Bronx Sports: Boston Red Sox Twice Delay Yankees from Achieving ...

Bronx Sports: Boston Red Sox Twice Delay Yankees from Achieving ...: Boston Red Sox Twice Delay Yankees from Achieving 10,000th Win  By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)-  Each visit of the B...

Boston Red Sox Twice Delay Yankees from Achieving 10,000th Win

Boston Red Sox Twice Delay Yankees from Achieving 10,000th Win 

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Each visit of the Boston Red Sox to Yankee Stadium is an exciting occasion. Regardless of the position of either club in the American League standings, each game between the two teams is hard fought and usually lengthy in time.

When the 2013 MLB schedule was planned, no one knew what practical importance the final four games of the regular season at Yankee Stadium would have. This week, Yankee rooters hoped their favorites would defeat the Red Sox to become the first club in the American League to compile 10,000 victories in their history. They also wished that the win would clinch them a place in the playoffs, even if it was the Wild Card.

Monday and Tuesday have come and gone, but the Yankees have not achieved either of the above goals in the two games with Boston.

There were great similarities in the first two of the four game series at the Stadium. Yankee batters, as they have done repeatedly this season, scored in the first inning of both contests.

On Monday, they hit safely three times, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Alex Rodriguez. The next day’s first inning by the Yankees was even more impressive as they had four hits and scored four runs. Two of the tallies were driven in on Dusitn Ackley’s 10th home run of the season.

Unfortunately for the New Yorkers, they scored no additional runs in either game, losing by one‐sided scores of 5‐1 and 10‐4.

The Red Sox utilized home runs to ensure their victories. Ivan Nova, in Monday’s contest, yielded only two hits and blanked the Sox during the first 5.2 frames. Xander Bogaerts double with two out in the sixth and scored on a homer by first sacker Travis Shaw. The homer was sufficient for the win, but an extra two runs were scored a two‐run homer by Jackie Bradley, Jr. in the seventh. The left fielder also made outstanding defensive plays in both of the two contests. The fifth run for the visitors came on a solo home run by Deven Marrero in the ninth.

The six runs scored by the Red Sox in the first inning on Tuesday were enough to win. Home runs were again decisive in the victory. Rookie catcher Blake Swihart homer twice for five RBI, and Mookie Betts led off the fifth with a home run.

The Yankees and their fans are hoping that Wednesday’s game will be successful as Masahiro Tanaka will obtain his first start since September 18 strained right hamstring.

#Yankees #Wild Card #ALDS #Red Sox #Yankee Stadium #Bronx #New York #Bronx News #Sports

Bronx Sports: Wild Card Woes for #Yankees

Bronx Sports: Wild Card Woes for #Yankees: Wild Card Woes A-Rod not helping #Yankees as wild card is on hold By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Don’t worry ...

Wild Card Woes for #Yankees

Wild Card Woes

A-Rod not helping #Yankees as wild card is on hold

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Don’t worry New York Yankees fans because it is a matter of a day or two when the wildcard postseason spot is secured. But first the Yankees have to take care of business and they have not looked like a postseason bound team these past two nights in the Bronx against the Boston Red Sox.

Either the Red Sox are having their best month of the season, and they are. Or the Yankees with their 10-4 loss Tuesday night don’t appear to be a playoff ready team. Take the latter because this late in the game the Yankees are not resembling a team of the first half that got them to be where they are.

Blame the pitching for this latest loss. And when starter Michael Pineda gave up six runs in the first inning, that is part of the cause, though manager Joe Girardi won’t be sending the inconsistent righthander to the mound next Tuesday night in the wild card elimination game. 

That task looks more likely is for Masahiro Tanaka who gets a final start Wednesday night, and that gives New York their best opportunity to win and advance to the ALDS. But there are other issues also, and Girardi in these final five games will look at options to get the offense going.

One thing is certain about Alex Rodriguez. The 40-year old swing is not there, and the once thought about American League Comeback Player is in a horrendous slump. Boston starter Rick Porcello with his season-high 8 innings got A-Rod to strike out twice. Rodriguez went 0-for-4 and he had trouble connecting on  the 93-mile fastballs thrown by Porcello.

“I just stunk today,” Rodriguez said with a smile after the game. He was being honest and to the point again, in his season of getting to the truth and not hiding behind the curtain.  Since August 1st, Rodriguez is hitting .185, with eight home runs and 24 RBI, and that is quite a difference from a first half and into the end of July.

The Yankees offense at one point, and a lot attributed to A-Rod, has not scored many runs and without A-Rod supplying the punch, it is obvious something may have to be done in these final games, even though he has 32 home runs and knocked in 85 runs.

And it is a matter of the Yankees not being able to handle a lefthander on the mound, though Porcelllo, a righty gave them an opportunity. Not, though with A-Rod, because the long season may have taken a toll, and he will be the first one to admit the Yankees are in good position but he has to get better at bats.

“We just have to take a deep breath and come back and win a game tomorrow,” he said. “I like where we are at.” And then A-Rod did what he does best by analyzing what has gone wrong, at the most important juncture of this long baseball season.

“Obviously,” he said, “It is important for me to swing the bat well. There is no question about it. The senior guys in this room, we have to make sure that we come out and stay relaxed and play good Yankee baseball. Part of that is me swinging the bat well.” 

Well, A-Rod is just a part of it. Greg Bird, the rookie, may be pressing after a 1-for-4 night. He also had trouble with the Porcello fastball and has been pressed into an everyday job at first base with Mark Teixeira out for the season. Girardi is looking at putting catcher John Ryan Murphy at first against left handed pitching.

But it is the A-Rod offense that is so important to this lineup, and right now there is not much time left to get him going again. And with that Tuesday evening wild card elimination game quickly approaching, the bat of A-Rod is vital. More so, if Tanaka is not effective, and if the Yankees have to come from behind, they need the bat of A-Rod to be effective.

Rodriguez said, Porcello dominated him the entire night but it was the sinker and not the fastball. "I didn’t feel really good,” he said. But those in the press box, and the scouts who know the game, were quick to say that this time of year a 40-year old playing the entire season will have difficulty catching up with an effective fastball.

What he did so well to help carry this team was hit in the clutch. Tuesday night with two runners on in the first, Rodriguez struck out. And in the fifth inning he grounded into a double play with no out. 

And because Alex Rodriguez has become the spokesperson this season for his team, he was quick to say about the inevitable wild card clincher: “Everyone is anticipating. It is just important to take it one day at a time and one bat at a time. We have been doing that all year.”

He added, “Nothing is going to be easy. We just have to come back and play good Yankee baseball and we will.” However it has not been good Yankees baseball as of late and the home run ball has also been hard to find. The Yankees have been built to hit the  ball out of the park, and with the exception of a first inning home run from Dustin Ackley, that was it.

More of a concern, after a four-run first inning that put the Yankees quickly back in the game. Porcello and Jean Machi held the Yankees scoreless. It was the second straight game where they scored runs and were shutout along the way.

Pineda was able to settle down and keep the Yankees in the game and that was the one positive that Girardi was able to pinpoint. But getting those two wins for the wildcard these past two nights is becoming an eternity. 

“This is their playoff and they want to make an impact and we would be the same way playing against them,” said Rodriguez about the Red Sox. But the Yankees have a big game to play Tuesday night and the Red Sox are going home, and this is no time for A-Rod or the offense to be non existent.

Girardi said his team is getting good at bats, and attributes the outstanding Red Sox outfield for making the outs. But it all comes down to the offense, and with A-Rod going sour that could mean one game next week and go home for the Yankees. 

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  Twitter@Ring786  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso

#Yankees #Wild Card #Playoffs #MLB #Red Sox #ARod #Bronx #New York #Bronx News

Bronx Sports: Bronx Soccer Hopes Alive

Bronx Sports: Bronx Soccer Hopes Alive: Bronx Soccer Hopes Alive #New York City FC 2, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1 VANCOUVER, B.C. (BRONX NEWS)-  New York City FC had to survi...

Bronx Soccer Hopes Alive

Bronx Soccer Hopes Alive

#New York City FC 2, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1

VANCOUVER, B.C. (BRONX NEWS)- New York City FC had to survive a second-half onslaught at the Western Conference-leading Vancouver Whitecaps but they held firm to record a much-needed 2-1 victory to keep their playoff hopes alive.

A first-half Frank Lampard strike put New York City FC ahead before Pedro Morales looked to have secured a share of the points with an 88th minute penalty. But the drama wasn't over and David Villa scored a 95th minute penalty of his own to secure all three points for the visitors.

The victory keeps New York City FC's (10-14-7; 37 points) postseason hopes alive. Vancouver (15-12-3; 48 points) remain on top of the Western Conference and Supporters' Shield standings for now, but Saturday's defeat means they won't clinch an Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs berth this week and ensures a tense positioning battle in the season run-in.

Vancouver were confident that their fast-paced attack would be a constant concern to a New York City FC defense that had already shipped 50 goals this season.

Kekuta Manneh came close in the 16th minute when his near post effort deflected off New York City FC keeper Josh Saunders and onto the post before being recovered on the line.

The home side may have been looking the sharper on the break but it was the visitors who were enjoying more possession and they made it pay in the 29th minute when Lampard gave New York FC City FC the lead, burying an Angelino cutback from eight yards out.

With no further goalmouth action in the half, Vancouver regrouped at the break and came out firing in the second and Saunders came up big to keep out a Kendall Waston header in the 50th minute, turning the ball around for a corner from his goal line.

Vancouver had clearly upped the tempo, but they were leaving room at the back as they chased the game and Mix Diskerud and Villa brought saves out of David Ousted with a couple of half chances.

The Whitecaps kept Designated Players Pedro Morales and Octavio Rivero on the bench due to some injury concerns but Carl Robinson brought both on as Vancouver tried to find a way back into the match, launching wave after wave of attacks.

The visitors' defense was buckling and they finally cracked when referee Ricardo Salazar gave a penalty when Waston was judged to have been brought down in the box by Angelino. Morales stepped and drilled home the penalty to make it 1-1 with two minutes remaining.

Vancouver sensed they could get all three points and had several chances to do just that in stoppage time but couldn't get the breakthrough. With a draw looking the end result, New York FC were handed a playoff lifeline when Salazar awarded his second penalty of the match in the 94th minute, as a tackle by Matias Laba on Lampard was judged to be a foul.

Villa stepped up to send Ousted the wrong way and give New York City FC all three points after a pulsating encounter.

Vancouver now have to pick themselves up as they head on the road for their next two matches, with a trip to San Jose Earthquakes first up next Saturday. New York City FC continue a three-game spell on the road at D.C. United next Friday.

HEAD COACH JASON KREIS

“In our minds we have to win out, that’s clear in our mind. It’s the only way we have a chance, and then we [still] might not. Really, really pleased with the performance again tonight, so happy with the efforts that’s been put forth and the togetherness that we’ve been showing in a consistent basis,” said head coach Jason Kreis.

#Soccer #NYCFC #Playoffs #Sports #Bronx News #David Villa

Fred Prep Beats Mount

Fred Prep Beats Mount

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Gary Quintal

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- Catholic high school football capped its week three action with Fordham Prep hosting Mount Saint Michael Academy.

Fordham Prep averaged 27 points in their first two games this season, while Mount had given up an average of nearly 32 points in its 2 losses.

The trend continued for both teams as Fordham Prep scored all of its 34  points in the first half including 2 touchdown passes in the final 1:13 beating Mount 34-14 to improve to 2-1, while the Mountaineers remains winless at 0-3.

At half-time Fordham Prep honored Thomas McTigue who passed away in 2007 from leukemia with a ceremony. Friends and family of McTigue were presented a replica of his #42 jersey.

#Fordham Prep #Mount Saint Michael Academy #Football #Bronx Sports #Bronx News

Last Shot para #Yankees Wild Card Ackley ahora en la mezcla de los Yankees con una semana para ir

BRONX NEWS: Last Shot for #Yankees Wild Card: Last Shot for #Yankees Wild Card Ackley now in the mix for Yankees with a week to go By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)...

Bronx Sports: Last Shot for #Yankees Wild Card

Bronx Sports: Last Shot for #Yankees Wild Card: Last Shot for #Yankees Wild Card Ackley now in the mix for Yankees with a week to go By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)...

Last Shot for #Yankees Wild Card

Last Shot for #Yankees Wild Card

Ackley now in the mix for Yankees with a week to go

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- The late season acquisitions sometimes don’t transpire to be what a baseball GM envisions when making the move to improve, and then there is Dustin Ackley of the New York Yankees. 

The infielder was a late season and surprising addition that GM Brian Cashman acquired,and once again Sunday afternoon the infielder contributed to the Yankees 6-1 win over the Chicago White Sox in the Bronx.

With the Yankees moving closer to clinching the top American League wild card, and with the way Ackley has been producing, there is the strong possibility that manager Joe Girardi will have no choice: Ackley may have to be a part of the postseason roster.

It will be a one-game elimination at Yankee Stadium next Tuesday night. And with that in mind, Girardi has to assemble the best 25-man roster that can give the Yankees a chance to advance to the American League Divisional Series. After a home run in the sixth inning that put the Yankees ahead 2-0, Girardi hinted that Ackley is in the mix.

“He’s worked really hard  and put himself right into the mix,” Girardi said. And in these final seven games against the Red Sox and Orioles, Ackley could see more playing time at second base as Girardi continues to audition his new addition. It’s a simple equation this late in the game, because Ackley has been productive with 11 hits in his last 28 at bats.

That also means Stephen Drew and Brendan Ryan will have to audition this late in the game. Though it was revealed that Drew and his .201 average, and a tendency to make the error may be forced to sit because of recurring dizzy spells and it could be another concussion he sustained. 

In a game against the Orioles on September 9th, Drew fielded a ball that took a hop off his glove that hit him in the face and that may make the decision easier to eliminate Drew from the mix. Brendan Ryan is another potential second baseman that could be a part of that postseason roster plan, and depending on how Girardi goes with who can hit the lefthander or righthander, the next few games could determine who has the best chance of getting the Yankees to play more after next Tuesday,

“I haven’t thought about, it,” Ackley said about being included in the postseason plan. “I am just focusing on each and every bat to help this team win, I don’t make those decisions of when I play or don’t play. I’m at the point whatever happens, happens.”

Ackley was acquired from the Seattle Mariners on July 30th for righty pitcher Jose Ramirez and outfielder Ramon Flores. With the Mariners, he hit .215 with six home runs, eight doubles, and drive in 19 runs in a span of 85 games. He also had some stints on the disabled list with a right lumbar strain of the back and missed some time when he was acquired by the Yankees.

And as every Yankees fan knows, and this is from previous Septembers, Brian Cashman has always been able to acquire the proper player to give the unexpected. Last September it was Martin Prado with his late inning timely hits though the Yankees fell short of making it to October.

Now it seems to be the September for Ackley. Girardi almost hinted that there will be more playing time for the first round draft pick of the Mariners in 2009. Last Sunday night at Citi Field he hit a home run against the Mets when Matt Harvey was lifted from the game and that helped propel the Yankees to taking two of three in that series.

Girardi has another significant issue to deal with this week,and that is trying to determine when and if Masahiro Tanaka can get another start or two before the season finale next Sunday. If Tanaka and his hamstring coperate, he most likely becomes the starting pitcher in that wildcard Tuesday game.

Ackley, with that home run helped 21-year-old righthander Luis Severino get the win. And with the Yankees offense struggling to score runs at the wrong time of year, the six shutout innings from Severino, and that home run may have made some decisions easier for Girardi as to that one game next week.

“He’s playing because of the way he’s playing,” Girardi said when asked if Ackley will be in the lineup when the Yankees open a four-game series with the Red Sox Monday night. “I think he’s healthy and has made some minor adjustments,” 

Ackley said he learned a lot with his playing time in Seattle and admitted, “I learned a lot here as well. I didn’t  come over here and expect to be handed at bats or anything like that. I think I definitely earned them as far as getting pinch hits and making some spot starts for some guys who needed days off.”

“Just going to keep getting ready every day and hope for more at bats,” he said. And if Ackley is ready and comes up big a few more times this week, the decision becomes that much easier for Girardi to add a name to that roster for next Tuesday.    

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com   Twitter@Ring786  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso

#Yankees #Brian Cashman #WildCard #YankeeStadium #Bronx #Bronx News

Bronx Sports: #Fordham Rolls Over Monmouth University

Bronx Sports: #Fordham Rolls Over Monmouth University: #Fordham Rolls Over  Monmouth University  Fordham Rams’ Success Continues By Howard  Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)-Usuall...

#Fordham Rolls Over Monmouth University

#Fordham Rolls Over Monmouth University 

Fordham Rams’ Success Continues

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)-Usually, when a college team is dominated by underclassmen, one can expect a decline in the previous year’s performance. This only changes when the freshmen players adjust to playing at a higher level of competition than in high school and when the players on the team develop a unity with their many new teammates. 

Thirty of last year’s Fordham Rams graduated. Only four of last year’s 22 starters returned to those roles in 2015. Yet in 2015, the Rams (3-1) have shown the same high level of performance as they had in the previous three years Joe Moorhead has been head coach. 

After Saturday’s 54-31 victory over the Monmouth University Hawks (1-3), the modest coach gave the credit for the win to others, “It’s a tremendous testament to our leaders, the assistant coaches and the upperclassmen on the team. The kids [freshmen] have bought into that. It’s all of us together.” 

It’s not coincidental that the 1-10 Rams of 2011 improved to 6-5 in 2012, Moorhead’s first season as head coach and were winners of double digits numbers of games in the next two seasons, 2013 and 2014, and as well, qualified for the FCS championship in both years.

The win on Saturday improved their record under Moorhead to 32-11. Their mark at Jack Coffey Field in the Bronx is even better, 19 wins in the last 21 games. 

Moorhead’s pre-game theme to his players was “The price of greatness is responsibility”. It was accepted by the team in total.

Sophomore Chase Edmunds, the pre-season choice to be Offensive player of the Year in the Patriot League, netted 95 yards on the ground on 18 carries and 42 yards in the air on two receptions. He paces the team on both yardage categories this year. Edmunds also scored three touchdowns. Stephen Hodge, the selection to be the Patriot League’s Defensive Player of the Year, led the team with 15 tackles. Quarterback Kevin Anderson, who had not thrown a collegiate pass until the opening game of this season against Army, equaled his previous week’s showing by again throwing five touchdown passes and gaining more than 300 (3400 yards on 19 of 27 passes. He also gained 35 yards on eight carries. Makay Redd kicked two field goals, including one of 54 yards and six extra points. 

In addition to the players most noted for their achievements on the field, everyone on the team contributed to the outstanding victory. Those blocking the opponents allowed each rush and pass to be successful. Those on the special teams who intercepted a pass or successfully kicked an extra point or a field goal were also indispensable to the win. The Fordham performance on Saturday was the epitome of a team win.  

#Fordham #Rams #Football #Jack Coffey Field #Bronx #Bronx News #Sports

Bronx Sports: Wild Card Hole Gets Deeper for #Yankees

Bronx Sports: Wild Card Hole Gets Deeper for #Yankees: Wild Card Hole Gets Deeper for #Yankees (Photos by Gary Quintal) Yanks Lose to White Sox, 5-2. Where Will Yanks be in October? ...

Wild Card Hole Gets Deeper for #Yankees

Wild Card Hole Gets Deeper for #Yankees

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

Yanks Lose to White Sox, 5-2. Where Will Yanks be in October?

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- As only single digits of games remain for the Yankees in the 2015 regular season, if and where will they participate in the post-season? The answer has not been definitively decided. Yet, whether it brings disappointment or joy, their place 10 days from now is being made clearer each day.

The 5-2 loss to the White Sox on Friday night and the Toronto win over Tampa Bay dropped the Yanks 4 games behind the first place Blue Jays. Four games arealso what separate the Yanks from the Astros, who trail, for the first Wild Card spot. New York has a 5.5 game advantage to qualify for the second Wild Card position. The magic number or the Jays to clinch the American League east title is six and the number for the Yanks to obtain a Wild Card spot is five.

Thus, a fair guess would be that the blue Jays will win the A.L. East title and the Yanks will host the wild card game at Yankee Stadium. After Thursday night’s contest, Yankees manager Joe Girardi remarked, “I think it’s really important [where we will finish].” Many planning decisions can begin for him and his staff once that has become known. Girardi wishes to start deciding on who needs days of rest now, the roster, the starting rotation, and the starting lineup when facing a righty or lefty opposing starter.

If s one and done Wild Card game is what the first play, Girardi’s most important decision will be is who will be his starting pitcher. Each of his starter’s upcoming starts will affect that choice. On Friday, CC Sabathia made his second start since returning from the disabled list on September 8. During the first six frames he gave up two hits and single run in the second and third. In his final inning, the seventh, he surrendered two solo home runs, one by Mike Olt and one by Gordon Beckham.

The two four baggers were the difference in the result as the game had been tied at 2 going into the seventh inning. Sabathia pitched well and without pain through six. He commented on the
improvement since wearing a knee brace, “I can go through my delivery and not feel any pain.”

The pain Sabathia and the Yankees felt in the seventh was not physical. Although he had only given up two home runs in his last seven starts, home runs have been quite damaging to the veteran starter this year. He is tied for second highest in the A.L. with 28 homers. Although he is generally more effective against left-handed batters, both home runs were hit by righties. Sabathia’s record fell to 5-10.

Adam Warren will start on Saturday and rookie Luis Severino will start on Sunday.

#Yankees #WildCard #CCSabathia #YankeeStadium #BronxNews #Sports

Bronx Sports: #Yogi Berra Will not be Forgotten

Bronx Sports: #Yogi Berra Will not be Forgotten: #Yogi Berra Will not be Forgotten  By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- “It’s not over until it’s over.’” Unfortu...

#Yogi Berra Will not be Forgotten

#Yogi Berra Will not be Forgotten 

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- “It’s not over until it’s over.’” Unfortunately, the life of Yogi Berra is now over.

The beloved former baseball great passed away this week at the age of 90. Berra was born to an immigrant couple from Italy on May 12, 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri. He grew up in an Italian neighborhood, the Hill, in his native city. One of his childhood friends, Joe Garagiola, also reached the majors as a catcher, but was better known as an outstanding baseball broadcaster.

As a teenager, during World War II, Berra joined the U. S. Navy, he was assigned to a navy gunboat and took part in the D‐Day invasion on June 6, 1944. He earned several medals for his service including a Purple Heart and the distinguished Unit Citation.

In 1946, Berra became a member of the New York Yankees. His yearly success from 1946‐1963 earned him many honors. He was elected to 15 consecutive American League All‐Star teams, 1948‐1962. He was among the top four candidates for the American League MVP Award for seven straight seasons and the winner in 1951, 1954 and 1955.

In addition to earning individual honors, he was a major contributor to his team’s success. In 18 seasons with the Yankees, the club won the American League pennant 14 times. In 10 of those years, the Yankees were World Champions.

Although his offensive skills led him to a lifetime batting average of .285 and 358 home runs, Berra was an outstanding catcher. He is remembered as the catcher of Don Larsen when the latter through the only perfect game in a World Series. He also caught the two no hitters thrown by Allie Reynolds in 1951. On Yogi Berra day on July 18, 1999, Berra and Larsen and 42,000 fans witnessed the perfect game thrown by David Cone at Yankee Stadium.

The accomplishments of his playing career led to Berra’s election to the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 1972, his second year of eligibility, and to the retirement of his and Bill Dickey’s #8. Not very well known is that Berra wore #38 in 1946 and #35 in 1947. Twelve years later, he and Dickey each had plaques in their honor placed in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium.

Berra’s leadership qualities led to him being named a player/coach in 1963. The following year, 1964, he managed the yanks to the American League Championship.

In 1965, he travelled to Queens to be a player/coach although he only played in four games. He remained a coach with the Mets through 1971, and succeeded Hodges in 1972 after the latter’s untimely death. He took the Mets to the national League Championship in 1973 and managed them until the middle of the 1975 season.

The next year, Berra returned to the Yankees as coach from 1976‐1983. He succeeded and was succeeded by Billy Martin as Yankees manager from December 16, 1983‐April 28, 1985.

Berra’s innate decency, sense of humor and sparkling personality has made him a much admired individual in households where baseball is not even followed. This year, more than 100,000 persons signed a petition to qualify Berra for consideration to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

A statement by Hal Steinbrenner, the Yankees Managing General Partner, represents the feelings of multitudes of people regarding Berra, “Yogi Berra’s legacy transcends baseball. Though slight in stature, he was a giant in the most significant ways through his service to his country, compassion for others and genuine enthusiasm for the game he loved. He has always been a role model and hero that America could look up to...His imprint in society stretches far beyond the walls of Yankee Stadium. He simply had a way of reaching and relating to people that was unmatched. That’s what made him such a national treasure.”

R.I.P. Yogi.

#YogiBerra #Yankees #YankeeStadium

Bronx Sports: Farewell to Yogi

Bronx Sports: Farewell to Yogi: Farewell to Yogi Yogi Berra: An icon to many on both sides of town By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- Prior to the...

Farewell to Yogi

Farewell to Yogi

Yogi Berra: An icon to many on both sides of town

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- Prior to the first pitch at Citi Field Wednesday night the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves paused for a moment of silence in honor of Yogi Berra who passed away Tuesday evening at the age of 90. The Yankees, where Berra is most remembered for his Hall of Fame career as a player, coach, and manager will have a pre game tribute in the Bronx prior to their game Thursday evening against the White Sox.

And for those who recall, Berra was also a major part of history with the crosstown Mets as a player, coach, and manager. He is one of seven managers to lead both American and National League teams to the World Series. And will we ever see a player again appear in 21 World Series and win 13 titles?

Maybe not, because as much as there are the superstars in the sport today there may never be another Yogi Berra. He was that special breed of a ballplayer that comes around and it was also the passion on the field and off that also made him so loved and remembered.

And Number “8” is being remembered as an icon who was humble, humorous, and he had that attribute as possibly being the best catcher who played the game. The records speak volumes as an  18-time All-Star and a 10-time World Series champion as a player with a career batting average of .265.

And there is that distinction as the only manager to guide the Yankees and Mets to a seventh and deciding game of the World Series, and one of only five players to to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award three times. The Baseball Hall of Fame up in Cooperstown opened the doors to Berra in 1972.

A year later, Berra, as manager of the Mets took over a team that was not expected to take the mighty Oakland Athletics to that seventh and final game of the Fall Classic. Success seemed to follow Berra, and even the astute and loyal Yankees fans at that time jumped on the bandwagon.  

So why would the arch rival fans of the Mets root for Yogi, who was now on the other side of town? One of his great slogans, and Berra had more than one that is classified as the best was: “It’s deja vu all over again.” 

And it was the way Berra would conduct business by having an answer, many that are a part of baseball history and can be heard on a daily basis. It was Yogi Berra at his best, and put those slogans and statistics in one package and it did not get any better.

“I don’t think you will ever see a player have the success that Yogi had,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said prior to the Yankees-Blue Jays game up in Toronto Wednesday night. “The closest we have seen in sports today is Michael Jordan, is the six in eight years but it is not going to happen.”

Girardi added, “I always thought I was talking to my grandfather. I just felt comfortable. I almost felt like he was going to pull something out of his pocket like a piece of licorice and all that sort of thing. It was always a joy to be around him.”

There was more than Girardi looking at Berra as a grandfather type. There was that respect of knowing what it meant to be classified in the same category with Berra of Yankees history of being one of the managers who guided the organization to 27 world championships.

Berra was also the icon to those who work at the ballpark. From the ticket takers, to the ushers, and the vendors, Yogi Berra was always a Yankee but also a Met. The hollow ground of Yankee Stadium, and the magic of the Mets at Shea Stadium was also where some of the stadium workers saw Berra do his work as the player, coach and manager.

“He was a great Yankee, a great catcher and a great man,” said Stan. The longtime stadium usher of 54-years  who saw Berra at Dodgers Stadium, the Polo Grounds, Shea and Yankee Stadium had a similar sentiment of loss when reflecting about the life of Yogi Berra.

“It’s hard to say that,” said Stan about being the best baseball catcher of all-time. There was Johnny Bench and Carlton Fisk, and of course Gary Carter and Mike Piazza had their big moments in aa Mets uniform. 

But “Certainly he was the best world series catcher of all-time,” Stan said with a smile. “He had a nice life, a wife (Carmen) of over 65 years with a woman he loved and cared for.”

But it was not difficult to say that Yogi Berra was an icon and he will be missed.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  Twitter@Ring786  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso 

#Yogi Berra #Yankees #Mets

Bronx Sports: Yankees Mourn Loss of #Yogi

Bronx Sports: Yankees Mourn Loss of #Yogi: Yankees Mourn Loss of #Yogi STATEMENT FROM HAL STEINBRENNER, NEW YORK YANKEES MANAGING GENERAL PARTNER / CO-CHAIRPERSON RE: THE...

Yankees Mourn Loss of #Yogi

Yankees Mourn Loss of #Yogi

STATEMENT FROM HAL STEINBRENNER, NEW YORK YANKEES MANAGING GENERAL PARTNER / CO-CHAIRPERSON

RE: THE PASSING OF YOGI BERRA

“Yogi Berra’s legacy transcends baseball. Though slight in stature, he was a giant in the most significant of ways through his service to his country, compassion for others and genuine enthusiasm for the game he loved. He has always been a role model and hero that America could look up to.  

"While his baseball wit and wisdom brought out the best in generations of Yankees, his imprint in society stretches far beyond the walls of Yankee Stadium. He simply had a way of reaching and relating to people that was unmatched. That’s what made him such a national treasure.

"On behalf of my family and the entire Yankees organization, we extend our deepest condolences to Yogi’s family, friends and loved ones.”

#Yogi #Yankees #Steinbrenner