Bronx Weekend News Roundup, July 11

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

Weather: Another hot and humid day, with a high of 88 degrees in the Bronx. Temperatures will hit the low 90s tomorrow, so stay cool.

Story of the Day: Jeter's Hits 3,000
As we're sure all of the Bronx and most of the world knows already, Bronx Bomber Derek Jeter made history on Saturday with his 3,000th career hit during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Here's a video--complete with joyous commentary from the guy who filmed it off of his TV--of Jeter's historic home run.


Quick Hits:
A Bronx man ran over his girlfriend in midtown early Saturday morning--with his estranged wife's car--after a drunken argument between the two.

Yankees' Jeter '2' Close to History and Other Bronx Sports Stories

Here's a long overdue look at some of the biggest and latest Bronx sports stories out there right now. 

Jeter's Two Shy of 3,000 Hits
Bronx Bomber Derek Jeter's quest for 3,000 hits continues as the team lost to division rivals the Tampa Bay Rays last night. The Yankee captain went 1 for 5 on the night, leaving him just two hits shy of the magical 3,000-hit milestone (only 27 hitters in Major League history have surpassed the mark). The Yankees lost 5-1. Bartolo Colon struggled through 5-2/3 innings, surrendering all five runs. Jeter is 1 for 2 lifetime against rookie Jeremy Hellickson, tonight's starter for the Rays.

Punchin' at the Paradise Results

Bronx News Roundup, July 6

Weather: Another hot one today, with temperatures in the high 80s and a chance of thunderstorms later. (If you or someone you know needs to get out of the heat, find one of the city's air conditioned cooling centers here).

Story of the Day: South Bronx, One End of the 'Wealth Gap'
An interesting and graphic-heavy feature from this week's New York magazine takes a comparative look at one of the nation's wealthiest Congressional districts--Manhattan's East Side--and the poorest, NY 16, or the South Bronx. Among the not-so-surprising but still-glaring differences are median income ($79,385 vs. $23,073, respectively), a typical family's weekly budget ($2,222.98 vs. $539.50), the number of Starbucks coffee shops (90 vs. 1), and the number of times Mayor Bloomberg visited each district in a year (42 vs. 10).

"Whatever is happening nationwide always manifests itself much more dramatically in the South Bronx. Always has," Congressman Jose Serrano, who has represented this district for decades, told the magazine. "When people are talking about 5 percent unemployment, we may be talking about 10 percent unemployment."

Bronx News Roundup, Wednesday, June 15

Welcome to the Wednesday early afternoon edition of the roundup. I'll be your humble host and guide today as we navigate through the latest Bronx news. 

Weather: Just downright lovely out here in the Boogie Down. Should stay this way until Friday.

Story of the Day: The New Downtown Bronx?
Pop quiz: Where's downtown Bronx? Give up? OK, you guessed correctly. There is no designated, or even unofficial, downtown Bronx area.There's no one place where borough commerce can congregate and entice even more corporations and businesses to set up shop. That could change with the coming expansion of the Hutchinson Metro Center near Westchester Square. Joseph Simone, president of New Rochelle-based Simone Development Companies, is building on the success of the Metro Center's first building, a renovated and updated version of a former residential treatment center. A new nine-story office building is set to open across the street from the original building this summer and is already 90 percent leased, mostly by medical groups and law firms. Construction on a twin tower is expected to begin this summer as well. When fully completed, in an estimated five years, the complex will have 2 million square feet of office space. The kicker: the final tower will supposedly include a high-end hotel and conference center.

Bronx News Roundup, Dec. 1

Police arrested Tyrone Hunter, of the Bronx, yesterday in connection with a string of robberies that took place last week on the Upper East Side.

The body of a man killed in an apartment fire in Mount Eden over the weekend has been identified as 48-year-old Juan Marte, a local barber and father of three. Police are still looking for a group of teens spotted in the lobby before the blaze began.

A Bronx man has started his own theatre group, Local Celebrity Theatre. Proceeds from many of the groups' plays and performances are donated to charity; this month's original production, "Telethon for Santa,"will run at Lehman High School and will raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Police are beefing up patrols around local Catholic schools and churches after a number of them were burglarized over the last month or so.

To add to their worries: 15 Bronx Catholic schools are still in the lurch after the Archdiocese of New York announced that they may cut funding for them. A decision is expected over the next month.

Speculation over Yankees superstar Derek Jeter's future: will he leave the Bronx in search of more millions? It's unlikely, according to the Times.

Bronx Councilman James Vacca's new bill is looking to put a stop to bad landlords and shady developers. The legislation would require any developer with violation fines or debts to the city to pay up before they are allowed permits for any new projects.

Despite an economic uptick this year, stalled building sites increased across the city. There are 30 suspended projects in the Bronx.

A Bronx landscaper believed to have caused a fatal car crash on Long Island this Sunday had a bottle of vodka in his truck, according to prosecutors. Everado Nieto's blood alcohol level was within legal limits at the time of arrrest. The crash left another man dead and his wife critically injured.

Police are looking for witnesses to a fatal hit-and-run crash on the Upper West Side Friday night in order to prosecute 24-year-old Bronx resident Jessica Altruz. She's been accused of leaving the scene of a crime and who could face manslaughter charges for the accident, which killed 67-year-old Margaret Fisher.

Dave Levitt, a lifelong klezmer musician--music of Eastern European Jews--is delighting seniors at Jewish Home Lifecare on Kingsbridge Road, where he works as a "music specialist."

City Harvest, and Food Network star Ellie Krieger, gave out 20,000 pounds of fresh produce to Bronx residents on Thanksgiving.

Bronx News Roundup, July 20

A 15-year-old Bronx boy was shot and killed in a shooting Monday morning in Brooklyn.

In the wake of this weekend's drownings, the Times takes a closer look at the Bronx River and its re-emergence in the public eye in recent years.

The part of the river where the two teens drowned--near the Bronx Zoo, in West Farms--is a popular swimming spot, according to the Daily News.

Police are looking for a man who raped and assaulted a 79-year-old woman in the elevator of her Westchester Square apartment building. State Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr. is holding a press conference today at 1 p.m., at Benson Street and East Tremont Avenue, to rally for the community's involvement in catching the assailant, according to press release sent this morning.

Dan Cantor, Executive Director of the Working Families Party, writes that the best way to change Albany is to vote Pedro Espada out of office. His party has already endorsed challenger Gustavo Rivera.

The Daily News Bob Kappstatter has more on this race in his weekly column. We'll be posting more details on some of the candidates today, so check back here for updates.

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is the most marketable player in baseball, pulling in more money for sponsors than any other player, according to a recent survey. 

A gas station attendant came upon a five-foot long snake in Melrose. Police were called to catch the animal and take it to Animal Control. 

A blood drive and baseball game fundraiser are being planned for beloved Throgs Neck little league coach Joe O'Grady, who is battling cancer.

Speaking of noteworthy coaches: Bob Hawthorn, who coached men's tennis and squash at Fordham University for 54 years, retired yesterday.

The Yankees, Unobstructed- September 25

What to watch for - Yankess-Red Sox 2009: Episode 58

No, you're not suffering from déjà vu. This really is happening again. So, here's what/who to watch for:

A sweep: With a sweep, the Yankees would clinch the division. They would then celebrate right in front of the Red Sox.

As always Joba Chamberlain: He's been awful lately, and this weekend will have a "playoff atmosphere," as the announcers like to say. If he mucks it up tomorrow, Chamberlain could give away his starting spot to the surprising Chad Gaudin — owner of three straight solid starts and a respectable 11/5 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Jon Lester: Forget about Josh Beckett (until the playoffs), Lester, tonight's starter against Joba Chamberlain is the man to fear in Boston. Since the beginning of August, Lester has pitched nine consecutive quality starts.

Kevin Youkilis: As long as Sunday's game doesn't go until sundown, Youkilis will play the whole series. Youkilis sports an on-base percentage above .400, and slugs .542.

Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira: Still battling for the right to come in 2nd in the MVP voting.

Brett Gardner: You know he's going to steal — but if he happens to get on base and Jason Varitek is catching for the Red Sox, it will be like giving the speedy youngster free bases.

Mariano Rivera: He's let five men on base in his last 2.2 innings of work. Normal for other pitchers, not so much for Mo.

Jonathan Papelbon: In 7 innings against the Yankees this year, Papelbon has surrendered 0 runs and just three hits. Yikes!

Also check out....

The Hispanic Baseball Festival: The first event ever organized by the brand new 161 St. Business Improvement District, the Hispanic Baseball Festival will feature an appearance by Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda. Sunday, from 10-4, at the Lou Gehrig Plaza (across the street from the Court Building).


NOTE: Make sure to check back on Fridays for The Yankees, Unobstructed, BNN's weekly Yankees opinion column.

For more of Graham Kates' sports writing, check out his True/Slant blog "Coaches in the Crosshairs" (http://trueslant.com/grahamkates).

The Yankees, Unobstructed Sept. 4

The Daily News posted some video footage of the old Yankee Stadium's famous white facade being removed.

For photos of the delicate demolition, click here.

Wondering why it looks like they're treating the facade like it's the Guernica? C'mon, you know why. Say it with me: Steiner Sports is selling bits and pieces of everything from the old Stadium.

In other Yankees demolition news:

It seems Toronto fans want to demolish the Yankees.

Derek Jeter is closing in on Lou Gehrig's record for career hits by a Yankee. Gehrig compiled 2,721 hits in his career and Jeter currently has 2,713. Jeter's parents have convinced him to not nonchalant his way through this record, like he usually does.
Also, if you find it crazy that no Yankee has ever reached 3,000 career hits, you're not alone.

NOTE: Make sure to check back on Fridays for The Yankees, Unobstructed, BNN's weekly (and usually longer) Yankees opinion column.

For more of Graham Kates' sports writing, check out his True/Slant blog "Coaches in the Crosshairs" (www.trueslant.com/grahamkates).

The Yankees, Unobstructed August 28

Doggin' it During the Dog Days of Summer

Just a short entry to post this week. A few observations....

The Yankees have hit a bit of a "blah" patch, which is not uncommon for teams in late August that are under little pressure to win each game. You can see it in the mannerisms of everyone on the team (except the ever-professional Hideki Matsui). They're just not into it right now.

Well snap out of it guys! You've got a light schedule for the next week and a half, and you can use that time to pull a little bit further ahead.

Robsinson Cano, kinda suckin' it up out there lately.

Remember when everyone was fawning over the Yankees' bullpen. Those days are long gone now. While the 'pen continues to be anchored strong in the 8th and 9th, any game requiring a substitute pitcher in the seventh inning or before has become a toss-up.

In the debate between Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira, for "most deserving of coming in a close-second to Joe Mauer in the MVP voting" this year, the answer is Teixeira. Sorry Captain, but Tex started carrying this team when it was in the dregs of the AL East. Jeter's late-season push is beautiful and inspiring, but ultimately, Tex is #1 on this team.

I expect that most Yankees fans would disagree with that sentiment.

NOTE: Make sure to check back on Fridays for The Yankees, Unobstructed, BNN's weekly (and usually longer) Yankees opinion column.

For more of Graham Kates' sports writing, check out his True/Slant blog "Coaches in the Crosshairs" (www.trueslant.com/grahamkates).