had put in seemed to be having problems. The ice was soft at times, and the rink could not be used. This led to a decline in attendance and in revenue for Ice Rinks Inc. The rink was shut down more than two weeks before its scheduled closing as the chillers were no longer effectively making the ice hard. Ice Rinks Inc. was unsure if they could return the next year as new chillers would have to be installed, and that was going to cost to much money to be profitable. It seemed that the vendor wanted to redo the contract that gave them two free years of operation, so they could continue rent free.

The result was that Ice Rink Inc. pulled out of the contract with the city, and the city and community were back to having an eyesore of an empty area that now had permanent electrical equipment, and other permanent large metal casings so tennis was no longer an option for this space in Van Cortlandt Park. That was over a year ago, and looks like it will be permanent since the Kingsbridge National Ice Center in the nearby Kingsbridge Armory will become a reality.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and Councilman Andrew Cohen have come up with an idea for the unusable tennis area on Broadway. The four elected officials want to have a weekend market similar to the one that is currently in Bryant Park, which by the way Bryant park also has an ice skating rink that is very successful. You can go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com to see the letter that the four elected officials have sent to NYC Parks Commissioner Michael Silver requesting that this eyesore of an area in Van Cortlandt park be transformed into a marketplace such as is in Bryant Park in Manhattan.

This Sunday is the North Riverdale Block Festival sponsored by the North Riverdale Merchants Association and KRVC. Riverdale Avenue between West 258^th and West 259^th Street will be closed to traffic with the exception of a lane for emergency vehicles and regularly scheduled buses that will be running on a Sunday schedule. The event will run from 12 – 4 PM -, and will feature live music all day, clowns, face painting, many more children s activities, and also pony rides.

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: New Police Capt. Leans Towards Body Cameras,

BRONX NEWS: New Police Capt. Leans Towards Body Cameras,: New Police Capt. Leans Towards Body Cameras, Backs Putting Cops Back on the Beat By Michael Horowitz BRONX, NEW YORK, (BRONX NEWS)- The ne...

New Police Capt. Leans Towards Body Cameras,

New Police Capt. Leans Towards Body Cameras,

Backs Putting Cops Back on the Beat

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, (BRONX NEWS)- The new captain of the 45th Police Precinct said that she is leaning toward supporting body cameras for the city’s police officers.

Capt. Danielle Raia said that her inclination is to support having police officers videotape their encounters with potential criminals, but that the idea needs further study before it is implemented in New York City.

The new commanding officer for the 45th Precinct stressed that she was expressing her personal views on the issue of body camera for police officers, rather than an initiative that the NYPD is currently planning to implement.

“I can see the pros and cons on this issue,” Capt. Raia stressed. “What I’m really saying is that the issue needs further study, but that body camera have considerable merit even though there could be some problems with the use of the body cameras.”

Those in the NYPD who support body cameras for police officers have contended that they would help to eliminate confusion over whether an officer may have used excessive force or acted inappropriately while doing his or her job.

Those opposed to the body cameras have argued that photographing encounters with police could lead to misinterpretations and differing views in police encounters even though the cameras are supposed to lead to factually based recordings.

Those opposed to the body cameras have also contended that they would inhibit police work by appearing to tie the hands of patrol officers.

The commanding officer of the 45th Precinct counts herself as among NYPD Commissioner William Bratton’s biggest boosters. Raia said that she especially approved of Bratton’s efforts to open up lines of communication between NYPD officers and the people who live and work in the city’s neighborhoods.

Bratton has indicated, in recent weeks that he wants to bring back something like the Neighborhood Police Teams from the 1970s. The focus of this thrust was for officers to walk beats in the communities and get to know the people in the city’s neighborhoods and the crime­ related concerns that these neighborhoods confronted.

“As I understand it, the new community ­policing thrust will not focus on police officers walking beats, but it will focus on officers interacting with people in community in an effort to develop intelligence and gain a better understanding of the issues that are important to the people in communities who we serve,” Capt. Raia noted.

The commanding officer of the 45th Precinct stressed that pilot programs emphasizing community policing are being developed in anticipation of their rollout in the not­-too-­distant future.

“We, at the 45th Precinct, will not have one of the pilot programs, but I’m very interested in seeing how they work out,” Capt. Raia noted. “The whole idea of community policing is a good one, but it needs a bit more study within the context of today’s world.”

#Police #BodyCameras #NYPD #Bronx

BRONX NEWS: Baby Faced Wanna-Be Rapist Sought by NYPD

BRONX NEWS: Baby Faced Wanna-Be Rapist Sought by NYPD: CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Baby Faced Wanna-Be Rapist Sought by NYPD By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Police released video of a bab...

Baby Faced Wanna-Be Rapist Sought by NYPD

CAUGHT ON CAMERA:

Baby Faced Wanna-Be Rapist Sought by NYPD

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Police released video of a baby-faced suspect they said choked out and almost raped a woman in Morris Heights.

Cops say a 27-year-old woman was attacked at around 11:30 on September 16. The suspect followed behind the woman as she entered her apartment on Andrews Avenue. When they reached the fourth floor landing, the suspect pounced. He choked the woman to the ground and kissed her on the lips. He then began fondling the victim over her clothing and pulled her hair. The attacker then fled.

Police released video from a nearby super market and the image is unnerving. The suspect’s frame and demeanor makes him appear to be a young teenager. Cops say the would-be rapist is between the ages of 14 and 20. He is 5 foot 7 with a medium build and a Caesar haircut. He was last seen wearing a red t-shirt, black shorts with a white stripe, and black Nike sneakers with a white Nike symbol.

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls are confidential.

#Rapist #NYPD #Morris Heights

BRONX NEWS: Drug Gang’s Facebook Rap Recruited Youngsters

BRONX NEWS: Drug Gang’s Facebook Rap Recruited Youngsters: Drug Gang’s Facebook Rap Recruited Youngsters BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- District Attorney Robert Johnson announced the unsealing of a 9...