Bronx News Weekend Roundup, May 16

Weather: It's a foggy, blustery morning in the Bronx today, with temperatures in the 60s and scattered thunderstorms predicted for this afternoon. We'll pay for last week's near-perfect spring weather with rain storms for the rest of this week.

Story of the Day: Diaz Family on Opposite Sides of Gay Marriage Fight
The Times describes the scene at Sen. Ruben Diaz, Sr.'s anti-gay marriage rally, which he held yesterday at the Bronx Borough Courthouse on the Grand Concourse to protest the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York (You can read an editorial about Diaz's rally, from the most recent issue of the Tremont Tribune, here.)

Among the attendees there in opposition to Rev. Diaz's stance was his own granddaughter, Erica Diaz, an openly gay 22-year-old who was discharged from the Navy last year after she told her superiors she was a lesbian. The younger Diaz told the paper it was important for her grandfather to know her stance on his politics. "It is in my blood to stand up for what I believe in — regardless of who I am up against," she said.

Quick Hits:
Lots of drama at Yankee Stadium this weekend: the Atlantic argues that hitter Jorge Posada's "hissy fit"--he backed out of Saturday night's game against the Red Sox after being demoted on the team's batting lineup--is just one example of rampant bad behavior by sports stars.

A psychiatric patient being transferred from a Long Island hospital took off in an off-duty police officer's car, leading authorities on a wild chase that ended in the Bronx yesterday afternoon.

A retired New York City firefighter is accused of owning several Bronx apartment buildings that are illegally divided--a practice experts say is a dangerous fire hazard, and which played a role in a tragic blaze that killed three people in Belmont last month.

City budget cuts could close City Island's only firehouse, Ladder Company 53. 

The state will decide the fate of the Kingsbridge Innovative Design Charter School this week. The school was put on the chopping block this spring for financial mismanagement.

A 22-year-old Bronx mother was arrested this weekend for leaving her two young children at the Port Authority bus terminal in Manhattan. 

A passersby who jumped into an argument between two other men on a Mott Haven street Friday night opened fire on them, killing 46-year-old Jay Brialey.

The city's Department of Transportation launched a new ad campaign to remind drivers that, yes, we do have a speed limit here (it's 30 mph. Check out the video below). The DOT is also lowering that limit by 10 mph in certain trouble traffic spots, starting with a neighborhood in Claremont.

The Yankees, Unobstructed — June 13

In the bottom of the fifth inning, when everyone around you is eating $6 hot dogs and savoring their $3 soda, that’s when you whip out your heaping $6.00 portion of curried goat.

The smell alone will be enough to let fellow fans know that you planned your evening with the World Champions better than anyone.

Yankee Stadium is notoriously expensive, and the food — with its hints of cardboard and soggy heat lamp-condensation textures — is rarely worth the asking price. Fortunately, good eating abounds in the surrounding Concourse Village area, and can be brought into the Stadium in a plastic bag.

In fact, since the move to the new ballpark. It's actually gotten easier to grab a quick bite before the game. Vendors in the area say that police shepherd fans from the subway towards the stadium, which means that at the restaurants nearby, there are shorter lines and better deals.

From West Indian, to Subway sandwiches and pizza, the $9 most fans spend on a hot dog and soda can produce much better fare from just a block or two away.

Here's a map of the spots from this video. FEEL FREE TO SUGGEST OTHER NEAR-YANKEE STADIUM EATS BY LEAVING A COMMENT BELOW.

In Yankee News:

We're back in first place! With this weekend's sweep of the Houston Astros, the Yankees have pulled even with the Tampa Bay Rays for the best record in baseball. Both teams sit four games ahead of the Boston Red Sox.

Jorge Posada has hit grand slams in each of the last two games.

Robinson Cano leads the MLB with a .371 avg. and is third with a .418 obp.

NOTE: Make sure to check back every weekend 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).

Pinstripe Politics June 17

This edition is more of a "Pinstripe (kinda sorta) Politics."

The past week has seen few developments on the Pinstripe Politics front. However, there has been a good deal of talk about the new Stadium. The question: is this new $1.5 billion homer happy facility benefiting or hurting the team?

Here's a rundown of recent Stadium talk:

WasWatching pointed out that the Yankees have pitched significantly better on the road.

Dave Eiland, the Yankees' pitching coach, says all the home runs at new Stadium has been damaging to the pitching staff's psyches.

RiverAveBlues agrees.

However, some aren't blaming the pitching woes on the stadium. A knew theory has emerged, which attributes the Yankees poor throws to catcher Jorge Posada's in-game decision-making.

While some say you can blame Jorge.

Others insist you can't.

And then there are those who argue that it's far too early to worry about the Stadium's dimensions and the longballs.

Also, Commissioner Bud Selig, as usual, has nothing worthwhile to say.


NOTE: Make sure to check back every Wednesday for Pinstripe Politics, your source for that gray area where the Yankees and society converge. Also, check in with the BNN on Fridays for The Yankees, Unobstructed, our weekly Yankee opinion column.

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