Soccer Superpowers Clash at Yankee Stadium

(Photo by NY Yankees)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 9- Soccer fans flocked to Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night to see two of the legendary European superpowers, Real Madrid of Spain and A.C. Milan of Italy, meet in a friendly match.

Prior to entering Yankee Stadium, many in the large crowd had dinner at neighborhood eateries on 161^st Street. Several distributed 4-inch commemorative soccer balls to its patrons. Dr. Cary Goodman, Executive Director of the 161 BID Business Improvement District), who spearheaded the project, commented, “We want everyone to enjoy this great soccer match. These are two great teams, representing two great soccer traditions.”

Having the opportunity to see two of the most prestigious football sides on the Yankee Stadium pitch was quite an attraction as the sellout crowd of 49,474 was the largest gathering to witness a soccer game in either Yankee Stadium.

The match between the world renowned sides was the second of the World Football Challenge matches held at the iconic sports venue in the Bronx this summer. Soccer’s premiere at the current Yankee Stadium took place on July 22, when the Chelsea F.C. and Paris St. Germain fought to a 1-1 draw. A very respectable crowd of 38,202 attended that contest.

Excitement grew as the day of the second game drew nearer. The two sides have been among the most prominent world football squads in history. Milan, now in its third century of existence, is one of the most decorated clubs in history. The club has been an 18-time winner of Italy’s Series A. It has captured the European Cup/UEFA Champions League Title in seven years, 1963, ‘69, ‘89, ‘90, ‘94, 2003 and ‘07.

Real holds a record nine wins of the European Cup beginning with five consecutive titles from 1956-60, ’66, ’98, 2000 and ’02. Within Spain, Real has been victorious a record 32 times. The club’s most recent season, 2011-12 was a banner year. It set marks for points, 100, goals scored, 121, difference in goals scored, +89, away wins, 16, and total wins (32).

The contest proved to be extremely one-sided to the delight of most of those in attendance as Real was victorious, 5-1. Although billed as a “friendly,” individual and club pride are always factors when professional athletes are in action.

One of the greatest current superstars of the sport, Christian Ronaldo, lived up to expectations as he scored two goals, During the 2011-12 season, the Portuguese forward scored 46 goals in 37 games in La Liga in Spain and netted 12 in 13 other appearances. Ronaldo remains the most costly transfer in world football history as Real Madrid paid $130 million to Manchester United to obtain his services.

The 27-year old received a standing ovation from the full house when he was removed from the contest with 10 minutes left. When asked why Ronaldo was given so many minutes, Madrid’s manager, Jose Morinho, replied, “It’s a historical stadium, a historical opponent, a full stadium. Christian is part of the show, what the people want to see.”

Another Real Madrid player in the spotlight was Kaká. The talented Brazilian assisted on two goals in the second half. The 30-year old was rumored to be returning to his previous club, Milan, for the new season. Marinho forthrightly expressed his opinion, “I’m happy to keep him and happy to sell if he wants to go. He’s a great player. My arms are open if he wants to stay.” To clubs interested in purchasing the services of Kaká, he warned, “If you want to buy a diamond, you have to pay.”

The nine games of the Herbalife World Football Challenge were played not only to heighten interest in soccer within the United States nor to fill the coffers of each club, but also to prepare each club for the fast approaching new season. Madrid open its season on August 18 and Milan opens on August 26.

Cops Hunt Arsonists

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 8- Police are asking for the public’s help in trying to catch a gang of arsonists.

Cops released surveillance video of one of five suspects wanted in connection with an arson at a construction site. Investigators say that at around 8:52 p.m. on August 5, the group entered the rear of 3701 Jerome Avenue and set fire to a hut on the construction site. 

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. he public can also submit their tips by logging onto Crime Stoppers' website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Bird Brained Subway ‘Gunman’

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 8- Police nabbed a real bird brain near the Westchester Square Station when a suspect tried to sneak on the subway with a “gun.”

At around 4:30 p.m. on August 7, police were conducting bag screenings at the Westschester Square Subway Station on the Number 6 line. Officers observed a man with appeared to be a handgun in his front pocket.

Sergeant Reinaldo Colon and Police Officer Rafael Baez followed the suspect out of the station and stopped him on the corner East Tremont and Westchester Square. Cops found the suspect to be in possession of a BB gun, which looked very much like a 9mm handgun. 

Police arrested 25-year-old Alexis Santillan of Pelham Bay and charged him with criminal possession of a weapon.

Bravest Beat Finest in Tennis Tourney

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 6- The burning ambition of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) carried them to victory over the New York City Police Department (NYPD) — defending champions of the last six year’s EmblemHealth Bronx Open. All eyes watched the much anticipated rematch at the seventh annual battle of the badges, which took place on the tennis courts of Crotona Park, the Bronx, on Saturday, August 4th.

The FDNY vs. NYPD tournament was free and served as the kick-off to the EmblemHealth Bronx Open, a USTA Pro Circuit event, which runs from August 5 - 12 at Crotona Park. This is the 20^th year of the tournament operated by New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL), which provides after school and summer tennis and educational programs for more than 75,000 New York City youth.

In addition to being the finest and bravest on the New York City streets, the police and fire departments also boast a number of outstanding tennis players who look forward to this annual competition.

The tournament took place on Saturday morning prior to the start of the EmblemHealth Bronx Open qualifying event. EmblemHealth made a contribution of $2,500 to both the FDNY and NYPD education scholarship funds, and the winning team was awarded a trophy.  Each player received a miniature trophy.

The NYPD Color Guard and the FDNY Bagpipers performed at the official opening ceremony of the tournament at 10 am.

The EmblemHealth Bronx Open features 32 of the top women players in the world. Players vie for the $50,000 in prize money in singles and doubles at the final USTA Pro Circuit Event prior to the US Open. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL).

"It’s great to help make professional tennis available to community residents, especially young people, while supporting an event that benefits the NYJTL,” commented Frank J. Branchini, President and Chief Operating Officer, EmblemHealth. “We’re also pleased to support education funds that assist the FDNY and NYPD and their families.”

The EmblemHealth Bronx Open is played on the same hard court surface as the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open.

General admission is free Sunday, August 5 through Saturday, August 11. General Admission tickets for the Women’s Final on Sunday, August 12 are $10, and box seats are $25.  Admission is free daily for all children 12 and under. 

NYJTL provides FREE tennis lessons daily from 5 - 7 pm for children 6 to 18 years of age. Refreshments will be sold on-site, and there is free supervised parking.

For more information on the week-long tournament, visit www.nyjtl.org.

Soccer Returns to Bronx

(Photos by NY Yankees)

Immediately after the conclusion of Sunday’s 6-2 Yankees win over the Mariners, the Yankee Stadium grounds crew began transforming the field for the soccer match taking place on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m between Real Madrid and A.C. Milan at Yankee Stadium.

A limited number of tickets for the match are still on sale at www.yankees.com/soccer. For information updates regarding soccer or other non-baseball events at Yankee Stadium, please follow @yankeesevents and @yankeespr on Twitter.

The match on Wednesday represents a meeting of the two most successful teams in European Cup history, as Real Madrid has won the cup on nine occasions (1956-60, ‘66, ’98, 2000, ’02) while A.C. Milan has been crowned champion of Europe seven times (1963, ’69, ’89, ‘90, ’94, 2003, ’07).

Earlier this summer on July 22, the 2012 European champion, Chelsea FC, and French Ligue 1 favorites Paris Saint-Germain played to a 1-1 tie in front of 38,202 fans in the first-ever soccer match at the current Yankee Stadium.

Yanks Rub Out Mariners

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 6- The Yankees captured the rubber game of the weekend series over Seattle with a 6-2 win on Sunday afternoon. It was the eighth time in the last 10 occasions that the Yankees successfully rebounded from a shutout loss with a victory.

Unlike the previous day’s contest, the game on Sunday hardly featured a pitching masterpiece. Both starters pitched five innings. Mariners’ starter Hisashi Iwamura gave up four runs on seven hits, two walks and a hit batsman. The Yankees scored a single run in four of his five innings on the mound.

The run in the fifth was scored on a solo home run by Raúl Ibañez, the homer was his 14^th of 2012 and the major league leading 168^th for the Yanks. The team is currently on pace to shatter its single season mark of 244, set in 2009.

In the following frame, Ibañez came to bat with two out and the bases loaded. The veteran drove in two runners with a single.

In addition to Ibañez, Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano and Chris Stewart each twice hit successfully.

Jeter raised his career hit total to 3,228, 24 hits below Napoleon Lajoie. He scored his 1,830^th run in the first, which tied him with Frank Robinson for 14^th place.

Cano has hit safely in 33 of his last 27 games. He and Jeter began the game with identical team leading batting averages of 

.313.

Suzuki’s double in the seventh raised his consecutive game hitting streak to 12. He also tied Don Slaught for the longest hitting streak at the start of a Yankee career. It also is the longest Yankees hitting streak in which a player had exactly one hit in each game.

Freddy Garcia pitched the requisite five innings to qualify for the win. The victory ended his three-game losing streak. The 35-year-old hurler recorded his 150^th career win, a high for pitchers born in Venezuela. Garcia ranks 12^th in wins for all pitchers who were born in Latin America. 

Of the accomplishment, Joe Girardi remarked, “It just goes to show how consistent he’s been.”

Garcia gave up five hits and two runs I his five frames. Girardi was quite pleased, “Freddy’s going to give you everything he’s got every time he goes out. That’s just what Freddy does. He keeps us in every game.”

The bullpen easily carried the remaining four innings, allowing only one baserunner in four innings.

The Yanks now embark on a seven game road trip, four games in Detroit and then three in Toronto. Girardi looked forward with hope, “We won a series leaving. Hopefully, this will get us on a good streak.”

Supreme Yankee Fan

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor Roots for her Favorite Team at Yankee Stadium

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 5- A very large mid-week matinee crowd of 44,593 were at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday and saw a one-sided 11-3 Yankee victory over the Baltimore Orioles. One of the dedicated Yankees aficionados in the ballpark was Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

The distinguished jurist returned to her place of birth to witness an event she loves, a Yankees game. The Bronx native of Puerto Rican ancestry has been a baseball, specifically New York Yankees, fan since her childhood. Her father, Juan, hails from Santurce and her mother, Celina, is from Lajas, in Southeast Puerto Rico. The youngster lived in the Bronxdale Houses in Soundview and later in Co-op City as a youngster. She attended Cardinal Spellman High School in the borough and later graduated with honors from Princeton University, the NYU School of Law and Columbia University Law School.

Interestingly, in a time of bitter partisanship between the major political parties in the United States, Sotomayor’s credentials led to her being appointed to the bench by presidents from both parties. She was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York by George H. W. Bush in 1991. Six years later, Bill Clinton selected her to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. She reached the height of her profession in 2009 when Barack Obama nominated her to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Her visit on Wednesday was neither her first time in the current Yankee Stadium nor her first time at a Yankees game. Sotomayor threw out the ceremonial first pitch before a Yankees game on September 26, 2009 and she spoke humbly and emotionally as the graduation speaker at the NYU Commencement in May of 2012. On Wednesday, her presence was not political nor to gain attention. She wanted to watch and root for her favorite sports team.

In an informal meeting with reporters during the game, she stated, “Having sat in the old stadium bleachers anonymously, there is quite a chord that gets touched when you come back on a day like today and people are screaming out ‘Justice’ or ‘Sonia’ and it brings a little bit of a tear to my eye.”

Of her feeling at being in Yankee Stadium, she emotionally stated, “The spirit of the Yankees is still in the house. It’s very moving to me and important to me that the comfort they gave me most of my life-watching [them] win-continues.”

Before the game began, she joined the “bleacher creatures” in the roll call of the Yankees starters. Of the group of fans she sat with, she remarked, “I pay homage to the bleacher creatures; they are the greatest fans…To sit in sweltering heat when the sun is blazing, to sit out there in the rain, to sit out there on days when we’re losing and not to take it out on the players takes heart…I felt proud to be out there with them”

When asked why she came to the game, she replied, “I went to watch the Yankees play the [Washington] Nationals in Washington, DC and they won and [Media Relations Director] Jason [Zilo] asked me to come and sit in the bleachers.”

She spoke of her greatest Yankee memory, “The Bucky Dent home run against Boston. I was in law school and made a bet with my best friends.”

Asked if she was the only Yankees fan on the Supreme Court, she responded, “Justice [Anton] Scalia is fond of reminding me that he was the first Yankees fan on the Court…I keep telling him the only difference is that I was born in the Bronx and he wasn’t.’” Although the two justices are divided on judicial principles and philosophy, the two are united in support of the Yankees.

Her tribute to the fans of her favorite club is as follows, “We have the best fans in the world; they are so knowledgeable.” 

In 1995, a Sotomayor ruling had a very important impact upon the sport of baseball. The baseball strike of 232 days ended after she issued an injunction that prohibited MLB from unilaterally implementing a new collective bargaining agreement using replacement players.

She still remains loyal to the sport of baseball, to her favorite team, the Yankees, and to her birthplace, the Bronx.