Bronx News (Bxnews.net): One Last Time

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): One Last Time: One Last Time Derek Jeter was the highlight for his final Opening Day in the Bronx By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 7- Derek Jeter s...

One Last Time

One Last Time

Derek Jeter was the highlight for his final Opening Day in the Bronx

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 7- Derek Jeter struck out in the first inning, his final Opening Day at bat in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium. He got cheers, and what else would be more appropriate. He has been an icon in the once “House of Ruth Built” across the street and at the new stadium since 1996, and cheers will continue until his final at bat in September.

Except, Jeter is one to not take the accolades for himself and as he said again early Monday, this is not about him. It’s about his teammates and the Yankees winning another championship. And the goal for these Yankees is to win one more this season for the Captain as Jeter wears the pinstripes for a final time.

“It’s pretty much like every opening day,” said Jeter. He said the fans always treated him with respect, they get excited and it is a big deal in New York.

He said there have been a lot of wild moments, and enjoyed each and every day in the Bronx. The fans have been special. They always knew Jeter had a priority when he took the field in the Bronx. They saw that in October of 2012, the night when his season ended abruptly against the Tigers in the American League Championship Series.

Jeter struggled to get up. The pain was etched in his face, but a broken ankle prevented the Yankees Captain from leaving the field on his own. The Manager Joe Girardi had to help Jeter off the field.

So, when the player introduction commenced, there was Derek Jeter. In the Yankees dugout, and just like every Opening Day he was nervous. It is part of being a ballplayer. The nerves will flow opening the home season, except this one was extra special.

“I think I’m curious how he’s going to handle it,” said Girardi before the first pitch. “Something like today, or the last time in a city maybe, I’m curious to see how he handles that. I’m sure he’ll take a moment to reflect on that but will it be visible that he’s reflecting on it?”

See, Derek Jeter has always been one to reflect on things, especially his marvelous career. But he never made it known how he felt. His teammates over the years have said, Jeter keeps it all inside, and perhaps that’s what made him so special. After all, this is New York. The spotlight and center of attention of the New York Yankees, that being Derek Jeter, is not supposed to have hidden feelings.

This is New York, and when you play here the entire world is tuned in.

"I think people are going to show him the appreciation no matter what happens just because of what he's meant,” said Girardi.  “You think about his rings, his World Series, All-Star Games, everything he's done and the way he's played the game, I don't think his stats will have a very big impact on how they show appreciation.”

“But the stats might have an impact on people letting him go away after this season in a sense. If he has a season like we know he's capable of, people are going to say 'why aren't you going to keep playing?’"

Jeter now has the most hits for a right-handed batter in American League history. He led off the bottom of the fifth with a double that almost cleared the left field wall for a home run. New teammate, Jacoby Ellsbury, followed with a run scoring single that gave the Yankees a 3-1 lead over the Orioles.

It was a typical Jeter swing. His head slide into second, something he could not do last year, showing no effects of an injury that kept him away from an opening day in the Bronx last year.

“I've always said that Yankees fans are the greatest fans in the world,” commented Jeter. “That is no disrespect to any other team or any other sport. That's just how I feel."

And with the “Core Four” together one more time, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera, Jeter heard more of the ovations from a capacity crowd. He spent so much time in pinstripes, had those wonderful moments in the Bronx and there is no telling how many more of those moments will occur from now until late September.

For now, the Yankees and their fans will relish these final moments. It is a love affair that will never go away. Opening Day in the Bronx will just have to be a little different next April with Derek Jeter as a special guest at Yankee Stadium.

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

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Slash Attack Worth $5 Mil?

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Slash Attack Worth $5 Mil?: Slash Attack Worth $5 Mil? Teen Sues City for Attack in Lehman HS By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 7- The attorney for a teenager sl...

Slash Attack Worth $5 Mil?

Slash Attack Worth $5 Mil?

Teen Sues City for Attack in Lehman HS

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 7- The attorney for a teenager slashed across the chin during an attack at Herbert H. Lehman High School, was expected to file a notice of claim against the city-- seeking more than $5 million in damages.

Attorney Sanford Rubenstein was expected to file papers in Manhattan on April 7, charging negligence on the part of the City of New York, the Department of Education and the New York City Police Department on behalf of his client and student Stephauan Powell, 16.

According to Rubenstein, Powell was slashed by a fellow student across the chin with a straight-edge razor in a third-floor hallway at the East Tremont Avenue school. The gash needed 20-stitches to close.

After the attack,the attorney claims his client was charged with disorderly conduct.

In the document that would be filed at 1 Centre Street, Rubenstein charges, "As a direct result of the active and passive negligence, carelessness and recklessness... respondents failed to provide enough teachers or school safety agents who could properly monitor and control all of the students."

The document also claims that either school safety agents or teachers were aware of a, "known dangerous condition," but the release does not elaborate on what that condition was.

In a prepared statement, Rubenstein said, "Students go to school to learn, not be attacked in school with a weapon and brutally slashed."

He added, "Justice for Stephauan Powell is important for all students. School's must be made safe for all those who attend."

A verdict in Powell's favor could open the city to a floodgate of lawsuits stemming from dozens of incidents that occur on school property every year. 

The attorney is seeking $5 million for the teen who suffered a 2-inch gash under his jaw as well as $500,000 for Powell's mother Latoya Santiago, 39, for her own pain and suffering.

Calls to Lehman High School Principal Rose LoBianco were not immediately returned.

A call to the Office of Public Safety, a unit of unarmed peace officers who patrol city school's and remain a division under the NYPD-- prompted an immediate, "Sorry, I can't comment," and a hang-up.

An e-mail request to Marge Feinberg, a spokeswoman at the DOE, who was described by another DOE official as one who, "handles those types of cases," who diverted all questions to the NYPD.

An NYPD spokesman stated that records show that Powell was not arrested, but was unable to say if a summons was issued for disorderly conduct.

The spokesman added that the NYPD does not comment on pending litigation. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bowling Thieves Caught Doing the ‘Wild Thing’

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bowling Thieves Caught Doing the ‘Wild Thing’: Bowling Thieves Caught Doing the ‘Wild Thing’  By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 7- A pair of robbers are about as sharp as as bowli...

Bowling Thieves Caught Doing the ‘Wild Thing’

Bowling Thieves Caught Doing the ‘Wild Thing’ 

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 7- A pair of robbers are about as sharp as as bowling ball when they were caught on tape robbing a bowling alley with distinctive clothing.

At around 4:50 a.m. on April 4, the pair cut a hole in the roof and entered the bowling alley 2417 Hollers Avenue outside Co-op City. Surveillance cameras caught the master criminals in action as they took money from the six cash registers in the bowling alley. 

Cops are hoping the criminals’ distinctive clothing will help them catch the thieves. Video surveillance shows one of the men wearing a shirt with designs and the word “Taylor” written on it. The second suspect is seen wearing a shirt with the words “Wild Thing” written on it. Both men are between the ages of 30 and 40. 

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

All calls are confidential. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cops, DA Close Bronx Zoo Gun Shop

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cops, DA Close Bronx Zoo Gun Shop: Cops, DA Close Bronx Zoo Gun Shop BRONX, YORK,  APRIL 4- Gun dealers, who set up shop near the entrance to the Bronx Zoo, were indicted on ...