A-Choke Strikes Again!

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Yanks Blast Four Homers, but Lose to Angels, 10-8

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 16- The mound matchup of two 10-game winners, Jared Weaver and Ivan Nova, created the expectation that the finale of the three-game series between the Yankees and Angels would be a tight pitchers’ duel. Instead the batters unloaded 27 hits including eight home runs, four by each team, during the Angels 10-8 win.

Each team put runs on the scoreboard via four baggers with one out in the first inning. Erick Aybar (4) and Albert Pujols (15) hit back-to-back home runs. The homer was the 450^th in the Hall of Fame career of Pujols.

After Curtis Granderson singled, Alex Rodriguez smacked his 643^rd career homer into the right field stands to tie the game.

The Yanks scored single runs in the second, sixth and seventh frames. A solo homer by Granderson (250) in the sixth and Eric Chavez (8) accounted for two of those runs.

The Yanks were topped by the visitors who scored eight runs on 11 hits in the final four innings. Maicer Itzuris’s first homer of the year scored two in the sixth. The play of two young phenoms, Mark Trumbo (26) and Mike Trout (20) led to several scores.

Trumbo was on first and scored on the homer by Itzuris. He led off the ninth with his 24^th home run of the season. The homer was his sixth in the last seven games against the Yanks for the “Yankee killer.” Trumbo raised his season batting average to .310 after getting five hits in 12 at bats in the three game series. The outstanding 2011 rookie is 14 for 30 against the Yanks in 2012 with six home runs and 11 runs batted in.

Sensational rookie Mike Trout doubled and scored a run the next inning with his second double of the contest. After going seven for 12 in the three multi-hit games, Trout’s A.L., leading batting average rose to .349. A sensational catch by Granderson in the third robbed Trout of another extra-base hit. In his last 21 games, Trout is batting above .400 (35 for 86).

A two-run homer By Mark Teixeira and four walks in the ninth gave the Yanks three runs to bring the game closer. With the score 10-8 in favor of the Angels and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, A-Rod stepped to the plate. With many fans screaming for him to break Lou Gehrig’s record of 23 grand slam home runs, the game ended as a-Rod popped to first. The batter stated, “I put a good swing on it and I just popped it up.”

Both Rodriguez and Yankee manager Joe Girardi, although disappointed by the loss were pleased by the never-say-die attitude of the club. According to Rodriguez, “You can’t win every day. I like how we battled. Our objective was to win the series and we did that.”

Girardi commented, “When you come from behind, that’s how you win games. We were one hit away.” The Yanks have won a major league leading 29 come-from-behind games in 2012.

Yankees stats-Derek Jeter’s single was the 3,204^th in his career. Cano’s two singles tied his career high hitting streak of 18 consecutive games. He is 29 for 72 during that period. The Yankees have scored at least three runs in 39 straight games, a single season team mark. The Yanks have hit a major league high of 142 home runs in 2012, 41 in the last 21 contests.

Phil Hughes (9-7) will go to the mound in the first game of a three-game series with Toronto on Monday evening. Henderson Alvarez (5-7) will start for the Blue Jays.

Yanks Clip Angels’ Wings

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Yankees start second half with win over Angels

(Photo by Gary Quintal)

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 14- Mark Teixeira said the four-day hiatus this week for the all-Star break was what he may have needed, and the New York Yankees know the rest did him well. He hit two home runs Friday evening in the Bronx that enabled New York to open the second half of the season with a come from behind 6-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels.

Teixeira hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning to left field and catcher Russell Martin fighting out of a slump, hit a two-out single that overcame the Angels 5-2 lead.

“I had a good batting practice today and the extra energy,” commented Teixeira who recorded his 36^th career multi-home run game, now with 17 on the season. He also drove in five runs for the third time.

Teixeira commented, “It’s a new start. The first half really doesn’t mean anything.” In essence the first half did mean something as the Yankees opened the second half with a seven- game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the American League east.

The Yankees won their second straight and fifth in their last six games. The win, first of three games with the Angels, was the start of a six-game home stand that will continue with Toronto.

“Sure the break helped him physically,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi about Teixeira. “New York, at 53-33 went a season high 20-games over .500 with the best record in baseball.

Prior to the second home run by Teixeira, the Angels’ Mark Trumbo hit his team leading 23^rd home run giving them a 4-2 lead. It was the 15^th home run this year by Trumbo that has tied a game or given the Angels the lead, and his fifth straight game against the Yankees with a home run.

“We set the table for him and he got a big hit at the time and just missed another one,” said Angels’ manager Mike Scioscia. Nick Swisher robbed Trumbo of another home run when he leaped and got the out, a ball that looked like it was clearing the outfield wall in right, in the Angels eighth inning.

C.J Wilson pitched seven solid innings until Scott Downs (1-1) imploded for the Angels in an inning that started with a Derek Jeter double and a walk to Curtis Granderson.

Hiroki Kuroda did not figure in the decision for the Yankees after throwing six innings and giving up two home runs. Chad Qualls (1-0) got his first win for New York and Rafael Soriano recorded his 21^st save in 22 chances.

Martin, hoping for a better second half got it off to a good start. He drove in the game winning run in the eighth inning and also nailed two Angels on the base paths.

His throw to Jeter at second, with two outs in the ninth, nailed Howie Kendrick, the tying run to end the game.

 “Three guys out, the game winning hit,” said Girardi who added the game by Martin was important for him. Martin ended a, 0-for-30 slump last Saturday at Boston before the break.

Freddy Garcia (3-2) gets the start for New York Saturday afternoon.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Riverdale News: Riverdalian TV Host tapes 900th Show!

Riverdale News: Riverdalian TV Host tapes 900th Show!: (Sheran Tavarez on the set of the Antique Trader with designer John Van Means.- Photo by David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YOR...

Riverdalian TV Host tapes 900th Show!

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(Sheran Tavarez on the set of the Antique Trader with designer John Van Means.- Photo by Shirlyn Bake)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 13- Local television celebrity Sheran Tavarez quietly celebrated a significant milestone as the host of several popular cable shows, having taped her 900th show on June 9.

Living on Broadway in Riverdale and commuting to the BronxNet studios on the grounds of Herbert H. Lehman College, for more years then anyone cares to remember, Tavarez has been churning out quality television, with her shows, "The Antique Trader," "The New York Woman," and the children's show, "Penelope Peach and Friends."

After properly learning how to work the camera, Tavarez began her long stint with the children's favorite Penelope Peach and Friends. In the process of 900 shows you slowly learn the painstaking task of editing, arranging and even producing local television.

Recalling her milestone broadcast, Tavarez stated, "For the 900th show last week we had the renowned designer, artist and now a collector of autographs, John Van Means, who was on this week's edition of The Antique Trader." 

No one is quite sure when, but with stars in her eyes, Tavarez walked into the BronxNet studios between 32 and 35 years ago and she has not stopped for very long, her dedication to the research, production and editing of her shows... really show.

Oddly enough, talk show legend Joe Franklin was the first guest of The Antique Trader. Franklin is regarded as the grandfather of the talk show, having stared in the very first one on American TV.

Franklin began on radio in 1951, appearing on New York-Based WJZ-TV, which later became WABC-TV. The Joe Franklin Show jumped to WWOR-TV in 1962 and Franklin continued to host, working out of a cramped Times Square office until 1993.

Asked to name a couple of her favorite guests she has had on the show, Tavarez responds, "Cousin' Brucie," Bruce Morrow. We actually taped something at the WCBS studios before he left to go to Sirius Radio."

"Another guest?" Tavarez struggles before replying, "I've forgotten, there's been so many. George Way of the George Way Collection... the guy is incredible, I mean he has his own museum on State Island!"

For her efforts Tavarz has won countless awards, including several Beta Awards (Bronx Excellence in Television Access Awards) for her producing her shows and she just took home an award at the recent Tribeca Film Festival.

Besides being a legendary figure through the sets and halls of BronxNet, Tavarez also enjoys a following in England, Australia and Holland and don't forget YouTube.

For the milestone broadcast, Michael Knobbe, the Executive Director of BronxNet stated, "We're kind of a vibrant community of civically-engaged Bronxites that come to train at BronxNet and produce programs for BronxNet's, your television channels and Sheran Tavarez has produced  exciting and creative programs over the years."

Knobbe added, "She is a wonderful part of the open-work that is BronxNet."

Tavarez could not say who she would like to interview for her 1,000 episode, but says with a smile, "The next show I'm researching right now is the history of hats. Now that's going to be a very interesting show."

Tazarez still has a long way to go to ever pass talk show Queen Oprah Winfrey, who has taped over 5,000 episodes that will likely remain in syndication for many more year's to come... But Tavarez is still working on it.

Many of Tavarez' shows, including her 900th broadcast can be found on YouTube. Once on YouTube, fans of children's show simply type in, "Penelope Peach and Friends." Oddly enough, fans of, "New York Women," must type in, "Dena Robins," or, "The Antique Trader."

BronxNet is broadcast over Cablevision on channels 67, 69, and 70, and on Verizon on channels 33 - 38. Check local listings for days and times.   

Class Act

Axelbank family and Monroe College Foundation partner in awards to students

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 13- The family of Eli Axelbank, who was a principal at the former James Monroe HS, has joined forces with the Monroe College Foundation in scholarship awards for graduates of the Monroe Academy for Visual Art and Design (MAVAD) and the Monroe Academy for Business and Law (MABL).

Represented by Gary Axelbank, one of Eli’s three sons who is the BronxTalk television host, the Axelbank family has presented the award to students at the Monroe Academies (no relation to the college) at their graduations since his passing in 1982.

“Our family has done this for 30 years because my father’s legacy as an educator, a father, and a community leader is worth passing on to future generations,” Gary Axelbank said. “So we select students who have achieved not only in the classroom, but also in their communities.”

Eli Axelbank’s widow, Mickey, and the families of Arthur and Jeffrey Axelbank also contribute to the award. Long-time educator, Tom Porton, who was a colleague of Eli Axelbank, administrates the award on behalf of the high schools and the Axelbank family.

The MAVAD winner this year is Carmen Cancel who was a four-year member of the leadership class, the captain of the school’s blood drive, and on the senior council. She also fed the homeless, was in the art club, and worked with senior citizens.

The MABL award winner is Carlos Gonzalez who was a four-year basketball player, a member of the senior council and year book committee, and worked at feeding the homeless.

To help commemorate the decades of support the Axelbank family has provided, this year the Monroe College Foundation broadened the scope of the award with a scholarship to help the students pay for their college education.

Tat’s Alot!

Rape Suspect’s Tattoo of Own Name Led Cops to Arrest

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 13- Was it his tat that gave him away? Police arrested a man they say raped a visiting North Carolina woman. Tips led to an arrest after surveillance video of the incident showed the suspect had his name tattooed on his shoulder.

Investigators say the suspect acted as a tour guide and instead of simply helping the tourist find her hotel he sexually assaulted her.

Police arrested 27-year-old Ivan Jones based on a tip after surveillance video from the hotel was released. In the surveillance video cops noticed that the suspect had the name “Ivan” tattooed on his right shoulder as well as “Tiffany” inked on the inside of his left forearm. 

Investigators say the sex fiend targeted his victim while they were riding on a Bronx-bound subway car. On July 11, cops say the victim had engaged the suspect while on a Bronx-bound subway train at East 14th and Union Square. According to published reports the 33-year-old woman had asked the man for directions in the Bronx. He told her he was going the same way and he ended up escorting the woman from the Bronx subway stop to the Howard Johnson Express Inn on Boston Road.

At her hotel room at around 4 a.m., the woman heard a knock on her door. Once she opened the door, the man pushed his way inside the room. Cops say he choked and raped the woman. Then he bound her and stole $50, the victim’s cell phone and a pair of earrings. 

Jones was charged with rape, strangulation and assault.

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Cop wanted to 'whack' witness

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Jury charges cop with trying to hire hit man to kill witness

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 12- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson and New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly announced that Police Officer Jose Ramos and his wife Wanda Abreu have been charged in a new indictment with conspiring to hire a “hit” man to murder a witness in a criminal case against Ramos.  

In the indictment unsealed, the grand jury charged Ramos,43,and Abreu,39, with three counts of conspiracy in the second degree, a Class B felony offense, and one count of criminal solicitation in the second degree, a Class D felony offense. Conspiracy in the second degree, the most serious of the charges, is punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 25 years imprisonment if convicted.

The charges in this indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The defendants were arraigned before State Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett who ordered that Ramos be remanded pending disposition of these charges. Bail for Abreu was set at $100,000 cash or $500,000 bond. The judge was told that in addition to allegedly attempting to have a witness killed, the defendants had also tried to persuade another witness to lie, and had planned to set up an alibi by arranging to be out of state in Texas when the “hit” was carried out.

It is alleged in court papers that from September 15, 2011 until May 7, 2012, the defendants attempted to arrange the contract killing through face to face meetings and telephone calls, some of which were recorded at a detention facility on Rikers Island, where Ramos is awaiting trial.   

Ramos has been charged with numerous offenses in six other indictments, the most serious of which stemmed from NYPD sting operations in which he allegedly attempted to transport large quantities of heroin from the Bronx to Brooklyn, steal money from purported drug dealers, and commit a robbery while on duty. 

Wanda Abreu was also charged with Ramos in one of those indictments for allegedly filing a fraudulent insurance claim. Until these new charges were filed today, Abreu had been released on her own recognizance. Bail for Ramos in connection with last October’s indictments remains set at $500,000 cash or $5,000,000 bond. 

District Attorney Johnson and Commissioner Kelly thanked the New York City Department of Investigation and the members of their respective staffs for the hard work and dedication that resulted in the indictment announced today.