YANKEES

Return to Glory? New Faces and Returning Faves Look to Bring Home Another Championship

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 31- As the college basketball season reaches its apex, the Final Four, the Major League Baseball (MLB) season is ready to begin in full force. Each team, except the two teams who began the season earlier in March in Australia, have a mark of 0-0.

Hopes are high in the Bronx as there are always expectations among Yankee fans that the team will reach the World Series or, at the least, qualify for the playoffs. 

Great changes have been made since the conclusion of the 2013 season. Iconic figures have departed. Mariano Rivera, the greatest closer in MLB history, retired. Andy Pettitte, a mainstay starter for 15 seasons with the Yankees, especially effective in the post-season, retired. 

The controversial third sacker who has blasted more than 600 home runs, Alex Rodrigez, was suspended for the entire 2014 season by the Commissioner of Baseball. Robinson Cano, considered by many observers to be the best second baseman in the majors, signed a 10-year contract for $240 million with the Seattle Mariners. Starter Phil Hughes and reliever Joba Chamberlain signed with other teams as the Yankees showed little interest in signing them.

Last year’s injury riddled team finished the year with an 85-77 record and did not qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2008. The 2013 Yankees consisted of many reserves who were inserted into the starting lineup in the place of injured star players.

Stars always counted upon for consistency are returning from serious injuries. First baseman Mark Teixeira played only 15 games in 2013 after having suffered a wrist injury that required surgery. The team captain Derek Jeter played only 17 games last year after repeated ankle injuries. Jeter announced that 2014 will be his final season in the majors. He, obviously, will be making his usual supreme effort to lead his club to a successful year. 

Four off-season free agent acquisitions with a combined cost of nearly $500 million are expected to strengthen in the club in a number of areas. For the first time since Jorge Posada was behind the plate, the Yankees have an outstanding offensive and defensive catcher with leadership qualities in Brian McCann. With an impressive Spring Training showing, Francisco Cervelli beat out Austin Romine and J.R. Murphy to be the back-up catcher.

Jacoby Ellsbury, formerly of the Red Sox, will be the lead-off hitter and center fielder for the team. Although he was out two weeks with an injury in March, the Yankees are hopeful he will play a full injury-free season. 

Veteran Carlos Beltran will fill the position in right field. The former Met had envisioned playing with the Yankees years ago. If he remains as he has been the last few years, he will help the Yankees at bat and should also be a boon to the team in the clubhouse. 

Brett Gardner, on the big club since 2008, recently signed a four -year extension for $52 million. Gardner, who has a similar skill set as Ellsbury, will fill the other outfield corner in left.

Veteran Ichiro Suzuki will serve as the fourth outfielder. Alfonso Soriano, who had an excellent season after signing with the Yankees last year will move from the outfield to be the designated hitter.

Kelly Johnson at third and Brian Roberts at second will join veteran Yankees Teixeira and Jeter in the infield. While they cannot be expected to replace Rodriguez and Cano at the plate, the experienced major leaguers should be more than adequate in the field. 

The ace of the starting rotation, CC Sabathia, is hoping to rebound after a poor year. He has again lost weight, which could either be positive or negative. He appears to recognize that he needs to adjust to the loss of velocity on his fastball. 

The second starter, Hiroki Kuroda, is coming off a disappointing second half of the 2013 season. The 39 year-old can benefit the Yankees by helping major league rookie Matsahiro Tanaka adjust to the majors and the United States. 

The three young starters had outstanding springs. Tanaka was 2-0 with an excellent ERA in his appearances. Ivan Nova also pitched well. Michael Pineda, after missing two seasons with injuries, was recently named the fifth starter by Joe Girardi after an impressive Spring Training. 

The key relief spot, closer, filled nearly perfectly by Marian Rivera will be given to David Robertson. Last year’s eighth inning specialist is hopeful of being as successful as he was on 2013 in his new role. The Yankees passed on signing several respected closers to replace Rivera. 

Shawn Kelley and newcomer Jacob Thornton are expected to take over the eighth inning responsibilities. Other returning relievers include David Phelps, Dellin Betances, Cesar Cabral, and Adam Warren.

Will the 2014 version of the Yankees be sufficient to carry them into the playoffs? No one yet knows. Yankees personnel and fans certainly hope for and expect success. 

City Island News BX: Derek Jeter, Kate Moss ‘Sign’ for Troubled Pol

City Island News BX: Derek Jeter, Kate Moss ‘Sign’ for Troubled Pol: Derek Jeter, Kate Moss ‘Sign’ for Troubled Pol Campaign Workers Indicted for False Petition Signatures BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 27- Di...

City Island News BX: Derek Jeter, Kate Moss ‘Sign’ for Troubled Pol

City Island News BX: Derek Jeter, Kate Moss ‘Sign’ for Troubled Pol: Derek Jeter, Kate Moss ‘Sign’ for Troubled Pol Campaign Workers Indicted for False Petition Signatures BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 27- Di...

Derek Jeter, Kate Moss ‘Sign’ for Troubled Pol

Derek Jeter, Kate Moss ‘Sign’ for Troubled Pol

Campaign Workers Indicted for False Petition Signatures

BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 27- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced that a nine-month long investigation into fraudulent petitions filed with the New York City Board of Elections has resulted in the arrests of three former campaign workers for New York City Council Member Maria Del Carmen Arroyo.

The investigation uncovered no evidence of any criminal conduct by any other persons.

Elbin Lopez, 49, of Alexander Avenue, Betty Julien, 47, of Bruckner Boulevard of Richman Plaza, and Luis Vargas, 45, of Bruckner Boulevard, have been charged with multiple felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, forgery in the second degree, and offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree. The defendants are facing maximum terms of up to seven years imprisonment if convicted.

The charges stem from the defendants’ alleged conduct as employees of Council Member Arroyo’s campaign for re-election in 2013. The defendants were hired by the Council Member’s campaign to gather signatures on petitions to have her name placed on the ballot in the Democratic Primary Election which was held in September 2013.

The defendants were arraigned before Criminal Court Judge Carol Sharpe and were released on their own recognizance.

It is alleged that Lopez, Julien, and Vargas forged nearly 100 signatures on the candidate’s petitions which were then filed with the New York City Board of Elections. The alleged forgeries included the signatures of New York Yankees team captain Derek Jeter, sports announcer Joe Buck, New York Giants defensive tackle Rocky Bernard, and actress Kate Moss. The petitions also contained phony addresses accompanying some signatures including a Citibank branch location and a location for the drug rehabilitation program Odyssey House.

The charges announced today are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

City Island News BX: Subway Muggers Sought

City Island News BX: Subway Muggers Sought: Subway Muggers Sought Police Seek to Identify D-Train Robbers By David Greene BRONX NEW YORK, MARCH 20- P olice have released ...

Subway Muggers Sought

Subway Muggers Sought

Police Seek to Identify D-Train Robbers

By David Greene

BRONX NEW YORK, MARCH 20- Police have released a video and several photos and are hoping the public can help identify two groups of suspects wanted in connection with two cellphone robberies at a Norwood train station.

According to police, an unidentified 20-year-old male victim was on the mezzanine level of the East 205 Street station when he was approached from behind by two assailants at 8:30 p.m., on February 16.

The victim reported that one of two suspects produced a firearm and demanded valuables. The suspects removed the victim’s wallet and cellphone before fleeing the station.

A surveillance camera captured the two suspects as they exited the station. They are both described as male Hispanics. The armed suspect reportedly had braids in his hair and wore a black hat.

Police reported a second incident that took place at the same train station at 8:15 p.m. on February 17.

Cops in that case say the 34-year-old victim had boarded a southbound D-train when an individual grabbed the victim’s cellphone and fled.

The victim reportedly gave chase and was surrounded on the platform by a group of suspects, who punched him in the face several times and fled.

Investigators have also released surveillance photos of the six suspects in this case, all believed to be in their teens or early 20's. The photo were taken as they too fled the station.

Repeated attempts to reach Gilbert Santos, the MTA Station Manager for the 205 Street Station were unsuccessful.

An employee answering phones at the MTA Transit Police Department referred calls for information to the NYPD.

Police suggest subway riders keep all electronic devices secured and out of sight at all times.

Anyone with any information on either of the individuals is asked to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS or by texting 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577, all calls remain confidential.

City Island News BX: St. Patrick’s Day Parade

City Island News BX: St. Patrick’s Day Parade: St. Patrick’s Day Parade Irish Eyes Smile in the Bronx BRONX NEW, MARCH 17- East Tremont Avenue was a sea of green as Bronx ...

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Irish Eyes Smile in the Bronx

BRONX NEW, MARCH 17- East Tremont Avenue was a sea of green as Bronx residents celebrated St. Patrick’s Day.

Photos by Gary Quintal

City Island News BX: Nobody Told Us About Outbreak

City Island News BX: Nobody Told Us About Outbreak: Nobody Told Us About Outbreak Residents Fuming Over Silence on Disease By Michael Horowitz BRONX NEW YORK, MARCH 14- Co-op Ci...

Nobody Told Us About Outbreak

Nobody Told Us About Outbreak

Residents Fuming Over Silence on Disease

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX NEW YORK, MARCH 14- Co-op City shareholders, speaking out during interviews expressed concerns that they had just found out about two confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ Disease in their building, one from last summer and one from 13 months earlier than that.

Among the Building 27 shareholders who were interviewed, only Teresa Acevedo said that she was not concerned about reports of cases of Legionnaires’ Disease in her building.

Expressing the dominant point of view among those questioned Ariel Jimenez, walking out of his building with his 5-year-old son, Elian, said, “This is really spooky. I’m concerned for the little ones who don’t have fully developed immune systems to fight disease, and, of course, I’m concerned for everyone else in the building. We should have been told about this in December, when management and the city’s Health Department first found out about it.”

Jimenez added, “Like many people in our building, we have had problems with mold in our apartment. Under the circumstances, it should have been even more important for the shareholders in our building to know what was happening in terms of the cases of Legionnaires’ Disease.”

Expressing an even more vocal view, Ethel Minkin stressed, “This whole thing about Legionnaires’ Disease in our building is a shock to me. Riverbay should be sued for this. Co-op City is a nice place, but there are too many secrets. The shareholders have a right to know what’s going on.”

Rena Mena, a former paramedic, added, “We have a whole lot of environmental problems in our apartments. I have toxic black mold in my apartment, which Maintenance workers keep fixing because it keeps coming back. I suffer from asthma, so I’m especially concerned, like Legionnaires’ Disease, that could make it more difficult for me to breathe.”

A shareholder, who wished to remain unidentified, stressed, “We just got through settling an environmental lawsuit in North Carolina, and now, we have to deal with this. I have a 1-year-old daughter, and I’m extremely concerned about our health.”

City Island News BX: Bronx Ready for March Madness

City Island News BX: Bronx Ready for March Madness: Bronx Ready for March Madness Manhattan, Fordham, Advance to NCAA Tourney By Howard Goldin BRONX NEWS, MARCH 12- Representati...

Bronx Ready for March Madness

Bronx Ready for March Madness

Manhattan, Fordham, Advance to NCAA Tourney

By Howard Goldin

BRONX NEWS, MARCH 12- Representatives of the Bronx will be participants in March Madness of 2014 as the Manhattan Jaspers men and the Fordham Rams women automatically qualified for the NCAA National Tournament by virtue of winning their conference tournaments. 

The Manhattan Jaspers (25-7) reversed last year’s MAAC Tournament final result by defeating the 1^st seeded Iona Gaels by three points, 71-68, on Monday night, to advance to the NCAA National Tournament. The second seeded Jaspers advanced to the final contest by a win over Saint Peter’s and Quinnipiac in earlier rounds of the tourney.

The victory over Iona advanced the Jaspers into the true March Madness for the fourth time. They last were in the nationals a decade ago, 2004. Prior to that year, they were in the NCAA’s in 2003 and 1993. Interestingly, their current head coach, Steve Masiello was an assistant coach in the successes of 2003 and 2004. 

MAAC Tournament MVP George Beamon led Manhattan with 16 points and eight boards. Rhamel Brown scored 15. Shane Richards, with four from beyond the arc, scored 14. Emmy Andujar netted 12.

One day earlier the women hoopsters of Fordham University (25-7) captured the Atlantic-10 Tournament with a 63-51 victory over the 1^st seeded Dayton Flyers. This tournament title was the first for the Rams in the respected athletic conference. The Rams advanced to the National Tournament for the second time. Their last appearance was 20 years ago, 1994.

At 16:09, Dayton was up by 8-2. A jumper by senior Abigail Corning at 3:05 gave the Rams their first lead of the game. The Flyers, as they had for most of the first half, led at the half, 30-29.

The game was competitive throughput the early minutes of the second half. After a tie at 43 was broken by two free throws by Emily Tapio at 13:07, the Rams never again lost the lead. Stephanie Gaitley, the Fordham head coach, remarked, “They were very focused. Confidence grew as we came down the stretch.”

Three of the starters for Fordham achieved double-doubles. Erin Rooney scored 13 and grabbed 13 boards. Emily Tapio accomplished her fifth double-double in the past eight contests with 10 points and 12 rebounds. The A-10 Tournament MVP, Corning, scored 12 with 10 rebounds.

The seeding and location of play for Manhattan will br announced on Sunday and for Fordham will be announced Monday.

Tags: March Madness, NCAA National Tournament, Fordham Rams, Manhattan Jaspers 

City Island News BX: Spring Events

City Island News BX: Spring Events: Avoiding Scams and Fraud The Pelham Bay Library will be hosting a talk on how to avoid scams and fraud at 2 p.m. on March 15. The event...

Spring Events

Avoiding Scams and Fraud

The Pelham Bay Library will be hosting a talk on how to avoid scams and fraud at 2 p.m. on March 15. The event will be presented by Jay Stevens.

Statistics show that criminals scam victims out of billions of dollars every year using various types of fraudulent activities. Avoid becoming a victim yourself. Learn how to recognize the tricks of a con artist and the tell-tale warning signs of a scam.

All Public Library Programs are free of charge and are subject to cancellation without notice.

The New York Public Library's Money Matters series is made possible thanks to the generous support of McGraw Hill Financial.

The Pelham Bay Library is located at 3060 Middletown Road.

For more information: (718) 792-6744 

www.nypl.org

###

Lehman concerts heat up the boro

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts continues its amazing season with seven new shows added to its 2014 roster. 

The new shows include:

Saturday, March 15th- Salsa all-stars, the great Tito Rojas and Gammy Award winner Lalo Rodríguez heat up the stage in Duelo De Exitos, which is sure to have the audience singing and dancing. Produced by LehmanCenter and José Raposo.

Sunday, March 23rd- Hailed as the “pre-eminent guitarist of our time,” multiple Grammy award winner Sharon Isbin will be joined by the Brazilian virtuoso Romero Lubambo and jazz legend Stanley Jordon in Guitar Passions, an exquisite concert of Latin, Jazz & Brazilian guitar music. (Rescheduled from February 9th.)

Saturday, April 19th- The King of Blues is back in the Bronx when the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and multi-Grammy Award winning guitarist BB King lights up the stage with his trusty, lifelong companion Lucille.

Saturday, April 26th- An evening full of memories and great Salsa Romantica and Salsa Dura hits not to be missed as Paquito Guzman retires from the concert stage and celebrates his long, successful musical career in his Great Farewell Concert with the legendary La SelectaOrchestra with Raphy Leavitt. Produced by Lehman Center and José Raposo.

Saturday, May 10th- Light Your Fire on Mother’s Day weekend with Jose Feliciano when the legendary singer-composer and virtuoso guitarist performs an exhilarating mix of soft rock and Latin pop music.

Saturday, June 7th- An evening of songs of time, love and tenderness with the multiple Grammy award winning singer/songwriter Michael Bolton.

Saturday, June 21st- The exclusive NYC engagement of Invincible, A Glorious Tribute to the King of Pop honoring the greatest entertainer of all time as it that brings back the spirit and essence of seeing Michael Jacksonin a spectacular multi-media and live performance.

A complete listing of Lehman Center’s 2014 Spring Season Events is attached.

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is on the campus of LehmanCollege/CUNY at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY 10468. 

Tickets for all shows can be purchased by calling the Lehman Center box office at 718-960-8833 (Monday through Friday, 10am–5pm and beginning at12 noon on the day of the concert), or through 24-hour online access at www.LehmanCenter.org. 

###

Spring into season with activities

Despite the cold, Wave Hill is holding a series of events to welcome spring.

March 15- Family Art Project: The early bird get into the mobile

Look for the first returning birds and overwintering residents, along with early migrants passing through on their way north. Cut out their birdie shapes and hang and balance them to make a colorful, moving mobile. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

March 15- Tai Chi Chuan    

Quiet like a mountain, moving like a river, Tai Chi is a sequence of gentle movements based on images found in nature. In this beginner-level class, Irving Yee, a member of the William CC Chen Tai Chi School, introduces students to the internal martial arts and promotes an awareness of its benefits. 

March sessions are held indoors. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Register online and, day of, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. (Reservations may not be made by telephone.) 

Online registration closes at 8 a.m. on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3 p.m. the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drops-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present a Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

March 15- Winter Workshop: Rephotography Scavenger Hunt 

Gain insight into Winter Workspace artist Brandon Neubauer’s creative process and explore the late winter landscape as a source of inspiration. 

Participants in this workshop will use printed photographs provided by the artist to juxtapose images they take of prominent trees and vistas with those taken of the same locations last summer and fall at Wave Hill. Each participant must bring their own camera or camera phone with the Instagram app and are encouraged to work in groups or pairs; all other materials are provided. 

Workshops are open to all visitors ages 12 and over when accompanied by an adult. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center or by calling 718.549.3200 x251. Free with admission to the grounds.

March 15- Garden Workshop: Terrariums 

Don’t have a garden or greenhouse? Create your own tabletop landscape with Assistant Director of Public Programs Laurel Rimmer. Tiny ferns, creeping fig and other tropical plants thrive in the humid conditions of an enclosed glass jar as if in their own miniature greenhouse. 

Create your own fanciful scene with a selection of diminutive plants, perfect for home or office. Ages eight and older welcome with an adult. $45/$35 Wave Hill Member per project. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center or by calling (718) 549-3200 x251. 

March 16- Birding Boot Camp

Can you tell a catbird from a cowbird? New birders are invited to join expert birder, naturalist and educator Gabriel Willow to discover the many groups of birds that call New York City their home. 

Through images and a short lecture, Gabriel shares proven techniques to simplify bird identification using visual and audible clues. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds. (NYC Audubon members enjoy two-for-one admission.)  

Registration recommended, online at www.wavehill.org, onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center or by calling (718) 549-3200 x251

March 16- Meditaion 

This fall, take a moment to release stress and reconnect with your inner self while practicing meditation. 

Each session includes instruction in simple techniques followed by 20 to 30 minutes of meditation. Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other certified instructors. All levels welcome. Winter sessions are held indoors. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. 

Registration opens online and onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. (Reservations may not be made by telephone.) Online registration closes at 8 a.m. on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3 p.m. the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drops-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present a Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

March 16- Garden Highlights Walk 

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

City Island News BX: Legionnaire’s Disease

City Island News BX: Legionnaire’s Disease: Health Scare Panic or Coverup? Why Didn’t Officials Inform Community About 2 Confirmed Cases of Legionnaire’s Disease By Michael Horo...

Legionnaire’s Disease

Health Scare Panic or Coverup?

Why Didn’t Officials Inform Community About 2 Confirmed Cases of Legionnaire’s Disease

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 6- Two Co-op City shareholders living in a Section 5 building have come down with a severe form of pneumonia that bacteria in the building’s water system may have caused, Levi Fishman, deputy press secretary for the city’s Health Department confirmed this week.

The two who contracted the disease, both of whom live in Building 27, came down with Legionnaire’s Disease in May 2012 and June 2013, correspondence between the Health Department and the Riverbay Corporation has confirmed.

The Health Department’s suggested protocols for guarding against Legionnaire’s Disease, which can be fatal in as many as 15 percent of cases, calls for taking shower heads and water faucets in apartment apart and disinfecting them with bleach and maintaining specific temperatures in the building’s hot- and cold-water supply.

Management officials are insisting that there is no problem in any of Co-op City’s water systems, and Fishman said, this week, that there is no evidence of any current problem with the water that Co-op City’s shareholders use.

Fishman said, this week, that the suggested protocols for stopping the spread of Legionnaire’s Disease are suggestion only --- that the building’s management and shareholders are not required to follow them.

The News, after learning about possible cases of Legionnaire’s Disease in Co-op City from an informed source who wished to remain unidentified, waited for more than two weeks for Health Department officials to respond to the newspaper’s pointed and meticulously drafted questions.

Correspondence between the Health Department and the Riverbay Corporation, which Herbert Freedman first supplied to the News, confirmed that officials of both Co-op City’s management and the city’s Health Department have known about the potential health risk to shareholders in Building 27, where the two who contracted Legionnaire’s Disease lived, and Buildings 26 and 30, which are connected to the same water system, since at least Dec. 3 of last year.

An estimated 1,400 families use the water system that may be at issue. 

However, at this time, Fishman said that the Health Department can’t be sure that the victims of Legionnaire’s Disease got it from bacteria in their building’s water system or from other sources.

The Health Department is concerned about the water system serving Building 27 because the two Co-op City shareholders who contracted Leionnaire’s Disease live in that building.

In response to questions from the News, which Herbert Freedman found out about secondhand, the Co-op City official angrily accused the newspaper of spreading “panic” in the local community.

In response, Christopher Hagedorn, editor and publisher of the News, called Freedman’s charge outrageous, saying, “The people of Co-op City have a right to know what’s going on in their community. They certainly have a right to know about potential health risks. We have an obligation to alert shareholders to potential risks to their health once we confirm that they may exist.”

In an e-mail to the News, Freedman strongly indicated that information about a potential health risk from Legionnaire’s Disease should be withheld.

He stated, “Hate to mess up your lead story this week, but I am hoping you are responsible enough not to attempt to start a panic in coop (Co-op) City.”

In a direct response to Freedman, Hagedorn stressed, “We obviously have more confidence in the ability of the people of Co-op City to process information than Mr. Freedman does. We intend to report this extremely important story in the great traditions of the free press, which our nation’s Founding Fathers guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. We will not be silenced by diatribes or sarcastic comments from Herb Freedman or anyone else.”

Bundled Up Burglar Wanted

Bundled Up Burglar Wanted

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 5- Providing few details, police hope that surveillance photos will lead them to the identity of a burglary suspect who broke into two homes over a three-day period.

Investigators will only say that the two break-in's took place on January 6 and January 9.

One crime was committed within the confines of the 52nd Precinct and the other in the 50th Precinct and both locations were within walking distance of each other.

After gaining entry the suspect flees with cash and jewelry.

The individual is described as a 40-year-old male white or Hispanic, 5 foot 9 and weighs 170 pounds. On both days the subject was wearing a black North Face-type coat, blue jeans and black cap and ski mask.

Anyone with any information on the suspect's identity is asked to call the 52nd Precinct's detective squad at (718) 220-6134.   

City Island News BX: Romeo Santos to Play Yankee Stadium

City Island News BX: Romeo Santos to Play Yankee Stadium: Romeo Santos to Play Yankee Stadium Bronx Native Santos to Perform First Latin Music Concert at Stadium  By Howard Goldin ...

Romeo Santos to Play Yankee Stadium

Romeo Santos to Play Yankee Stadium

Bronx Native Santos to Perform First Latin Music Concert at Stadium 

By Howard Goldin

Yankee Stadium is arguably the most iconic sports venue in the world. It is not only the home of the world renowned New York Yankees, but also hosted world class soccer matches, championship fights, football bowl games, and NHL outdoor hockey contests. 

Less known, but no less important is that in Yankee Stadium,  three Popes celebrated Mass, Billy Graham preached, Nelson Mandela spoke after being released from prison in South Africa, a service was held less than 2 weeks after the 9/11/2001 attack on the World Trade Center and world famous entertainers performed concerts.

A two purpose press conference was held in the Legends Club of Yankee Stadium on Monday afternoon. An announcement was made of the first Latin music concert at the current Yankee Stadium. Bronx born vocalist Anthony “Romeo” Santos, termed the “King of Bachata”, will headline the July 12 show. The second half of the conference featured Santos, seated in a chair, calmly yet animatedly answering questions regarding his newest recording, “Fórmula Vol 2”, scheduled to be released on the following day.

With a large gathering awaiting the start of the press event, Yankees President Randy Levine and COO Lonn Trost moved to seats on the stage and were followed shortly by concert promoter Felix Cabrera and Santos. The multi-platinum selling recording artist took time to pose for many photos before the conference began. 

Both Yankees executives expressed the happiness and pride of the organization to present the concert in July and predicted its great success, both artistically and financially. Santos follows such superstars of the entertainment world on the stage in the current Yankee Stadium as Jay-Z and Eminem, Paul McCartney, Madonna, Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters and a heavy metal concert with Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax. 

Levine said, “It only makes sense” that Bronx born Romeo Santos headlines the first Latin music concert at the current Yankee Stadium. He added, “Romeo Santos is going to be a giant hit here. The show will be memorable.”

Cabrera explained the number of performances that Santos sold out at Madison Square Garden and predicted, “I know he can sell out Yankee Stadium in less than one month.”

The 32-year-old singer seemed to be awed and proud to be in these surroundings. He remarked, ”I was born and raised in the Bronx, and when I walked around the streets here I always visualized coming to a game with my dad. My father is a big Yankees fane as am I, although I don’t know a great deal about sports.”

His feelings about performing a solo concert  at Yankee Stadium were expressed with much emotion, “This is a dream, thanks to God, to be here. It’s a tremendous honor to present myself here in a place of such magnitude, especially in the Bronx. It’s a privilege to be the first Latino artist. I am not just representing a genre [Bachata], a culture, but Latinos. [His father is from the Dominican Republic and his mother from Puerto Rico]. It’s a big responsibility, but I won’t let you down.” He termed it, “the most important event of my career.”

Many great musical artists performed in the first Yankee Stadium such as James Brown, Stevie Wonder, the Beach Boys, U2 and Billy Joel. The most recent Latin music concert there was held on August 24, 1973 by the Fania All Stars, more than 40 years ago.

To those who are not familiar with the musical sensation, it should be said that he has worked long and hard to reach his exalted position in the music world. After singing in a church choir as a boy, he, together with his cousin and two close friends formed a vocal quartet. They began as teenagers in 1994 and signed their first recording contract in 1999. After assuming the name Aventura, they had several hit records and attained status as a superlative musical group performing the Dominican genre, Bachata.

The foursome was honored during Bronx Week in 2007 as the group’s name was added to the Bronx Walk of Fame, the greatest honor given by the borough.

In 2010, the group disbanded, so its members could pursue individual projects. Romeo Sanchez recorded his first solo album, Fórmula Vol 1, which produced a unique feat of five #1 singles. The Sony Music Latin artist was the #1 in sales of Latin music in 2009, 2010 and 2012. This fact will most likely continue in the future as Santos has the most #1 discs in Latin music in the current decade. 

His new recording, which features Drake, Nicki Minaj, Carlos Santana, Marc Anthony, Tego Calderón and comedian Kevin Hart introducing it, has been eagerly awaited and should be another best seller.

City Island News BX: Gang banger convicted in beat down

City Island News BX: Gang banger convicted in beat down: Gang banger convicted in beat down BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 21-  District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced the conviction o...

Gang banger convicted in beat down

Gang banger convicted in beat down

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 21- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced the conviction of Idelfonso Mendez, a reputed leader of the Latin Kings Goonies street gang, for his role in a gang assault which occurred on October 3, 2010.

Mendez, 26, of East 197th Street, the Bronx, pled guilty to one count of gang assault in the first degree, a Class B felony offense.

The plea was entered before Acting State Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett who set sentencing for March 31, 2014 in Part 60. Under the plea agreement Mendez will be sentenced to a term of 14 years imprisonment followed by post release supervision for five years. Mendez also waived his right to appeal the conviction.

Mendez admitted that he “acted-in-concert with others with intent to cause serious physical injury to Victor Pellot, and being aided by two or more other persons actually present, did cause serious physical injury to Victor Pellot.” The assault occurred in a basement apartment at 1910 Osbourne Place where the gang members congregated.

Six other defendants were previously convicted in connection with this incident which involved three victims at two separate locations. The case against a seventh defendant, Luis Garcia, is still pending.

David Rivera, 24, of Sedgwick Avenue, pled guilty to one count of burglary in the first degree, a Class B felony offense, for his role in the gang related incident. Rivera admitted that he, acting in concert with other gang members, entered the home of two of the victims, displayed what appeared to be a gun, and took cash, credit cards, and personal property, including a television. Rivera also pled guilty to one count of robbery in the third degree, a Class D felony offense, stemming from an unrelated crime. Rivera was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Nelson Falu, 20, of Hennessey Place, pled guilty to one count of robbery in the first degree, a Class B felony offense, for his involvement in the October 3rd incident during which he admitted stealing personal property after threatening one of the victims with a baseball bat. Falu was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Elmer Confresi, 26, of Loring Place, pled guilty to one count of attempted gang assault in the first degree, a Class C felony offense. Confresi admitted that he acted-in-concert with the others to cause serious physical injury to one of the victims. Confresi was sentenced to four years in prison.

Jose Dominguez, 26, of Loring Place pled guilty to one count of attempted assault in the first degree and was sentenced to four and a half years in prison.

Ruddy Vargas, 26, of Colden Avenue, pled guilty to one count of robbery in the third degree and was sentenced to 2 to 6 years in prison.

In urging the court to accept the plea agreements in each case, Senior Trial Assistant District Attorney Theresa Gottlieb told the court the pleas were offered after lengthy consultation with the victims who wished to avoid having to testify, which might have had the effect of victimizing them again. ADA Gottlieb told the court that the People believed that the pleas served the interest of justice from society’s perspective as well as that of the victims.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Assistant District Attorney Theresa Gottlieb.

City Island News BX: Mumps Outbreak at Fordham

City Island News BX: Mumps Outbreak at Fordham: Mumps Outbreak at Fordham BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 20- Fordham University has had what appears to be an outbreak of mumps at the...

Mumps Outbreak at Fordham

Mumps Outbreak at Fordham

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 20- Fordham University has had what appears to be an outbreak of mumps at the Rose Hill campus in the Bronx. 

The University has had 10 cases since January, nine of which were in the last three days: this total includes two new cases reported this morning (the single case in January was never confirmed as mumps). Fordham does not yet have laboratory confirmation that the illness is mumps, but that is the most likely diagnosis.

All the students with suspected mumps infections have either returned home or have been isolated from other residents during the infectious phase of the illness. Typically mumps patients are contagious for two days prior to the outbreak of symptoms and five days after.

All Fordham students are required to have full vaccinations before attending the University, including the vaccination for mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR). All of the students who were tentatively diagnosed with mumps had been vaccinated. Vaccinations do not offer 100 percent protection, but, vaccination is still strongly recommended.

Mumps in college-age men and women usually runs its course without any lasting effects. Nonetheless, the University is trying to see what connection there might be among the affected students while stepping up the frequency and intensity of cleanings in communal bathrooms. The student health staff has been in touch with the Department of Health, and we are following best practices in treatment (mostly palliative) and containment.

City Island News BX: Always the Captain

City Island News BX: Always the Captain: Always the Captain Jeter on Season: It’s not about me Derek Tried to Focus on Yanks’ Season Rather than Retirement By Rich...

Always the Captain

Always the Captain

Jeter on Season: It’s not about me

Derek Tried to Focus on Yanks’ Season Rather than Retirement

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 20- Derek Jeter will be missed by the New York Yankees and their fans when his wonderful career concludes this season. Others will also miss his presence, including members of the media. And there are many reasons why the media will miss Jeter.

Derek Jeter was not a friend to the dozens who followed and chronicled his career on the field the past 20 years, rather we referred to Jeter as the professional who answered every question and never ducked an issue. He appreciated this end of the baseball business, and that was displayed again Wednesday at his retirement press conference down in Tampa Florida.

This was the start of Jeter’s retirement press tour. Time and time again, he will answer similar questions as he makes the final rounds around ballparks the Yankees visit. He was patient and understanding.

Then, there was this comment showing his concern to the media: “You can go off to work if you have to.” A few seconds after commenting about his retirement decision, Jeter momentarily took notice of some reporters leaving the pavilion at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Jeter once again, as he has been so accustomed to doing, did not want to be the center of attention. He was the story, and he will be this Yankees 2014 season. But, Jeter also is aware that the media has a job to do. With those words, to those few leaving the press area, Jeter was handling business.

This is spring training, about the New York Yankees quest and hopeful return to the post season in October. This day, according to Jeter, should not be about him. However, that is the side of Derek Jeter that we have all come to know. It was again, more about the Yankees and not about Derek Jeter.

His comments were to the point:

“I feel the time is right. There are other things I want to do. Physically I feel great and I look forward to playing a full season. The thing that means the most to me is to be remembered as a Yankee. Yeah, I’m emotional. It’s kind of difficult because we still have a season to play.”0

He did not laugh. Jeter did not cry. He said it was not a retirement press conference. “I have feelings,” he said.

And there have been times when we knew Derek Jeter had feelings. There have been the many times, and many more this final season when reporters await him by his dressing quarters. At the old and new Yankee Stadiums, the proper answer would always come from the Yankee captain.

Then there was this comment, so typical of what we always get to hear when Derek Jeter speaks.

“Every time the Yankees win,” he said about his favorite career moment. That had to be the toughest answer Wednesday, but one expected from Jeter. And if everything follows the Yankees illustrious history, the Yankees biggest win will come with a sixth World Series ring in the final season for Derek Jeter.

He said, “I think it would have been more of a distraction if I did not mention it,” referring to his retirement announcement on his social media Facebook page last week.

The point is, Derek Jeter has never been a distraction. He has done everything right as a New York Yankee and playing in the New York spotlight, well he handled that like a true professional.

He especially handled it right with the media. He will be missed. The good news is we get to enjoy watching Derek Jeter play one more season and like he said, baseball is fun to play.

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

City Island News BX: Snow Doesn’t Slow Down Cops

City Island News BX: Snow Doesn’t Slow Down Cops: Snow Doesn’t Slow Down Cops (Photo by David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 19- The repeated snow-storms...

Snow Doesn’t Slow Down Cops

Snow Doesn’t Slow Down Cops

(Photo by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 19- The repeated snow-storms have not sidelined detectives who continue to respond too and solve local homicides.

Police officers in Morrisania were called to the Forest Houses on Friday, February 15, where Darin Capeheart, 25, who suffered from spina bifida, was shot several times in the chest outside of the E. 166 Street building and died at Lincoln Hospital.

A second victim and friend of Capeheart, described by police as a 26-year old male, was shot several times in the legs and buttocks and survived.

Just six days later police charged Bronxites Salim Wilson, 22, the suspected trigger-man and his accomplice Julio Velasquez, 20. Both men were charged with murder and attempted murder and Velasquez was also charged with possession of a weapon.

Investigators needed less than two days to solve the January 26 stabbing death of Leobardo Garcia, 29. Garcia was stabbed in the chest while visiting a building on Grant Avenue in the Concourse section.

Police have charged Pedro Torres, 32, with murder and criminal possession of a weapon.  

City Island News BX: Great Day for a Swim?

City Island News BX: Great Day for a Swim?:  Great Day for a Swim? (Photos by David Greene) BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 18- About two dozen members of the Bronx Polar Bears Club gathered...

Great Day for a Swim?

 Great Day for a Swim?

(Photos by David Greene)

BRONX, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 18- About two dozen members of the Bronx Polar Bears Club gathered at Orchard Beach for their annual Valentines swim in the frigid waters of the Long Island Sound. With an air temperature of 34-degrees and a water temperature of 28-degrees, members  took the plunge for a brief swim. The Bronx Trolley was provided by the Bronx Tourism Council and ferried participants from Grand Central Station.  Hot soup and coca was provided.

City Island News BX: Former Gang Bangers Reach Out to Stop Gun Violence...

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Former Gang Bangers Reach Out to Stop Gun Violence

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