Bronx News (Bxnews.net): The end of Cole Hamels

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): The end of Cole Hamels: Was Cole  Hamels  loss to Yanks on Wednesday his final game with the Phillies? By Howard  Goldin Although most of the writing on th...

The end of Cole Hamels

Was Cole Hamels loss to Yanks on Wednesday his final game with the Phillies?

By Howard Goldin

Although most of the writing on the final game of the Yankees-Phillies four game series at Yankee Stadium will be devoted to the excellent pitching of Ivan Nova in his first major league start in 14 months, there should also be interest in what could have been Phillies starter, Cole Hamels, last game in a Phillies’ uniform.

Hamels, a native of San Diego, California, has been a member of the zPhiladelphia Phillies organization since being drafted in the first round of the 2002 MLB First Year Players Draft. 

The lefthander made his major league debut in May of 2006. After an outstanding rookie campaign, Hamelswith double figure victories in each of the next five seasons was an important contributor to the Phillies qualifying for post-season play in each of those years, 2007-2011. His playoff pitching in 2008 was exceptionally impressive as he was named MVP in both the National league Championship Series (NLCS) and in the World Series. His superlative work was also recognized by him being chosen for the National League all-Star team in three seasons, 2007, 2011 and 2012.

Despite his fine pitching or perhaps because of it, Hamels was considered a candidate for free agency in 2012, but elected to sign a long-term renewal with Philadelpia, six years (through 2018) with a club option for 2019. 

During the past two seasons, 2013 and 2014, Hamelshas not reached double figures in wins. That may appear to be a decline, but the full story is somewhat different. In 2013, Hamels had the seventh lowest run support average among National League starters. In 2014, the support from his teammates declined further as he was sixth lowest in the league. Also, he had his lowest season ERA of 2.46 and finished sixth in the voting for the Cy Young Award. It should also be noted that the Phillies completed both years with a record beneath .500.

The story is not very different this season for Hamels. His record is 5-6, but he still lacks offensive support. After his five innings on the mound at Yankee stadium on Wednesday, not a Phillies run has been scored in 32 of the last 33 innings he has been on the mound. 

The 31 year-old may soon have a change of scenery. His name has been prominently mentioned in trade rumors. Although not one reporter asked a question on that topic to Philadelphia manager Ryne Sandberg after Wednesday’s game, several queries were raised to Hamels. 

The veteran pitcher, now in his 10th season with Philadelphia, spoke carefully on the subject, “We all understand what’s going on. We’re trying to develop young, good Phillies ballplayers. They’ve got to make their decision. [It’s an] organization decision. You [the player] don’t really have control of anything.”

As far as he was concerned, he remarked, “I’m just trying to stay healthy, and put up good results for this team. That’s all I’, focused on.” 

While the last place team’s management may trade Hamels for young players who are prospects for the future, whichever team gains the services of the experienced lefthander will have a plus for their organization.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Marriott Opens Door in Metro Center

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Marriott Opens Door in Metro Center: Bronx Now has a First-Class Place to Stay Marriott Opens Door in Metro Center By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 24- In a sign of t...

#Marriott Opens Door in Metro Center

Bronx Now has a First-Class Place to Stay

Marriott Opens Door in Metro Center

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 24- In a sign of the continued revitalization of the Bronx, community leaders hailed the opening of the borough's first upscale hotel. The ribbon cutting was also the capping of an odyssey for the Metro Center complex which went from an abandoned factory and vacant land to a thriving college campus style office complex and medical village.

The 125-room Marriott Residence Inn officially opened to great fanfare on Wednesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony with elected officials. Sure the Bronx has many motel rooms but none you would want to spend the night in. New Rochelle boasted the closest place to get a nice hotel room while visiting family rather than a hot-sheet motel. Now all that has changed with the opening of a first-class hotel.

"We’re thrilled that Marriott, one of the world’s premier hospitality companies, chose this location. Metro Center Atrium is unique in the Bronx – there’s nothing quite like it available anywhere else in the Borough. This truly is a landmark event for Metro Center Atrium, for our company, and for the Bronx," said Joseph Simone, President of Simone Development, whose company envisioned and built the Metro Center.

The Marriott is the crowning jewel in the Metro Center complex. The hotel caps off the Metro Center Atrium which is a mix of medical and office space in a suburban style campus.

Twelve years ago Old London Foods moved out of the area behind the Metro North tracks. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr said people were worried about the loss of jobs and that the land would sit unused. Now the Metro Center boasts 370,000 square feet of medical offices, an Applebee's, an LA Fitness and now a first class hotel. The complex also includes Mercy College.

"Today we have seen the realization of a magic trick," Diaz said.

Metro North is planning to reopen the old Morris Park station which will have a stop steps from the Marriott. Thus giving hotel guests access to transportation to Penn Station in Manhattan and upstate New York.

The new hotel is already a success. Officials say that although it officially opened today, the hotel is already 80 percent occupied. Business execs and hospital visitors to the medical centers inside the complex as well as nearby Calvary, Einstein Hospital and Jacobi Medical Center are staying at the new Marriott.

“Today is a great day for the Bronx,” said New York City Council Member James Vacca. “We welcome Marriott as the borough’s first hotel with open arms and hope it is the signal of even more great things to come. Clearly Marriott has recognized that the Bronx is a destination for New Yorkers and tourists alike. We already have beautiful parks, the

best zoo in the nation, the Yankees, and a PGA tour worthy golf course recently completed in nearby Ferry Point Park.”

Father Richard Gorman, chairman of Community Board 12, said the grand opening is a culmination of the revitalization of the borough.

"The Bronx is not only coming back. The Bronx is back," he said.

#Marriott #Simone #MetroCenter #Bronxnews

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yankees ride subway

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yankees ride subway: New Yanks Meet Fans on Way to Work BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 24- Yankees players  Andrew Miller ,  Mason Williams  and  Bre...

Yankees ride subway

New Yanks Meet Fans on Way to Work

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 24- Yankees players Andrew Miller, Mason Williams and Brendan Ryan rode the subway from midtown Manhattan to Yankee Stadium, introducing themselves to fans and giving away Yankees caps.

#Yankees #AndrewMiller #MasonWilliams #Bronxnews

Pitching is killing #Yankees

Ain't that a Pitch

Pitching is killing #Yankees

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 23- Sunday afternoon Masahiro Tanaka allowed a career-high three home runs and tied his mark of seven runs in five innings as the New York Yankees headed to an early loss against the Detroit Tigers. Monday night, Michael Pineda, the Yankees most effective pitcher was not any better as New York lost the opening of a three-game series to the Philadelphia Phillies 11-8.

So in two games, and with supposedly the most reliable tandem on the mound, manager Joe Girardi must be wondering are these the arms that can be depended on to win a mediocre AL east division? In two straight games Yankees pitching gave up a combined 23 runs, and CC Sabathia who at times shows some signs of becoming an ace again will get the ball Tuesday night in the Bronx.

The good news, assuming Sabathia can’t get the job done, is the return of Ivan Nova Wednesday afternoon, his first start in

over a year since undergoing Tommy John Surgery. And there is always a concern about the 35-year-old Sabathia and his history of elbow and knee issues. 

But the Yankees need to get more consistent on the mound if they are serious about not missing the postseason a third straight year. The Phillies, a team last in baseball in runs scored, probably wish Pineda was on the mound every time they take the field.

Pineda had no command. The slider which helped him compile 16 strikeouts a month ago against the Orioles, and had him throw six no-hit innings against the Marlins last Wednesday night in the Bronx, was not visible. The eight runs allowed in 3.11 innings, 11-hits and a home run ball took the Yankees quickly out of another ballgame.

Now the questions are about Tanaka and Pineda. Are there concerns about a Tanaka elbow that is being overworked and headed to eventual surgery? And is Pineda once again feeling effects of a bad right shoulder that put him twice on the disabled list the past two years? 

“It’s hard to tell,” said Pitching coach Larry Rothschild regarding any impact on Pineda of a 116- pitch count performance in that game against the Orioles. 

He added, “His last time out, he was as good as he was probably at any time. I don’t know that we can have the answer to that. I don’t think it’s the case, but there’s no way to know if it is or isn’t.”

However, Girardi and Rothschild need to get some answers, and they have to come soon. There has been some discussion about Girardi going to a six-man pitching rotation and that may not work because pitchers are creatures of habit and need that consistency.

And, at the moment the most reliable and consistent starter has been Adam Warren who recorded his fifth win of the season in a Yankees 7-2 win over the Tigers Friday night. Also keep in mind that has been a surprise, because Warren was supposed to be the odd man out and designated to bullpen duty.

But there has been a change of events and the unexpected that should have the Yankees brass in some type of panic mode. Though not even a half of the season has yet to be played, there is plenty of time to get the pitching issues addressed.

Girardi is not in that panic mode, and you can’t blame him because the one question was the offense and the Yankees have had no issue hitting home runs. His team is second in baseball with the long ball as Brett Gardner and Brian McCann put the Yankees back in a game that saw the Phillies get a season high in runs and in hits.

Pineda said he is healthy and there are no issues. Girardi has his reasons why the right-hander, 8-4, had a bad evening on the mound.  

“It's been kind of up and down, and that's hard to figure out," Girardi said. "Sometimes they just go through stretches like that, the starters, and then they'll reel off six or seven good ones in a row. You've got to make pitches every time you go out. That's the bottom line. Tonight he just didn't.”    

Girardi added, “It starts with your starting pitching.” Indeed it does and if he and Rothschild don’t find answers for consistency that leads to more questions and a prevailing one:

How far will the Yankees get to October without good starting pitching that is needed to get there?

Comment: Ring786@aol.com  Twitter@Ring786  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso

#Yankees #Tanaka #Pineda #Pitching #Bronxnews

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