Yanks Honor Old Timers with Win Over Sox

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 2- The Yankees and their fans celebrated and commemorated the organization’s glorious history at the 66th annual Old Timers’ Day on Sunday afternoon. Yankee heroes from the past 65 years were on the field prior to the regularly scheduled game between the Yankees and Chicago White Sox.

After the introduction of the more than four dozen former Yankees and the widows of Elston Howard, Catfish Hunter, Bilrly Martin, Thurman Munson and Bobby Murcer, the former players took part in a two inning “game”. The annual festivities entertained those in attendance and brought back heartfelt memories to several generations of Yankees fans.

The continuity between the generations of Yankees players remains to the present as the current Yankees and those of the past meet and get to know one another at the yearly ceremony.

At 2:07 pm, the scheduled contest began, Yankees starter Phil Hughes gave up two runs in the first inning as singles by Kevin Youkilis and Alex Rios each drove in a run.

Those two were the only runs scored by the Sox on Sunday. Hughes blanked Chicago during the seven other innings he pitched. He surrendered only six hits and one walk while fanning seven during his stint on the mound.

Manager Joe Girardi was especially pleased by the performance of Hughes in such an unbearably hot and humid day, “I thought he made some mistakes with location [in the first] and then he was able to make some adjustments. He was effective all day. To pitch eight innings on this kind of day is amazing.”

The win was the eighth for Hughes in his last ten decisions.

The long ball by the Yankees hitters, as it has throughout 2012, made an immediate impact. Raúl Ibañez led off the second with a single and scored on a two-run homer by Eric Chavez, at third base in place of Alex Rodriguez. The four-bagger tied the game at two.

Another two-run homer, this hit by Robinson Cano on a 3-2 count in the third put the Yankees ahead, 4-2.

The homer was Cano’s ninth in his last 14 games. The Yankees second sacker has driven in at least one run in each of his last 11 games against Chicago.

Cano was one of four Yankees named to the American League All-Star Team on Sunday. He will start at second, Derek Jeter will start at shortstop and Curtis Granderson will start in the outfield and CC Sabathia will be on the pitching staff.

The first place Yanks now embark on a seven game pre-All-Star game road trip, three games in Tampa and four games in Boston.

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

Paulie’s Back in Pinstripes: Yankee legends braved the heat and returned to the Bronx to be a part of Old Timer’s Day. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yankees Elder Statesman

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yankees Elder Statesman: By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, July 2- The only franchise in Major League Baseball that recognizes and regular honors its hist...

Yankees Elder Statesman

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 2- The only franchise in Major League Baseball that recognizes and regular honors its history is the New York Yankees. More than four dozen Yankees were at Yankee Stadium on a brutally hot afternoon to take part in the 66th annual Old Timers’ Day ceremony on Sunday afternoon.

Sunday’s contingent of former stars included Hall of Famers Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Goose Gossage, Rickey Henderson and Reggie Jackson. The widows of Thurman Munson, Elston Howard, Catfish Hunter, Jill Martin and Bobby Murcer were there to visit with the teammates of their late husbands.

The eldest of the 2012 Yankees returnees was Jerry Coleman. The 87- year old, a regular at the annual Yankees reunion, flew cross-country from his native California to be in the Bronx for the event. The very good humored San Diego Padres broadcaster said of the flight, “They made the seats smaller. I had to sit like this.” He then imitated someone clinching his body to be as narrow as possible.

He spoke with sincere gratitude of the treatment the former Yankees received from the organization, “You wouldn’t believe all they do for us, the transportation arrangements, the hotel, the meals and the cruise last night.” Coleman’s description is valid as the Marketing department led by Senior Vice President Debbie Tymon arranges all such events with class and consideration.

Coleman humorously recalled his first game with the Yankees in 1949, “The first play of the game was a ground ball that went right between my legs. The next play was a one-hopper that came to me and resulted in a double play. After that I said, ‘I’m saved.’”

Coleman’s playing career was far better than he likes to joke. The second baseman’s first season was so good that the Associated Press chose him as American League Rookie of the Year. In his sophomore season, he received the Babe Ruth Award as World Series MVP.

When asked which of his teammates he was closest to, he pointed to the man sitting next to him in the dugout, Dr. Bobby Brown. Brown, one month younger than Coleman was a schoolmate of Coleman’s in San Francisco. Brown, after his playing days ended, became a renowned cardiologist and later President of the American League. Another teammate of the two, Charlie Silvera, back-up catcher to Yogi Berra, was a childhood friend as well.

Coleman’s baseball career was twice interrupted for military service. He was the only Major League player engaged in active combat duty during World War II and the Korean War. He values the wartime service to his country in much higher terms than he does his years in baseball.

The articulate Coleman spent seven years as a broadcaster with the Yankees after his playing career concluded where he again teamed with his double play partner, Phil Rizzuto.

After relocating to California, Coleman broadcast for the California Angels for two seasons. In 1972, Coleman began a position he still holds as a broadcaster for the Padres. He missed only one season as a broadcaster, 1980, when he managed the Padres.

His excellence as a broadcaster earned him the Ford C. Frick Award in 2005 and enshrinement in the broadcast win of the baseball Hall of Fame. Currently Coleman does not travel with the Padres. He works approximately 30 home games during the season.

Despite the difference in age, he appears close with the players on the team. While sitting in the White Sox dugout before the “Old Timers’  were introduced, the broadcaster engaged in very friendly conversation and humorous banter with former Padres, Jake Peavy and Orlando Hudson.

Anyone who gets the opportunity to converse with the octogenarian will be enlightened, entertained and uplifted as I was on Sunday.

One can also learn a great deal more of his interesting life by reading his 2008 autobiography, American Journey: My Life on the Field, in the Air and on the Air.

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

Paulie’s Back in Pinstripes: Yankee legends braved the heat and returned to the Bronx to be a part of Old Timer’s Day. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yankee Old Timer’s Day

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yankee Old Timer’s Day: (Photos by Gary Quintal) Paulie’s Back in Pinstripes:  Yankee legends braved the heat and returned to the Bronx to be a part o...

Yankee Old Timer’s Day

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

Paulie’s Back in Pinstripes: Yankee legends braved the heat and returned to the Bronx to be a part of Old Timer’s Day. 

Fireworks

(Photos by Gary Quintal) 

Independence Day came early this year as Bronxites celebrated the birth of our country. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and State Sen. Jeff Klein held the annual Salute to America fireworks event at Orchard Beach on Friday. In addition to a host of fireworks which rivals Macy’s annual event, Bronxites were treated to the sounds of Alive N Kickin’.

Psycho Shoots Up Street

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, June 29- It was a miracle no one was killed when a gunman opened fire up and down a Soundview street on Wednesday. Now cops are asking for the public’s help to catch the psycho shooter.

Police surveillance video shows the gunman opening fire without regard on a Soundview street. Other bystanders are seen on the tape taking cover across the street as the gunman fired.

At around 11:30 p.m. two men was standing in front of 150 Leland Avenue when the suspect approached them and started shooting wildly. As the victims tried to run away, the gunman chased after them continuing to shoot as he ran. 

The victims managed to escape the shooter, hopped into a cab and went to Einstein Hospital. They were treated for gunshot wounds to the elbow and knee.

The gunman is described simply as a black male last seen wearing a plaid shirt, blue jeans and white sneakers. 

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS (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.