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Thursday, January 23, 2014

Who is Pitching Phenom Masahiro Tanaka?




By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 23- Two days before the deadline for Masahiro Tanaka to sign with a major league team or return to his club in Japan, the New York Yankees announced the signing of the Japanese pitcher. Thus, they won the big sweepstakes of the 2014 pre-season with this signing. Several teams including the Dodgers, Cubs, White Sox and Diamondbacks were making a strong effort to sign the 25- year-old Japanese right handed hurler.

Although the young pitcher has yet to throw a pitch in MLB, he signed the fifth highest contract for a pitcher in the history of the majors. He was given $155 million for seven years with an opt-out clause after the fourth year in 2017. As the team that signed Tanaka, the Yankees will also have to pay the $20 million posting fee to the Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). 

Tanaka began playing organized baseball as a little leaguer in his native country. He was a highly touted pitcher in high school before joining the Golden Eagles at the age of 18.

He immediately lived up to expectations as he was elected Rookie of the Year in 2007. 

Tanaka won 99 while dropping only 35 decisions in seven seasons in the Pacific League with an ERA of 2.30. He fanned 1,236 batters in 1,315 innings in 175 games. Unlike recent MLB stats, the righty completed 53 of his 172 starts. His strikeout/walk ratio is a startling 4.5-1 (1,236/275). 

His most recent three seasons were played at an even higher level of performance. He was 53-9 with a miniscule ERA of 1.44. Last year, he had a perfect 24-0 mark. 

The 25 year-old has pitched against international competition in the 2008 Olympics and in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) 2009 and 2013.

Obtaining the services of Tanaka has been a goal of the Yankees. The retirement of Andy Pettitte and the decision not to sign Phil Hughes left the team short two starters. The farm system of the Yankees has few, if any, pitchers who could make the jump to the majors and keep the team in the hunt for the championship. Tanaka will join Sabathia, Kuroda, and Nova in the rotation with a fifth starter, perhaps Pineda or Phelps, to be decided in Spring Training.

The Yankee ownership has, judging by the signings of McCann, Ellsbury, Beltran and Tanaka, shown dissatisfaction with an 85-win season in which they finished out of the playoffs for only the second time in the last 19 seasons.  

Although keeping this year’s salary below $189 million has been an organization goal, managing partner Hal Steinbrenner, at the press conferences for the signing of Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran, made it clear having a championship caliber team was the paramount objective. A Wednesday afternoon conference call, the Yankees general manager, Brian Cashman, remarked that these signings are proof that Hank and Hal Steinbrenner are very serious regarding raising the franchise to a level where they can compete for the World Series title.

Why the Yankees desired to obtain the services of Tanaka is much more obvious than why he chose the Yankees. There may be many reasons why he chose the Yankees, playing in New York City, having experienced players from his homeland like Hiroki Kuroda and Ichiro Suzuki as teammates, having his songstress wife, Mai Stoda, further here career in the international city, or receiving a call from former Yankee Hideki Matsui of his favorable experiences as a Yankee. The reasoning may be revealed at his first press conference as a Yankee.


Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Joel Osteen Returns to Yankee Stadium

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Joel Osteen Returns to Yankee Stadium: BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 22- On Saturday, June 7, 2014, Joel and Victoria Osteen will hold their 6 th annual “America’s Night of Hope” ...

Joel Osteen Returns to Yankee Stadium




BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 22- On Saturday, June 7, 2014, Joel and Victoria Osteen will hold their 6th annual “America’s Night of Hope” at Yankee Stadium; an evening of hope and inspiration expected to draw over 55,000 people from across the country.   
This is the second America’s Night of Hope at Yankee Stadium.  The first was on April 25, 2009 — nine days after the new ballpark opened — and was the first non-baseball event held at the venue. These annual stadium-sized events have also been held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles (2010), U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago (2011), Nationals Park in Washington D.C. (2012) and Marlins Park in Miami (2013).

“Victoria and I love the people of New York,” said Pastor Joel Osteen. “We’re excited to be at Yankee Stadium again, and we believe people will be uplifted and filled with an expectation that their best days are still to come.” 
As a part of the activities surrounding “America’s Night of Hope,” Joel Osteen Ministries will reach into New York City’s local communities with hundreds of volunteers – many from Houston – in order to bring hope through acts of kindness and compassion. Known as The Generation Hope Project® this effort is a major part of the America’s Night of Hope event and, since 2012, has already provided thousands of volunteer hours of service through work projects at schools, parks, and community centers in Washington D.C. and Miami, Florida.  This year’s Generation Hope Project® will focus on mentoring — developing one-to-one relationships in which one person fosters the personal and professional growth of someone else.  Volunteers will have an opportunity to work with young people who need strong adult role models.  

To volunteer, sign up at www.generationhopeproject.com.

Tickets are $15.00 and are available January 25 at www.joelosteen.com or Ticketmaster outlets.

*Not including facility and ticketing fees.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Is He Worth the Ca$h?

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Is He Worth the Ca$h?: Is He Worth the Ca$h? Tanaka is a risk for Yanks but the rotation looks better to put them on top By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY...

Is He Worth the Ca$h?


Is He Worth the Ca$h?

Tanaka is a risk for Yanks but the rotation looks better to put them on top
By Rich Mancuso
BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 22- Spending never was an issue with the New York Yankees and that $189 million salary threshold by all means was not going to stop them. No, spending is not an issue when this organization is idle and not playing baseball in October. And for the Yankees it is not right to be watching, instead of playing baseball in October.
Throw away a theory that the Yankees were not going to spend their precious money, and with the agreement in place to sign Japanese right-hander Masaharo Tanaka, they may have assured themselves of playing baseball again this October.
Well from all accounts it appears the Yankees will play baseball in October. It is a long season. There are still questions about the infield with an aging Derek Jeter over at shortstop; second quality talent to fill the holes at second; at first Mark Teixeira is coming off an injury ridden season.
At seven years and $155 million, with an opt-out clause after four years, the seventh highest contract granted to a pitcher, Tanaka is a risk because he has never thrown a Major League Baseball pitch. But, the Yankees feel they got what they needed.
They saw Tanaka enough to be convinced, his 24-0 record and 1.27 ERA last season with the Rakuten Golden Eagles will work here. They may have solved the missing pieces of a puzzle. It gives manager Joe Girardi the leisure of throwing left-hander and ace CC Sabathia, followed by right-handers Hiroki Kuroda, Tanaka, Ivan Nova and David Phelps.
And Michael Pineda, who has not thrown a pitch since being acquired two years ago, could be the other right-hander in the mix along with Vidal Nuno who threw some quality pitches last season.   
A risk of seven years, Tanaka is one of four active pitchers now to have thrown over 1,000 innings, at or before 24-years of age.  The Yankees had the leverage to spend more with the departure of Robinson Cano to Seattle and the certain season-long suspension of Alex Rodriguez.  
So the Yankees were the team once again this off-season spending the money. With acquiring contracts of Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran, and now Tanaka, that is a combined $491 million.
Say what you want, this reminds one of the late George Steinbrenner. He took out his wallet and they came to the Bronx. The Steinbrenner sons, Hal and Hank, did not appear to be on that spending spree and perhaps the long-term and bad contract of A-Rod was a reason why.
However, the Yankees do not like to be idle in October. Declining attendance and hearing boos in the new house “That George built” was a message sent to baseball that they were not going to stand still. They threw out the bad A-Rod contract theory, and had the money.
All of a sudden a threshold of $189 million was insignificant.
Of course that figure is not important, because from all standards the Yankees have improved by spending money. However, the signing of Tanaka and others does not assure they will go all the way. With improvements they have made a step to be in the post-season this October.
It was 2009, the last time the Yankees spent all this money. You remember, the last time the team won a World Series with Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, oh, and a guy named Alex Rodriguez.
That is in the past of this illustrious Yankees franchise. The emphasis is now and the need to possibly find a replacement for Mariano Rivera, the all-time saves leader because David Robertson may not be suited for that role.
In the meantime, Tanaka will adjust to the different game and pitching to Major League baseball talent. He will get help from Kuroda and Ichiro Suzuki who may have influenced his decision coming to the Bronx, a second factor of course to the contract.    
Tanaka tossed eight complete games and recorded two shutouts last season in Japan. He can make a big difference in a pitching staff that still had some question marks but that remains to be determined.
What has been determined is the Yankees have spent their money again, something that had never been an issue. And this latest signing of Tanaka assured that the organization will never be content unless they are playing baseball in October.
Time will tell if the Tanaka investment was worth the long-term risk. Rest assured for the moment it made the Yankees a better team in their quest for an October return.


Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Snow Days

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Snow Days: Snow Days The Do's and Don'ts in Snow Removal COMMUNITY BOARD NEWS N’ VIEWS by Father Richard F. Gorman Chairman Community Board #12...

Snow Days


Snow Days

The Do's and Don'ts in Snow Removal

COMMUNITY BOARD
NEWS N’ VIEWS

by

Father Richard F. Gorman
Chairman
Community Board #12 (The Bronx)




“I will follow a set of deep tracks;
other people all stay hidden
as the cars rest under snow drifts.”

“SNOW DAY” by MATT POND PA

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 22- MATT POND PA is a New York-based band formed in Philadelphia by singer-songwriter Matt Pond. They have released a goodly number of
songs, some of which became “hits” and several of which have been used
in both films and television commercials, since 1998. Pond has been
the only consistent member of the group, although Chris Hansen is
considered to be the core member of the group. In the studio, they
often collaborate with other musicians, including former members, in
order to achieve their diverse instrumentation and expansive sound. In
recent years, Pond and Hansen have produced their recordings from a
cabin in Bearsville, New York. In November of 2010, their song quoted
above entitled "SNOW DAY" was featured in a commercial for STARBUCKS
for the java giant’s "BUY ONE HOLIDAY DRINK, GET ONE FREE" promotion
and seasonal beverage advertisements.

Although we have kept company with “Ole Man Winter” for approximately
a month’s time, we no doubt have severely felt his lash on a number of
occasions with some real Arctic-type weather conditions that he has
foisted upon us. In my last column, I addressed the bitterly cold
temperatures and offered some suggestions as to how we can remain safe
when the thermometer plummets. This time around, I should like to
remind all about some “do’s” and “don’ts” with regard to snow safety
and snow removal.

The most important “do” or responsibility when it comes to snow
removal is the obligation of a person in charge of any building or lot
--  be that individual the owner, occupant, or tenant  --  to clear
the sidewalk of snow and/or ice. Please note that there are specific
times designated for the fulfillment of this legal obligation. One
must clean the sidewalk no later than four hours after the snow has
stopped falling or by eleven o’clock in the morning if the snow/ice
was still coming down after nine o’clock (9:00 P.M.) the prior
evening.

Of course, one might legitimately and sensibly inquire if the
aforesaid duty remains in effect even if the snow or ice becomes so
frozen that it is literally impossible to remove.  The answer is that,
in such an instance, the responsible individual may spread sand, salt,
sawdust, cat litter that is clean and unused, or any other suitable
substance on sidewalk instead. However, it must be noted that the
aforementioned time limits still apply and remain in effect. It must
be further borne in mind that, as soon as the weather and other
conditions reasonably permit, the responsible party MUST have the
sidewalk thoroughly cleaned.

These prerequisites of law would appear, prima facie, to be both fair
and prudent.  Indeed, they are. They merely remind a conscientious
citizen of his/her obligations as a good neighbor. However, might it
be the case that one seeking to live up to this mandate might not be
able to justifiably undertake and realistically accomplish it?

Obviously, the response is YES! Does this excuse one, though, from
performance of one’s snow removal duty? The reply in this case is
conversely: “CERTAINLY NOT!” If one is ill, infirm, incapacitated or
elderly, the responsibility to clear the sidewalk remains in effect.
Such a person must then engage someone else to take care of matters
for him/her. Is this expectation perhaps too harsh or out of all
proportion? Such does not have to be the case. I shall return to this
point a tad further on.

Other stipulations relative to snow removal come under the “don’t”
category. These, to my mind, are a matter of simple self-interest and
basic prudence even more so than a matter of law. Regrettably, far too
many of our area residents  --  and I am particularly embarrassed to
report that there were many of my very own neighbors in Community
Board #12 (The Bronx) who are guilty in this regard  --  who
apparently are gravely lacking in knowledge, courtesy, compassion,
self-respect, respect for others, or a proper sense of civic pride and
duty because they DID  --  either in ignorance of information or
ignorance that indicates indifference and callousness  --  these
“DON’T’S,”  --  viz.”: covered and/or left snow-bound nearby fire
hydrants; threw snow back onto streets cleaned by our “STRONGEST,” the
men and the women of our New York City Department of Sanitation
(N.Y.C.D.O.S.); parked motor vehicles at an angle so as to encroach on
the roadway and consequently impede the safe flow of traffic.

To these folks, I merely inquire if they have ever considered the real
possibility of what happens in case of an emergency, such as a fire or
the need of a neighbor for emergency medical assistance. Will fire
fighters be able to connect fire hoses to a hydrant without expending
precious time and wasted efforts? Will an emergency vehicle be able to
get down a street obstructed by an improperly  --  and I might add
illegally  --  parked motor vehicle? Will I endanger others, including
drivers, pedestrians, and next-door neighbors, and/or their personal
property  --  e.g., motor vehicles, fences, homes, and front yards  --
by causing streets already cleared by N.Y.C.D.O.S. to be encumbered
once again by mounds of snow or to be imperiled by snow that has
melted and subsequently frozen?  Seriously, what is the major mental
malfunction in this regard?

Let’s not waste any more space or energy commiserating the
carelessness hard-headedness and hard-heartedness of the few. Permit
me to speak proactively and constructively to the many by respectfully
suggesting the following: check on elderly, homebound, or handicapped
neighbors in the event of a snow storm in order to insure that they
have adequate heat, food, water, and other necessary supplies;
(picking up from where I left off above with respect to those who
cannot clean their own sidewalks of snow and/or ice) lend a helping
hand to those who cannot clear their sidewalks on their own accord;
throw shoveled snow and/or ice along the edge of the sidewalk or in
one’s front yard and NEVER into a plowed street; be a good neighbor
and a smart person by clearing nearby fire hydrants and sewer openings
of any obstructions; if in doubt or in question, call your Community
Board, dial “3-1-1,” or consult the municipal website, www.nyc.gov.
For those who do not willingly step up to the plate and unfortunately
only react to punitive incentives, please know that failure to perform
one’s snow removal responsibilities sufficiently and satisfactorily is
punishable by law with fines ranging from $100 to $350. Throwing snow
into the street is AGAINST THE LAW and will cost money to the
Sanitation Department (who must waste our precious tax dollars
repeating a task already done once) and also to the sinner, who, if
discovered, is subject to the abovementioned fines. Parking a motor
vehicle in a manner that jeopardizes traffic safety may lead to the
issuance of a traffic summons.  Impeding the work of our first
responders  --  N.Y.P.D., F.D.N.Y., and E.M.T.’s  --  can result in
both criminal penalties along with possible civil liability.

In closing, I address this final word to our young people. You are
good. You are thoughtful and considerate. You care about others. You
recognize injustice. You dream of a world that can and should be
kinder, gentler, and better. You have the capacity and the
determination to undertake this quest and to get it underway. We, your
elders, have failed you in many ways. We do not always give you good
example. We do not always practice what we preach. We have not always
counseled you wisely and imparted wholesome and virtuous values. We
have not made our schools the best that they can and should be for
you. We have not provided you with needed jobs, opportunities for
recreation and socialization, and productive outlets for your energies
and magnificent to God-given gifts.

Nevertheless, this does not mean that you, young friends, have nothing
to offer both to yourself and to others. You are not off--the-hook.
You have no right to waste your time.  You have no justification for
bad behavior. You have no excuse to break the law. You have every
obligation to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” You
have the capacity to so love and to be so mature. Ergo, I make of you
this simple request: will you be a good neighbor as God has asked all
of us to be? Will you be your neighbor’s keeper? Will you be that Good
Samaritan who comes to the rescue of those in need on the road of
life? Would you kindly consider doing some snow and ice removal in the
event of more inclement weather? Will you do it for your own family?
Better still, will you do it for an elderly, sick, or incapacitated
next-door neighbor? Will you make a grocery run for the homebound?
Will you start to be the good person and productive citizen that we
all know you can be? Please, just think about it.

In the meantime, I urge all to practice the sagacious advice of our
new Mayor, The Honorable Bill de Blasio, for his fellow
snow-shovelers: “BEND YOUR KNEES AND NOT YOUR BACK!”
Stay warm and dry!