Monday, June 3, 2013
Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Mayoral Forum
Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Mayoral Forum: 100 PERCENT By Robert Press And the Next Speaker Is BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 3- The headline could refer to the city counci...
Mayoral Forum
100 PERCENT
By Robert Press
And the Next Speaker Is
BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 3- The headline could refer to the city council with 3 or 4 different council members vying to be the next speaker of the City Council, including what appears to be the Bronx's own Councilman Jimmy Vacca. However the headline refers to the New York State Assembly.
With current Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver carrying many loads on his back will the Vito Lopez debacle be the straw that broke Silver's back? There are seven names being circulated as Silver's replacement. The top three include Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Carl Heastie, Manhattan Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Keith Wright, and even Brooklyn Assemblyman and Codes Committee Chairman Joseph Lentol. There are other names being floated to replace Silver, but they would be real long shots to be chosen. My bet would be on Keith Wright as the next Speaker of the State Assembly. If that does not happen look for Assemblyman Wright become the next Congressman from the 15th District.
The race for mayor is now getting really trashy. That is trash talk, as candidates Christine Quinn and Bill Thompson are slinging the trash in the East 92nd Street waste transfer station. This was voted on by the city council, and signed by the mayor to have a waste transfer station at the current East 92nd Street Sanitation Department site. After much community outrage it appears that mayoral candidate Bill Thompson is now siding with the community saying that he is against the project. Candidate Christine Quinn is sticking to her guns by saying that each borough has to have its own waste transfer station, and that the process went through the proper procedures saying that it would not be right to move it now. One might have to agree with Quinn on this, as even Mayor Bloomberg who lives only a few blocks away agrees with her. Thompson is now angry for being called a racist by Quinn, and Quinn says that is what someone would be if they moved it to a minority area from East 92nd Street.
The Ben Franklin Democratic Club of the 81st A.D. may have had a mayoral forum, but 80th A.D. Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj had one Sunday afternoon. Assemblyman Gjonaj opened the forum by saying that people should use their rights and vote. He then turned it over to the forum host Mr. Gary Axelbank and his assembled panel. I promised the good assemblyman that I would be nice to him, but the panel that was assembled had nothing really to do with the 80th A.D., and it showed in some of the questions. Democrats Christine Quinn, Bill Deblasio, and Bill Thompson were the first three candidates to speak, and each one was given a question on the city subsidiary that Fresh Direct was given. Of the three Bill Thompson had the best line by saying that if Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is supporting it “So am I”.
Quinn was given a question of holding back the Living Wage Bill, that was answered by saying that she wanted everyone to have a voice. She added that nobody wants to pass a bill that will cost jobs, and that people on both sides of the issue congratulated her when the Living Wage Bill was passed. To a question on better access to the Hutch Metro Center and other areas Quinn said that the council Transportation Chair Jimmy Vacca will have to come up with the answer. About corrupt elected officials Quinn said that the process has been changed to a system that still allows good local needy organizations to continue to receive city funding, while rooting out the corruption.
Bill Deblasio gave the same opening speech as he has before about a tale of two cities, and how he wants to build 200,000 new units of affordable housing. To a question of how he would of handled the Croton Water Filtration Plant with the community opposition, cost overruns, and scandals Deblasio said that unlike Mayor Bloomberg who has to have it done his way or no way he would have community input. As for Stop N Frisk DeBlasio said that police need to police better, he would have a different police commissioner, and an Inspector General. To a question on small business taking it on the chops from the city, DeBlasio said that he had come out with a report that stated small businesses in the outer boroughs are not treated as fair as those in Manhattan.
Bill Thompson was next and spoke about the current education crisis in the public schools system. After Thompson answered the Fresh Direct question people started to leave with one woman saying that she had enough of the so called forum. Thompson said when asked that the current site at East 92nd Street for the Manhattan waste transfer station was the wrong site, and added that he did not like being called a racist by candidate Quinn.
Next up was former Bronx Borough President Adolfo carrion Jr. as more people were leaving. Carrion was asked about the Croton Water Filtration Plant. The answer by Carrion was plain and simple as he said it had to be built somewhere. He said that he wants to build “World Class Neighborhood Schools”. When I asked Carrion later why he did not send his children to the local neighborhood school, but miles away to another school his answer was that there was no “World Class School” in his neighborhood.
John Liu was next and said that he as City Comptroller would not have any problem moving across the street to City Hall after all the work he has done as Comptroller. On the question of corruption, and the two campaign workers that were convicted Liu said that the government had gone after him for four years. Liu added that there was an undercover agent for that time and the agent lied about what was done. Liu said that he, unlike Mayor Bloomberg, has to raise funds, but he was not taking any money from people who do business with the city or from Wall Street. Liu said that he believes in community benefits agreements, but they must be able to be enforceable unlike many that have not been. To a question on senior center cuts of $26 million Liu said that the books need to be open to see in the 70 billion dollar budget just where the 26 million dollars can be found.
As I said before there were no questions by the panel about the real problems of the 80th A.D. , and that was the reason many people left early. Minor candidates came next and spoke as the crowd thinned out even more as I left having had enough of the panel. You can go to my blog at www.100percentbronxn.blogspot.com to read more and see photos of this event.
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.
Washed Out
Red Sox take series over Yankees in rain shortened Sunday night finale
By Rich Mancuso
BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 3- After the last of three rain delays Sunday night in the Bronx, the Boston Red Sox took the finale of a three game series, 3-0 over the New York Yankees. The final delay lasted 45 minutes and the game was called with the Yankees scheduled to bat in the bottom of the sixth inning.
With their win, first place Boston has taken their first two series in the Bronx this season, something done for the second time in 25 years. The Yankees trail the Red Sox by three games in the AL East standings.
Boston scored solo runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. Their last a 410-home run to right off the bat of David Ortiz, his team leading 10th off Yankees’ starting pitcher and loser Hiroki Kuroda (6-4).
“It’s frustrating,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi about the rain delays. “It looked like they were playing with percentages,” he commented about the umpires pulling the tarp after the second rain delay of 37-minutes that halted play with one out in the top of the sixth.
After resuming play, Ortiz would hit his home run and, as Girardi alluded to, the forecast was not good but the umpires let play resume hoping the forecasters would be wrong.
“That’s how you get yourself closer to the playoffs,” commented Ortiz about taking the series from the Yankees. “Winning, series, winning series, winning series,” he reiterated with a smile.
The first pitch of the night was delayed 45 minutes because there was a threat of storms coming through the area.
Kuroda allowed three runs in 5.1 innings, allowing eight hits. The second Boston run came in the fifth inning. On the first pitch from Kuroda, Jose Iglesias hit his second career home run.
Boston won their second straight game, seven of their last ten. Right hander Clay Buchholz (8-0) tossed 5.0 shutout innings, on two hits and struck out four. He is tied for most wins in the American League in wins and was credited with the fourth shutout of his career and a complete game.
“He kept them (Yankees) from almost being tentative to a point where they were unsure which pitch was going to come in what sequence,” said Red Sox manager John Farrell about Buchholz. There was no hesitation about Buchholz being lifted after the second rain delay as Andrew Miller came out to pitch in the sixth.
But because Miller did not pitch to a batter, the official scorer credited Buchholz with the complete game.
Farrell said the 20- or 30 minute rain delay and additional time getting the field ready, “was a pretty straight-forward decision,” as to why Buchholz did not return to the mound.
“His location was outstanding with all his pitches,” said Girardi. “We weren’t able to do nothing with him.”
Before the game, catcher Chris Stewart was scratched from the lineup. He experienced similar symptoms relating to dehydration and will be examined on Monday before making a decision as to whether he will be available for the Yankees next game.
Monday night the Yankees open a three-game home series with Cleveland. Andy Pettitte, (4-3) returns from the disabled list and will get the start opposing right hander Justin Masterson (8-3).
Comment Rich Mancuso: Rin786@aol.com
By Rich Mancuso
BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 3- After the last of three rain delays Sunday night in the Bronx, the Boston Red Sox took the finale of a three game series, 3-0 over the New York Yankees. The final delay lasted 45 minutes and the game was called with the Yankees scheduled to bat in the bottom of the sixth inning.
With their win, first place Boston has taken their first two series in the Bronx this season, something done for the second time in 25 years. The Yankees trail the Red Sox by three games in the AL East standings.
Boston scored solo runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. Their last a 410-home run to right off the bat of David Ortiz, his team leading 10th off Yankees’ starting pitcher and loser Hiroki Kuroda (6-4).
“It’s frustrating,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi about the rain delays. “It looked like they were playing with percentages,” he commented about the umpires pulling the tarp after the second rain delay of 37-minutes that halted play with one out in the top of the sixth.
After resuming play, Ortiz would hit his home run and, as Girardi alluded to, the forecast was not good but the umpires let play resume hoping the forecasters would be wrong.
“That’s how you get yourself closer to the playoffs,” commented Ortiz about taking the series from the Yankees. “Winning, series, winning series, winning series,” he reiterated with a smile.
The first pitch of the night was delayed 45 minutes because there was a threat of storms coming through the area.
Kuroda allowed three runs in 5.1 innings, allowing eight hits. The second Boston run came in the fifth inning. On the first pitch from Kuroda, Jose Iglesias hit his second career home run.
Boston won their second straight game, seven of their last ten. Right hander Clay Buchholz (8-0) tossed 5.0 shutout innings, on two hits and struck out four. He is tied for most wins in the American League in wins and was credited with the fourth shutout of his career and a complete game.
“He kept them (Yankees) from almost being tentative to a point where they were unsure which pitch was going to come in what sequence,” said Red Sox manager John Farrell about Buchholz. There was no hesitation about Buchholz being lifted after the second rain delay as Andrew Miller came out to pitch in the sixth.
But because Miller did not pitch to a batter, the official scorer credited Buchholz with the complete game.
Farrell said the 20- or 30 minute rain delay and additional time getting the field ready, “was a pretty straight-forward decision,” as to why Buchholz did not return to the mound.
“His location was outstanding with all his pitches,” said Girardi. “We weren’t able to do nothing with him.”
Before the game, catcher Chris Stewart was scratched from the lineup. He experienced similar symptoms relating to dehydration and will be examined on Monday before making a decision as to whether he will be available for the Yankees next game.
Monday night the Yankees open a three-game home series with Cleveland. Andy Pettitte, (4-3) returns from the disabled list and will get the start opposing right hander Justin Masterson (8-3).
Comment Rich Mancuso: Rin786@aol.com
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Yanks Get Socked 11-1
More Boos for Hughes
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 2- This is a crucial date in the start of the careers of two iconic Yankees captains. On June 1, 1925, Lou Gehrig appeared in the first of 2,130 consecutive games as a New York Yankee. Exactly 67 years later, the Yankees drafted Derek Jeter in the First Year Player Draft. The game played between the Yanks and the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night. June 1, 2013, will be one not to be remembered for current and future Yankees fans.
No runs were scored in the first two innings of the game, but in the third, the roof fell in on Yankees starter Phil Hughes. The Red Sox’s highly rated prospect, Jackie Bradley, Jr. doubled over the head of centerfielder Brett Gardner’s head. Daniel Nava followed with a single. A double was hit by Mike Carp and after Dustin Pedroia fanned, David Ortiz was intentionally walked, which filled the bases. First sacker Mike Napoli blasted the ball into the stands in right-center for his second grand slam of the season.
Red Sox skipper John Farrell commented on the motivation for Napoli, “It’s a little bit of an extra challenge and, obviously, he responded well.”
With one out in the fifth, the inconsistent Hughes was removed from the game. Not only had he given up five runs, but had thrown 100 pitches.
Rookie reliever Preston Claiborne continued his excellent work by blanking the Sox for 1.2 innings. He has pitched 16 innings this season without issuing a free pass and only yielding one run.
With Claiborne gone, the Red Sox added three runs in each of the eighth and ninth innings off Adam Warren. Jose Iglesias led off the eighth with a single, Bradley, Jr. followed with a line single to right. Nava, not fooled by an 0-2 pitch, drilled a long ball into the right field seats to score three.
The third Boston home run of the game, a solo shot by Stephen Drew, raised the team’s run total to nine in the ninth. The homer was followed by three consecutive base hits that led to two additional runs.
The Yankees sole run of the game came in the fourth after Jayson Nix and David Adams began the frame with back-to-back singles.
Boston starter Felix Doubront had another effective performance against the pinstripes. He gave up only a single run and six hits in six innings to earn the win. In 2012, the lefty was the only pitcher to have four quality starts against New York. Farrell explained his success by saying, “Sometimes guys just match up well against certain teams.”
The Red Sox pen men were again outstanding, blanking the Yanks in three frames. They relievers have allowed only four runs in the last 13 road games, 36.2 innings.
A pitchers’ duel is anticipated for the rubber game on Sunday night as Hiroki Kuroda (6-3) and Clay Buccholz (7-0) will start.
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 2- This is a crucial date in the start of the careers of two iconic Yankees captains. On June 1, 1925, Lou Gehrig appeared in the first of 2,130 consecutive games as a New York Yankee. Exactly 67 years later, the Yankees drafted Derek Jeter in the First Year Player Draft. The game played between the Yanks and the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night. June 1, 2013, will be one not to be remembered for current and future Yankees fans.
No runs were scored in the first two innings of the game, but in the third, the roof fell in on Yankees starter Phil Hughes. The Red Sox’s highly rated prospect, Jackie Bradley, Jr. doubled over the head of centerfielder Brett Gardner’s head. Daniel Nava followed with a single. A double was hit by Mike Carp and after Dustin Pedroia fanned, David Ortiz was intentionally walked, which filled the bases. First sacker Mike Napoli blasted the ball into the stands in right-center for his second grand slam of the season.
Red Sox skipper John Farrell commented on the motivation for Napoli, “It’s a little bit of an extra challenge and, obviously, he responded well.”
With one out in the fifth, the inconsistent Hughes was removed from the game. Not only had he given up five runs, but had thrown 100 pitches.
Rookie reliever Preston Claiborne continued his excellent work by blanking the Sox for 1.2 innings. He has pitched 16 innings this season without issuing a free pass and only yielding one run.
With Claiborne gone, the Red Sox added three runs in each of the eighth and ninth innings off Adam Warren. Jose Iglesias led off the eighth with a single, Bradley, Jr. followed with a line single to right. Nava, not fooled by an 0-2 pitch, drilled a long ball into the right field seats to score three.
The third Boston home run of the game, a solo shot by Stephen Drew, raised the team’s run total to nine in the ninth. The homer was followed by three consecutive base hits that led to two additional runs.
The Yankees sole run of the game came in the fourth after Jayson Nix and David Adams began the frame with back-to-back singles.
Boston starter Felix Doubront had another effective performance against the pinstripes. He gave up only a single run and six hits in six innings to earn the win. In 2012, the lefty was the only pitcher to have four quality starts against New York. Farrell explained his success by saying, “Sometimes guys just match up well against certain teams.”
The Red Sox pen men were again outstanding, blanking the Yanks in three frames. They relievers have allowed only four runs in the last 13 road games, 36.2 innings.
A pitchers’ duel is anticipated for the rubber game on Sunday night as Hiroki Kuroda (6-3) and Clay Buccholz (7-0) will start.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Bronx News Sports: Tex is Back
Bronx News Sports: Tex is Back: Yanks End 5 Game Losing Streak with Win Over Red Sox By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 1- The pressure was on the Yankees on Friday...
Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Tex is Back
Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Tex is Back: Yanks End 5 Game Losing Streak with Win Over Red Sox By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 1- The pressure was on the Yankees on Friday...
Tex is Back
Yanks End 5 Game Losing Streak with Win Over Red Sox
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 1- The pressure was on the Yankees on Friday night. After losing a season-high five straight contests, the last four to the crosstown rival New York Mets, the Yankees began a weekend series with the leaders of the American League East, the Boston Red Sox.
To add extra stress to their situation, Jon Lester was their mound opponent. The experienced left-hander had previously compiled a 10-4 mark against New York and an 8-2 record in the Bronx. Lester earned the win over Friday’s starter for the Yanks, C.C. Sabathia, on Opening Day.
The Yanks counted on Sabathia to stop the losing streak as he usually does. Contrary to his starts during the past month, the Yankees ace pitched superbly. In 7.1 innings, only one run was scored off him. Dustin Pedroia led off the seventh with a double, and was driven across the plate on a double by Mike Napoli. Other than those two doubles, Sabathia allowed only four scattered base hits. He did not walk a batter and tied his season high with 10 strikeouts.
In the past two seasons, 2012-2013, Sabathia recorded a 9-2 record in 13 starts following a Yankees loss. He pitched at least seven frames and allowed three earned runs or less in 12 of the 13 starts.
Yankees skipper Joe Girardi commented about Sabathia’s effectiveness on Friday, “[He had] good location of his fastball. [His] slider was really good. He stayed ahead of the hitters for the most part.” The manager attributed the change to the weather, “When it warms up, he’s usually on a roll.
Although the increased velocity of Sabathia’s fastball was noticeable, his catcher Chris Stewart said of the improved performance, “I think it was more location than velocity.”
Two of the stars of the regular lineup, Mark Teixeira and Kevin Youkilis, returned to action after long absences. Teixeira missed all 53 regular season games with a right arm torn ECU sheath and Youkilis did not see action in the last 23 contests after suffering a lumbar spine sprain. Each of the two contributed to the victory.
Teixeira led off the two run second inning by drawing a base on balls. He scored the first run of the game after his walk was followed by a double by Vernon Wells and a run scoring single by Jayson Nix. The second run of the inning was scored on a single by Ichiro Suzuki.
Youkilis drove in the third Yankees run with a two out single to left in the fifth.
Of their return, Girardi remarked, “I think their impact is big. It changes our lineup. It gives us a better balance.”
Stewart, like most players, praised the difference with them in the lineup, “Having them in the lineup is going to make the pitchers work harder.”
The New York win reduced Boston’s margin over them in the A.L. East to one game
Phil Hughes (2-3) will start game #2 on Saturday night against Felix Dubront (3-2) for Boston.
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 1- The pressure was on the Yankees on Friday night. After losing a season-high five straight contests, the last four to the crosstown rival New York Mets, the Yankees began a weekend series with the leaders of the American League East, the Boston Red Sox.
To add extra stress to their situation, Jon Lester was their mound opponent. The experienced left-hander had previously compiled a 10-4 mark against New York and an 8-2 record in the Bronx. Lester earned the win over Friday’s starter for the Yanks, C.C. Sabathia, on Opening Day.
The Yanks counted on Sabathia to stop the losing streak as he usually does. Contrary to his starts during the past month, the Yankees ace pitched superbly. In 7.1 innings, only one run was scored off him. Dustin Pedroia led off the seventh with a double, and was driven across the plate on a double by Mike Napoli. Other than those two doubles, Sabathia allowed only four scattered base hits. He did not walk a batter and tied his season high with 10 strikeouts.
In the past two seasons, 2012-2013, Sabathia recorded a 9-2 record in 13 starts following a Yankees loss. He pitched at least seven frames and allowed three earned runs or less in 12 of the 13 starts.
Yankees skipper Joe Girardi commented about Sabathia’s effectiveness on Friday, “[He had] good location of his fastball. [His] slider was really good. He stayed ahead of the hitters for the most part.” The manager attributed the change to the weather, “When it warms up, he’s usually on a roll.
Although the increased velocity of Sabathia’s fastball was noticeable, his catcher Chris Stewart said of the improved performance, “I think it was more location than velocity.”
Two of the stars of the regular lineup, Mark Teixeira and Kevin Youkilis, returned to action after long absences. Teixeira missed all 53 regular season games with a right arm torn ECU sheath and Youkilis did not see action in the last 23 contests after suffering a lumbar spine sprain. Each of the two contributed to the victory.
Teixeira led off the two run second inning by drawing a base on balls. He scored the first run of the game after his walk was followed by a double by Vernon Wells and a run scoring single by Jayson Nix. The second run of the inning was scored on a single by Ichiro Suzuki.
Youkilis drove in the third Yankees run with a two out single to left in the fifth.
Of their return, Girardi remarked, “I think their impact is big. It changes our lineup. It gives us a better balance.”
Stewart, like most players, praised the difference with them in the lineup, “Having them in the lineup is going to make the pitchers work harder.”
The New York win reduced Boston’s margin over them in the A.L. East to one game
Phil Hughes (2-3) will start game #2 on Saturday night against Felix Dubront (3-2) for Boston.
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