‘Mo Class

‘Mo Class

Street Renamed to Honor #MarianoRivera

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 5- A very diverse crowd gathered on the northwest corner of 161 Street and River Avenue in front of Yankee Stadium in the late morning of Monday, May 5. A large number of reporters and camera operators were present to cover the event. 

At approximately 11;30 am, the voice of the late Yankee Public Address announcer Bob Sheppard could be heard clearly enunciating “Now coming in #42 Mariano Rivera.” At that moment, Rivera and his wife, Clara, were exiting Yankee Stadium through Gate 6. Immediately the two were besieged by fans and photographers who surrounded them as they were walking.

When the couple were seated on the platform with the other dignitaries, the official program began. Thomas Ferrera, a self-described lifelong Yankee fan, served as emcee. Ferrera spearheaded the campaign to change the name of River Avenue on 161 Street to Rivera Avenue to honor the legendary Yankee closer.

The first speaker, Lonn Trost, the Yankees COO, used a discussion with his wife as a means of informing those in the crowd of the many accomplishments of Rivera on the baseball field and the honors deservedly accorded to him for his achievements. He said closer is the only position in baseball in which there can be no argument or debate as to who is the best, “Mariano Rivera is the best closer in baseball.”

Children from the Highbridge Advisory Council Headstart then led the crowd in the singing of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

Several elected officials (politicians)were present Councilmembers Arroyo and Gibson, as well as representatives of Council Speaker Viverito, Borough President Diaz and Mayor DeBlasio.  

Special note should be taken of one, Congressman Jose Serrano. Not only is he a long-term member of Congress working hard for the residents of his district in the South Bronx, but he is a knowledgeable baseball, specifically Yankee fans. Serrano was wearing a Yankee jacket and his business card is in the form of a baseball card. Unlike many other pols, Serrano can be seen at Yankee Stadium for reasons other than photo ops. Of Rivera, he said, “Mariano is special. I’m sorry to see him go. Someone so special should last forever.”

The name change of the street was approved by the City Council by a vote of 47-0-2 on December 10, 2013 and signed into law one week later by mayor Bloomberg. 

Cary Goodman, the executive director of the 161^st Street BID (Business Improvement District) opined, “It was a long campaign but we’re here.” Goodman was an integral part of the success of the name change being approved as he is in every positive enterprise in the 161 Street neighborhood. His presence in the area is a great benefit to the businesses and the residents.

As if he were again on the baseball field, the proceedings closed after Rivera’s successful performance.

For those who are only familiar with Rivera as a ballplayer, listening to his recital of thanks one can realize his high level of decency, religious devotion and humility, “I want to thank God, above all. I want to thank my wife, who’s put up with me for the 23 years of my career. I want to thank the New York Yankees for letting me play for 19 years. I want to thank this beautiful community of the Bronx. I want to thank you guys, the fans. You were there. Without you, it would have been harder. I thank you for every effort you made. You worked harder than me. I only tried to do my job. God bless you!”

Rivera then climbed a ladder to unveil the new street sign of Rivera Avenue.

Manhattan News: #CC Sabathia Gets Roughed Up

Manhattan News: #CC Sabathia Gets Roughed Up: #CC Sabathia Gets Roughed Up Sabathia Beats Up on Himself By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 5- The inability of the New Yor...

#CC Sabathia Gets Roughed Up

#CC Sabathia Gets Roughed Up

Sabathia Beats Up on Himself

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 5- The inability of the New York Yankees’ starting pitchers to win games has become a serious issue for the club. During the first 17 days of the 2014 campaign, April 1-17, Yankee starters recorded 10 wins, but in the next 17 days, April 18-May 4, Yankee starting pitchers only have three wins. 

Their inability to go deep into games has also put undue pressure upon its overworked bullpen. After Sunday’s game, Yankee skipper Joe Girardi stated this clearly, “We have to start getting length out of our starters.”

This was certainly something that did not happen in Sunday’s game. CC Sabathia, the ace of the Yankee staff since signing with the franchise on December 18, 2008, was especially disappointing. The 3.2 innings he pitched was his shortest outing since October 2, 2009, which was also against Tampa Bay. 

The lefty has been extremely effective at Yankee Stadium, compiling a record of 43-19. His only shorter start at the ballpark in the Bronx took place in his rookie season, on June 27, 2001. As a member of the Cleveland Indians, he yielded six runs in one inning to the Yankees.

The onslaught against Sabathia on Sunday began in the first frame. Logan Forsythe led off the contest with a double to right, and was driven in by an Evan Longoria double two batters later. Longoria leads all visiting players with 37 runs batted in at the new Yankee Stadium.

With one out in the third, Desmond Jennings doubled. Longoria followed by drawing a walk. The next batter, Will Myers, blasted a ball over the head of centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and sprinted around the bases for a rare standing inside-the-park home run to score three. The last player on the Rays to hit an inside-the-park homer was Ben Zobrist on September 25, 2011.

Myers’ double in the following inning drove in his fourth run in the contest and led to Sabathia’s removal from the game. The two hits extended Myers’ hitting streak at Yankee Stadium to the first 13 games he played at the iconic venue. a new record for a rookie at either park named Yankee Stadium.

The 33 year-old pitcher yielded five runs and 10 hits in his short stint. Girardi was uncharacteristically blunt in describing Sabathia’s performance, “Today, he really struggled. It was probably his hardest start this year. I didn’t think he had his good slider, his good change-up. He just didn’t have his good stuff.”

Sabathia a former Cy Young Award recipient, was unhappy with his performance on the mound, “It’s frustrating to go out and not give us a good opportunity to win.”

He was in no way critical of fans who booed him, “I would have booed myself today. I wouldn’t want to come to the ballpark and see that.”

Sabathia explained his attitude this season with that of last year when he was very negative towards his performances. He expressed in several statements, after the game, his belief that he will improve, “I’ve gotten these guys out. I know I can do it again. I can’t let a little adversity throw what I’ve done out the window. I feel that I can turn this thing around. I’ll come out of this thing and be the guy we need.”

A very positive pitching sign was the appearance of Alfredo Aceves for the first time this season. He pitched 5.1 innings in relief of Sabathia, yielding only three hits and blanking the Rays. Despite his effectiveness on Sunday, Girardi does not, at this time, desire to insert him into the starting rotation. 

The next game at Yankee Stadium, Monday, May 12, will be the first game of this year’s Subway Series between the Yanks and Mets.

Yanks Shut Down

Yanks Shut Down

Rookie pitcher from Cuba leads Mariners to sweep over Yankees

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 2- Roenis Elias was not supposed to get the start for the Seattle Mariners in their three-game series against the Yankees in the Bronx. Felix Hernandez was supposed to close the three-game series the night before, but rain forced a postponement. The 25-year old left-hander got his opportunity Thursday night.

Perhaps, the Yankees would have preferred Hernandez because Elias, a defector from Cuba, in his sixth professional start gave the Yankees more than they were looking for as the Mariners swept the abbreviated two-game series, 4-2. After giving up a first inning home run to Jacoby Ellsbury, the first for the Yankees center fielder, he used a curve and fastball that were impressive.

He tossed seven-innings, struck out a career-high 10, allowing two runs and six hits. And only one run was earned due to a Mariners error in the third inning. Elias was impressive and the spotlight of pitching at Yankee Stadium added no added pressure. Of the 110 pitches he threw, 73 went for strikes.

The Mariners won their fourth straight at Yankee Stadium going back to last season. But the story was Elias who made an impression on Yankees manager Joe Girardi. The Yankees could not deal with the fastball and curve. After the sixth inning, they did not get a hit until pinch hitter Ichiro Suzuki got a two-out single in the ninth off closer Fernando Rodney.

"He was hitting his spots. He was getting ahead. He pitched a good game. He's got a good arm,” said the Yankees Derek Jeter about the rookie pitcher. "Sometimes pitchers are going to be better than you. He threw really well. He's not a typical lefty who tries to trick you. He gets it up there pretty good.”

Said Girardi: “He used his fastball and curve effectively…pretty good stuff.” After the Ellsbury home run, Elias, who spent last year pitching for Double- A Jackson with 14 of 22 quality starts, limited the Yankees to five hits.

“The adrenaline comes from the spotlight," Elias said through a translator. "I've never been to the stadium so it was good to come here and beat the Yankees. I've seen it on TV but never been here." Elias became the third rookie pitcher at Yankee Stadium to strike out 10 or more batters at Yankee Stadium.

The manager, Lloyd McClendon had Elias slated to pitch this weekend. The rain-out moved Hernandez to another day and Elias got his chance. He got the call Wednesday night from pitching Coach Rick Waits Wednesday night that he would get the ball.

“The young man threw a tremendous game,” commented McClendon. “We thought he'd be OK in this environment. The young man is tough."

Facing Derek Jeter and the Yankees, especially for the first time is a challenge. The fastball was clocked over 90 and the curve had the Yankees hitters fooled. Throw in the fact that the Yankees are having issues getting the timely hit and again they had to come from behind. Elias made sure to keep his composure.

All of the first 28 batters he faced saw strikes.

“You have to get ready mentally,” said Elias who uses the fastball as his number one pitch. “After a couple of innings I felt more comfortable and took control.

Girardi did not seem concerned that his offense went cold. “It’s early in the season,” he said. “Obviously consistency is important. It will come.” He has to be more concerned about the state of his starting pitching. Hiroki Kuroda (2-3) gave up four runs, three earned on seven hits in six innings. In his previous start, Friday night against the Angels, he gave up a career- high eight runs in 4.21 innings, in a Yankees 13-1 loss.

"I think it's a step in the right direction," Girardi said. "A lot of nights that's going to be good enough to win.”

But it was not good enough for the Yankees who welcome division rival Tampa Bay to the Bronx for the next three games. The rotation is struggling also with Ivan Nova disabled for the season and Michael Pineda serving a suspension and headed to the disabled list.

As for Robinson Cano, his return to the Bronx was met with boos from the Yankee Stadium crowd. And in two games, he went 2-for-9 with three runs batted in. His double and two RBI were the difference Thursday night.

“Both days felt good because both days we won, so it has to feel good," Cano said. "There weren't any expectations from the crowd today. I just wanted to go out and take care of business. You have to understand the fans, but it is not going to be a distraction for me."

But Cano and the Yankees were not the story this night. A kid from Cuba, named Elias, may have turned himself into a pitching sensation at Yankee Stadium.

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

Manhattan News: Yankees Honor Mandela, Jackie Robinson

Manhattan News: Yankees Honor Mandela, Jackie Robinson: Yankees Honor Mandela, Jackie Robinson  By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 17- On April 15, 1997, the 50 th anniversary of t...

Yankees Honor Mandela, Jackie Robinson

Yankees Honor Mandela, Jackie Robinson 

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 17- On April 15, 1997, the 50^th anniversary of the first game played by Jack Roosevelt Robinson in the major leagues, Baseball Commissioner Allan “Bud” Selig announced the retirement of Robinson’s #42 from Major League Baseball. On that date in every year since 1997, all players in a scheduled game wear the #42 to honor Robinson’s accomplishment of breaking the color barrier. With the retirement of Mariano Rivera at the close of the 2013 season, there are no longer any active p[layers wearing #42.

Inclement weather in the Bronx forced the delay of the April 15 game between the Yankees and Cubs, the ceremony and the press conference for the one day, but did not in any way lessen the meaning of the day of remembrance.

This year’s special Robinson ceremony took place at Yankee Stadium to honor not only Robinson but former South African President Nelson Mandela. The New York Yankees added a plaque honoring Mandela in Monument Park. Many remember Mandela’s appearance at Yankee Stadium on June 21, 1990, shortly after his 27 year imprisonment in South Africa ended. On that day, wearing a Yankee jacket and cap, Mandela remarked to the crowd, ‘’You know who I am. I am a Yankee.’’

That day and Mandela’s subsequent accomplishments as South Africa’s president were recalled in a press conference that featured many prominent speakers who paid tribute to his deeds.

Zondwa Mandela, the grandson of the world leader who died at the age of 95 in December 2013, expressed his gratitude to the Yankees, and referred to himself as ‘’just a custodian of his [Mandela’s] legacy.”

Also present were South Africa’s Consul General, George Monyemangene, and Sello Hatang, Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO. The latter asked the Yankees to honor Mandela on July 18, Nelson Mandela Day. 

Others who spoke in honor of Mandela included former New York City Mayor David Dinkins, the Reverands Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton, Harry Belafonte, New York Yankees President Randy Levine and Robinson’s daughter, Sharon.

Yankee Managing Partner Hal Steinbrenner presented a matted copy of Mandela’s plaque to Mandela’s grandson and wife. The plaque will join those of Robinson, Yankees immortals and world leaders such as Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI in Monument Park. 

The centerpiece of the annual ceremony was, as always, a recognition of Robinson’s deed. His widow, Rachel, and daughter, Sharon, were present to enhance the remembrance of their loved one. 

To put the achievement of Jackie Robinson in historical perspective, we should recognize that he integrated MLB before it was accomplished in the NFL or NBA, seven years before the Supreme Court decision on Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, 16 years before the memorable March on Washington and 17 years before Congress passed the Civil Rights Acts during the administration of President Lyndon Johnson. 

In his introductory words at the informative, inspirational and educational press conference, New York Yankees Executive Director of Communications and Media Relations Jason Zilo linked the legacies of the two honorees, “Bringing people of all backgrounds and demographics together.”

Manhattan News: Cops on Lookout for Perv

Manhattan News: Cops on Lookout for Perv: Cops on Lookout for Perv  By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 16- Cops are asking for the public’s help to catch a perv who to...