Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Take a Bow Mo
Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Take a Bow Mo: Last All Star game for all-time saves leader Mariano Rivera By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 17- Before the start of the All-Star G...
Take a Bow Mo
Last All Star game for all-time saves leader Mariano Rivera
By Rich Mancuso
BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 17- Before the start of the All-Star Game at Citi Field, the presence of Mariano Rivera on the field had more significance. The all-time leader in saves was taking in the festive atmosphere for the last time.
This was a special moment for No. 42, more significant than the previous 13 All-Star games wearing the uniform of the New York Yankees as a pitcher for the American League. To Rivera, though, every All-Star game has been special but his last one was in New York, where he established his Hall of Fame credentials.
“It’s great because it is home and to be here for the last time in New York. I could not ask for a better moment than that,” he said to a throng of media in the visitor’s American League clubhouse.
Rivera received congratulatory hugs from members of the AL team and just as many from the opposing NL all-stars when he got on field for batting practice.
It is the respect he earned, much of it around the country during the first half of this baseball season. On road trips with the Yankees, visiting teams have been giving Rivera one final moment, with accolades from fans and mementos presented to him at home plate prior to the first pitch.
Rivera will have his day in the Hall of Fame. Tuesday evening, he awaited the final moment and if the opportunity is presented Rivera could close the game. That has been hinted and speculated for weeks when he was selected once again to be a member of the American League All-Star pitching staff.
When asked if this game was more special, he commented, “Not as special. They all are, 13 of them they all have their meaning. Not because this is the last one will it be better than the others.”
The moment came earlier, in the eighth inning with the American League ahead 3-0. The Manager, Jim Leyland wanted to make sure Rivera had that opportunity to get in the game, save opportunity or not. Rivera, entered to his tune, "Sandman," The 45,186 cheered for 90 seconds. Rivera on the mound held back tears as members of the AL and NL squads came out of the dugouts and realized they were cheering also for a baseball icon.
"It almost made me cry," commented Rivera. "It was close. It was amazing. I will never forget that."
He threw 16 pitches, 11 going for strikes. It was, as Rivera said one of the best moments of his career along with the five world championships he has with the Yankees. But, this night not even Rivera could sense that this final Al-Star game would be so overwhelming.
It ended the way it was supposed to with Rivera getting the MVP Award. It was one inning with the best in the game.And there may never be another one like him,
Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com
By Rich Mancuso
BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 17- Before the start of the All-Star Game at Citi Field, the presence of Mariano Rivera on the field had more significance. The all-time leader in saves was taking in the festive atmosphere for the last time.
This was a special moment for No. 42, more significant than the previous 13 All-Star games wearing the uniform of the New York Yankees as a pitcher for the American League. To Rivera, though, every All-Star game has been special but his last one was in New York, where he established his Hall of Fame credentials.
“It’s great because it is home and to be here for the last time in New York. I could not ask for a better moment than that,” he said to a throng of media in the visitor’s American League clubhouse.
Rivera received congratulatory hugs from members of the AL team and just as many from the opposing NL all-stars when he got on field for batting practice.
It is the respect he earned, much of it around the country during the first half of this baseball season. On road trips with the Yankees, visiting teams have been giving Rivera one final moment, with accolades from fans and mementos presented to him at home plate prior to the first pitch.
Rivera will have his day in the Hall of Fame. Tuesday evening, he awaited the final moment and if the opportunity is presented Rivera could close the game. That has been hinted and speculated for weeks when he was selected once again to be a member of the American League All-Star pitching staff.
When asked if this game was more special, he commented, “Not as special. They all are, 13 of them they all have their meaning. Not because this is the last one will it be better than the others.”
The moment came earlier, in the eighth inning with the American League ahead 3-0. The Manager, Jim Leyland wanted to make sure Rivera had that opportunity to get in the game, save opportunity or not. Rivera, entered to his tune, "Sandman," The 45,186 cheered for 90 seconds. Rivera on the mound held back tears as members of the AL and NL squads came out of the dugouts and realized they were cheering also for a baseball icon.
"It almost made me cry," commented Rivera. "It was close. It was amazing. I will never forget that."
He threw 16 pitches, 11 going for strikes. It was, as Rivera said one of the best moments of his career along with the five world championships he has with the Yankees. But, this night not even Rivera could sense that this final Al-Star game would be so overwhelming.
It ended the way it was supposed to with Rivera getting the MVP Award. It was one inning with the best in the game.And there may never be another one like him,
Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Horace Mann Grad Hits in Home Run Derby
Pedro Álvarez, Competes in MLB’s 2013 Home Run Derby
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK JULY 16- The favorite play for most modern baseball fans is the home run. Thus, the annual Home Run Derby, held the day before the All-Star Game, has generated a great interest among fans since its inception in 1985.
This year’s event, held at Citi Field in New York City, has brought forth more local interest than usual. The two team captains, Robinson Cano and David Wright, represented the two local MLB franchises. A third local candidate, by former residence rather than currently with a local team, Pedro Álvarez of the Pittsburgh Pirates, was named by Wright as a replacement for the injured Carlos Gonzalez last week.
Álvarez was born in the Dominican Republic and plays for a team in Pittsburgh, but he also has an attachment to New York City. The Pirate slugger spent much of his childhood in Washington Heights and the Bronx. He began his education at a school for gifted and talented students in Harlem, Mott Hall School.
The "A" student and already a talented baseball player was accepted at Horace Mann, a respected private school in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. At that school, Álvarez succeeded both in the classroom and on the baseball field. His success on the high school level led to his selection by the Boston Red Sox in the 14th round of the 2005 First Year Player Draft. Always encouraged and supported by his parents, Pedro Sr., a cab driver and Luz, a teacher, in his scholastic and athletic endeavors, Pedro, Jr. believed it was best to first attend college.
He enrolled at Vandrebilt University in Nashville, where the star player still resides. During the three years he spent at college, his baseball skills and reputation improved substantially. He was recruited to the USA National Team, where his outstanding play received even more attention.
Álvarez, nicknamed “El Toro”, was the second overall pick in the 2008 First Year Player Draft. In the fall of 2008, he signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He began his career in the majors at the age of 23 on June 16, 2010.
Although 2013 is the first year Álvarez is an All-Star, he was active during All-Star week in 2009 when he was in the starting lineup in the Futures Game.
Álvarez is second in the National League home runs with 24, yet he was eliminated in the first round of the Home Run Derby after hitting six homers. Cano and Wright were also eliminated in the first round.
The surprise of the first round was the performance of Yoenis Céspedes, the only non-All-Star in the Derby. The Cuban defector belted 17 home runs, 12 traveling more than 400 feet. Mike Gallego, a former Yankees infielder and currently a coach for Oakland, tossed the pitches that brought the championship to Céspedes.
Céspedes led the four survivors to the second round with 23. The fan’s choice by votes to be in the contest, Harper, was second. Harper put eight balls into the seats in the final round. Once Céspedes hit his ninth, the contest concluded.
At a press conference held earlier in the day, the soon-to-be-home run champ said, “I am very proud to be here and proud to represent all the Latin players.”
Chevrolet, the sponsor of the event, presented $529,000 to the Boys and Girls clubs and the RBI Program. Tony LaRussa presented the championship trophy to the winner.
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK JULY 16- The favorite play for most modern baseball fans is the home run. Thus, the annual Home Run Derby, held the day before the All-Star Game, has generated a great interest among fans since its inception in 1985.
This year’s event, held at Citi Field in New York City, has brought forth more local interest than usual. The two team captains, Robinson Cano and David Wright, represented the two local MLB franchises. A third local candidate, by former residence rather than currently with a local team, Pedro Álvarez of the Pittsburgh Pirates, was named by Wright as a replacement for the injured Carlos Gonzalez last week.
Álvarez was born in the Dominican Republic and plays for a team in Pittsburgh, but he also has an attachment to New York City. The Pirate slugger spent much of his childhood in Washington Heights and the Bronx. He began his education at a school for gifted and talented students in Harlem, Mott Hall School.
The "A" student and already a talented baseball player was accepted at Horace Mann, a respected private school in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. At that school, Álvarez succeeded both in the classroom and on the baseball field. His success on the high school level led to his selection by the Boston Red Sox in the 14th round of the 2005 First Year Player Draft. Always encouraged and supported by his parents, Pedro Sr., a cab driver and Luz, a teacher, in his scholastic and athletic endeavors, Pedro, Jr. believed it was best to first attend college.
He enrolled at Vandrebilt University in Nashville, where the star player still resides. During the three years he spent at college, his baseball skills and reputation improved substantially. He was recruited to the USA National Team, where his outstanding play received even more attention.
Álvarez, nicknamed “El Toro”, was the second overall pick in the 2008 First Year Player Draft. In the fall of 2008, he signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He began his career in the majors at the age of 23 on June 16, 2010.
Although 2013 is the first year Álvarez is an All-Star, he was active during All-Star week in 2009 when he was in the starting lineup in the Futures Game.
Álvarez is second in the National League home runs with 24, yet he was eliminated in the first round of the Home Run Derby after hitting six homers. Cano and Wright were also eliminated in the first round.
The surprise of the first round was the performance of Yoenis Céspedes, the only non-All-Star in the Derby. The Cuban defector belted 17 home runs, 12 traveling more than 400 feet. Mike Gallego, a former Yankees infielder and currently a coach for Oakland, tossed the pitches that brought the championship to Céspedes.
Céspedes led the four survivors to the second round with 23. The fan’s choice by votes to be in the contest, Harper, was second. Harper put eight balls into the seats in the final round. Once Céspedes hit his ninth, the contest concluded.
At a press conference held earlier in the day, the soon-to-be-home run champ said, “I am very proud to be here and proud to represent all the Latin players.”
Chevrolet, the sponsor of the event, presented $529,000 to the Boys and Girls clubs and the RBI Program. Tony LaRussa presented the championship trophy to the winner.
Pine tar controversy 30 years later
Hall of Famer George Brett Remembers Historic Game at Yankee Stadium
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 16- Baseball Hall of Famer George Brett was recently named interim hitting coach for the Kansas City Royals, the team on which he played all of his 21 years in the major leagues. Brett began his career in the big leagues at the age of 20 in 1973 and concluded it at the close of the 1993 season after having amassed a large array of on-the-field achievements and earned a plethora of honors.
Brett and the rest of the 2013 Royals were in the Bronx from July 8-11 for a four-game set with the Yankees. As the series was the only visit of the Royals to New York this year, the 30th anniversary of an unusual game between the Royals and Yanks was remembered. As Brett was the center of the controversial contest, he held a press conference at Yankee Stadium to reminisce of that day.
It’s strange that a baseball player who was elected to the Hall of Fame with 98 percent of the vote and whose achievements include a .390 batting average in 1980, being elected to the All-Star team of the American League 13 times, a World Series batting average of .373, an American League Championship Series batting average of .340, the American League MVP Award in 1980, a lifetime total of 3,154 hits and 1,596 runs batted in should be most remembered as the “tar guy.” He remarked, “It’s what I’m known for.”
The rivalry between the two clubs in 1983 was intense as they had battled in the A.L.C.S. in four of the previous seven seasons. Brett talked of his animosity towards the Yanks but also of how much he enjoyed the challenge of playing against them, especially in New York, “I loved playing here and I loved it when the fans booed me, which they did often. I loved the challenge of going out there and playing against a great Yankee team.”
The unusual game of which Brett spoke began on July 24 but did not conclude until August 18. The Yanks led, 4-3, until the ninth when Brett blasted a two-run homer off reliever “Goose” Gossage, now also in the Baseball Hall of Fame and a friend of Brett’s. The homer was followed by the Yankee manager, Billy Martin, never a stranger to an argument, exiting the dugout to complain to umpire Tim McClelland that Brett was in violation to MLB rules by having more than 18 inches of pine tar covering his bat.
The controversy intensified when the umpire disallowed the home run and called Brett out for violating baseball rules. Brett, enraged, rushed from the dugout and had to be restrained from physically attacking the ump. The decision resulted in a Yankees 4-3 victory.
The decision was overturned several days later by American League President Lee MacPhail. He ruled the home run counted and the game would resume with two out in the top of the ninth and the Royals leading, 5-4. The game continued on August 18. Several minutes later, the game concluded without a change in the 5-4 score.
Brett, three decades later, now looks at the circumstances very differently than he did during his outburst of anger, “To be remembered as a guy that hit that hit a home run off one of the great closers of all time, “Goose” Gossage with a bat that was, I guess, suspected of being illegal and proven not to be, and then having it reversed. I’m known for something positive.”
Anyone who saw George Brett play also can remember that they witnessed one of the great major leaguers of his generation and a player truly deserving of his Hall of Fame status.
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 16- Baseball Hall of Famer George Brett was recently named interim hitting coach for the Kansas City Royals, the team on which he played all of his 21 years in the major leagues. Brett began his career in the big leagues at the age of 20 in 1973 and concluded it at the close of the 1993 season after having amassed a large array of on-the-field achievements and earned a plethora of honors.
Brett and the rest of the 2013 Royals were in the Bronx from July 8-11 for a four-game set with the Yankees. As the series was the only visit of the Royals to New York this year, the 30th anniversary of an unusual game between the Royals and Yanks was remembered. As Brett was the center of the controversial contest, he held a press conference at Yankee Stadium to reminisce of that day.
It’s strange that a baseball player who was elected to the Hall of Fame with 98 percent of the vote and whose achievements include a .390 batting average in 1980, being elected to the All-Star team of the American League 13 times, a World Series batting average of .373, an American League Championship Series batting average of .340, the American League MVP Award in 1980, a lifetime total of 3,154 hits and 1,596 runs batted in should be most remembered as the “tar guy.” He remarked, “It’s what I’m known for.”
The rivalry between the two clubs in 1983 was intense as they had battled in the A.L.C.S. in four of the previous seven seasons. Brett talked of his animosity towards the Yanks but also of how much he enjoyed the challenge of playing against them, especially in New York, “I loved playing here and I loved it when the fans booed me, which they did often. I loved the challenge of going out there and playing against a great Yankee team.”
The unusual game of which Brett spoke began on July 24 but did not conclude until August 18. The Yanks led, 4-3, until the ninth when Brett blasted a two-run homer off reliever “Goose” Gossage, now also in the Baseball Hall of Fame and a friend of Brett’s. The homer was followed by the Yankee manager, Billy Martin, never a stranger to an argument, exiting the dugout to complain to umpire Tim McClelland that Brett was in violation to MLB rules by having more than 18 inches of pine tar covering his bat.
The controversy intensified when the umpire disallowed the home run and called Brett out for violating baseball rules. Brett, enraged, rushed from the dugout and had to be restrained from physically attacking the ump. The decision resulted in a Yankees 4-3 victory.
The decision was overturned several days later by American League President Lee MacPhail. He ruled the home run counted and the game would resume with two out in the top of the ninth and the Royals leading, 5-4. The game continued on August 18. Several minutes later, the game concluded without a change in the 5-4 score.
Brett, three decades later, now looks at the circumstances very differently than he did during his outburst of anger, “To be remembered as a guy that hit that hit a home run off one of the great closers of all time, “Goose” Gossage with a bat that was, I guess, suspected of being illegal and proven not to be, and then having it reversed. I’m known for something positive.”
Anyone who saw George Brett play also can remember that they witnessed one of the great major leaguers of his generation and a player truly deserving of his Hall of Fame status.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Shot in the Back
Man Gunned Down in Mott Haven;
Third Shooting in Seven Months
By David Greene
BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 15- A popular Mott Haven man was shot in the back as he returned home from a late night bar-b-que, the third reported shooting over a five-block stretch of Brook Avenue since January.
Cops were called at 2:30 a.m. on July 14 to the Dr. Ramon E. Betances Houses, located at 400 Brook Avenue, where Samuel Gonzalez, 27, was discovered. Gonzalez had been shot three times in the back at close range.
Gonzalez was transported to Lincoln Hospital where he died a short time later.
Multiple sources say police were looking for a black male between 20 and 25-years old, wearing blue shorts and a white tank-top.
One suspect was stopped on Jackson Avenue, but one police source maintains that, that suspect was released after being questioned at the 40th Precinct.
One detective investigating the case was asked if he thought the killing had to do with the not-guilty verdict in the racially-charged George Zimmerman case in Florida that was announced a short time before the shooting.
The detective replied, "He had left a bar-b-que and had met two girls. One of the girls noticed two guys standing on the corner... when she heard someone running up behind them," when the shots rang out.
The investigator revealed that the witness was unable to get a good look at the gunman, whose face was covered with a hat. The three slugs all went through and exited Gonzalez' body.
The detective added that there were no surveillance cameras in the area, but police already had the suspects first name, adding, "We haven't put a face with the name just yet."
Meanwhile, a large crowd kept vigil outside of Gonzalez' home and uniformed police were on hand as members of the crowd quickly became hostile to arriving members of the media.
Police say Gonzalez, who lived at Brook Avenue and E. 139 Street, had an extensive police record with more than 20 arrests for petty crimes, mostly drug possession or drug sales.
On June 2, Ivan Martinez, 21, was shot once in the head at E. 139 Street and Brook Avenue, after a dispute with two men. One published report of the incident stated police chased the suspects north on Brook Avenue, but lost them near the Betances Houses.
A third man was shot on Brook Avenue back on January 1, but survived.
Police have so far made no arrests in either homicide. Anyone with any information in either case is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS.
(Bronx CSI runs on Dunkin': Crime scene investigators carry two bags of evidence into the 40th Precinct.)
--Photo by David Greene
Third Shooting in Seven Months
By David Greene
BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 15- A popular Mott Haven man was shot in the back as he returned home from a late night bar-b-que, the third reported shooting over a five-block stretch of Brook Avenue since January.
Cops were called at 2:30 a.m. on July 14 to the Dr. Ramon E. Betances Houses, located at 400 Brook Avenue, where Samuel Gonzalez, 27, was discovered. Gonzalez had been shot three times in the back at close range.
Gonzalez was transported to Lincoln Hospital where he died a short time later.
Multiple sources say police were looking for a black male between 20 and 25-years old, wearing blue shorts and a white tank-top.
One suspect was stopped on Jackson Avenue, but one police source maintains that, that suspect was released after being questioned at the 40th Precinct.
One detective investigating the case was asked if he thought the killing had to do with the not-guilty verdict in the racially-charged George Zimmerman case in Florida that was announced a short time before the shooting.
The detective replied, "He had left a bar-b-que and had met two girls. One of the girls noticed two guys standing on the corner... when she heard someone running up behind them," when the shots rang out.
The investigator revealed that the witness was unable to get a good look at the gunman, whose face was covered with a hat. The three slugs all went through and exited Gonzalez' body.
The detective added that there were no surveillance cameras in the area, but police already had the suspects first name, adding, "We haven't put a face with the name just yet."
Meanwhile, a large crowd kept vigil outside of Gonzalez' home and uniformed police were on hand as members of the crowd quickly became hostile to arriving members of the media.
Police say Gonzalez, who lived at Brook Avenue and E. 139 Street, had an extensive police record with more than 20 arrests for petty crimes, mostly drug possession or drug sales.
On June 2, Ivan Martinez, 21, was shot once in the head at E. 139 Street and Brook Avenue, after a dispute with two men. One published report of the incident stated police chased the suspects north on Brook Avenue, but lost them near the Betances Houses.
A third man was shot on Brook Avenue back on January 1, but survived.
Police have so far made no arrests in either homicide. Anyone with any information in either case is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS.
(Bronx CSI runs on Dunkin': Crime scene investigators carry two bags of evidence into the 40th Precinct.)
--Photo by David Greene
Debate Needs To Be Investigated
(Moderator Michael Serrano standing in front of candidates Andrew Cohen, Cheryl Keeling, and Cliff Stanton as he partially blocks candidate Andrew Cohen.)
Riverdale Report
By Robert Press
BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 15- The July 11th city council debate at Lehman College needs to be investigated by not only Lehman College President Richardo Fernandez, but probably Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson, and The Campaign Finance Board. What went on was not a debate, but something of a set up by one candidate on another candidate in the 11th city council race.
This was billed as a City Council District 11 Democratic Debate, moderated by Michael J. Serrano, Hosted by DIALOG: A Campus Forum, Live at the Lovinger Theatre, Lehman College. Within the first few minutes of dialog by the moderator who said that he lives by the Williamsbridge Oval one could sense the direction that this debate might be going. It was not the answers to his questions that were important to me as all three candidates seemed to agree on their answers. What started to bother me was that candidates Andrew Cohen and Cheryl Keeling rotated going first or second while candidate Cliff Stanton always answered in the advantageous position of last, thus being able to hear what his opponents had said before he answered. My blog located at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com details the answers given during this round of questions by the moderator.
At the intermission point I asked Mr. Serrano the moderator why he had candidates Cohen and Keeling only answer first and candidate Stanton always answering last. He answered me by saying that was the way he did it, and before the debate resumed he told the audience that during the intermission he was asked why candidate Stanton always went last on each question. Mr. Serrano told the audience “Because he can as moderator”.
After the break moderator Serrano asked for questions from the very poorly attended event. The Norwood News listed the attendance at 40 while I estimated 60 people of which maybe 12 could have been impartial. I am not going to go into the audience questions, because as you can see in the photos on my blog two of the people chosen to ask questions were wearing Stanton for Council t-shirts. It got to a point where candidate Andrew Cohen said, “Should someone on Mr. Stanton's payroll be asking me a question”? He answered the question none the less. I also know several others who are associated with the Stanton campaign who were allowed to ask questions, and will say that the Cohen side did get to squeak one question in as the person who asked it was sitting alone and looked like he was not associated with the Cohen campaign.
At the end of the audience questioning the moderator then pointed to the reporter who was from the Riverdale Press (once a fine local newspaper that has deteriorated in its quality of reporting which is seen in the drastic drop of its circulation) to let her ask a question. She asked candidate Andrew Cohen “Did you ever work for Pedro Espada Jr.”? Mr. Cohen answered that he was council to then Councilman Pedro Gautier Espada in the year 2000. The editorial of the Riverdale Press July 11th said that three of candidate Andrew Cohen's supporters State Senator Jeff Klein, Congressman Eliot Engel, and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz have stopped taking questions from that paper due to their reporting, no wonder why.
I then called upon the moderator to let me ask a question of the candidates. I asked if the candidates would send their child to a school that had no auditorium, no gym, no lunch room, no music & art, and was going to teach children in an area that was used as a garage. Candidates Cohen and Keeling said no they would not, while candidate Stanton said obviously that question is aimed at me since that is exactly what the charter school I helped set up is going to do. Stanton said that he did not send his child to the school, but I can tell Mr. Stanton as a former citywide parent leader I could have been talking about one of the many buildings that children have been, and are still being taught in such as the former PS 51 in School District 10 to name only one.
Back to the so called debate. It deteriorated so that when candidate Cohen could not be rattled the person on candidate Stanton's payroll then attacked current Councilman Oliver Koppell record. This person while campaigning for candidate Stanton proudly boasts on his letterhead that he helped elect Councilman Koppell in 2005 and again in 2009.
I have been impartial in this race as in all other races that are going on, and have said to Mr. Stanton's chief of staff the race would go to Mr. Cohen, and Mr. Stanton would have to pull a rabbit out of his hat.. After this debacle (not debate) I now think Mr. Stanton has to worry about finishing third in the race behind candidate Cheryl Keeling, and possibly fourth as there was a fourth person who filed petitions to run in the 11th city council district Democratic primary. This race is over as I predict candidate Andrew Cohen the winner and will say with 83 percent of the vote with a margin of error at 5 percent.
To see my take on what went on at Lehman College Thursday night July 11th complete with photos go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com.
If you have any comments about anything in 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.
Riverdale Report
By Robert Press
BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 15- The July 11th city council debate at Lehman College needs to be investigated by not only Lehman College President Richardo Fernandez, but probably Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson, and The Campaign Finance Board. What went on was not a debate, but something of a set up by one candidate on another candidate in the 11th city council race.
This was billed as a City Council District 11 Democratic Debate, moderated by Michael J. Serrano, Hosted by DIALOG: A Campus Forum, Live at the Lovinger Theatre, Lehman College. Within the first few minutes of dialog by the moderator who said that he lives by the Williamsbridge Oval one could sense the direction that this debate might be going. It was not the answers to his questions that were important to me as all three candidates seemed to agree on their answers. What started to bother me was that candidates Andrew Cohen and Cheryl Keeling rotated going first or second while candidate Cliff Stanton always answered in the advantageous position of last, thus being able to hear what his opponents had said before he answered. My blog located at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com details the answers given during this round of questions by the moderator.
At the intermission point I asked Mr. Serrano the moderator why he had candidates Cohen and Keeling only answer first and candidate Stanton always answering last. He answered me by saying that was the way he did it, and before the debate resumed he told the audience that during the intermission he was asked why candidate Stanton always went last on each question. Mr. Serrano told the audience “Because he can as moderator”.
After the break moderator Serrano asked for questions from the very poorly attended event. The Norwood News listed the attendance at 40 while I estimated 60 people of which maybe 12 could have been impartial. I am not going to go into the audience questions, because as you can see in the photos on my blog two of the people chosen to ask questions were wearing Stanton for Council t-shirts. It got to a point where candidate Andrew Cohen said, “Should someone on Mr. Stanton's payroll be asking me a question”? He answered the question none the less. I also know several others who are associated with the Stanton campaign who were allowed to ask questions, and will say that the Cohen side did get to squeak one question in as the person who asked it was sitting alone and looked like he was not associated with the Cohen campaign.
At the end of the audience questioning the moderator then pointed to the reporter who was from the Riverdale Press (once a fine local newspaper that has deteriorated in its quality of reporting which is seen in the drastic drop of its circulation) to let her ask a question. She asked candidate Andrew Cohen “Did you ever work for Pedro Espada Jr.”? Mr. Cohen answered that he was council to then Councilman Pedro Gautier Espada in the year 2000. The editorial of the Riverdale Press July 11th said that three of candidate Andrew Cohen's supporters State Senator Jeff Klein, Congressman Eliot Engel, and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz have stopped taking questions from that paper due to their reporting, no wonder why.
I then called upon the moderator to let me ask a question of the candidates. I asked if the candidates would send their child to a school that had no auditorium, no gym, no lunch room, no music & art, and was going to teach children in an area that was used as a garage. Candidates Cohen and Keeling said no they would not, while candidate Stanton said obviously that question is aimed at me since that is exactly what the charter school I helped set up is going to do. Stanton said that he did not send his child to the school, but I can tell Mr. Stanton as a former citywide parent leader I could have been talking about one of the many buildings that children have been, and are still being taught in such as the former PS 51 in School District 10 to name only one.
Back to the so called debate. It deteriorated so that when candidate Cohen could not be rattled the person on candidate Stanton's payroll then attacked current Councilman Oliver Koppell record. This person while campaigning for candidate Stanton proudly boasts on his letterhead that he helped elect Councilman Koppell in 2005 and again in 2009.
I have been impartial in this race as in all other races that are going on, and have said to Mr. Stanton's chief of staff the race would go to Mr. Cohen, and Mr. Stanton would have to pull a rabbit out of his hat.. After this debacle (not debate) I now think Mr. Stanton has to worry about finishing third in the race behind candidate Cheryl Keeling, and possibly fourth as there was a fourth person who filed petitions to run in the 11th city council district Democratic primary. This race is over as I predict candidate Andrew Cohen the winner and will say with 83 percent of the vote with a margin of error at 5 percent.
To see my take on what went on at Lehman College Thursday night July 11th complete with photos go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com.
If you have any comments about anything in 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.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Sixth Straight Victory for Yankees
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 6- An oppressive heat with temperatures above 90 degrees hovered over Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The heat adversely affected those in the stands and those on the playing field, but did not prevent the Yankees from coming from behind to earn their sixth consecutive win. Interestingly, five of the six were comeback victories.
The 5-4 victory over the Orioles allowed the Yanks to move into sole possession of second place in the American League East, .5 games ahead of Baltimore.
A two run homer by Chris Davis off Yankees starter Andy Pettitte in the first scored the first two runs of the contest. The pitch, according to the veteran lefthander, “was exactly where I wanted it.” Yankees skipper Joe Girardi remarked about the young superstar, “He’s so strong his popups are going to go out.”
Davis is currently a strong candidate for the 2013 MVP award in the American League. He ranks 1st in home runs (33), 1st in slugging percentage (.721), 2nd in batting average (.324), 2nd in runs (63), 2nd in runs batted in (85), 2nd in doubles (26) and 4th in on base percentage (.399). His current totals of 33 homers and 85 RBIs are equal to what he achieved in the 2012 season during which he played 139 games.
Pettitte gave up a run on two hits in the second and fourth innings. Seven of the nine hits and all four runs he yielded came during the first four frames. Girardi commented regarding Pettite’s adjustment, “He kind of figured it out in the third.”
Pettitte spoke in greater length and more discouragement about his pitching difficulties, especially early in a game, “Same old story, they got runs early. It’s frustrating. It would be nice to throw up some zeros early and pitch with a lead. Right now, my pitch selection is not the right one.” The veteran expressed no doubt that he will be able to overcome any current pitching problems, “I’ll just continue to battle through this.”
Pettitte lasted 6.2 innings. Thanks to his bullpen mates, who did not yield a run, Pettitte earned his sixth win of the year. The win, his 251st tied him with Bob Gibson for 42nd place in MLB history. Mariano Rivera earned his 29th save of the season in 30 save opportunities. The duo of Pettitte and Rivera combined for the 4th win/save combination of this season and the 72nd career combo.
The Yankees won the game using small ball. They got 10 hits, everyone was a single. Hits by Zoilo Almonte, Lyle Overbay, Luis Cruz and a sacrifice fly by Eduardo Nuñez in his first game since May 5 led to two runs in the second. Singles by Nuñez, Chris Stewart, Ichiro Suzuki and Robinson Cano added two runs in the fifth. The winning run was driven in by Nuñez in the sixth.
The Yanks hope to sweep the three game set on Sunday afternoon with Huroki Kuroda (7-6) facing Jason Hammel (7-5).
BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 6- An oppressive heat with temperatures above 90 degrees hovered over Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The heat adversely affected those in the stands and those on the playing field, but did not prevent the Yankees from coming from behind to earn their sixth consecutive win. Interestingly, five of the six were comeback victories.
The 5-4 victory over the Orioles allowed the Yanks to move into sole possession of second place in the American League East, .5 games ahead of Baltimore.
A two run homer by Chris Davis off Yankees starter Andy Pettitte in the first scored the first two runs of the contest. The pitch, according to the veteran lefthander, “was exactly where I wanted it.” Yankees skipper Joe Girardi remarked about the young superstar, “He’s so strong his popups are going to go out.”
Davis is currently a strong candidate for the 2013 MVP award in the American League. He ranks 1st in home runs (33), 1st in slugging percentage (.721), 2nd in batting average (.324), 2nd in runs (63), 2nd in runs batted in (85), 2nd in doubles (26) and 4th in on base percentage (.399). His current totals of 33 homers and 85 RBIs are equal to what he achieved in the 2012 season during which he played 139 games.
Pettitte gave up a run on two hits in the second and fourth innings. Seven of the nine hits and all four runs he yielded came during the first four frames. Girardi commented regarding Pettite’s adjustment, “He kind of figured it out in the third.”
Pettitte spoke in greater length and more discouragement about his pitching difficulties, especially early in a game, “Same old story, they got runs early. It’s frustrating. It would be nice to throw up some zeros early and pitch with a lead. Right now, my pitch selection is not the right one.” The veteran expressed no doubt that he will be able to overcome any current pitching problems, “I’ll just continue to battle through this.”
Pettitte lasted 6.2 innings. Thanks to his bullpen mates, who did not yield a run, Pettitte earned his sixth win of the year. The win, his 251st tied him with Bob Gibson for 42nd place in MLB history. Mariano Rivera earned his 29th save of the season in 30 save opportunities. The duo of Pettitte and Rivera combined for the 4th win/save combination of this season and the 72nd career combo.
The Yankees won the game using small ball. They got 10 hits, everyone was a single. Hits by Zoilo Almonte, Lyle Overbay, Luis Cruz and a sacrifice fly by Eduardo Nuñez in his first game since May 5 led to two runs in the second. Singles by Nuñez, Chris Stewart, Ichiro Suzuki and Robinson Cano added two runs in the fifth. The winning run was driven in by Nuñez in the sixth.
The Yanks hope to sweep the three game set on Sunday afternoon with Huroki Kuroda (7-6) facing Jason Hammel (7-5).
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