Friday, November 28, 2014
Bronx News Sports: Hayes Stuffs Mount in Turkey Bowl
Bronx News Sports: Hayes Stuffs Mount in Turkey Bowl: Hayes Stuffs Mount in Turkey Bowl (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Gary Quintal BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 28- In the 72nd editi...
Hayes Stuffs Mount in Turkey Bowl
Hayes Stuffs Mount in Turkey Bowl
(Photos by Gary Quintal)
By Gary Quintal
BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 28- In the 72nd edition of the annual Thanksgiving morning Turkey-Bowl , Cardinal Hayes and Mount Saint Michael Academy battled each other and the snow.
Mount Saint Michael was looking to avenge last season's 20-16 defeat, while Hayes was hoping to win consecutive match-ups for the first time since 1979-1980.
The Mountaineers could not get anything going on offense gaining only one first down in the first half while Cardinal Hayes book-ended their scoring with 1 yard touchdown runs. The first came the opening drive of the game and the second to end the third quarter capping the scoring with a 32-0 Hayes victory.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Bronx News Sports: Yankees’ Good Luck Charm Passes Away
Bronx News Sports: Yankees’ Good Luck Charm Passes Away: Yankees’ Good Luck Charm Passes Away (Bill Stimers with Bert Blyleven, a Basebll Hall of Famer, in the broadcast booth at YS. —Ph...
Yankees’ Good Luck Charm Passes Away
Yankees’ Good Luck Charm Passes Away
(Bill Stimers with Bert Blyleven, a Basebll Hall of Famer, in the broadcast booth at YS. —Photo by Howard Goldin)
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 15- There are very few fans of sports teams who have become a part of the organization they root for. Bill Stimers, who passed away at the age of 67 on Thursday at the Hebrew Home of Riverdale, his place of residence for the past 10 months, was considered a valued member of the Yankee family by the Steinbrenners.
Stimers, a devoted rooter for the Yankees since his early childhood, met Steinbrenner at Shea Stadium, where the Yankees played their home games during the refurbishment of Yankee Stadium, shortly after the Cleveland businessman led a group that purchased the Yankees from CBS. The story, as Stimers always told it, went like this, “I said to George, ‘Let’s hope the Yankees win today,’ and he just took a liking to me.”
Stimers was an only child, a brother died in a miscarriage, born to a middle class couple in Queens. His father worked on the Long Island Railroad and his mother was a telephone operator. The couple and their young son moved to Brentwood, Long Island, where they each remained for the rest of their lives. Even though both parents worked full-time, they were devoted to their son. To the day of his death, he told stories of his parents concern for him to a close friend. He remembered them with love and respect and was not embarrassed to say how much he still missed them.
At the age of five, Stimers attended his first baseball game in May of 1952. As his memory was astonishing, decades later he recalled seeing Mickey Mantle hit a home run and the Yankees winning the ballgame. He did not return to the Stadium for several years as his father thought he was too young for such an outing.
He was an enthusiastic sports fan, especially of baseball, throughout his life. His ability to remember what he read, what he heard and what he witnessed made him exceptionally knowledgeable of many topics. He was one of the most well-known callers to radio station WFAN, where he was known as “Bill the Baker”
The sobriquet came from Stimers’ occupation at Entenmann’s Bakery in Bay Shore, Long Island. In his senior year in high school, Stimers worked in a co-op program at Entenmann’s. He kept the job after his graduation, and worked there until his retirement at the age of 50.
Over the past several decades, Stimers attended many MLB All-Star Games and World Series games. He told interesting stories of many events such as the earthquake during the World Series in San Francisco and seeing the final hit (#3,000) of Roberto Clemente.
For whatever the reason, Steinbrenner was dedicated to the well-being of Stimers. On July 26, 1976, Stimers moved to a seat with his own nameplate in the Press Box at Steinbrenner’s behest. The Yankee owner told Stimers, “You’ll be more valuable to me in the press box than in the stands.” Stimers’ seat was next to Steinbrenner’s box in the old Stadium. The Yankee owner and members of his family often came to Stimers’ seat and engaged the dedicated fan in conversation. Steinbrenner joked with him, solicited advice on players and discussed that day’s game. He also invited Stimers to travel with the team to post-season playoff trips.
Bill, who considered Steinbrenner his greatest friend, liked to recall that shortly after his mother died, Steinbrenner invited him to travel to the American League Division Series. When Stimers was threatened with the loss of the family home due to a second mortgage that his late mother took out, the Yankee principal owner saved the home by paying off the money owed. Those who are familiar with the relationship between the two men understand the charitable nature and compassion that was an important part of Steinbrenner.
Stimers retained his seat in the Yankee Stadium Press Box through the 2012 a. L. Division Series. He attended only nine games during the 2014 season, but had a seat in the lower stands.
On an even more personal note, another devoted Yankee fan and extremely knowledgeable observer of baseball, my brother Jeffrey also passed away in 2014. The two had many congenial baseball conversations. Jeffrey was well-educated and had much knowledge and understanding of many diverse matters. He worked quietly, but with great capability and effort for the New York State Court System for many years. Despite being a private person and soft-spoken, he was very pleasant to spend time with because of his highly advanced sense of humor and kindness. Like Bill, the 65 year-old man passed away far too soon. He was a blessing to his family and all who knew him.
May you rest in peace Jeffrey and Bill. You are both missed.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Bronx News Sports: Football Invades Yankee Stadium
Bronx News Sports: Football Invades Yankee Stadium: Football Invades Yankee Stadium (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 10- The first of three col...
Football Invades Yankee Stadium
Football Invades Yankee Stadium
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 10- The first of three college football games scheduled to be played in Yankee Stadium during the remaining days of 2014 took place on Saturday afternoon, November 8. The Black Knights of Army (3-6) and the University of Connecticut Huskies (2-7, 1-4) met on the gridiron at the baseball cathedral on 161st Street.
The first big event at Yankee Stadium since Derek Jeter’s final game in the Bronx on September 25 drew tens of thousands to the neighborhood for the weekend festivities. Both sides of River Ave. were filled with spectators watching a large contingent of West Point Cadets march from 153rd Street to the ballpark’s entrance. As always, the 161st Business Improvement District (161 BID) led by its executive director Cary Goodman provided a warm welcome to visitors, whether attending the game or not. Youth Ambassadors of the local organization distributed maps of the area and local restaurants and sports bars gave free souvenir footballs to its patrons.
The 27,453 fans inside the stadium were entertained by the West Point Band and Glee Club and a demonstration by the West Point Parachute Team before the contest and heard a stirring rendition of God Bless America sung by Master Sgt. Mary Kay Messenger at the conclusion of the third quarter. They also were treated to an exciting football contest whose result was not decided until the final minute of action.
Both teams began the game with disappointing identical win/loss marks, 2-6, under their first year coaches, Bob Diaco at Connecticut and Jeff Monken at Army. Army took a 14-0 lead with two short runs after lengthy drives. Quarterback Angel Santiago began its successful game-long ground attack with a two-yard touchdown run with 1:53 remaining in the first quarter. Coach Diaco of the Huskies felt the game changed at that point, “At 14-0, the game changed. The opportunities for the opposition became too few.”
At 8:39 of the second quarter, Joe Walker ran the ball across the goal line for the Black Knights.
Santiago only threw three passes, two completed, for Army, but had a net gain of 97 yards on 25 carries. His second touchdown was scored on a 1 yard rush in the fourth quarter.
Walker scored a second touchdown on a two-yard rush in the third.
The Huskies were six yards away from tying the game when Whitmer’s last pass was intercepted by Chris Carnegie on the Army 1 and carried 99 yards for the final score of the game with 28 seconds remaining.
Army coach Monken praised the junior for his second interception of the game, “I can’t say enough for the play by Chris Carnegie. It was a huge play for the team.”
Coach Diaco did not feel the one play was the cause for his team’s loss, “That play did not lose the game. There were too many errors on offense. We didn’t execute well enough; we didn’t play well enough.”
On November 22, college football will return to Yankee Stadium as Leigh and Lafayette will compete in their 150th game, the longest rivalry in college football history.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Bronx News Sports: Enough of the A-Rod Circus
Bronx News Sports: Enough of the A-Rod Circus: Enough of the A-Rod Circus By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 7- Sooner than expected the Alex Rodriguez circus returned...
Enough of the A-Rod Circus
Enough of the A-Rod Circus
By Rich Mancuso
BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 7- Sooner than expected the Alex Rodriguez circus returned to town. The A-Rod drama was not expected until February in Tampa Florida when the New York Yankees assemble for spring training, but we should not be shocked that he admitted the truth, under oath to a DEA investigator about using PED’s.
It is typical Alex Rodriguez territory to be in this position. And it has spread to the New York airwaves as two popular talk show hosts got involved in who was credible when asking A-Rod ro tell the truth last November. Rodriguez on one show said he never took PED’s and we didn’t believe the fraud then.
That is why it came as no shock Wednesday when a Miami Herald report said that A-Rod told the truth. After all this has always been the Alex Rodriguez saga of not telling the truth. And if he did not have the appropriate millions to have proper representation he may have had to tell the truth.
Should we forgive Alex Rodriguez? Some will say yes because his year-long suspension from Major League Baseball was served. The Yankees await the A-Rod arrival and continued circus in February and the drama will continue. It does not have to continue if the Yankees decide to eat up a remaining three-years and $61 million that remains on a contract that should have never been granted.
That was then. The Yankees upper brass, those who were dragged into the A-Rod legal battle and the circus, will have a way with dealing with this latest report. They wish it would all go away, however their fraud of a player is around for the duration. All they can do is hope that Rodriguez is healthy and will offer some type of offense to a lineup that could not score runs this past season.
They hope their fraud will be able to handle a plan at third or first base, or play a regular role in the lineup as the designated hitter, and to that there is no certainty. The Yankees are not getting younger with a damaged A-Rod in their everyday lineup but they may have no other choice to put him on the field as much as possible.
Getting back to the Alex Rodriguez image of being damaged is another issue. The Yankees as an organization have to play two sides with the damage control and continue dealing with the circus. Opposing players, at least those who did not experiment with Ped’s, will go with the flow and not make A-Rod a public issue.
Then there are the fans, many who will continue to boo when A-Rod takes the field again. Rodriguez to them will be a hero if he becomes a legitimate hitter again without the use of a steroid support system. Rodriguez may never be the same hitter he was without that support system and also take into account he has had limited playing time the past two years.
So where do we go from here? The gut feeling is, and a general consensus: Enough is enough of this A-Rod circus. Yes he served the penalty and was off the field as his Yankees teammates failed to make the postseason a second straight year. The steroid era, according to what has been determined, is over in the game of baseball. But as long as Alex Rodriguez is around the discussion may never end.
Because Alex Rodriguez, who many consider to be a fraud, is around the game again. Each time he resurfaces the talk about steroids and Ped’s will not go away. Even if the master of deception admitted his guilt to the authorities, he will never be considered that legitimate and talented ballplayer that had a quest to be the first to hit 800 career home runs.
Alex Rodriguez never played the game on an even level playing field. The circus is back in town and now that we are aware of his admission there is more reason not to grant him a chance for respect.
Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso www.newyorksportsexaminer.com
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Bronx News Sports: Rams Overcome Illness to Win
Bronx News Sports: Rams Overcome Illness to Win: Rams Overcome Illness to Win Fordham Rams Move Closer to Patriot League Title with 37-13 Win over Colgate By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW...
Rams Overcome Illness to Win
Rams Overcome Illness to Win
Fordham Rams Move Closer to Patriot League Title with 37-13 Win over Colgate
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 2- The Fordham Rams (8-1, 4-0) raised their winning streak on the gridiron at Jack Coffey Field in the Bronx to 12 games with a 37-13 victory over the visiting Colgate Raiders (4-5, 2-1) on Saturday afternoon.
Mike Nebrich, the preseason Patriot League choice as Offensive Player of the Year, did not play. He was given an emergency appendectomy on Wednesday evening. Peter Maetzold was in the quarterback slot in Nebrich’s place. The senior’s outstanding performance was no surprise to Fordham head coach Joe Moorhead or to Maetzold’s teammates.
The Texas native completed 27 of 38 passes for a total of 279 yards. He also gained a net total of 35 yards in eight carries. Three of his tosses resulted in touchdowns for Fordham. The Rams scored twice in the first quarter on passes from Maetzold to Tebucky Jones, Jr., the son of an eight year NFL veteran. The first touchdown needed only a one-yard gain and the second with only 27 seconds remaining in the quarter went for 31 yards. Jones, who led Fordham receivers with 97 yards gained on eight receptions, said of Maetzold, “The whole team has confidence in Peter.”
The final Fordham touchdown pass came at 10:03 in the third quarter to Brian Wetzel for 14 yards.
Coach Moorhead praised his quarterback as an example that typifies the team-first attitude of the Fordham players, “It’s indicative of the type of team player Peter is. I couldn’t be more proud of him."
He explained how the team’s attitude allows it overcome any adversity it faces, “the message to the team is business as usual. We don’t accept excuses, and we don’t flinch."
Maetzold had a similar experience last year when an injury to Nebrich brought his replacement into the game in the second quarter. In that game against Bucknell, Maetzold completed 21 of 35 passes to lead the Rams to victory. The 21 year old believed that prior experience helped him succeed on Saturday, “When your name is called, you want to perform your best. It wasn’t the first time (on Saturday). I was able to fall back on past experiences.” Moorhead commented, “This is what next man in means.”
The win was not a one man story. Freshman running back Chase Edmunds had another 100+ yards performance. His 114 net yards gained on the ground, his two touchdowns scored and his 126 all-purpose yards gained put him near the top in all three categories nationally.”
Coach Moorhead gave deserved credit to the defense, “Everybody pulled together. The defense held a team like Colgate to six points until [31 seconds were left in the contest.]”
A Bronx native, George Dawson, was especially impressive. The Cardinal Hayes graduate and Fordham sophomore led the team in tackles with eight (six unassisted), one tackle for a loss of yards and one interception.
Next Saturday, the Rams travel to play Bucknell, the only other undefeated team in Patriot League conference play. A victory over Bucknell will give Fordham the Patriot League title and an automatic bid for the FCS playoff.
Fordham Rams Move Closer to Patriot League Title with 37-13 Win over Colgate
By Howard Goldin
BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 2- The Fordham Rams (8-1, 4-0) raised their winning streak on the gridiron at Jack Coffey Field in the Bronx to 12 games with a 37-13 victory over the visiting Colgate Raiders (4-5, 2-1) on Saturday afternoon.
Mike Nebrich, the preseason Patriot League choice as Offensive Player of the Year, did not play. He was given an emergency appendectomy on Wednesday evening. Peter Maetzold was in the quarterback slot in Nebrich’s place. The senior’s outstanding performance was no surprise to Fordham head coach Joe Moorhead or to Maetzold’s teammates.
The Texas native completed 27 of 38 passes for a total of 279 yards. He also gained a net total of 35 yards in eight carries. Three of his tosses resulted in touchdowns for Fordham. The Rams scored twice in the first quarter on passes from Maetzold to Tebucky Jones, Jr., the son of an eight year NFL veteran. The first touchdown needed only a one-yard gain and the second with only 27 seconds remaining in the quarter went for 31 yards. Jones, who led Fordham receivers with 97 yards gained on eight receptions, said of Maetzold, “The whole team has confidence in Peter.”
The final Fordham touchdown pass came at 10:03 in the third quarter to Brian Wetzel for 14 yards.
Coach Moorhead praised his quarterback as an example that typifies the team-first attitude of the Fordham players, “It’s indicative of the type of team player Peter is. I couldn’t be more proud of him."
He explained how the team’s attitude allows it overcome any adversity it faces, “the message to the team is business as usual. We don’t accept excuses, and we don’t flinch."
Maetzold had a similar experience last year when an injury to Nebrich brought his replacement into the game in the second quarter. In that game against Bucknell, Maetzold completed 21 of 35 passes to lead the Rams to victory. The 21 year old believed that prior experience helped him succeed on Saturday, “When your name is called, you want to perform your best. It wasn’t the first time (on Saturday). I was able to fall back on past experiences.” Moorhead commented, “This is what next man in means.”
The win was not a one man story. Freshman running back Chase Edmunds had another 100+ yards performance. His 114 net yards gained on the ground, his two touchdowns scored and his 126 all-purpose yards gained put him near the top in all three categories nationally.”
Coach Moorhead gave deserved credit to the defense, “Everybody pulled together. The defense held a team like Colgate to six points until [31 seconds were left in the contest.]”
A Bronx native, George Dawson, was especially impressive. The Cardinal Hayes graduate and Fordham sophomore led the team in tackles with eight (six unassisted), one tackle for a loss of yards and one interception.
Next Saturday, the Rams travel to play Bucknell, the only other undefeated team in Patriot League conference play. A victory over Bucknell will give Fordham the Patriot League title and an automatic bid for the FCS playoff.
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