Baychester News: Manhattan Jaspers Edge Iona

Baychester News: Manhattan Jaspers Edge Iona: Manhattan Jaspers Edge Iona in Overtime By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 3- On the last day of February, two elite tea...

Manhattan Jaspers Edge Iona

Manhattan Jaspers Edge Iona in Overtime

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 3- On the last day of February, two elite teams of the Metropolitan Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), the Manhattan Jaspers (21-7, 14-5) and the Iona Gaels (19-9, 16-3) engaged in a hard-fought and thrilling contest that was not decided until the final seconds of overtime. The game had been tied nine times with the lead changing hands on 13 occasions. The result of this contest at the Draddy Gym in Riverdale was quite different than the first between the two schools this season played on the last day of January that was won by Iona, 85-73. 

The Jaspers took an early 11-6 lead that was followed by 11 unanswered points by the Gaels. With Iona leading, 20-13, the Jaspers’ eight straight points gave them a 21-20 advantage. The lead gravitated back and forth several times until the final four minutes of the first half when Manhattan outscored Iona, 9-2 to end the half ahead by a score of 45-35. That was the only double figure lead of the close contest.

Despite the Manhattan lead, Iona had a higher percentage of success from the floor. This was nullified by the control of the offensive boards by the Jaspers which allotted them nine more shots than Iona. 

An opening 10-3 scoring run by the Gaels in the second half lowered the deficit to three points, 48-45. At 13:49, a basket by junior Emmy Andujar raised Manhattan’s lead to seven, 54-47. The two points broke his career high of 19. The score was tied at 61 with 7:30 remaining. It was knotted three more times in regulation including at 71 when time ran out. 

Andujar’s performance in the five minutes of overtime was crucial to the Manhattan victory. After stealing the basketball, he successfully drove to the basket and was fouled. The three points broke a 73 tie and that lead was never overturned. The visitors had possession with Manhattan leading, 80-77, but did not make the shot. Andujar was the leading scorer of the game with a single game career high of 28.

As it was the final home game of the season, three Manhattan seniors were honored prior to the game. Michael Alvarado suffered an ankle injury after being on court only six minutes. His one assist and three points raised his career totals to 1,374 points and 353 assists. 

George Beamon recorded his fifth double-double (13 points and 11 rebounds). His 1,778 career points ranks fourth in the college’s totals. 

The other senior, Rhamel Brown scored 9, grabbed 9 boards and blocked 4 shots. He ranks second in shots blocked in the NCAA this year and is first as a Jasper with 367. He is eighth at Manhattan with 781 boards and has scored 1,108 points. This is the first time in Manhattan history when each of three seniors have scored more than 1,000 points at the school.

Baychester News: Romeo Santos to Play Yankee Stadium

Baychester News: 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.

Baychester News: Always the Captain

Baychester News: 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

Baychester News: Snow Doesn’t Slow Down Cops

Baychester News: 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...