Little Leaguers from the DR in NYC were thrilled to meet Fernando Tatis & Julio Pabón. (Photo by Don Pollard)
El Barrio, NY: Over 50 Little League players and many members of the El Barrio’s (East Harlem) community had an incredible evening with one NY Mets player that left a long lasting impression on everyone that attended.
The player was NY Mets utility player, Fernando Tatis who was recently put on the disabled list and underwent shoulder surgery of his right clavicle. The fact that he was in New York and did not travel with the team to the West Coast was a blessing since he was able to communicate with the organizers and as a result came through for the event.
Tatis did not let any of the die-hard baseball fans that were looking forward to meeting and hearing from the various NY Mets players that were invited down. Four additional players were invited. They were: José Pagan, Alex Cora, Rod Barajas and Ruben Tejeda Unfortunately, for one reason, or the other, all of the players except for Fernando Tatis could not show. Ruben Tejeda was sent down to Buffalo just a few days before the event and the fact that the Mets were playing the day before in Los Angeles made communications with the players very difficult.
Fernando Tatis & makes everyone laugh with one of his many interesting stories. (Photo by Don Pollard)
However, just as when Fernando Tatis made baseball history by hitting two grand slams in the same inning when he was playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, he hit another grand slam at El Museo Del Barrio with everyone of the attendee’s.
The fact that Fernando was not sharing the stage with anyone for this informal forum gave the event a unique and special touch. It gave Tatis the opportunity to speak freely and share quality time with the fans. There was a lot of laughter, some sadness and a lot of motivation that was exactly what many of these children needed to hear. The majority of these children came from the South Bronx and East Harlem two of the hard hit poverty communities in the city. In addition, there was a Little League team touring from the Dominican Republic. Ironically they were from one of the poorest sections of Santiago and perhaps would have never had the opportunity to meet a baseball player this up close and personal.
One of the many El Barrio & South Bronx teams that participated in one of the best forums they had ever encountered. (Photo by Don Pollard)
Fernando Tatis poured his heart out to the audience through a series of questions asked by the moderator, Mr. Julio Pabón, President of Latino Sports and President of the Latino Sports Writers & Broadcasters Association. Everyone present had the opportunity to ask questions after the intense interview and they all had the opportunity to walk up on stage get an autograph, take a picture and share a comment with Mr. Tatis, or Mr. Pabón.
“Thank you, this was one of the best activities that I have ever attended,” was a common comment made to the moderator and the player. Tatis had his arm on a sling from his surgery, but yet did not let that interfere with his desire to attend and spend time with some children that as he stated, “could be future players, doctors, or professionals.”
Fernando Tatis walked into El Museo Del Barrio as a utility player and left a giant among men to everyone of the children that were present.
Fernando Tatis, Dale Gregory: VP fo Public Programs-NY Historical Society & Julio Pabón pose after an incredible event in El Barrio. (Photo Don Pollard)
This event was sponsored by the New York Historical Society as part of a series called: "Nueva York."
This banner at the Palace of Champions represents an appeal for accountability (Photo WGR)
El Bronx, NY: A Thursday noon press conference in front of Yankee Stadium’ Babe Ruth Plaza situated in front of the main gate entries, on an otherwise perfect afternoon for baseball, a conference not to be confused with an outright protest rally – but one that had a number of grievances – the South Bronx Community represented by the For the South Bronx Coalition (4DSBxCoalition) and the Urban Justice Center met the press to hash out their complaints on the lack of transparency on the delivery of promises by the team management to support local residents, organizations and businesses when the new stadium was to be built.
New-York Historical Society and El Museo del Barrio present:
LOS METS VETS AND RISING STARS
MONDAY, JULY 26
6:30pm–7:30pm
El Museo del Barrio
1230 Fifth Avenue at 104th St.
Featuring
Rod Barajas
Alex Cora
Fernando Tatis
Ruben Tejeda
Julio Pabón, Moderator
In anticipation of our upcoming fall exhibition Nueva York (1613-1945), the first showcase to explore the long relationship between New York and the Spanish-speaking world, El Museo del Barrio and New-York Historical Society present “Los Mets Vets and Rising Stars,” an evening celebrating Latinos' extraordinary contribution to baseball, culture, and the New York City community. Participants include baseball luminaries Rod Barajas, Alex Cora, Fernando Tatis, and Ruben Tejeda, who will discuss their life in baseball, their rise to the major leagues, how they joined the Mets, and what they love most about New York, as they are interviewed by Julio Pabón, President and CEO of Latino Sports.
Rod Barajas, a 12-year Major League Veteran, plays catcher for the New York Mets. He was a member of the World Series Champion Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001. Born in California, Mr. Barajas is of Mexican descent. Alex Cora, the Mets' second baseman, is a native of Puerto Rico and is playing in his 13th Major League season. Fernando Tatis is a Mets' utility player and the only Major Leaguer ever to hit two Grand Slams in one inning. He was born in the Dominican Republic. Ruben Tejeda is a 20-year-old Panamanian infielder who made his MLB debut with the Mets in 2010. Julio Pabón (moderator) is President and CEO of Latino Sports.
Angel Pagan also might surprise us with a visit on this evening with "Los Mets" (Photo Bill Menzel)
Admission: $20 General, $10 for N-YHS and El Museo Members
TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Online: www.elmuseo.org
By Phone: Toll-free OvationTix line at 866-811-4111
In Person: Visit El Museo’s Store, La Tienda, Wed–Sun, 11am-6pm
Advanced purchase is required to guarantee seating.
The New-York Historical Society Nueva York series of programs is generously supported by American Express.
One of many protest that the community has held at new stadium. (Photo LSV)
Advisory for Thursday July 15, 2010
Contact: Robert Carrillo, 4DSBXCoalition: 347-739-9825 or
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www.4dsbxcoalition.org
BRONX COMMUNITY TO DeMAND YANKEES LIVE UP TO PROMISED Benefits FOR LOCAL Residents, BUSINESSES & Organizations
On Thursday, July 15th at 12 noon, the South Bronx community will stage a press conference outside Yankee Stadium with For The South Bronx Coalition (4DSBXCoalition) and attorneys from the Urban Justice Center to demand that team management deliver on its promises to support local residents, organizations and businesses.
The group will deliver a demand letter to Randy Levine, President of the New York Yankee Partnership, which owns the team, challenging them to release documents tracking each commitment made in the 2006 Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) to transparently show whether they have lived up to – or how far they have fallen short of – those pledges. The Yankees’ CBA outlined specific support for local business development; employment opportunities for Bronx residents; environmental protection oversight; and resources for local not-for-profit and community based organizations. In particular, the team committed to hiring local businesses and residents for the stadium construction and to establishing both a one million dollar job training program and an annual $800,000 fund to provide grants and equipment to local community groups. Almost $4 million is now at stake with very little if any accountability to the community.
Serious issues still exist between the community & the team. (Photo LSV)
“The Yankees may be All Stars on the playing field, but how Randy Levine and his partnership play with the South Bronx is real bush league", stated Robert Carrillo, the Coalition’s chairperson. “This is an uphill battle with the Yankees. They have, sadly, local politicians in their back pockets clamoring for a photo op at every opportunity. The truth of the matter is that all these improvements in the community, be they the Metro North Station, Mill Pond Park, even the 3 ball fields, which if the NYCEDC, Parks & Recreation, and the Yankees had done a hint of a community study would know the community had bigger visions for that space, are not intended for those in the community. They’re part of a larger vision by a few for what this community should be. We must fight on, and we will. Our differences notwithstanding, we offer our condolences to the Steinbrenner family on their loss”, he concluded.
Part of the Crowd that came to tell MLB Commissioner Selig: "Move the 2011 All-Star Game."
New York, NY: If Commissioner Bud Selig wanted to keep his non-decision on the whole Arizona SB 1070 bill issue quiet, he had another thing coming yesterday when several hundred people came to his doorsteps. It looked more like an entire section from a baseball game that came to 46th St & Park Avenue to let the commissioner know that they are not happy with major league’s desire to have the 2011 All-Star game in Arizona. People were in a baseball spirit singing a different version of “Take Me Out To The Ball Game,” song, baseball soundtracks and many creative signs urging the commissioner to pull the 2011 game out of Arizona.
T-shirt say's it all. (Photo LSV)
Congressman José Serrano (D-Bx), Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-Harlem), Assemblyman Peter Rivera & Councilwoman, Melissa Mark Viverito were among several of the elected official that were on had to speak and remind the commissioner that baseball is more than a national pastime because of the support that they receive from the government. They also reminded the commissioner that approximately 30% of the active players are Latinos and that a great percentage of those players are immigrants. Therefore, he should be mindful of his non-action and think about baseball’s future base of support.
Back of shirt with a clear message. (Photo LSV)
In addition there were many representative of organized labor present as well as many community grass-root organizations that were very critical of baseball’s non-decision. “How does the commissioner think many of the Latino players who would attend the 2011 All-Star game would feel about playing in a state that can arbitrarily stop them and ask them for Identification?” Who makes the decision that one “might look” like an undocumented immigrant? How about the many Latino fans that would come from all over the country as well as the many Latinos that would come from the Caribbean and other Central and South American countries would feel when they all might be subject to being stopped and asked for identification because of this ridiculous law? These were many of the comments that were mentioned and repeated over and over driving in the point that MLB’s 2011 All-Star game in Arizona could be in jeopardy from a major Boycott by all sectors present in the rally.
Assemblyman Peter Rivera (D-Bx) and Estella Vásquez, from 1199 reminded and invited everyone to be present at the next rally scheduled for Friday July 30th, 2010 at Citi-Field (Mets Stadium) when the Arizona Diamondbacks come to New York for the first time this season to play the NY Mets.
What’s ironic is that on that same day, July 30th the Mets will be celebrating, “Flushing Day” with special discount tickets to the local Flushing Business Improvement District. Flushing is one of the most diverse communities in New York City and the perhaps the country and they will be playing a team from Arizona, a state that fears diversity. How about that!
New York, NY: On Thursday July 8th many NYC organizations have come together to rally at MLB's New York offices and another rally will take place in Washington DC in front of the MLB Lobbying headquarters. Both rallies are being called for to force MLB to d0 to the right thing and move the 2011 Baseball All-Star game out of Arizona.
If you work anywhere near midtown, we ask you to take your lunch and meet all people of goodwill at 47th & Park Avenue at 12 Noon.
The 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game is scheduled for Phoenix next July and pressure is building on MLB Commissioner Bud Selig to move the game out of Arizona to send a clear message to the state's government:
Baseball is all-American but discrimination is not.
Sports have long played an important role in pressuring governments to make policy change. Join the NYCLU and its allies in the civil and immigrants’ rights movements next Thursday to demand that Major League Baseball move the All-Star Game out of Arizona until all baseball players and fans can live and visit Arizona without fear and free from discrimination.
For more information, contact
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or (212) 607-3358.
Also put July 30th 2010 on your schedule. 6PM to 8 PM Citi-Field (Mets Stadium) when the Arizona Diamondbacks come to town.
Prince Harry and Team Black Rock were among the many highlights from Sunday's event. PHOTO BY CLINT SPAULDING/PATRICK MCMULLAN
Governors Island, NY – The sport has terms unlike any other sport taking place today. Chukkers are what periods or quarters are in football, basketball and hockey. There are four chukkers in the game of Polo each 7 ½ minutes long. There are three minute breaks between the chukkers with a 15 minute break at halftime. Teams consist of four players with positions one and two being the forwards. Position three is the pivot (he being the best player), while position four, he responsible for defending the goal. The ground the players participate in is 300 yards long and 160 yards wide.
Players have two horses each that they switch after each chukker for the safety of the animal.
The 3rd annual Veuve Clicqout Polo Classic took place Sunday afternoon on Governors Island between BlackRock and BlackWatch. His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Whales returned to defend the title as a member of BlackRock. Prince Henry and the British Royal Family created a charity in 2006 dedicated to the people in Lesotho. They have the 3rd highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the world. Senteble means “forget me not” and the charity has worked to identify, support and educate the people of Lesotho.
Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez with Johan Santana (Photo Bill Menzel)
On June 22, 2010 when the Detroit Tigers with their 4 Venezuelan players arrived in Queens for Interleague play against the New York Mets and their 4 Venezuelan players – in a somewhat subdued way; few of the general fans had arrived at Citi Field – or should one say, with feign fanfare: the Mets became the first team to pay homage to Venezuelan Heritage by featuring Venezuela’s Ambassador to the U.S. Bernardo Alvarez.
Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez with members of Amigos Invisibles (Invisible Friends Band) (Photo Bill Menzel)
Santana’s changeup on the lane (Photo: Bill Menzel)
NEW YORK—It was a rather interesting quote; “Venezuelans know how to give back,” said Mets ace Johan Santana as he spoke to the media at his first ever charity event in Manhattan.
Known for his fervor on the field, Santana arrived at Lucky Strikes on W. 42nd St. where ecstatic fans would witness first hand that same intensity in a bowling lane.
Not to be confused with a baseball, ah, the kind of which became pitches that have gotten away – way away from him this season (Photo: Bill Menzel)
Hosting his inaugural ‘Johan Santana All-Star Bowling Classic’, in the NYC area, Santana is determined with one of his agents, Ed Greenburg whose wife died of Melanoma, his teammates and sponsors to “strike” out this deadly form of skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the number of new cases is over 63,000.
“The primary reason for this event is to raise funds to help those afflicted with Melanoma,” stated Santana. “To take the message into the community and make others aware of this disease. It’s a great start for my foundation in N.Y. and my hope is to come back every year in order for this event to benefit everyone.”
Santana’s children (love of your offspring; love for other’s and in sum: the community) Photo Bill Menzel
Besides the invited guests and corporate sponsors who came to support this worthy cause, there were a number of Met players present as well. Players such as Angel Pagan, Mike Pelfrey, David Wright, Alex Cora, Henry Blanco, Francisco Rodriguez and Chris Carter mingled, signed autographs and posed for pictures throughout the evening.
Angel Pagan who would otherwise provide offense and defense is part of Santana’s game (Photo Bill Menzel)
Pelfrey, who in 2010 is having a remarkable season, shared his thoughts on Santana.
“He’s a true professional on and off the field,” said Pelfrey. “He’s a leader and when he asked me to come and support him, I can see how passionate he was. I’m here to support my teammate.”
There were also a number of signed silent auction items throughout the venue for participants interested in winning some intriguing sports memorabilia. Prior to the official match-ups, bowlers were allowed to warm-up in their official bowling shirt emblazoned with Santana’s foundation logo and also treated to a variety of tasty appetizers and drinks.
Not a save situation but one who creates silent moments of his own, closer F. Rodriguez (Photo Bill Menzel)
Santana, who admitted he bowled a 160, seems to believe if he’s able to roll a bowling ball effectively he may have similar results to when he’s on the pitcher’s mound. He also happens to have custom-designed ball that resembles a huge baseball.
When hearing about Santana’s score, Pelfrey smirked. “I saw him practice and I don’t have to worry about him. I bowled a 213 (laughter).”
All in good fun on the field and in the bowling lanes!
Lehman High School Tyler Guzman went the route and made the costly error that gave Tottenville another PSAL championship (PHOTO: TAYLOR HALLMAN)
New York - Almost an hour after this classic PSAL championship game was over Friday evening there were no words to describe what may have been the best PSAL A division title game. It was that good, a 10-inning pitching and defensive gem played by the kids from Tottenville High School of Staten Island and Lehman High of the Bronx at MCU Park in Brooklyn.
In the end a throwing error by Lehman starting pitcher Tyler Guzman was the difference giving Tottenville a 1-0 walk-off win, their first PSAL title since 2007 and 11th overall. Lehman coach Adam Droz consoled his pitcher after the deciding play.
And in the MCU parking lot area, as he greeted family and friends, Droz would see some of the champion Pirates, “Great game guys,” he said. Congratulations were in order, also for his Lions. One mistake by Tottenville and it could have been a victory ride to the Bronx for Droz and his Lions.
“It was a little wet,” said Guzman about the ball he could not handle. It was a perfect baseball bunt in front of the plate from Joe Sessa. The lone and deciding run scored by George Kantzian who was mobbed by teammates after leading off the inning with a double that was misplayed in center.
“No excuse though, I thought it was going to be a routine play,” said the Lehman senior who gave up three hits and struck out three. “We believed we had the best team in the league and we showed it,” said Guzman
But the play was not going to be routine. It was this type of game that had a feel for the dramatic, ending with an error or something else. Because the pitching was that good, both teams could not get the runner home, Guzman and Pirates starter John Silva pitching in and out of jams.
“Don’t know if there was ever a PSAL championship game played like this before,” said Droz moments after telling his kids to keep their heads up. “Everything that could happen in baseball happened in this game. I told Tyler keep your head up, you’re a champion too. I told them they are champions.”
Even a supposed balk by Guzman that put him and Lehman in a jam would not deter the Lions from seeking their first school championship. The Pirates left the bases loaded in the eighth because Lehman shortstop Jhosse Estrella made a big league play. He made the throw to first from his knees, after sliding to get the ball that Kevin Krause hit off the first pitch from Guzman.
“He has been out leader since day one,” said Estrella about his pitcher. “He came out today and pitched his heart out. We have to know we have his back 100 percent. I never played in a game like this before,” he said.
These kids from Lehman may have that opportunity again. Baseball is that type of game where the unexpected happens and one play, like the one that determined this outcome, is bound to occur anytime. But all along the Lions believed in themselves as the number eight seed in the playoffs, eliminating perennial power and top seed Monroe in the quarterfinals, taking two out of three from a hot hitting Madison team in the semifinals.
“An eight seed doesn’t mean anything,” commented Droz as he took the slow and disappointing walk to the outside of MCU field. “We were going to win with him, we were going to lose with him,” he said about Guzman. In other words, as Guzman would admit “I could have gone another five innings.”
Not taking anything away from Tottenville starter Jonathan Silva. He struck out eight, on two hits to a Lehman team that came into the game as the hottest hitting team in the playoffs. The Lions had their opportunities and Silva denied them more than once.
“We had them,” said Droz about opportunities to break the game open. Lehman had the confidence also against the Pirates. They defeated them earlier in April in the annual Monroe Holiday Tournament. But for this night, a long one for all, it was not to be for Lehman in their quest to get their first city championship.
They come back next season, without Guzman their ace. And without Lawrence Marsach, their hot hitter who had a silent bat at MCU Park but made the plays at first. “Wish I could have this team every single year,” said Droz about his Lions.
They won’t all be together next season. High school baseball means the opportunity to learn, win and lose together, and then move on to bigger and better things. And for this Lehman team, a memorable championship game that they will talk about in the years to come.
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