Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Throggs Neck News: ‘Blood’ in the Streets Over Ferguson
Throggs Neck News: ‘Blood’ in the Streets Over Ferguson: ‘Blood’ in the Streets Over Ferguson (Photojournalist Ken Murray is soaked in red paint aimed for Police Commissioner Bill Bratton--Pho...
‘Blood’ in the Streets Over Ferguson
‘Blood’ in the Streets Over Ferguson
(Photojournalist Ken Murray is soaked in red paint aimed for Police Commissioner Bill Bratton--Photo by James Keinom, NY Daily News via Facebook)
Photojournalist Recalls Paint Toss Aimed for Bratton
By David Greene
BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 25- An angry crowd estimated between 300 - 500 took to the streets of Times Square to demonstrate the grand jury's decision to not indict police officer Darren Wilson in the August 9 shooting death of Michael Brown, 18, in Ferguson, MO.
Brooklyn-born photojournalist Ken Murray recalled getting the brunt of the red paint tossed at Police Commissioner Bill Bratton on Monday, November 24.
The violence in Ferguson and in Times Square broke out as President Barack Obama was asking the nation for calm and restraint regarding the decision.
Murray recalled, "He (Commissioner Bratton) was being chanted at and told to go home and some other things and then we got down the block a little bit and I got hit with the fake blood behind me, but I got the most of it."
A small army of photographers captured Murray covered in the red paint, mostly missing the intended target Commissioner Bratton.
"I didn't even flinch," Murray added, "I just kept taking my pictures."
Murray then moved with the crowd of police who quickly apprehended the former Occupy Wall Street protester, identified by police as Diego Ibanez, 26.
Ibanez was charged with assault and obstruction of government administration, disorderly conduct, harassment and criminal mischief.
As the crowd broke off into smaller groups, one group estimated at 250 walked and reportedly laid down briefly in the roadbed along the Tri-boro Bridge.
It's not immediately known if any additional arrests had been made.
Throggs Neck News: Lucky to be Alive!
Throggs Neck News: Lucky to be Alive!: Lucky to be Alive! Five Injured, 2 Critically in Bruckner Expressway Crash By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 25- A...
Lucky to be Alive!
Lucky to be Alive!
Five Injured, 2 Critically in Bruckner Expressway Crash
By David Greene
BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 25- A horrific crash that sent an SUV to flip over several times has injured five people, including two children.
Police were called to the Bruckner Expressway at Elder Avenue at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 22. Investigators say a 31 year-old woman lost control of a 2005 Ford Explorer that was traveling eastbound when it hit a guardrail and flipped over several times.
Police say an 11-year-old boy was ejected from the back of the vehicle and suffered a severe head injury. He was transported to Jacobi Hospital and was listed in critical condition.
Officials reported a second child was listed in serious, but stable condition.
The unidentified driver and two additional passengers, a 17- year-old female and a 57 year-old woman were also listed to be in stable condition at Jacobi Hospital.
No charges have been filed in the crash, however police continue to investigate its cause.
The site is a half-mile away from where rookie police officer Michael Williams was killed in September when the police van he was riding in overturned near Hunts Point Avenue.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Throggs Neck News: Throggs Neck Shopping Center Opens
Throggs Neck News: Throggs Neck Shopping Center Opens: Open for Business New shopping center opens in Throggs Neck in time for the holiday season BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 21- Simon...
Throggs Neck Shopping Center Opens
Open for Business
New shopping center opens in Throggs Neck in time for the holiday season
BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 21- Simone Development Companies marked the grand opening of the new Throggs Neck Shopping Center in the Ferry Point section of The Bronx at the intersection of Lafayette Avenue and the Hutchinson River Parkway on November 20th, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by a host of elected officials and community leaders.
Anchored by a 165,000+ square-foot Target department store – the retailer’s third Bronx store – the Throggs Neck Shopping Center features over a dozen new stores and restaurants including TJ Maxx, Famous Footwear, Sleepy's, Petco, Skechers, Metro Optics, BX Sports and Super Wines and Liquors, and coming soon, T-Mobile and Starbucks. For fantastic food there is Applebee's, Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Subway and Sarku Japan. The shopping center also includes secure free parking for over 600 cars directly in front of the stores.
Speakers at the ribbon cutting ceremony included Joseph Simone, President of Simone Development Companies, Borough President Ruben Diaz, NYS Senator Jeff Klein, NYS Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, NYS Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, NYC Councilman James Vacca and Lenny Caro, Executive Director of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. Joseph Kelleher, President, Simone Metro Properties, emceed the event.
“This wonderful new retail center is yet another example of how Simone Development is helping to transform and revitalize the New Bronx with innovative commercial and retail projects that create new jobs and boost the Bronx economy,” said Mr. Simone. “I’d also like to recognize Aaron Malinsky, Principal of Curbcut Urban Partners, and Paul Slayton of Slayton Investments, for their experience and involvement in this project.”
The new Throggs Neck Shopping Center is a prime example of Simone Development Companies’ dedication to repurposing vacant and under-utilized commercial property in the New York metropolitan area. Simone Development Companies acquired the 7.9-acre site in 2011. The property had been used as a Postal Service equipment transfer station for many years and had been closed since September 2010.
Miles Mahony of Ripco Real Estate is exclusive leasing agent for Simone Development and its partners. Only 12,000 square feet of additional space is currently available at the Throggs Neck Shopping Center in various configurations.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Throggs Neck News: Subway Push Suspect Arrested
Throggs Neck News: Subway Push Suspect Arrested: Subway Push Suspect Arrested Expected to be Charged with Murder By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 19 - Police arreste...
Subway Push Suspect Arrested
Subway Push Suspect Arrested
Expected to be Charged with Murder
By David Greene
BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 19- Police arrested a man in connection with the subway push murder of a Chinese immigrant.
Kevin Darden, 34, is expected to be charged with second degree murder charges at the Bronx Criminal courthouse today.
Officials say Wai Kuen Kwok, 61, was standing near the platform’s edge when he was shoved in front of the moving train at just before 9 a.m., on November 16 at the East 167 Street Station.
Kwok, an immigrant from Hong Kong, died instantly as three train cars passed over his body, before the motorman was able to bring the train to a screeching halt.
Investigators used area surveillance video to track the 'person of interest,' turned suspect as be boarded a Bx-35 bus into Highbridge where the surveillance video lost the man.
Shortly after the release of the surveillance video police questioned and later arrested Darden.
A second person was reported struck by a train at the St. Lawrence Avenue Station at 6:45 a.m. on Friday, November 14. Although no criminality was suspected, the condition of that victim was not immediately known.
Officials from the Metropolitan Transit Authority say that Kwok was the 50th person to die in a subway mishap this year, but the first to die at the hands of another individual.
Anyone with information on the individual or his whereabouts is asked to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls are confidential.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Throggs Neck News: Bank robbin’ fashionista at large
Throggs Neck News: Bank robbin’ fashionista at large: Bank robbin’ fashionista at large By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 15- A would-be fashionista went to Bay Plaza not to...
Throggs Neck News: Bank robbin’ fashionista at large
Throggs Neck News: Bank robbin’ fashionista at large: Bank robbin’ fashionista at large By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 15- A would-be fashionista went to Bay Plaza not to...
Bank robbin’ fashionista at large
Bank robbin’ fashionista at large
.jpg)
By Dan Gesslein
BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 15- A would-be fashionista went to Bay Plaza not to shop the latest trends but to try to rob a bank.
The well-dressed crook entered the Chase Bank inside the Bay Plaza Shopping Center at around 12:48 p.m. on October 28. Dressed as if he were headed to a fashion shoot, complete with a luxuriously looking scarf and high-end shades and pea coat, the man passed the teller a note demanding cash. However, cops said he fled the bank without the cash.
Police released surveillance video of the suspect in the hopes someone recognizes the would-be bank robber.
The suspect is a described as a black male in his mid 30’s. He is 5 foot 8, dark complexion with a mustache and beard. He was last seen wearing a gray cap, dark sunglasses, black and white scarf, a black pea-coat type jacket, blue jeans and dark shoes.
Anyone with information is urged to 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.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Throggs Neck News: Enough of the A-Rod Circus
Throggs Neck News: Enough of the A-Rod Circus: Enough of the A-Rod Circus By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 7- Sooner than expected the Alex Rodriguez circus returned...
Enough of the A-Rod Circus
Enough of the A-Rod Circus
By Rich Mancuso
BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 7- Sooner than expected the Alex Rodriguez circus returned to town. The A-Rod drama was not expected until February in Tampa Florida when the New York Yankees assemble for spring training, but we should not be shocked that he admitted the truth, under oath to a DEA investigator about using PED’s.
It is typical Alex Rodriguez territory to be in this position. And it has spread to the New York airwaves as two popular talk show hosts got involved in who was credible when asking A-Rod ro tell the truth last November. Rodriguez on one show said he never took PED’s and we didn’t believe the fraud then.
That is why it came as no shock Wednesday when a Miami Herald report said that A-Rod told the truth. After all this has always been the Alex Rodriguez saga of not telling the truth. And if he did not have the appropriate millions to have proper representation he may have had to tell the truth.
Should we forgive Alex Rodriguez? Some will say yes because his year-long suspension from Major League Baseball was served. The Yankees await the A-Rod arrival and continued circus in February and the drama will continue. It does not have to continue if the Yankees decide to eat up a remaining three-years and $61 million that remains on a contract that should have never been granted.
That was then. The Yankees upper brass, those who were dragged into the A-Rod legal battle and the circus, will have a way with dealing with this latest report. They wish it would all go away, however their fraud of a player is around for the duration. All they can do is hope that Rodriguez is healthy and will offer some type of offense to a lineup that could not score runs this past season.
They hope their fraud will be able to handle a plan at third or first base, or play a regular role in the lineup as the designated hitter, and to that there is no certainty. The Yankees are not getting younger with a damaged A-Rod in their everyday lineup but they may have no other choice to put him on the field as much as possible.
Getting back to the Alex Rodriguez image of being damaged is another issue. The Yankees as an organization have to play two sides with the damage control and continue dealing with the circus. Opposing players, at least those who did not experiment with Ped’s, will go with the flow and not make A-Rod a public issue.
Then there are the fans, many who will continue to boo when A-Rod takes the field again. Rodriguez to them will be a hero if he becomes a legitimate hitter again without the use of a steroid support system. Rodriguez may never be the same hitter he was without that support system and also take into account he has had limited playing time the past two years.
So where do we go from here? The gut feeling is, and a general consensus: Enough is enough of this A-Rod circus. Yes he served the penalty and was off the field as his Yankees teammates failed to make the postseason a second straight year. The steroid era, according to what has been determined, is over in the game of baseball. But as long as Alex Rodriguez is around the discussion may never end.
Because Alex Rodriguez, who many consider to be a fraud, is around the game again. Each time he resurfaces the talk about steroids and Ped’s will not go away. Even if the master of deception admitted his guilt to the authorities, he will never be considered that legitimate and talented ballplayer that had a quest to be the first to hit 800 career home runs.
Alex Rodriguez never played the game on an even level playing field. The circus is back in town and now that we are aware of his admission there is more reason not to grant him a chance for respect.
Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso www.newyorksportsexaminer.com
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Throggs Neck News: Is your church closing?
Throggs Neck News: Is your church closing?: UnderSouled Local Church Closings Riverdale Report By Robert Press The Archdiocese of New York has announced that as of Augu...
Is your church closing?
UnderSouled
Local Church Closings
By Robert Press
The Archdiocese of New York has announced that as of August 1, 2015, 115 of its churches will close and/or be merged into other local churches. This move is being done citywide and in lower and upper Westchester County.
As for the Bronx 20 church's are effected. 10 will close or be merged in to 10 other nearby parishes.
The following parishes will merge. The designated parish church is identified with an asterisk (*) in the column on the left. As of August 1, 2015, although remaining a church which may be used on special occasions, Masses and the sacraments will no longer be celebrated on a regular weekly basis at the church on the right.
Bronx County
1. *Saint John Visitation
3021 Kingsbridge Avenue 160 Van Cortlandt Park South
Bronx, New York 10463 Bronx, New York 10467
_____________________
2. *Saint Brendan Saint Ann
333 East 206 Street 3519 Bainbridge Avenue
Bronx, New York 10467 Bronx, New York 10467
___________________
3. *Saint Anselm Saint Roch
685 Tinton Avenue 525 Wales Avenue
Bronx, New York 10455 Bronx, New York 10455
____________________
4. *Saint Rita of Cascia Saint Pius V
448 College Avenue 420 East 145 Street
Bronx, New York 10451 Bronx, New York 10454
____________________
5. *Holy Family Saint John Vianney
2158 Watson Avenue 715 Castle Hill Avenue
Bronx, New York 10472 Bronx, New York 10473
____________________
6. *Holy Rosary Nativity of the Blessed Lady
1510 Adee Avenue 1531 East 233 Street
Bronx, New York 10469 Bronx, New York 10466
Bronx merging church's * denotes home church only.
Parish Church
1. *Saint Margaret of Cortona Saint Gabriel
6000 Riverdale Avenue 3250 Arlington Avenue
Bronx, New York 10471 Bronx, New York 10463
______________________________________________________________
2. *Saint Jerome Saint Luke
230 Alexander Avenue 623 138th Street
Bronx, New York 10454 Bronx, New York 10454
______________________________________________________________
3. *Holy Family Blessed Sacrament
2158 Watson Avenue 1170 Beach Avenue
Bronx, New York 10472 Bronx, New York 10472
______________________________________________________________
4. *Our Lady of the Assumption Saint Mary Star of the Sea
1634 Mahan Avenue 595 Minneford Avenue
Bronx, New York 10461 Bronx, New York 10464
On Sunday November 9th there will be a Veteran's Day Ceremony at 12 p.m. in the Veteran's Memorial Grove of Van Cortlandt Park. The National Anthem 'The Star Spangled Banner' will be sung in remembrance of those who fought and gave their lives so we could celebrate this Veteran's Day 2014. This Memorial Day ceremony is made possible by the Memorial Grove Restoration Group.
The latest chapter of the Croton Filtration Monitoring Committee took place last week. While some of the faces may have changed this year the answer is the same. The committee made up of Community Board 7, 8, and 12 board chairs and the local councilman and Bronx Borough President's representative keep asking why local Bronx residents can not have access to view the beautiful water in the Jerome Park Reservoir. There are two high iron metal gates that surround the reservoir with a wide interior path for DEP cars and trucks to use. The DEP says that it is due to the security of the water supply that the two high fences are needed to keep out possible saboteurs. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said it best when he told DEP Associate Commissioner Eric Landau that a bad guy can just throw what the DEP wants to keep out over the two fences easily. The DEP's answer is that the inner fence will be only 4 feet high so that the community can see the water better, but the outer higher fence must remain.
While Associate Commissioner Landau was attentive to the community he admitted that he has been with DEP for only 4 months, coming from a job in Prospect Park Brooklyn. By the way the community was sure that Associate Commissioner Landau understood that any water in the Jerome Park Reservoir is unfiltered raw water that will go to the water filtration plant. As for overruns and delays, this water filtration plant was suppose to be on line by the end of 2013. That was 3 DEP commissioners ago, and the delays continue.
This past Monday night’s Community Board 8 Land Use meeting had an update on the proposed Montefiore Medical building that was scaled down from 11 stories to 6 stories, with less medical space and a higher parking ratio. No matter what a group of local residents still say the proposal is to large for the site, and want no medical center at all. Since the meeting went on after our deadline, I will have the recap for you in next weeks column. The next full Community Board 8 meeting will be held at the Riverdale Temple located at Independence Avenue and West 246th Street, and begins at 7:30 PM. If you would like to address the board members in the gallery session on a specific topic, you can call the boards office at 718-884-3959 to place your name on the speakers list.
Lastly the 2nd Annual North Riverdale Merchants Association Street Festival on Riverdale Avenue between West 256th and West 259th Streets went off this past Sunday. I stopped by during the setup, and saw that the weather was exactly as I had said in last weeks column, sunny and 50 degrees. The only thing I forgot to mention was that there might be a little wind that day. Congrats to all who participated in the event, and I can't wait for next years North Riverdale Street Festival.
If you have any comments about this column, have an event that you would like to have covered or listed in this column or on my blog, e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com, , or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Throggs Neck News: Another Bloody Week
Throggs Neck News: Another Bloody Week: Another Bloody Week (A paramedic tends to one of two wounded men who were shot along East 204 Street in Norwood.- -Photo by Steve S...
Another Bloody Week
Another Bloody Week
(A paramedic tends to one of two wounded men who were shot along East 204 Street in Norwood.-
-Photo by Steve Smith)
3 Dead, 4 Wounded After Another Deadly Week Across the Borough
By David Greene
BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 22- At least three men are dead and several others were wounded and are recovering after a week of violent, unrelated incidents across the borough.
Sometime after 11 p.m., on Wednesday, October 15, police officers from the 52nd Precinct were called to the scene where two people were shot at Decatur Avenue and East 204 Street in Norwood. Both men were expected to recover.
At 9 a.m. on Thursday, October 16, police at the 40th Precinct in Mott Haven were called to Lozada Playground on East 135 Street, where a 50-year-old man was discovered lying face up with multiple stab wounds to the head and chest. He died a short time later at Lincoln Hospital.
Police have not yet released the name of the victim and continue to hunt for the man's killer.
Police in the Soundview section were called to the El Carbonocito Restaurant on Watson Avenue at 1:15 a.m. on Saturday, October 18, after a patron involved in a dispute reportedly pulled out a machete from inside an umbrella and began hacking his victim.
The unidentified victim was slashed in the neck, back and shoulder and was rushed to Jacobi Hospital in "likely to die" condition. The victim has since been upgraded to “stable."
Detectives would release surveillance video of the assailant, who is described as a Hispanic male, 5 foot 7 and wearing a white T-shirt and a NY Yankees baseball cap. The individual also had a large tattoo on his right arm.
At just before Midnight on Saturday, October 18, cops in the 48th Precinct were called to a disturbance at 2052 Mapes Avenue in the Tremont section, where they discovered a 26-year-old man stabbed multiple times in the torso, just inside the building's lobby.
The victim, who was later identified by police as Angel Mejias, expired from his injuries six-hours later at St. Barnabas Hospital.
Police say a 19-year-old male surrendered to police a short time later in connection with the incident. One published report stated that Mejias had a long standing feud with his assailant.
At 1:40 a.m. Saturday officers in Longwood were called to 775 Fox Street where they discovered 46 year-old stabbing victim Regino Montero of nearby Tiffany Street. Montero died a short time later at Lincoln Hospital.
Police say Montero, a retired member of the U.S. Army, was involved in a dispute with a group of men, when one of the assailants plunged a knife into his stomach.
Police have since released surveillance video of the suspect showing a man wearing blue jeans, a black sweatshirt with white writing and a baseball cap.
Less than 20 minutes later, police in University Heights were called to Burnside Avenue and Andrews Avenue where officers from the 46th Precinct discovered a male victim who had been shot in the torso and leg.
Police say the 23-year-old victim was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital and was listed in stable condition.
Anyone with any information on any of the incidents is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls remain confidential.
Throggs Neck News: Bronxites walk for a cure
Throggs Neck News: Bronxites walk for a cure: Bronxites walk for a cure (Photos by Gary Quintal) On Sunday, October 19th approximately 8,000 people from all over the 5 borough...
Bronxites walk for a cure
Bronxites walk for a cure
On Sunday, October 19th approximately 8,000 people from all over the 5 boroughs and Westchester gathered at Orchard Beach in the Bronx to walk for a cure. Participants were adorned in pink tutus, wigs and feather boas. Together they had raised $565,000.00 for the fight Agaisnt Breast Cancer at the Making Strides of The Bronx, NY
This is the American Cancer Society's largest fundraising event each year, uniting nearly 300 communities to finish
the fight. This event takes place the 3rd Sunday in October each year. If you wish to make a donation it is not too late visit their website http://makingstrides.acsevents.org.
More than 108,000 New York City residents rallied together on October 19 in every borough of the city for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer community walk, raising approximately $5.6 million in all five boroughs.
“Sunday’s event was an inspirational example of passion in action,” said Jennifer Podoll, Vice President of Community Engagement for the American Cancer Society. “I’m so proud of how our community responded and how every participant, volunteer and sponsor took positive steps to help finish the fight against breast cancer.”
While significant progress in the fight against the disease has been made, more needs to be done. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in the U.S. other than skin cancer, and is the second leading cause of cancer death after lung cancer. The chance of a woman developing invasive breast cancer at some time in her life is about 1 in 8. In 2014, approximately 232,670 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die from the disease in the U.S.
Since 1993, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer has been the American Cancer Society’s rallying cry to build awareness and generate funds to fight breast cancer. In that time, 10 million walkers in nearly 300 communities across the nation have collected over $594 million.
With one in every two newly diagnosed women turning to the American Cancer Society for help and support, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer funds are used to make a difference by:
• Helping people take steps to reduce their risk of breast cancer or find it early when it is most treatable;
• Investing in groundbreaking cancer research to find, prevent, treat, and cure the disease;
• Providing free information and services to help people facing breast cancer when and where they need it including transportation, lodging, wigs, support programs, financial assistance, and more;
• Ensuring access to mammograms for women who need them.
For additional details about Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and how you can get involved visit makingstrideswalk.org. For free breast cancer information and resources visit the American Cancer Society’s website at cancer.org or call 800.227.2345 any time day or night.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Throggs Neck News: Comic Con
Throggs Neck News: Comic Con: Bronxites get their Geek on at Comic Con (Photos by Robert Press & Seitu Oronde) By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOB...
Comic Con
Bronxites get their Geek on at Comic Con
(Photos by Robert Press & Seitu Oronde)
By Robert Press
BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 16- As you can see by some of the photos there were many different attractions for the attendees.
The amount of people who attended surpassed last year, but in speaking to many people the impression was that Comic Con 2013 was a little bigger, and a little better. Since Comic Con is a mixture of comic and real action stories there will always be the many comic book sellers, as was seen at this year's event. There were celebrities in attendance, and of course the fees for autographs or photos that come with them. There seemed to be plenty of free autographs and merchandise that was also available at many of the booths. The big publishers with several spots had their artists signing free samples of various comics. Many of those in single spots were part-time artists and publishers who printed much less copies, and only had a few different items on display.
I met a Bronx based small part-time artist/publisher who said he has a full time job to support his family. His company was called Section Eight Comics which immediately drew my attention. We spoke for about a half hour as to how the name came about, and where he was located in the Bronx. I then remembered that I had seen him at Comic Con 2013, and he still had some of his work from then. I wished him well and moved on to the next booth.
I met the lovely Amanda Rivera who was poised at one booth. Amanda said that she is from the Wakefield section of the Bronx. When I told her that I was from the Bronx News she replied that she reads the paper, and can not wait to see herself in the paper. Enough said so I'll end it here so there will be room for more photos of Comic Con 2014.
Monday, October 13, 2014
Throggs Neck News: Bronx Cheer for Mayor
Throggs Neck News: Bronx Cheer for Mayor: Raz for Blaz Bronx Cheer for Mayor after he skips Boro Columbus Day Parade (Photos by Gary Quintal) Gubernatorial hop...
Bronx Cheer for Mayor
Raz for Blaz
Bronx Cheer for Mayor after he skips Boro
Columbus Day Parade
Gubernatorial hopeful Rob Astorino made it. Most of the Bronx elected officials made it. Even a former “Soprano’s” star made it. So why did Mayor Bill deBlasio skip the annual Bronx Columbus Day Parade when his predecessor Mike Bloomberg was a regular fixture at the Morris Park event? Bronxites were a bit ticked that the mayor chose not to attend the annual event which displays Italian-American Heritage in the Bronx.
Various community organizations, school bands, and more marched in the annual event on Morris Park Avenue. This year Bronx native and “Soprano’s” star Vincent Pastore was the Grand Marshal.
Friday, October 3, 2014
Throggs Neck News: Senior Moment for Yankees
Throggs Neck News: Senior Moment for Yankees: Senior Moment for Yankees Yanks have Aches and Pains from Aging Players AND #A-Rod By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, OCT...
Senior Moment for Yankees
Senior Moment for Yankees
Yanks have Aches and Pains from Aging Players
AND #A-Rod
By Rich Mancuso
BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 3- Hal Steinbrenner apologized to fans of the New York Yankees because his team did not do the job. The Yankees spent a half billion dollars on free agent acquisitions and failed to reach the postseason for a second consecutive year.
So Steinbrenner, the managing general partner of the richest franchise in sports, is sympathetic to the Yankees fan base. And he did not take a page out of the book from his late father, because George would have instantly leveled the failures on the manager or general manager or an entire coaching staff would be looking for other jobs.
But there are more issues that pertain to the Yankees as they begin the process of rebuilding for next year. And without Derek Jeter, the emphasis is now on Alex Rodriguez.
The full season suspension will be complete in a few weeks and it seems, from all accounts, that A-Rod will be the center of attention and prime candidate towards assuring that the Yankees will be involved in baseball next October. But that remains to be determined and that will all transpire in 147 days when spring training camp begins down in Tampa Florida.
And don’t expect this huge spending spree from the Yankees upper brass when free agency commences after the World Series. Maybe there will be a shopping spree for another starting pitcher, other than that if the Yankees are to improve it will be a deal or two, though there is not much to offer with contracts locked in on players who were a part of another failure in the Bronx.
So that leads to an emphasis of rebuilding, more so getting younger, because the Yankees roster is the oldest in baseball. And not like the Pirates or the Kansas City Royals, or Oakland, the Yankees don’t have a minor league system of players that are developed to make a jump to the big league level.
Yes the Pirates and Royals with four of the smallest payrolls in the game, were postseason teams as the Yankees went home early again.
Steinbrenner has to be aware of the implications but from his comments the emphasis seems to be, we will go on with Alex Rodriguez and the reality is there is no conception as to how a 39-year old third baseman will handle the daily regime with two bad hips.
And as one baseball observer said, “Alex will have to do it without the ability of using performing enhancing drugs. I doubt he will make it out of spring training,” he said. That may be premature shooting from the lip. Because the Yankees will have to depend more on Mark Teixeira and Carlos Beltran, their new “core” along with Brian McCann and Jacoby Ellsbury.
Alex Rodriguez is owed $60 million. So Steinbrenner has no other alternative than to inform the GM Brian Cashman and the manager Joe Girardi to play him. Unless otherwise known, the reports are A-Rod is getting into playing shape, and to be determined is how a year away from the game will be more difficult to adjust, also taking his age into consideration.
“We did not do the job this year,” said Steinbrenner in a Wednesday afternoon radio interview. “We know what you expect of us and we expect the same thing of ourselves.” That was the message to Yankees fans.
And he did not put the blame on Girardi or Cashman, but that someone is responsible for the failures of 2104. The coaching staff could see some changes, but the overall consensus is the Yankees need to get younger and that is not possible when locking in contracts on aging players of 35 years or older.
A-Rod is in that category and despite his flaws, Steinbrenner is looking at his abilities to make the Yankees better.
“He always comes into camp fit, so we know that is going to be the case,” Steinbrenner said about the return of Rodriguez. “But he is also the age he is at. I don’t have any expectations.”
The expectations of no Derek Jeter, so A-Rod becomes the center of attention for the Yankees. Hopefully more good than bad, and with Alex Rodriguez there is always the drama and another storyline.
There has to be a new leader, not talking Captain, because there is only one Derek Jeter. Perhaps it can be McCann who showed signs of finally adjusting to a new league with his resurgence of the home run in the last few weeks of a dismal season.
A second place finish at 84-78, 12-games behind the division winning Orioles and scoring 633 runs, third fewest in the American League, would not be acceptable if George Steinbrenner was still around, not with a team payroll of $200 million plus.
You can say that the Yankees were in it until the final week of the season, and four games short of that second wild card was remarkable considering how many injuries this aging team had to overcome. Credit Cashman for making some roster moves and Girardi for his leadership.
If the Yankees are to play baseball in the Bronx next October they need a leader and Jeter won’t be there as the job to fill the void at shortstop begins. The leader won’t be Alex Rodriguez, though he will get cheered if healthy and something special comes form his play on the field and at the plate.
Yankees fans want to hear who is responsible for the failures. To them it is a combination of ownership, Cashman and Girardi. In the end the owner took the responsibility.
“I want to make sure that went went wrong was for a reason,” Steinbrenner said. And that begins with more decision making than the return of Alex Rodriguez as the busy offseason has started for the New York Yankees.
Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso www.newyorksportsexaminer.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)