Bronx Week is Here

Bronx Week is Here

(Photo by Seitu Oronde)

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 7- The official start to Bronx Week is Thursday, May 8^th. Bronx Week will run through Sunday, May 18^th ending with the Annual Bronx Week Parade across Mosholu Parkway, and the Music and Food festival that follows the parade. You can go to http://ilovethebronx.com/ , scroll down to the Bronx Week calendar of events to see Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.'s letter of invitation to the events, and then browse the six full pages of events that are scheduled. As always there may be some additions that may not be listed or changes to events due to unforeseen circumstances. At the end of each event you will see that the event is free or in the case of a few events there may be a small charge due to the cost of running the event. There are also e-mail listings or phone numbers to call to reserve your place at an event or if you want more information on the event listed.

Bronx Week is being kicked off on Monday. May 5^th with the official announcement by Bronx Borough President Diaz, and his wonderful staff needs to be thanked not only for the great jobs they do every day, but in putting together Bronx Week schedule of events. You will see me at some of the events and as I have the past few years I will cover the Bronx Week Parade along with the Music and Food Festival that you do not want to miss. Hopes are for good weather, but the parade and festival has, and will go on rain or shine. Check my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com for recaps of events from Bronx Week, and the many photos of the events.

The 13^th Congressional race is heating up now with four official candidates. While it is a two-candidate race between the incumbent Congressman Rangel and his opponent from two years ago there are two other candidates one of which may be the difference in the Democratic primary. Things are different this year as Congressman Rangel's base has shrunk even more, while his opponent State Senator Adriano Espaillat's base has increased. While there were three other candidates in the last election those three candidates drew more votes from Senator Espaillat than Congressman Rangel. This year is another story as Senator Espaillat has picked up many of the Bronx endorsements that Congressman Rangel had in the last election, and the candidate coming out of Congressman Rangel's base is much stronger that the last election. He will pull more votes away from the congressman which should be the deciding factor in what many believe will be the defeat of Charles Rangel. The Hispanic candidate put up by “Political Venturing Businessman” Richard Soto will only help State Senator Espaillat since she is unknown and has little resources, unlike the past election where the other candidates drew votes from Senator Espaillat.

The Bronx State Senate race that should provide enough excitement is the 33^rd State Senate race where the two previous incumbents have wound up on jail, and current 33^rd State Senator Gustavo Rivera still has not answered the question I placed in this column two months ago. I repeat my question to Senator Gustavo Rivera since the acquisitions of election fraud against the good senator from the 2013 special election for the 86^th A.D. have disappeared. Gustavo Rivera are you wearing a wire for the U.S. Attorney or any other law enforcement agency?

The question refers to acquisitions of election fraud in the special election to replace former 86^th A.D. Assemblyman Nelson Castro where candidates who did not win accused Senator Rivera of several election fraud violations which appeared in several news outlets including this paper. Assemblyman Castro was found to be wearing a wire for four years when charges of election fraud against him disappeared so he could become a government informant. As for the most recent charges of election fraud against Senator Rivera Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson told me that I would not believe whatever he would say, and then said that he could not comment on anything that may be under investigation. Is there a third elected officials from the 33^rd state senate seat in a row under investigation, and possibly headed to jail in the somewhat near future? By the way Senator Rivera's will have a real opponent running against him this year that being Councilman Fernando Cabrera.

Lastly close to 600 people came out in the pouring rain to the Bronx Conservative Party Dinner last Wednesday night. Bronx Conservative Party Chairman Bill Newmark did not disappoint those who braved the rain by having an exciting program with awards to several prominent people in business, public service, and politics. The big hit of the night was the Man of the Year Award which was given to Buffalo Businessman and past candidate for governor Mr. Carl Palidino. Palidino was very honest in telling some great political stories including that he wants to help this year’s Republican candidate for governor Rob Astorino. First however Palidino said that he has to get rid of the New York State Republican Leader Ed Cox who Palidino said needs to be replaced if the NY Republican Party is to move forward and regain its lost power. Check my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com for more on the Conservative Party dinner and the photos of the many who attended.

If you have any comments about this column or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.

Bedford Park News: Yanks Shut Down

Bedford Park News: 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 E...

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

Bedford Park News: Deadly Week for Men, Women and Children of the Bro...

Bedford Park News: Deadly Week for Men, Women and Children of the Bro...: Deadly Week for Men, Women and Children of the Bronx By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 1- Detectives across the borough are piec...

Deadly Week for Men, Women and Children of the Bronx

Deadly Week for Men, Women and Children of the Bronx

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 1- Detectives across the borough are piecing together three separate incidents that claimed the life of a man who was shot, a young woman stabbed and a young child who fell to death.

Rescue workers were called to the River Park Towers in the University Heights section at 5 p.m. on April 23, when police say Sidy Fofana, 9, fell from a still-undetermined height.

The child's body landed on top of a scaffold and he died instantly.

Police say the child had been visiting an uncle's apartment on the 43rd floor, but police were working on the theory that the 4th grader went up to the roof of 20 Richman Plaza.

On April 26, police and paramedics were called to 2600 Creston Avenue in the Fordham Heights section after a woman was reported to have been stabbed one time in the chest.

Authorities say Jasmine Canton, 19, was arguing with her assailant before he stabbed her at 9:30 a.m. inside the basement entrance of 2600 Creston Avenue at East 193 Street. She died prior to reaching St. Barnabas Hospital.

Police sources say Canton, a former student of Jane Adams Vocational High School, had several arrests for prostitution.

Investigators have released surveillance footage of the suspect who is described as a Hispanic man between 20 and 30 years of age, wearing black pants and a black North Face jacket.

The NYPD has posted a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator in Canton's death.

Police believe a possible road-rage incident may have resulted in the death of Jahbar Campbell, 22, who was found shot to death inside a U-haul truck in Eastchester.

Cops were called to Reeds Mill Lane at the New England Thruway at 9:30 p.m. on April 26. They discovered the van had been shot up before crashing.

Campbell had been shot multiple times and died at the scene.

Police were looking for the driver of the U-haul truck who fled the scene after the crash and the gunman, described as a male black wearing a gray hooded jacket. A police source stated he fled in a red Jeep Cherokee.

As of April 20, the NYPD reported 19 murders in the Bronx so far this year, compared with just 14 during the same time period last year.

Anyone with any information on any of the above incidents can call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls remain confidential.     

Bedford Park News: From Hero to Zero

Bedford Park News: From Hero to Zero: From Hero to Zero Ca$h is King #Cano gets Bronx Cheer from Fan Faithful By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 30- Robinson Ca...

From Hero to Zero

From Hero to Zero

Ca$h is King #Cano gets Bronx Cheer from Fan Faithful

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 30- Robinson Cano, one of the premier players in MLB, was the center of attention at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. For the first time he made his debut with the New York Yankees in 2005, Cano dressed in the visitor’s clubhouse and wore the uniform of the visiting club, the Seattle Mariners.

Several days earlier, Cano prophesied his feelings on the day of his return, “It’s going to be weird. It’s going to feel a lot different being on the other side.” 

Cano was on the Yankee side since he signed as a non-drafted free agent at the age of 17 on January 5, 2001. Interestingly, Cano’s father, Jose, was also drafted and signed by the Yankees. After several minor league seasons, he made his big league debut on May 3, 2005.

The native of the baseball hotbed of San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic compiled outstanding statistics and received many honors during his nine seasons with the Yanks. 

The five-time American League All-Star, the last four as the starting second sacker, was a winner of the Silver Slugger five times and the Gold Glove twice. 

He has been especially effective in the last five years averaging 99 runs scored, 103 runs batted in, a batting average of .314, a slugging average of .530 and an on-base percentage of .369 per season. Cano was the winner of the 2012 Home Run Derby, and was named the MVP of the 2013 World Baseball Classic (WBC), leading his nation, the Dominican Republic to the championship with a batting average of .469.

Not surprisingly, his recent performances increased the interest by teams other than the Yankees to obtain the services of Cano for the future. To the shock of many and the disappointment and anger of Yankee rooters, Cano signed a 10-year contract worth $240 million with the Mariners on December 12, 2013. 

In a pre-game press conference in Yankee Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, Cano refused to be trapped by questions in English or Spanish that attempted to get him to discuss his contract negotiations or to criticize the Yankees, “I just want to move on and not talk about the past. I’m just happy to be back and see those guts again that I played with.”

Prior to the game, the new Mariner expressed hope that the New York fans would remember his nine years and react well to him “Hopefully, I’ll be treated nice by the fans.” In spite of his high hopes, he did show understanding of the psyche of partisan sports fans, “I know I’m not a Yankee anymore. I have to understand the reaction of the fans.”

Loud boos were heard after the mention of his name in the pre-game introductions. Those jeers paled in comparison to the negative reception he received when he walked to the plate for his first at bat. The booing did not cease until Cano took a third strike which was cheered. 

The Seattle second baseman struck out again in the eighth, but drove in a run in the fifth with a ground ball out. He got an infield single, stole a base and scored in the seventh. 

The game is now behind him, so hopefully the fans can concentrate on rooting for the success of their team rather than for someone’s failure.