Farewell to Yogi

Farewell to Yogi

Yogi Berra: An icon to many on both sides of town

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- Prior to the first pitch at Citi Field Wednesday night the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves paused for a moment of silence in honor of Yogi Berra who passed away Tuesday evening at the age of 90. The Yankees, where Berra is most remembered for his Hall of Fame career as a player, coach, and manager will have a pre game tribute in the Bronx prior to their game Thursday evening against the White Sox.

And for those who recall, Berra was also a major part of history with the crosstown Mets as a player, coach, and manager. He is one of seven managers to lead both American and National League teams to the World Series. And will we ever see a player again appear in 21 World Series and win 13 titles?

Maybe not, because as much as there are the superstars in the sport today there may never be another Yogi Berra. He was that special breed of a ballplayer that comes around and it was also the passion on the field and off that also made him so loved and remembered.

And Number “8” is being remembered as an icon who was humble, humorous, and he had that attribute as possibly being the best catcher who played the game. The records speak volumes as an  18-time All-Star and a 10-time World Series champion as a player with a career batting average of .265.

And there is that distinction as the only manager to guide the Yankees and Mets to a seventh and deciding game of the World Series, and one of only five players to to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award three times. The Baseball Hall of Fame up in Cooperstown opened the doors to Berra in 1972.

A year later, Berra, as manager of the Mets took over a team that was not expected to take the mighty Oakland Athletics to that seventh and final game of the Fall Classic. Success seemed to follow Berra, and even the astute and loyal Yankees fans at that time jumped on the bandwagon.  

So why would the arch rival fans of the Mets root for Yogi, who was now on the other side of town? One of his great slogans, and Berra had more than one that is classified as the best was: “It’s deja vu all over again.” 

And it was the way Berra would conduct business by having an answer, many that are a part of baseball history and can be heard on a daily basis. It was Yogi Berra at his best, and put those slogans and statistics in one package and it did not get any better.

“I don’t think you will ever see a player have the success that Yogi had,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said prior to the Yankees-Blue Jays game up in Toronto Wednesday night. “The closest we have seen in sports today is Michael Jordan, is the six in eight years but it is not going to happen.”

Girardi added, “I always thought I was talking to my grandfather. I just felt comfortable. I almost felt like he was going to pull something out of his pocket like a piece of licorice and all that sort of thing. It was always a joy to be around him.”

There was more than Girardi looking at Berra as a grandfather type. There was that respect of knowing what it meant to be classified in the same category with Berra of Yankees history of being one of the managers who guided the organization to 27 world championships.

Berra was also the icon to those who work at the ballpark. From the ticket takers, to the ushers, and the vendors, Yogi Berra was always a Yankee but also a Met. The hollow ground of Yankee Stadium, and the magic of the Mets at Shea Stadium was also where some of the stadium workers saw Berra do his work as the player, coach and manager.

“He was a great Yankee, a great catcher and a great man,” said Stan. The longtime stadium usher of 54-years  who saw Berra at Dodgers Stadium, the Polo Grounds, Shea and Yankee Stadium had a similar sentiment of loss when reflecting about the life of Yogi Berra.

“It’s hard to say that,” said Stan about being the best baseball catcher of all-time. There was Johnny Bench and Carlton Fisk, and of course Gary Carter and Mike Piazza had their big moments in aa Mets uniform. 

But “Certainly he was the best world series catcher of all-time,” Stan said with a smile. “He had a nice life, a wife (Carmen) of over 65 years with a woman he loved and cared for.”

But it was not difficult to say that Yogi Berra was an icon and he will be missed.

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

#Yogi Berra #Yankees #Mets

BRONX NEWS: Stiff Sentence for Viagra Bootlegger

BRONX NEWS: Stiff Sentence for Viagra Bootlegger: Stiff Sentence for Viagra Bootlegger                 BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- They’re the little blue pills – and little yellow pills ...

Stiff Sentence for Viagra Bootlegger

Stiff Sentence for Viagra Bootlegger

               

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- They’re the little blue pills – and little yellow pills – that are often instantly recognizable. But what a lot of consumers didn’t recognize is that these Viagra and Cialis pills were knock-offs – made from the same or similar ingredients as the real thing, but not manufactured by pharma giants Pfizer and Eli Lilly.

And now, announced Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson, 49-year-old Babou Jobe (pron JOE-bee) has been sentenced to five years’ probation and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, half of which he paid. Jobe pled guilty on an earlier date to Trademark Counterfeiting in the second degree, a Class E Felony. He was sentenced by Justice Marc Whiten of the Bronx County Criminal Court.

When Jobe was arrested on September 18, 2014, at a store at 6 East 184^th Street in the Fordham section of the Bronx, he had in his possession nearly 14,000 Viagra and Cialis pills in bottles and blister packs, along with a sheaf of Viagra labels. All were counterfeits.

The Viagra pills contained the active ingredient of the real drug, but at less than 15 percent of the advertised dosage and the filler material included vulcanized rubber. Jobe told investigators, “Yeah, I know it’s fake,” admitting that he’d been selling the counterfeits since 2012, making about $1,500 a month.

The packaging for both the Viagra and the Cialis pills was close, but no cigar. Noted one representative of Eli Lilly and Co., the maker of Cialis, the bottles not only had invalid lot numbers, but the coloration and design was off.

Jobe, in taking this plea, also waived his right to appeal and, as a non-US citizen, is subject to deportation to his native Gambia. At his sentencing he stated, “I’m very sorry for what I did and I ask for forgiveness from the Court.”

The case against Jobe was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Peter D’Angelo and Supervising Assistant District Attorney Cristina Park of the Bronx D.A. Arson/Auto/Economic Crime Bureau. Jobe’s arrest resulted from an investigation initiated by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor with assistance from the New York County District Attorney’s Office.

#Viagra #Arrest #Bronx DA

El alcalde admite último: No hay problema sin hogar

BRONX NEWS: There is Homeless Problem: Mayor Finally Admits: There is Homeless Problem City Acknowledges New Homeless Taskforce By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- The...

BRONX NEWS: Yankees Mourn Loss of #Yogi

BRONX NEWS: Yankees Mourn Loss of #Yogi: Yankees Mourn Loss of #Yogi STATEMENT FROM HAL STEINBRENNER, NEW YORK YANKEES MANAGING GENERAL PARTNER / CO-CHAIRPERSON RE: THE...

Yankees Mourn Loss of #Yogi

Yankees Mourn Loss of #Yogi

STATEMENT FROM HAL STEINBRENNER, NEW YORK YANKEES MANAGING GENERAL PARTNER / CO-CHAIRPERSON

RE: THE PASSING OF YOGI BERRA

“Yogi Berra’s legacy transcends baseball. Though slight in stature, he was a giant in the most significant of ways through his service to his country, compassion for others and genuine enthusiasm for the game he loved. He has always been a role model and hero that America could look up to.  

"While his baseball wit and wisdom brought out the best in generations of Yankees, his imprint in society stretches far beyond the walls of Yankee Stadium. He simply had a way of reaching and relating to people that was unmatched. That’s what made him such a national treasure.

"On behalf of my family and the entire Yankees organization, we extend our deepest condolences to Yogi’s family, friends and loved ones.”

#Yogi #Yankees #Steinbrenner

BRONX NEWS: There is Homeless Problem

BRONX NEWS: There is Homeless Problem: Mayor Finally Admits: There is Homeless Problem City Acknowledges New Homeless Taskforce By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- The...

There is Homeless Problem

Mayor Finally Admits:

There is Homeless Problem

City Acknowledges New Homeless Taskforce

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- The half dozen homeless people who sleep on park benches along Jerome Avenue, near East Gun Hill Road in Norwood were unaware when asked about the city's new homeless outreach program, acknowledged by city officials nearly three-weeks after the program quietly began.

The city has so far identified 80 homeless encampments across the five boroughs and has begun to dismantle them, as trained professionals from nine city agencies attempt to assist some of the homeless who have apparently refused the city's invitation at city-run shelters.

The City of New York estimates that 56,000 individuals are currently homeless and being housed in city shelters throughout the five boroughs. An additional 3,000 are living on the city streets and the new program that began on August 17, is seeking to reduce that number.

Jerome Avenue was not identified as an encampment because the closely-knit group has built no structures, and those who sleep there do so in the daytime, when families gather inside of Van Cortlandt Park, when they say they feel safest.

They speak of a need to sleep in the daytime, in order to stay awake at night, so they can protect themselves and each other from attack or theft of the few belongings they still have.

Police Commissioner Bill Bratton recently said of the current situation, "The laws have changed in the last 20 years, when I was here the last time (and) the tools I had to work with," adding that panhandling is no longer considered a crime.

The NYPD's Chief of Patrol, Carlos Gomez, explained that when a unit goes to dismantle an encampment, members of the NYPD, EMS, Homeless Services, Sanitation, Parks, Transportation, Housing, Environmental Protection and the city's Legal Department will also be on hand to provide whatever assistance they can.

Gomez added, "Offering outreach and services is the main thrust, the main goal of this plan."

City officials also revealed that since the program was implemented, 161 homeless people were taken off the street and offered shelter and other services. However, only 10 individuals took the city up on its offer--with the rest apparently headed back into the streets.

"Mohammad" a homeless man who has called the park benches along Jerome Avenue home for the last three-months, recalled trying a city shelter, explaining, "I tried the shelter on Third Avenue, but it wasn't safe. And I feel like Norwood has become my home."

Speaking on his weekly radio program on WNYC on September 1, Mayor Bill de Blasio said of the crisis, "Clearly the numbers of folks in shelters shot up after 2011 and have remained very high, they would have gotten a lot higher, but for the efforts of a lot of people in this administration."

A day earlier Lilliam Barrios-Paoli, the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, who was in charge with handling the current homeless crisis, stepped down from her $222,000 a year post to become chairwoman of the Health and Hospitals Corporation, an unpaid position. De Blasio denied Paoli had been demoted, insisting her stepping down was a "personal decision."

Meanwhile, the de Blasio Administration has reached out to local churches and synagogues seeking 500 'Safe Haven' beds that would be incorporated into the city's "Opening Doors" program.  The city currently has more than 680 such beds that have fewer restrictions than a traditional shelter.

The city currently has $19.5 million allocated for the Safe Haven program and an additional $15.7 for the outreach program for the fiscal year 2016.   

#Homeless #deBlasio

Tiendas Mire a KO Weed mortal

BRONX NEWS: Shops Look to KO Deadly Weed: Shops Look to KO Deadly Weed BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Elected officials and bodega owners have banned together to KO the sale of synth...

BRONX NEWS: Shops Look to KO Deadly Weed

BRONX NEWS: Shops Look to KO Deadly Weed: Shops Look to KO Deadly Weed BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Elected officials and bodega owners have banned together to KO the sale of synth...

Shops Look to KO Deadly Weed

Shops Look to KO Deadly Weed

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Elected officials and bodega owners have banned together to KO the sale of synthetic marijuana which has led to some 700 emergency room visits.

State Senator Jeff Klein, Councilman Ritchie Torres, President of the Bodega Association of the United States (ASOBEU) Ramon Murphy, Northeast Regional Director of the National Action Network Minister Kirsten John Foy and Bronx bodega owners launched the “K.O. K2” campaign and announced that more than 1,700 bodegas have joined the pledge not to sell synthetic marijuana.

Each store participating in the campaign will prominently display a sign in their window indicating that the shop does not sell synthetic marijuana in an effort to  “K.O. K2.”

Senator Klein said: “The ‘K.O. K2’ campaign is the first coordinated effort by elected officials and store owners to kick K2 out of local shops and remove this poison from our streets. More than 1,700 bodega owners have joined the pledge not to sell synthetic marijuana – marking a major step forward in the fight against synthetic drugs. I’m proud to partner with Councilman Ritchie Torres and the ASOBEU to launch this important campaign and will continue to push for the passage of my comprehensive K2 legislation in the state Senate.”

Councilman Ritchie Torres said: “We must take every measure to stop the sale and consumption of K2, a deadly drug that has already taken a tremendous toll on The Bronx. Unfortunately, it is going to take more than legislation to keep this poison out of our communities. I am proud to stand with Senator Jeff Klein and the ASOBEU to announce a coordinated campaign to get K2 out of our stores and off of our streets.”

Ramon Murphy, President of the ASOBEU, said: “A bodega is a family run business that serves the community and is part of the community. Dangerous drugs and illicit substances like K2 have no place in our stores and I am proud to announce the ASOBEU’s pledge not to sell K2 in New York State. It’s the ASOBEU’s promise that our customers and the entire community feel safe in our stores. I applaud Senator Klein’s efforts to outlaw K2 and fully support his legislation currently before the State Senate.”

The ASOBEU is comprised of 5,000 members with 35 percent or 1,750 stores located in The Bronx. The “K.O. K2” campaign encompasses all Bronx bodegas but also includes a coordinated, grassroots effort by community groups and local advocates to sign up grocery stores and smoke shops throughout the borough that are not strictly defined as “bodegas.” 

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj (D-Bronx) said: "Thank you to the ASOBEU and the store owners that have joined the fight to stop the sale of K2. Families and neighbors will appreciate your efforts to keep our neighborhood safe and keep these dangerous drugs out of arm's reach. This is another step in the right direction to wipe out K2 from New York City.”

New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito said: "This highly addictive and deadly substance targets our most vulnerable New Yorkers, especially our young people. I commend bodega owners across The Bronx for taking up this fight against K2 to stop it from getting into the wrong hands. With more and more cases of this drug affecting New Yorkers, it’s imperative that we get this dangerous substance off our shelves and I thank Senator Klein and my colleagues in government for their efforts."

Rev. Al Sharpton, president of the National Action Network, said: “As we fought against the crack epidemic of the ‘80s we are obligated to head off a potential K2 epidemic that could inflict more profound damage to our communities than crack ever did. This junk is marketed to our children and is literally poison for their brains. We applaud Senator Klein's visionary leadership in addressing this issue for the past several years. We will work with Senator Klein to rid our city and state of this junk and play our part to educate and mobilize people all across New York.”

The “K.O. K2” campaign follows a major K2 bust in The Bronx, where more than 200 kilograms of the synthetic drug were seized. This enforcement action underscores the depths of the public health crisis in the borough – with the discovery of a large processing and distribution center on Light Street in Eastchester. 

Earlier this month, Senator Klein released an alarming investigative report, “The Online Smoke Shop,” detailing the K2 drug trade in cyberspace. “The Online Smoke Shop” found a budding market for K2 and its paraphernalia on internet classifieds and auction sites like eBay, Craigslist and Backpage. Many online cannabinoid dealers were also found peddling a slew of toxic ingredients used in the production of K2, including chemicals already banned in New York State like “AKB-48,” 5F-AKB-48” and “MAB-CHMINACA.”

In an effort to combat synthetic marijuana in New York, Senator Klein has introduced legislation in the state Senate that would criminalize the sale of K2. The proposed legislation would add “synthetic cannabinoids” to the pre-existing crimes of selling marijuana under New York State’s penal law and provide five degrees of criminal sale – ranging from class “B” misdemeanor to a class “C” felony – depending on the weight of synthetic cannabinoid sold.

Senator Klein has also proposed cracking down on businesses by increasing penalties for those found selling K2. His legislation would amend the General Business Law to increase fines for businesses found in violation to $2,000 for the first offense, $5,000 for the second offense and the third violation would result in the loss of a store owner’s liquor, tobacco and lottery license.

Klein’s legislation would also add an analog statute to the state’s controlled substances law, making any analog of a Controlled 1 or 2 substance illegal. While the state Senate has passed the measure three times, the state Assembly has failed to take action.

Eugenio Brito, Bronx store owner and member of the ASOBEU, said: “I’m proud to place a ‘K.O. K2’ sign in my window to let everyone know they will not find this dangerous drug in my store. We’ve all seen the impact K2 is having on our communities and I hope our actions today inspire other responsible business owners to join this fight.”

Carlos Herrera, Bronx store owner and member of the ASOBEU, said: “As a store owner and a member of this community, I am proud to join the pledge not to sell K2. Anything that hurts families and scourges our society like this drug needs to be shut down. I applaud the actions of Senator Klein, Councilman Torres and my fellow members of the ASOBEU for the steps taken today to stop the sale of synthetic marijuana in New York.”

Adaline Walker-Santiago, Chair of Community Board 7, said: “Protecting New York’s children and families is the number one priority. I am happy to see that swift action is being taken at the city and state level to remove synthetic marijuana from local stores and take it out of the hands of New York’s most vulnerable populations. I commend Senator Klein, Councilman Torres and the ASOBEU for working to knock out K2 in New York.” 

Senator Klein will host a summit on synthetic marijuana on October 9 at Jacobi Hospital. The summit will convene city, state and local leaders on the proliferation of K2 and discuss the depth and breadth of the problem in New York State. 

#K2 #Marijuana #Pot #Weed

Health News: Monte Takes Over Einstein Med School

Health News: Monte Takes Over Einstein Med School: Monte Takes Over Einstein Med School Historic Agreement Ensures Einstein’s Continued Status As a Top-Tier Medical School and Research I...

BRONX NEWS: City Isle Hosts Chowder Fest

BRONX NEWS: City Isle Hosts Chowder Fest: City Isle Hosts Chowder Fest BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- State Senator Jeff Klein joined City Island restaurant owners and residents at ...

City Isle Hosts Chowder Fest

City Isle Hosts Chowder Fest

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- State Senator Jeff Klein joined City Island restaurant owners and residents at Hawkins Park on Sunday afternoon for Klein’s third annual City Island Clam Chowder Festival. The chowder festival took place during City Island’s annual Chamber of Commerce Arts & Crafts Fall Fair. 

“The City Island Clam Chowder Festival is a time-honored tradition in The Bronx — celebrating the culinary treasures of this beloved seaside community. I’m proud to host the third annual Chowder Festival in partnership with the City Island Chamber of Commerce and our many local businesses. Congratulations to all our winners and everyone who participated in this great competition,” said Senator Klein. 

Local residents and families enjoyed samples of chowder from participating restaurants, including Johnny’s Reef, Bistro SK, the Ale House, Sammy’s Fish and Shrimp Box, the Lobster House, Arties Steak & Seafood, Crab Shanty and many more. At the festival, fairgoers also had the opportunity to vote for their favorite chowder. 

In total, three awards were given: people’s choice chowder; best Manhattan clam chowder; and best New England clam chowder. Judging the competition was Senator Klein, Director of The Doyle Collection of Hotels & Co-Founder of Young Travel Professionals Karen Magee, Broadway Actress Kara Tremble, CEO and Founder of Reservation Genie Ivan Collins, General Manager of the Ritz Carlton Hotel Westchester Jeff Dziak, and Chef Eric Mauro of Bistro Rollin in Pelham, NY. 

The following winners were chosen by the community:

Best New England Clam Chowder - Sammy’s Fish Box 

Best Manhattan Clam Chowder - Harlem Yacht Club 

The following winners were selected during the official judging competition: 

Best New England Clam Chowder - Sammy’s Fish Box

Best Manhattan Clam Chowder - Ale House 

“We are happy Senator Klein is hosting this year’s clam chowder contest – a tradition on City Island that we are very grateful he revived. The City Island Chamber of Commerce has worked together with Senator Klein for many years and we look forward to building on that partnership in the future,” said Skip Giacco, president of the City Island Chamber of Commerce.

“This is a culinary highlight of the fall season on City Island. We need to give new names to the great chowders made here: no longer Manhattan or New England but City Island Red and White!” said Barbara Burn Dolensek of the City Island Civic Association. 

Hay Nunca un Agente de Tráfico o la Oficina de la Policía cuando necesita uno

BRONX NEWS: There's Never a Traffic Agent or Police Office Whe...: There's Never a Traffic Agent or Police Office When You Need One By Robert Press You may be asking yourself, why is this beer truck (f...

Fordham Retiene Libertad Copa

BRONX NEWS: Fordham Retains Liberty Cup: Fordham Retains Liberty Cup Rams defeat Columbia for fifth straight year  BRONX, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- In each of his four years at Fordham, h...

¿Quién ganó realmente #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...

BRONX NEWS: There's Never a Traffic Agent or Police Office Whe...

BRONX NEWS: There's Never a Traffic Agent or Police Office Whe...: There's Never a Traffic Agent or Police Office When You Need One By Robert Press You may be asking yourself, why is this beer truck (f...

There's Never a Traffic Agent or Police Office When You Need One

There's Never a Traffic Agent or Police Office When You Need One

By Robert Press

You may be asking yourself, why is this beer truck (from Manhattan Beer Distributors) parked in the middle of the intersection of West 238th Street and Greystone Avenue? You would also have to ask why is this beer truck blocking a cross walk. Why is this beer truck parked on the wrong side of the street? Then ask where were are all the traffic agents or police officers to ticket this illegally parked beer truck? 

This Beer truck from Manhattan Beer Distributors was delivering  beer for almost 30 minutes to only one of the delis on West 238th Street in the vicinity of Manhattan College where there is suppose to be a strict student code on underage drinking, as most students at Manhattan College are under the age of 21. 

At a recent Community Board 8 Public Safety Committee meeting a local bar on West 238th Street was getting beat up for sales of beer to underage Manhattan College students during a liquor license renewal application hearing. The owner and manager of the bar stated that the bar does not sell beer to underage students, and said that it was the two delis that are on either side of the bar which are open 24 hours that are the culprits. It was said that on Friday afternoons a trailer full of beer stops on the street to drop off the beer in question that is being consumed. 

The evidence is clear that these photos of a Manhattan Beer Distributor truck stopped by Friday afternoon taking the driver and his helper almost 30 minutes to unload their order for only one of the two delis which the bar owner and manager said occurs.

BRONX NEWS: Amalgamated Bank Reopens in Co-op City

BRONX NEWS: Amalgamated Bank Reopens in Co-op City: Amalgamated Bank Reopens in Co-op City Amalgamated Bank, the preeminent bank of progressive people, organizations, businesses, and labor, r...

Amalgamated Bank Reopens in Co-op City

Amalgamated Bank Reopens in Co-op City

Amalgamated Bank, the preeminent bank of progressive people, organizations, businesses, and labor, reopened its Co-op City branch after completing a $600,000 renovation. 

Council Member Andy King, Assembly Member Michael Benedetto, Community Board 10 District Manager Kenneth Kearns, and Bronx Chamber Membership Director Marques Payne attended the grand opening, showcasing their support for the bank’s concerted effort to service Co-op City. Further demonstrating this effort, Amalgamated Bank presented a $1k check to Helen Keller P.S. 153 at the opening. The renovation, which boasts a brighter, more modern look and more privacy for customers, was completed entirely through local union labor.

“I am thrilled that after over 40 years of servicing this community, we are now fully renovated with a branch that is bigger and better. Today we celebrate a new look and feel while continuing uncompromising customer attention and affordable banking all from a bank they can trust,” said Amalgamated Bank CEO Keith Mestrich. “Co-op City is the largest cooperative housing development in the world, meaning that it is one of the world’s largest concentration of hard-working, middle-class families. Amalgamated Bank is proud to be able to serve them.”

Last month, Amalgamated Bank became the first bank to institute a $15 minimum wage for all of its employees.

BRONX NEWS: Fordham Retains Liberty Cup

BRONX NEWS: Fordham Retains Liberty Cup: Fordham Retains Liberty Cup Rams defeat Columbia for fifth straight year  BRONX, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- In each of his four years at Fordham, h...

Fordham Retains Liberty Cup

Fordham Retains Liberty Cup

Rams defeat Columbia for fifth straight year 

BRONX, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- In each of his four years at Fordham, head football coach Joe Moorhead has set three goals for the Rams. The first involves retaining the Liberty and Ram‐Crusader Cups and Fordham checked off Liberty Cup retention today as the Rams upended Columbia University, 44‐24, on Jack Coffey Field as part of Homecoming 2015.

The win is Fordham’s sixth in a row over the Lions and the Rams now lead the all‐time Liberty Cup series, 10‐4.

The Fordham offense compiled a season‐high 537 yards of total offense, while running just 69 plays, and scored a season‐best 44 points.

Looking for offensive heroes? Fordham had plenty of them on Saturday. First there was junior quarterback Kevin Anderson, who completed 22 of 30 passes for 330 yards and five touchdowns. Or maybe Chase Edmonds, who rushed 13 times for 125 yards and one score and caught five passes for 45 yards and another touchdown? Perhaps senior tight end Phazahn Odom, who hauled in five passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns? Then again there was senior wide receiver Robbie Cantelli who made a highlight reel one‐handed touchdown catch.

The game got off on the wrong foot for Anderson who had a pass tipped and intercepted on the third play of the game on the Fordham 26. But Columbia couldn’t take advantage of the miscue as a 41‐yard Cameron Nizialek field goal attempt went wide right.

Later in the first, the Rams took over on their own 35 following a punt and moved to midfield where Anderson found Jonathan Lumley for a 22‐yard gain and, on the next play, found Odom over the middle for a 28‐yard scoring strike with 3:50 left in the quarter.

The Lions came right back to tie the game on a five‐yard run early in the second but the Rams then capped a 75‐yard, ten‐play drive with a three‐yard scoring pass from Anderson to Austin Longi with 9:29 left in the half.

A 31‐yard Nizialek field goal on Columbia’s next possession pulled the visitors within four, 14‐10, but the Rams executed a perfect two minute offense, taking over on their own 46 following a punt with 32 seconds left and completing a 25‐yard pass to Lumley and a 22‐yarder to Longi to put the ball on the Columbia seven. On second and goal, Anderson led a diving Cantelli perfectly and Cantelli came up with a diving, one‐hand scoring grab to give Fordham a 21‐10 halftime lead.

On Fordham’s first possession of the second half, Edmonds took care of business himself, gaining 73 yards on a first down carry to put the ball on the Columba one and then scoring on the next play to boost the Fordham lead to 18, 28‐10, 4:20 into the second half.

The 18‐point lead was short‐lived as Alan Watson returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a score to make it a 28‐17 game.

Later in the third, Skyler Mornhinwig capped an 80‐yard, 15‐play drive with a one‐yard scoring plunge to pull the Lions within four, 28‐24, with 1:48 remaining in the third.

Fordham responded by moving the ball to the Columbia 37 but a holding penalty backed them up to midfield where Anderson found Cantelli with a 47‐yard connection to put the ball on the Columbia one. Two plays later Anderson hit Edmonds with a three‐yard touchdown toss to extend the Fordham lead to 34‐24.

After the Fordham defense held Columbia to a three‐and‐out, the Rams took over on the Fordham 12 and the Rams marched to the Columbia 26 where an offensive pass interference call pushed them back to the Lions’ 41. But Anderson connected with Odom for a second scoring strike on the day on the next play to put the Rams up 41‐24 midway through the fourth.

Makay Redd closed out the scoring with a 34‐yard field goal with 3:19 left for the 44‐24 final.

Jihaad Pretlow led the Fordham defense with 13 total tackles, six solo, including one for loss, and he also broke up a pass, while Stephen Hodge finished with eleven stops, three solo, including 0.5 for loss.

The Rams return to action next Saturday, September 26, as they host the Monmouth University Hawks on Jack Coffey Field at 1:00 p.m.

The Liberty Cup trophy will now remain at Rose Hill for the foreseeable future as the two teams will no longer play each other every year.

The win continues a streak of wins after losses during the Moorhead era. The Rams have never lost back‐to‐back games under Moorhead.

Fordham is 18‐2 over the past three years when playing on Jack Coffey Field, winning 15 of the last 16.

The game was the 16th in which the Rams scored more than 40 points since 2012 (when Moorhead became head coach).

Edmonds’s 125 rushing yards brings his career total to 2,163, eighth on the Fordham career rushing list while his rushing touchdown gives him four on the year and 27 in his career, tied for fourth most in school history.

Edmonds’ 125‐yard rushing performance was his 12th career 100‐yard game, third all‐time at Fordham.

Anderson’s five touchdown passes was one shy of the school record set by Kevin Eakin at Rhode Island in 2003 and matched by Mike Nebrich against Penn last year.

Seven different receivers caught at least one pass today, four of them true freshmen.

Pretlow also returned three kickoffs for 79 yards, including one for 54 yards.

Fordham sophomore offensive lineman Anthony Coyle celebrated his 19th birthday on Saturday.

#Fordham #Rams #Football #Columbia #LibertyCup

BRONX NEWS: Early Pitchers’ Duel Ends with a One‐sided #Yankee...

BRONX NEWS: Early Pitchers’ Duel Ends with a One‐sided #Yankee...: Early Pitchers’ Duel Ends with a One‐sided #Yankee Win over #Mets in Final Subway Series Game By Howard Goldin QUEENS, NEW YORK (SP...