Soccer Debuts at Yankee Stadium

(Photos by NY Yankees)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 23- Soccer, the world’s most popular spectator sport, made its debut at the most iconic sports stadium in the United States, Yankee Stadium, on Sunday evening. The current Yankee Stadium will be hosting two of the matches being played as part of the Herbalife World Football Challenge.

The Bronx, the home to natives of many nations from all corners of the globe, will welcome football stars from four world renowned teams representing four countries, England, France, Italy, and Spain, this summer.

The international appeal of soccer is illustrated by the number of nations represented on the rosters of the two clubs that played on Sunday, 11 on the English side (Chelsea) and 8 on the club from Paris (PSG). The manager of each side is an Italian national, Roberto Di Matteo of Chelsea and Carlo Ancelotti of PSG.

Fans of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain or world class soccer in general were welcomed to the neighborhood by several of the area’s eateries, Billy’s, Crown Diner, The Dugout, Stan’s and Yankee Tavern miniature soccer balls inscribed for the special occasion were distributed at each restaurant.

Dr. Cary Goodman, executive director of the 161^st Street Business Improvement District (BID), who inspired the promotion, described its purpose, “We’re used to having sports fans from around the world visit our district in The Bronx. We want them to see and feel how happy we are to greet guests. The souvenirs are our way of saying, ‘Thanks for coming’.”

As Yankee Stadium’s infield and outfield were transformed into a 110’ by 70”soccer pitch, two first division clubs took the field for a friendly match. The English entry, Chelsea FC, is visiting the U.S. in the wake of a superlative season. It captured the FA title in England with a victory over Liverpool. On May 19, Chelsea had a penalty kick win over favored Bayren Munich in the latter’s home field.

On July 18, Chelsea was victorious over the Seattle Sounders of the MLS in its first of three contests in the United States this summer.

The match at Yankee Stadium was only the third between the two soccer powers. Both previous matches occurred during the 2004-5 UEFA Champions League competition. Chelsea was the winner of the first match in Paris, 3-0, on goals by veteran John Terry and Didier Drogba (2). The second contest ended in a scoreless tie, 0-0.

Shortly after 7 p.m., the match on Sunday began. The happy rooters of PSG erupted in cheers in the 30^th minutes of the first half as Nené scored an unassisted goal. The Brazilian native, who celebrated his 31^st birthday three days earlier, was PSG’s leading goal scorer during the league season. The fleet midfielder scored 21 of his team’s 75 goals.

PSG registered 7 of the 12 shots on goal during the first half, but none from either side was close to a score.

In the early minutes of the second half, both teams made many substitutions. As Di Matteo explained to reporters, “For us, it’s [each match in the U.S.] is preparation for our season.”

As the match neared its conclusion, in the 82^nd minute, two Brazilians combined to tie the match. Ramires passed to Lucas Piazon who booted in Chelsea’s first goal. The match ended in a 1-1 tie.

Although neither side achieved a victory, the crowd of 38,202 knowledgeable and enthusiastic soccer fans demonstrated their enjoyment of the contest. 

After the contest, Di Matteo stated, “It was a great atmosphere. I think the folks enjoyed themselves.” Of the overwhelming support from the fans for Chelsea, the manager commented, “I want to thank all the fans; it was like a home game.”

Di Matteo gave his opinion about the venue, Yankee Stadium, “It’s the first time I’ve been here. It’s very impressive. It’s a piece of art. The pitch was better than we expected.”

As soon as the match concluded, many soccer aficionados in the crowd were already preparing for their attendance at the next match in the Stadium on August 8 when AC Milan will face Real Madrid.

Cops Step Up Security after ‘Dark Knight’ Massacre

Concern Over Copycats Leads to Beefed up Security

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 20- In the wake of the Colorado Massacre during the showing of “The Dark Knight Rises,” the NYPD is stepping up security at movie theaters throughout the city.

"As a precaution against copycats and to raise the comfort levels among movie patrons in the wake of the horrendous shooting in Colorado, the New York City Police Department is providing coverage at theaters where the 'The Dark Knight Rises' is playing in the five boroughs," said Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly.

Police in Colorado arrested 24-year-old James Holmes in the shooting which so far has left 12 people dead and 38 wounded. The youngest victim, an infant, is expected to recover. According to published reports, the gunman, clad in a gas mask and body armor, stormed the movie theater at North Aurora. The gunman entered through an emergency door and set off a smoke bomb. When the theater goers attempted to exit the gunman opened fire. 

“I, along with all 1.4 million residents of the Bronx, would like to extend our most heartfelt condolences to the victims of last night’s deadly movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado. It is absolutely shocking that someone would look to hurt hard working individuals who wanted to do nothing more than relax and watch a movie with friends and family. 

“I and the residents of the Bronx will keep the victims of this devastating event, as well as the entire state of Colorado, in our prayers,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

This is not the first time violence has been linked to a Batman movie. During the showing of the 1989 Tim Burton film “Batman” an argument on line for popcorn at the Whitestone Cineplex led to the fatal shooting. Seventeen years later Ricardo Jimenez was arrested for the shooting. He is serving 22 years to life for the crime.

Tough Guy Charged with Mugging Women

Thug beat mother in front of her child

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 19- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced the arrest and indictment of a 32-year-old Bronx man in connection with a series of four armed robberies of young women within a two-week period at the end of May and beginning of June 2012. The last of the victims was cornered and beaten as she held the hand of her three year old daughter.

Pedro Gomez, of University Avenue, was arraigned before State Supreme Court Justice Margaret Clancy after being returned to the Bronx Wednesday night following his arrest in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Gomez, who waived extradition, was ordered held without bail.

The grand jury indicted Gomez on three counts of robbery in the first degree, four counts of robbery in the third degree, six counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree, four counts of petit larceny, two counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, four counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, three counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, three counts of menacing in the second degree, endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of attempted assault in the third degree. The most serious charge, robbery in the first degree, a Class B felony offense, is punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 25 years imprisonment on each count.

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

The string of robberies in this case began on May 25, 2012 at approximately 9:30 p.m. when Gomez allegedly followed a 19-year-old woman into an apartment building on Grand Avenue and accosted her on a third floor landing. Gomez is accused of placing a sharp object against the woman’s chest and ordered her to turn over her money. He allegedly fled with $4.

The next day, on May 26, 2012 at approximately 1:20 in the afternoon, Gomez allegedly followed a 27-year-old woman into a building on University Avenue and ordered her to remove an ankle bracelet and earrings. It is alleged that Gomez demanded the valuables after placing a sharp object on the victim’s stomach.

The third incident occurred on June 2, 2012 at about 3:15 in the afternoon in an elevator in a building on Jerome Avenue. The defendant was already on the elevator when a 32-year-old woman got on. When the elevator stopped on the third floor, Gomez allegedly grabbed the woman from behind as she was exiting and placed a sharp object on her neck before fleeing with her purse which contained approximately $1,500 in cash.

A week later on June 9, 2012 Gomez allegedly robbed a 25-year-old mother who was on an elevator with her three-year-old daughter. The incident occurred shortly before noon in a building on Sheridan Avenue. When the victim attempted to leave the elevator, Gomez allegedly pushed her back inside, hit her, and covered her mouth with his hand. He allegedly grabbed her purse and ripped a gold necklace off her neck before fleeing.

Detectives retrieved a security video recording of the last incident which the NYPD released to the news media. As a result police received information which led investigators to a location in Philadelphia where the defendant was arrested.

Assistant District Attorney Debra Guarnieri of the Trial Division is prosecuting the case.  

Apartment Scammer Pleads Guilty

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 19- Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced the conviction of Cecilia Casabuena, 53, on multiple counts of grand larceny for stealing more than $20,000 from families seeking apartments to rent. Some of the victims were recipients of assistance through the New York City Housing Authority’s Section 8 Rental Voucher Program.

Casabuena, of Broadway, Manhattan, pled guilty to seven counts of grand larceny in the third degree, four counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree, and one count of petit larceny covering the 12 victims named in the indictment.

The plea was entered before State Supreme Court Justice Martin Marcus who set sentencing for Thursday, August 16, 2012 in Part 78. Under the plea agreement Casabuena is to be sentenced to a term of three to nine years in state prison. The agreement also provides for the filing of a civil judgment requiring Casabuena to pay approximately $183,000 in restitution to the twelve victims named in the indictment and 40 other victims who were not included.

Casabuena misrepresented herself as a licensed real estate broker or agent for several Bronx based realty companies and would attract clients either as a result of ads placed in the Spanish language newspaper El Diario or through personal referrals. She promised to obtain apartments for them and collected security deposits and fees upfront, which averaged a little over $2000 per client.

The investigation which led to the guilty plea began when people who had paid Casabuena the upfront deposits and fees began coming forward to complain that they never received leases or keys to the apartments. Victims of the scam told investigators that they had made numerous requests to Casabuena to return the money but that she refused to do so.

Riverdale News: Slow Repaving in Riverdale

Riverdale News: Slow Repaving in Riverdale: Riverdale Report By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, July 16- A newly created Department of Transportation initiative called a “Slow Zone” ...

Slow Repaving in Riverdale

Riverdale Report

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 16- A newly created Department of Transportation initiative called a “Slow Zone” has been approved for the school corridor by Riverdale's PS 24 and MS/HS 141 (aka Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy). The slow zone will start on Independence Avenue at West 232nd Street, run along Seton Park past the two schools, the public library branch, and down past the Riverdale Temple (where a per-school program is in effect) to West 246th Street. The slow zone also covers streets that run parallel to Independence Ave. such as the Southbound Henry Hudson Parkway Service Road from West 246th to West 232nd Streets. There are also a few other small streets to the west of Independence Ave. that also may be part of the slow zone.

First there will be a speed limit of 20 miles per hour in the slow zone as the current speed limit is 30 M.P.H. Giant concrete markings will be at the start and end of the Slow Zone, and speed bumps or other speed calming devices can be placed on the roads to slow cars down. Independence Avenue however is an emergency route which in the past has meant that speed bumps could not be placed in the street. This slow zone was pushed by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (a constant critic of the DOT), other local elected officials, the local police precinct, Community Board # 8, and the schools parents associations.

There had not been a problem on Independence Avenue, until this past school year when for the first time both PS 24 and MS/HS 141 had school children arriving and departing at the same time. That combined with the fact that more parents drove their children to the two schools at rush hour, when they themselves are in a rush led to the problem that only really lasted for no more that 15 minutes in the morning and even less time in the afternoon. I tell you that as a resident of Independence Ave. one block from the schools, and the fact that the road was full of potholes and patches.

While we are on the subject of Independence Ave, the DOT milled down the road from West 232nd to West 239th Streets last week, and is expected to repave the road in another week or two. Other streets in the Community Board #8 area also have been milled down for repaving including many blocks in the Amalgamated Houses area. So please be patient when you see those signs “No Parking” street repair.

Saturday night July 21st is the “Movie in the Park “ presentation of “Back to the Future” in Seton Park starting at 8 p.m. Seton Park is located on Independence Avenue at West 232nd Street, and maybe the street will be repaved before movie night. We will try to report to you on how the event went next week.

Don't forget to check my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com for any items that may come in after our deadline, more on what you may read here, and any photo of the events.

If you have any comments about this column or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com , or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.

Yanks, Mother Nature Beat Jays

Yanks head to Oakland after rain shortened game and sweep of Blue Jays

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 19- This time claps of thunder, lightning, and rain stopped a New York Yankees game in the Bronx Wednesday afternoon. Their offense also continued to excel before the weather caused a rain shortened 6-0 win and sweep over the Toronto Blue Jays after six innings.

With threatening weather in the forecast, the game was delayed 51 minutes. However, in a season where the Yankees seem to be hitting the ball all over the place, delays don’t seem to matter.

New York got on the scoreboard early when Mark Teixeira hit a two-run home run, his 19^th, in a four-run first inning off Toronto starter and loser Ricky Romero (8-6) who lost his fifth straight, a career low.

The inning started when Derek Jeter, inserted as the designated hitter, led off with a double. There were four extra base hits that included two straight doubles from Andruw Jones and Robinson Cano. The hit from Cano extended his career best hitting streak to 21 games.

“You got to get contributions from everyone,” said Jeter who went 2 for 3. It was the Yankees third straight win, nine in their last 11, a season-high 23 games over .500.

And the Yankees continue to get those contributions with guys off the bench. It enables manager Joe Girardi to give his starters some rest, in particular, during this 13-game stretch that continues Thursday night with three games in Oakland and three at Seattle.

DeWayne Wise had an RBI double in the fourth inning off Romero and a run scoring single in the sixth. He gave Curtis Granderson a day of rest out in center as once again the strategy, Girardi getting the best from his bench, worked to perfection.

“It’s been really special what these guys have done for us, you kinda’ want to talk about giving some other guys off during this run of 13- games,” commented Girardi about how Wise, Jayson Nix with two hits, and Eric Chavez have contributed off the bench.

That gave the Yankees a 5-0 lead. They added another run in the sixth and the weather got worse. The tarp came on the field, and after a delay of 58 minutes the Yankees packed and went to Oakland also propelling Hiroki Kuroda (9-7) to his third career complete game victory.

“His slider was good, he kept away from getting the first hitter on and made some good pitches,” said Girardi about Kuroda.

In his last start Kuroda gave up five runs, 11 in his last two starts. But he bounced back tossing seven shutout innings, limited the Jays to four hits, no walks and striking out five. Though it was a shortened game, the outing by Kuroda leads to more encouragement.

With Kuroda bouncing back, CC Sabathia healthy after missing two starts, and with Andy Pettitte recovering well from a broken ankle, Girardi has to be pleased.

“Pitching is the one constant that you have to have to win on a daily basis and we’ve been getting that,” said Girardi. New York has also scored three runs in 42 consecutive games.

“I think our guys set the tone early,” said Girardi about how his team tacked on runs, off Romero, a pitcher that has given the Yankees problems in the past.

The Yankees have pitched well, swung the bats, and tacked on runs late. That also had led to them widening their gap on first place in the American League east. Girardi alluded to those factors in taking five of six games on the home stand from the Angels and Blue Jays,

Now they hit the road with right hander Freddie Garcia (4-2), who won his last start Saturday against the Angels, getting the start against Oakland.

“It’s a lot of fun coming to the ballpark every day,” said Nick Swisher. 

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com