Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Derek Jeter to Retire

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Derek Jeter to Retire: Derek Jeter to Retire at Conclusion of 2014 Season By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 12- The current power of social media was show...

Derek Jeter to Retire

Derek Jeter to Retire at Conclusion of 2014 Season

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 12- The current power of social media was shown on Wednesday as Derek Jeter posted a statement of his retirement from playing baseball after the 2014 season concludes on his Facebook fan page. The Yankee captain made public his decision several days before pitchers and catchers are scheduled to come to camp and weeks before the first Spring Training game will be played.

The broken ankle Jeter suffered last season and the difficulty he had in rebounding from that injury limited Jeter to only 17 games in the 162 game baseball season in 2013. That experience obviously gave the 39-year-old baseball veteran thoughts about when his playing career should end.

Words in his Facebook statement referred to the events of 2013, “Last year was a tough one for me. As I suffered through a bunch of injuries, I realized that some of the things that always came easily to me and were always fun had started to become a struggle. The one thing I always said to myself was that when baseball started to feel more like a job, it would be time to move forward…I could not be more sure. I know it in my heart. The 2014 season will be my last year playing professional baseball.”

Jeter, like all human beings, is feeling the passing of time, both physically and emotionally. He has been a professional athlete since 1992 and played his first game with the New York Yankees in late May of 1995.

As an individual who does not like to reveal personal matters, he wrote in general terms of his desires for his life after the age of 40, which he will reach on June 26, “I finally want to stop the chase and take in the world. It’s now time for something new. I have new dreams and aspirations and I want new challenges.” Among the new goals he listed were: starting his own family, taking a vacation during the summer months, engaging in philanthropic and business ventures.

Jeter’s statement mentioned many of the great memories he will bring with into retirement. What he did not write of were the many on-the-field accomplishments that will earn him first ballot election to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in his first year of eligibility; American League Rookie of the Year, 13 time member of the A.L. All-Star Team, All-Star Game and World Series MVP in the same year of 2000, five time winner of the A.L. Gold Glove and five time winner of the Silver Slugger.

Jeter’s ability to shine in pressure situations is made clear by his record in these crucial games. He batted .308 in 158 playoff games including .321 in World Series games, .440 in All-Star games and .347 in the World Baseball Classic.

As the days pass, illustrious people in baseball and other walks of life will offer their opinions of the man who has been the face of baseball to the general public for nearly two decades.

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Yankee Captain Announces Retirement on Facebook

Derek Jeter says this will be his last season; 

Announces his retirement on Facebook page

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 12- You knew it was going to happen sooner or later. Derek Jeter earlier today announced the 2014 season will be his last as an active player. And he made the announcement in this new era of social media on his Facebook page. He retires as a New York Yankee, and there is certain to be that final season of praise and ceremonies around baseball as it was this past season with the retirement of Mariano Rivera.

In a 15- paragraph statement on his social media page, Jeter said, “The 2014 season will be my last playing professional baseball.” He thanked the fans for their loyal support over the years and reportedly made his decision months ago. The Yankees open spring training camp Friday, though Jeter has been working out daily at their complex the past three weeks in Tampa Florida.

Reportedly, before he posted the announcement, Jeter informed Yankees principal owner Hal Steinbrenner about his decision.

Though, Jeter was expected to retire after this season, or next, the announcement was taken by surprise. The Yankees were preparing a statement and it is expected that Jeter will have a similar final goodbye around ballparks as it was with teammate Mariano Rivera this past season.

Jeter is the last of the Yankees’ “Core Four” along with Rivera, Andy Pettitte, and Jorge Posada that played on four World Series championship teams under former Yankees manager Joe Torre.

“I wouldn’t have done it without the people of New York,” said Jeter in his statement about playing before the fans at Yankee Stadium. “NY fans always pushed me to be my best. They have embraced me, loved me, respected me, and have ALWAYS been there for me.”

Jeter, who will turn 40-years of age in June, can be considered one of the top-10 all-time players to wear Yankee pinstripes. He has been associated with the current core of Yankee fans, similar to those who followed Mickey Mantle the late and great Yankee who is in the Hall of Fame.

In total, Jeter has been on five Yankees world championship teams that included the 2009 season, first year of the new Yankee Stadium. He achieved a milestone becoming the 28th player in baseball history to record his 3,000th career hit when he hit a home run at Yankee Stadium against Tampa Bay pitcher David Price in July of 2011.

Jeter, the all-time Yankees hit leader, also said his decision was made months ago. He said that the struggle to getting healthy, staying healthy and to prepare were key factors also. He broke his left ankle during the American League Championship Series against the Tigers in 2012 at Yankee Stadium.

Last season, after struggling to return, he played 17 games. Not one for the spotlight, Jeter decided to finally sit down the remainder of the season as the Yankees made a late playoff drive in September.

Jeter said, “I’ve experienced so many defining moments in my career; winning the World Series as a rookie shortstop, being named the Yankees captain, closing the old and opening the new Yankee Stadium. Through it all, I've never stopped chasing the next one. I finally want to stop the chase and take in the world."

The Yankees captain was AL Rookie of the Year in 1996 and appeared in 13 All-Star games. The following is his Facebook Page Statement:

"I want to start by saying thank you. I know they say that when you dream you eventually wake up. Well, for some reason, I've never had to wake up. Not just because of my time as a New York Yankee but also because I am living my dream every single day.

"Last year was a tough one for me. As I suffered through a bunch of injuries, I realized that some of the things that always came easily to me and were always fun had started to become a struggle. The one thing I always said to myself was that when baseball started to feel more like a job, it would be time to move forward.

"So really it was months ago when I realized that this season would likely be my last. As I came to this conclusion and shared it with my friends and family, they all told me to hold off saying anything until I was absolutely 100 percent sure. And the thing is, I could not be more sure. I know it in my heart. The 2014 season will be my last year playing professional baseball.

"I've experienced so many defining moments in my career: winning the World Series as a rookie shortstop, being named the Yankees captain, closing the old and opening the new Yankee Stadium. Through it all, I've never stopped chasing the next one. I want to finally stop the chase and take in the world. For the last 20 years, I've been completely focused on two goals: playing my best and helping the Yankees win. That means that for 365 days a year, my every thought and action were geared toward that goal. It's now time for something new.

"From the time I was a kid, my dream was always very vivid and it never changed: I was going to be the shortstop for the NY Yankees. It started as an empty canvas more than 20 years ago, and now that I look at it, it's almost complete. In a million years, I wouldn't have believed just how beautiful it would become.

"So many people have traveled along this journey with me and helped me along the way: I want to especially thank The Boss, the Steinbrenner family, the entire Yankees organization, my managers, my coaches, my teammates, my friends, and of course, above all, my family. They taught me incredible life lessons and are the #1 reason I lasted this long. They may not have been on the field, but they feel they played every game with me, and I think they are ready to call it a career as well. I also couldn't have done it without the people of New York. NY fans always pushed me to be my best. They have embraced me, loved me, respected me and have ALWAYS been there for me.

"This can be a tough, invasive, critical and demanding environment. The people of this city have high expectations and are anxious to see them met. But it's those same people who have challenged me, cheered me, beat me down and picked me back up all at the same time. NY made me stronger, kept me more focused and made me a better, more well-rounded person. For that I will be forever grateful. I never could have imagined playing anywhere else.

"I will remember it all: the cheers, the boos, every win, every loss, all the plane trips, the bus rides, the clubhouses, the walks through the tunnel and every drive to and from the Bronx. I have achieved almost every personal and professional goal I have set. I have gotten the very most out of my life playing baseball, and I have absolutely no regrets.

"Now it is time for the next chapter. I have new dreams and aspirations, and I want new challenges. There are many things I want to do in business and in philanthropic work, in addition to focusing more on my personal life and starting a family of my own. And I want the ability to move at my own pace, see the world and finally have a summer vacation.

"But before that, I want to soak in every moment of every day this year, so I can remember it for the rest of my life. And most importantly, I want to help the Yankees reach our goal of winning another championship. Once again, thank you.

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

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bronx Gets Shortchanged AGAIN!

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bronx Gets Shortchanged AGAIN!: New Mayor, Same Result: Bronx Gets Shortchanged AGAIN! Officials blame residents for icy streets By David Greene BRONX, N...

Bronx Gets Shortchanged AGAIN!

New Mayor, Same Result:
Bronx Gets Shortchanged AGAIN!

Officials blame residents for icy streets

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 12- Residents may not know if theirs is a tertiary or secondary street, but you don't have to be a genius to know that the city's new web site to track snow removal is a flop.

Residents in Norwood realized that when New York City's PlowNYC web site showed their area was plowed however, several secondary streets were not plowed enough or missed completely after two storms battered the area over three days.

Norwood residents took to Facebook after snowplows left a narrow path and large patches of ice along Decatur and Hull Avenues between East Mosholu Parkway North and E. 204 Street-- causing more than a few vehicles to become stuck.

Shortly after the latest storm of February 5, PlowNYC reported the roadway's were clear. The following Thursday angry residents took to the social media web site that apparently generated calls to both 311 and Councilman Andrew Cohen's office.

The source, who noticed the problem when she attempted to assist an elderly woman cross one of the ice covered streets, recalled, "They came and plowed, but I called them again and said it wasn't good enough, so they came back."

Sources say a plow again returned late Monday and eventually cleared the roadway.

Unpaved streets were also reported along Kossuth Avenue as well as Tryon Avenue, both in the Norwood section.

Meanwhile, traffic agents appeared to be engaged in a ticket blitz as two-man teams patrolled down Bainbridge Avenue and across E. 204 Street, converging on any vehicle in a no standing zone or metered spot.

The two-manned teams of ticket writers were also spotted in force in the Morris Park, Tremont and Fordham sections as hundreds of cars remain encased in blocks of solid ice two or three feet deep.

PlowNYC has been tracking the progression of snow removal by the Department of Sanitation of New York (DSNY) since Feb, 2013 and was created in response to the snow removal fiasco of 2010.

The PlowNYC program outfitted 1,700 plows and salt spreaders with GPS tracking devices that send the information to a central computer that uploads the information to an on-line map.

Keith Mellis, a spokesman at DSNY defended the department, claiming, "The block had been plowed by DSNY," but added that the situation was caused by careless residents.

Mellis claimed, "It's caused by people who throw it back into the

middle of the street and we go through with a plow and can't pick it up."

He explained that the tossed ice becomes embedded into the blacktop by passing vehicles.

Pleading with the public for cooperation, Mellis, now gearing up for the next storm, urged, Please don't put it back in the street."

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fordham Women Defeat George Washington

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fordham Women Defeat George Washington: Fordham Women Defeat George Washington, 67-58 to Advance in A-10 Standings (Photo by Gary Quintal) By Howard Goldin BRONX, ...

Fordham Women Defeat George Washington

Fordham Women Defeat George Washington, 67-58 to Advance in A-10 Standings

(Photo by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 10- The fans at the Rose Hill Gym saw an exciting and toughly contested basketball contest on Saturday afternoon between two teams, the Fordham Rams (19-5, 8-3) and the George Washington Colonials (16-8, 7-4) that were tied for fourth place in the tightly bunched Atlantic-10 conference standings. 

Fordham got out to an early lead until a three by Jonquil Jones at 6:07 gave the visitors their first advantage of the game, 8-7, which began a run of 11 unanswered points that resulted in the game’s biggest lead for the Colonials, 14-7. 

George Washington kept the lead until a three by freshman Hannah Missry knotted the score at 26 with 2:38 left in the half. The Rams scored the final five points of the half to lead 31-26.

The Rams scored the first five points of the second half to bring their lead to double digits, 36-26. Two free throws sunk by Abigail Corning, the game’s leading scorer, at 7:48 brought Fordham its greatest advantage of 13 points, 53-40. The lead dwindled slightly, but was never seriously challenged in the second half.

Defense was as important for Fordham during the contest as was offense. G.W. was held to a field goal percentage of 34.4 percent in the first half and 35.5 percent in the second. In their 23 previous games this season, the Colonials were only held to less than the 58 of Saturday’s game three times.

Another quite impressive stat for Fordham was that assists were given on 21 of Fordham’s 22 field goals. Of that, senior Corning remarked, “We’re sharing the ball well. It shows our chemistry, just shows we’re a selfless team. It makes us hard to defend.”

Corning was the only double figure scorer in the first half with 13. She concluded the contest with a game-high of 20. She modestly described her performance, “[I was] just taking the shots that presented themselves to me, especially in the first half.”

Three of the other Fordham starters also reached double figures in scoring, Missry (12), Erin Rooney (11) and Emily Tapio (11). 

Danni Jackson, the shortest player on the court at 5-3, was the highest scorer for the Colonials with 16 points.

The victory was the 18th in the last 21 games for the Rams. Corning commented on its importance, “It just keeps our momentum going.”

The Rams will travel to Richmond for a televised encounter on February 11. They will return to the Bronx to host La Salle on the afternoon of February 15.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Taft’s Season Comes to a Close

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Taft’s Season Comes to a Close: Taft’s Season Comes to a Close (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Gary Quintal Winning four of their last five games, Taft headed into its fina...