A-Rod Circus Comes to Bronx

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 10- After a disappointing road trip in which they lost six of eight games, the Yankees returned to the Bronx on Friday to begin a three game series with the American League Central leading Detroit Tigers.

Going into the series, The Yanks had won only six of their last 20 games, the Yanks are a season worst 11 games out of first place in the A.L. East and seven games behind the Texas Rangers for the second Wild Card spot in the American League. The Tigers brought a 12 game winning streak to Yankee Stadium and were winners of 16 of their last 17 contests.

Although Alex Rodriguez received a 211 game suspension from MLB that began last Thursday, his appeal will probably keep him in the Yankee lineup for the remainder of the season. The arbitrator’s ruling will most likely not be made until public until after the 2013 season concludes.

Rodriguez, as was expected, spoke enthusiastically of his return to his home ballpark, “I’ve been waiting a long time for this day. I’m just privileged to come home on a Friday night against a tough opponent. I’m just really excited.”

When asked his expectations of the reaction of the home fans, he responded, “I haven’t thought about it. I’m not sure.” The decibel level in the stadium rose at each mention of his name on the public address system. The fans reacted strongly, both positively and negatively. Most observers in the park described the reaction as mixed.

According to Yankees skipper Joe Girardi, “I look at it as 50-50, maybe a little more cheers.” Asked if he believed Rodriguez would have too much difficulty dealing with the pressure, the manager responded in an understatement, “Alex has had to deal with stuff before.”

A-Rod did not contribute to any of the four runs scored by the Yanks. He struck out in the first with a runner on third. He again struck out with a runner on third in the third. He fanned a third time and flied to right in his final two trips to the plate.

Rodriguez was replaced by Jayson Nix in the ninth for defensive purposes. That may have been instrumental in the victory for the Yanks as Nix scored the winning tally in the 10th inning.

Nix walked to lead-off the 10th. He moved to second on a single by Curtis Granderson. He moved to third on wild pitch by the losing pitcher, Al Alburquerque. With two out, Brett Gardner singled to left to drive Nix across the plate for the 4-3 walk-off win.

Before the game, Gardner was presented with the MLB Players Association Heart and Hustle Award. The Yankees winner of this prestigious honor lived up to it during the game.

He walked and scored the first Yankee run in the first. He singled and scored the Yankees second run in the third. He singled again to lead-off the fifth. His third single of the contest drove in the winning run. Rather than taking personal credit, he remarked, “We feel like every game now is a must win.”

The win ended the four game losing streak of the Yanks and the 12 game winning streak of Detroit.

Phil Hughes (4-10) and Anibal Sanchez (9-7) will be the starters in the second game of the series on Saturday afternoon.

'Shock' that Cop Not Indicted in Graham Shooting

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 8- Political leaders expressed "shock" and "sadness" over the grand jury's refusal to indict a police officer in the shooting of a Bronx man.

"I am deeply saddened and extremely shocked by today's news of a failure to indict the police officer responsible for the death of Ramarley Graham," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. "I am especially sorry for the Graham family, who has seen their quest for justice for their son twice denied.

"The NYPD must now pursue departmental charges against Officer Haste. Whether criminal or not, his reckless actions led to the death of Ramarley Graham, and the police department needs to take a serious look at his qualifications to serve our city," said Diaz.

On February 2, 2012, Officer Richard Haste chased after Graham as part of a drug investigation. The officer cornered Graham in the bathroom and identified himself as a cop. Police officials said Haste opened fire after he mistakenly thought Graham had a gun. A bag of marijuana was discovered near the body and investigators believe Graham was trying to flush it down the toilet.

Haste was charged in the shooting but a Bronx judge tossed the charges because prosecutors made a mistake when presenting the charges to the grand jury.

"We are surprised and shocked by the Grand Jury’s finding of no criminal liability in the death of Ramarley Graham," said Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson. "We are saddened for the family of the deceased young man and still believe that the court’s dismissal of the original indictment was overly cautious.”

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cops Hunt Not-Too Bright Robbers

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cops Hunt Not-Too Bright Robbers: By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 7- Keeping a low-profile does not appear to be on a trio of robbers’ minds. Cops released survei...

Cops Hunt Not-Too Bright Robbers

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 7- Keeping a low-profile does not appear to be on a trio of robbers’ minds. Cops released surveillance video of three suspects wearing bright yellow and red shirts when they allegedly went to stickup a Wakefield woman.

On July 24, cops say a trio of thieves walked into 645 East 231 Street, sported a handgun and tied up a woman inside the building. The thieves took jewelry and an undisclosed amount of cash. Before fleeing, the suspects images were captured on the surveillance video in the building’s lobby. 

The trio wore day-glo yellow an red t-shirts. Cops say the suspects are black men in their 20s and at least two members of the group had a Caribbean accent.

Another pair of robbers tried to keep a lower profile but were not exactly masters of disguise. The men, both large and in their 40s, looked a little too overweight and old to be bike messengers  like the way they were dressed. 

The pair struck an apartment building near Pelham Bay Station in broad daylight. At around 11:30 a.m. on June 11, the men armed with backpacks walked into 3104 Wilkerson Avenue near the local Keyfood Supermarket. The pair made their way inside an apartment and woke the 24-year-old resident. The resident struggled with the suspects who then fled with only about $150. The robbers tried to make a quick getaway but their images were captured on the lobby’s surveillance camera.

Anyone with information should call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. 

The public can also submit their tips by logging onto Crime Stoppers' website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Bronx News Sports: A-Disgrace that Suspended Player Still Playing

Bronx News Sports: A-Disgrace that Suspended Player Still Playing: Not good for the game of baseball because A-Rod is allowed to stay on the field By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 6- Goodbye Alex ...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cabbie Says He's Lucky to be Alive

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cabbie Says He's Lucky to be Alive: Choked, Stabbed and Beaten by Rider By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 6- An unidentified livery taxi driver is lucky to be alive ...

Cabbie Says He's Lucky to be Alive

Choked, Stabbed and Beaten by Rider

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 6- An unidentified livery taxi driver is lucky to be alive after a near-fatal daylight attack that began on a bustling street in Fordham. And an angry crowd that witnessed the incident may have prevented the assailants get-a-way.

According to officials, police were called to Bainbridge Avenue and E. 195 Street at just after 7 p.m. on August 4, when officers from the 52nd Precinct discovered the victim had been stabbed in the neck and chest.

Speaking on the incident, NYPD spokesman Detective Martin Speechley, explained, "The cab driver picked up the perp who asked to be driven there and upon their arrival, the perp decided to choke, stab and beat the cab driver."

Details of what happened next remain sketchy as the police spokesman went on to say that the wounded cab driver exited the vehicle and the suspect, "jumps into the driver's seat of the car and hits a retaining wall."

However, some residents of the block say that many in the crowd estimated at 100, who were on the street at the time of the incident, say some in the crowd tossed rocks at the taxi as the thief attempted to make his get-a-way.

The thief and would-be carjacker abandoned the vehicle and fled around the corner, where he jumped a fence on Marion Avenue, where he was eventually captured by police.

Police have charged 22-year old Luis Ferrierra with felony assault and robbery. Police also noted that this was Ferrierra's eighth arrest in 2013, averaging one arrest per month.

Ferrierra's previous charges of arrest for 2013 have included assault, theft, larceny, criminal trespass and escape.

One long-time resident of the area stated, "This area is flooded with crack and crime and I think the residents are fed up with it already."

The driver who works for The Option Transportation Company on Ogden Avenue was said to be in serious but stable condition at St. Barnabas Hospital, but was expected to make a complete recovery.