Mike Francesa misplaced his apology, make it to the Latino Community, dude!

El Barrio, NY - Mike Francesa quipped that “If you could find a Mets baseball player that could speak English,” which he attempts to ameliorate, or lessen the effect of his words, by saying “That (if you find one) I hope is one who speaks English,” ̶ just a shade of difference that leaves you with a ‘Daa???’ – a comment he glosses over by adding a “Just kidding Folks!” to a caller to his YES talk Show recently. Although he went on to apologize to the caller, the apology is flawed by the fact that is not about insulting the Mets whom he said had no ‘problema’ with what he said. It is about insulting the Latino Community. For this reason Mike Francesa’s apology needs a remake.

To put all this into context, let’s remember that much of what has been said about former GM Omar Minaya's Latinization of the Mets has not been in an affirming way, but as a "concern.” So when Francesa said that he is kidding, this is coming from someone outside the group he is kidding about, then that joke is at the expense of the group: it is like, when the joke is on you – here the Latino collective self-esteem, and because it was said over the air it adds fuel to those who lend themselves to demean and degrade the Latino community. This is irresponsible gab.

Minority groups in this country have enough of their own comedians who can quip with self deprecating humor but, Yo, not if you belong to the group that in essence has had white skin privilege in the country and still does, then ‘callete la boca.’ This has become an established protocol in this country by now as a result of the struggle against racism and stereotyping.

Just because there are many Latinos in the game of baseball does not mean that the community at large (and the players themselves) is free from racial or nationalistic prejudices at the hands of white chauvinist and the narrow minded of all stripes. There are many white fans that may cheer José, José, José, but would not like to see him move to their neighborhood. In fact there are neighborhoods that if the likes of José find themselves in, he may suddenly see a bunch of guys with baseball bats on their hands and they are not inviting you to play ball with them: run for dear life.

This also comes at a delicate time for the NY Mets, that can be lauded for their Latino nights and cultural celebrations (something that leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to the Yankees), but comes at the heels of dismissing Omar Minaya, the first Latino General Manager in baseball: after his reign fell into a quagmire of injuries, of tough turn of events not only for the team as a collective but for individual players with poor season performances, or as in the case of the much maligned Luis Castillo, all the years he has played with the team so far. Besides these turn of events, what GM has not had some bad rap for trades or signings of players that when coming to New York seem to fall short of what their previous resume say about them? The Mets owners extended Minaya’s contract, but unfortunately the poor results that took hold of the Mets after their post season year, also extended to several seasons to the present.

Exit Minaya, rebuilding now a work in progress. What remains in the mix are some of the Latino players, perhaps a remaining legacy of Minaya, in the team, many, by the way, who speak English, but it is as if, perhaps, the language per se is not the issue.

Then let’s take some things into further perspective as far as the English proficiency of some of the Latino baseball players is concerned. If a player comes from Puerto Rico, he would most likely speak English well; well enough to get by the Media demands of their usually profound questions (like how did you feel about…?). It is just part of the nature of the colonial status of the island.

But if the player comes from the Dominican Republic, where Major League Baseball sets up farms much as corporate farming is geared towards mass production, the poor kids who are allured to these “Academies,” usually do not enjoy a viable educational setting with English as a Second Language instruction. Other countries such a Venezuela, Cuba and Mexico have their own organized baseball leagues and MLB benefits from this setup (this got President Hugo Chavez in Venezuela thinking that MLB should perhaps pay the country a fee), but as in the case of having grown up with just one language, then learning another as an adult is very challenging – particularly coming from a phonetic language to one where anything seems to go.

Which brings us back to Mike Francesa and one wonders how many languages he speaks (If he speaks Spanish kudos for him). Because if Latin-American and Caribbean players come from a one-language environment – it should be noted that in this country – the wealthiest in the planet and certainly in the hemisphere, one that could lead the way teaching its English speaking citizens another language to a point of proficiency, here Spanish for one, then a Mike Francesa would not have to find anyone but himself to understand what the players say in the club house.

It is doubtful a talk host sports celebrity in a similar role in Europe would have ever made such a narrow minded comment.

Not this being the case, Mike Francesa should extend his apology to the Latino Community and if you please, “Mira, no jodas más.”


This article was first published at latinosports.com on November 8, 2010

LS WS Blog: Treat or Trick with torture admitting George W. Bush as Giants apply some to Rangers

On the day of All Day’s Saints, those from a city named after a saint, San Francisco, the dubious name of torture may be good karma for one, but not in its sinister meaning for others. Final outcome in progress.

First appeared in www.latinosports.com
Monday, 01 November 2010

El Barrio, N.Y. - A curious thing is happening with the word torture lately. The San Francisco Giants have began to use it as a one word motto as a result of their wins being: “low-scoring, ugly, and excruciating, ”* and seeing the Bush Clan seating behind home plate, with George W. Bush throwing out the first pitch in Game 4 of the 2010 Classic, when this war President has admitted the United States government is in the business of using torture against alleged and suspected terrorist, then it seems that the use of the word becomes a subliminal message that goes in tandem with making acceptable what generally has not been part of a heretofore American self image. The word was used by Game 5 starter Tim Lincecum after the Giants’ struggle and victory over Atlanta in the NLDS. Dave Sheinin in his article “Winning is ‘torture’ for the Giants” (The Washington Post October 15, 2010) points out that the word ‘torture’ was first used in the TV booth by the Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper to describe the teams play in an early season nail-biter.


On the other hand the SF Giants so far have not lived to their one word motto image even if game 4 was a relatively low scoring game for them. Ironically, the Giants’ 3 wins in the World Series have not been of the ‘torture’ variety, albeit game 4’s relatively low scoring with a victory master piece, 8-inning shut-out by Giants rookie, LHP Madison K. Bumgarner.

He tricked the Rangers allowing only 3 hits and punching out 6. His middle initial is indicative of what kind of pitcher he is. With Giants closer Brian Wilson not treating the Rangers to any runs in the bottom of the 9th, this Halloween, no doubt instead turned out be, ah, a ‘holloween’ for the Bush clan and Ranger President Nolan Ryan. President Ryan looked at times, as he does with his team losing, like a tortured man. (And I hope this is not a contribution to accepting the unacceptable but let’s play.)

For Latino Sports, as it relates to the San Francisco Giants, it has been torture not to see Boricua LHP Jonathan Sanchez win in the 2010 postseason and so far has lost 2 games, one in the LCS and one in the World Series. On a brighter note, Javier Lopez has done a great job as a LHP specialist. Santiago Casilla has pitched 1.1 innings and not allowed a run. Sergio Romo: 0.2 innings has allowed one hit and no runs with 1 K. Ramón Ramirez has allowed 2 runs on one hit, one BB in 1 inning, and 1K in a span of two games. And ex-Mets and well traveled Guillermo Mota has pitched in two games and has not allowed a run in 2.1 innings of work with 2 BB and no K’s.

On the other hand the performances of some of the team’s every day Latino players have been fun to watch. Besides Juan Uribe, Freddy Sanchez, particularly outstanding is Columbian Edgar Renteria: .429 BA, 5 runs, 1 home run and 3 RBI and Boricua Andres Torres: .333 BA, 3 runs, 4 doubles, 1 home run and 3 RBI.

So with game 5 set for a possibility of San Francisco returning home as Champions or to play another game, there is to be what game 1 turned out not to be with the two team’s aces facing each other for a second time: Texas Cliff Lee and Giants Tim Lincecum.

Who will say at the end of Game 5 that it was pure torture?

Republished on November 2. I said Edgar Renteria was Venezuelan. He is a native of Baranquilla, Columbia.

LS Post ALCS Blog: Yankee hurlers postseason performance in the Year of the Pitcher

Photo Captions: Not exactly tipping his hat at Josh Hamilton or Nelson Cruz, but we tip our hats to Cano for his great year (Photo Bill Menzel)

First appeared at www.latinosports.com on Tuesday, 26 October 2010

El Barrio, New York – This has been called the ‘year of the pitcher ‘in MLB and the American League Championship Series showed that it may have been the combination of the old truisms of good pitching stopping good hitting, as in the case of Texas vs. the Yankees, and good hitting preying on poor Yankees pitching. These following observations are not meant to be profound and may have passed by most fans’ minds and anyone who has something to say in baseball; so, this writer regurgitates.

What about the Yankee hitting? Except for two games in the ALCS and the performance of Robinson Cano overall and as was expected against Cliff Lee, the team’s offense did not run on all its cylinders to get past the Rangers. True that just before they did their first folding act out of first place during the regular season and settled as the Wild Card, the Yankees were about to end the season with the best won-lost record in MLB; the Yankees had one of the best come from behind record in ML baseball.

The team scored the most runs in the American League during the regular season and was a respectable 7th in team batting (.267) and 9 points behind League leading Texas (.276); Alex Rodriguez was second in all of MLB with 125 RBI and Robinson Cano had an MVP year. In other words, the Yankees were not offensively deficient – until they had to play the best of 7 against Texas. One can add that if Mark Teixeira had been healthy there could have been some additional punch in the Yankees lineup (this is a Justin Morneau-less line of thinking).

What got them out of first place was mostly poor end-of-season pitching and this too was their undoing in the ALCS. During the season they had lost their third starter to the DL for most of the second half; their second starter lost it, and their fifth starter showed once again that if you cannot make it in New York not only once but twice you may make it elsewhere.

The Yankees team pitching for the regular season showed an 4.06 ERA – 7th place in the AL. Texas was ahead in 3rd place with an ERA of 3.93 and Tampa, in second place with .378, could not get passed Cliff Lee’s remarkable performance twice (in a five game series format that was lethal).

When the dust settled, Texas team ERA in the postseason as a whole was 2.76; Tampa 3.80 and the Yankees 5.01and Minnesota, at 5.88. Some people had speculated if the Yankees had given up on a first place finish on purpose and buy some time until they could recapture the moment. Well, as it turns out what you see is what you get and the Yankees could go but so far; not all the way.

So after steam rolling over Minnesota in the Divisional Series, the Yankee pitching showed its true essence in the Championship Series.

When the Yankees and the Rangers were to begin their contest, a good number of people had the Yankees winning in 6 (let’s not mention names here). This writer had premonitions that the Yankees would not even get pass the Twin on the basis that your patsy victims shall someday rise from the death and be meek no more. Wrong. The Twins minus Justin Morneu for the second year were victimized by the Yankees once more.

This writer had premonitions again, on meeting the Texas Rangers, not so much because of Mr. Lee, because as in the above scenario where “you can’t win ‘em all, or you got to lose sometime” applied to Cliff Lee as well. In fact if the Yankees had brought the series to a 7th game, that is what a lot of commentators were saying of a pitcher who had lost 9 games during the regular season. No such thing. The premonition was manifested as a result of the Game 6 loss.

The defending Champions were apprehended and arrested by the Rangers. Phil Hughes who had pitched so well against the weak hitting Twins (minus Morneau whose season was cut short due to a concussion, finishing his 2010 campaign with a .345 batting average, 18 home runs and 56 RBIs in 81 games) was smacked around silly in Game 2 of the LCS and did not reach the 5dth inning in neither of his two starts.

As it turned out the only respectably pitched game by a Yankee was by Andy Pettitte, but he was put between a rock and a hard place with the fantastic performance of Mr. Lee. The Texas Ranger good hitting showed up against mediocre Yankee pitching.

Miraculously, the 11 hits the Yankees Ace CC Sabathia gave up in Game4 only plated 2 runs for Texas while the Yankees offense showed up for the second time in the series to snatch their second and last victory of the series. Latino Sports Yankees beat writer and Associate Editor Ray Monell sums it up:

“Starting pitching doomed New York in the playoffs; outside of Andy Pettitte, the only starter the Yankees thought they could rely on going into the postseason was CC Sabathia. Statistically, however, the Yankee ace only had one quality outing (Game 5 vs. Texas) in three playoff starts. Phil Hughes did a fantastic job in his first career playoff start vs. the Minnesota Twins (7 IP, 0R) in Game 3 of the ALDS, but he practically folded against the Rangers in Games 2 and 6 of the ALCS, going 0-2 with an 11.42 ERA after giving up a combined 11 runs on 14 hits in 8 2/3 innings.”

The Yankees offense that showed up in Game 1 – typical during the regular season comebacks failed to turn the trick again in the encapsulated confines of a 7 game series. Out of the six games played in the series, Texas jumped ahead 4 times and won 3 of those games.

Yes, it seemed to be a replica of how they played in September. The turning it on did not take place past the Divisional Series.

In conclusion as Ray Monell said, “The New York Yankees go into this offseason with a lengthy list of problems they will need to address before opening the 2011 campaign.” All those who agree say something.

See http://latinosports.com/featured/yanks-pack-bags-for-offseason-full-of-questions.html

wgr339@yahoo.com

Latino Sports Baseball ALCS Blog: Pre-Game3 concerns: real time results; will Burnett burn his team?

Written by William Gerena Rochet
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Article appeared in www.latinosports.com

El Bronx, Yankee Stadium: It was as if the facing of LHP Cliff Lee had created such a specter of doom and gloom, and if this is was an exaggeration; let’s just label it a sense of mucho urgency that many pundits felt the Yankees needed to come home from Texas up 2-0. After a tremendous come from behind in the first game there was the probability that Phil Hughes would continue excelling in Texas but, in the second game of the series that he was chosen to start, the Yankees lost to the Texas Rangers 7-2; Phil Hughes was smacked around silly and the ominous specter of the worst to come with (1) Lee throwing the Yankees over a cliff (smiley here) was compounded with (2) with Joe Giraldi’s decision to start A.J. Burnett the following day in game four.

So in the pre-game news conference, Joe Giraldi answered 9 questions of which 4 mentioned A.J. Burnett directly and 2 others basically were related to the beleaguered pitcher taking the mound in a critical game – particularly one preceding facing Cliff Lee. One writer compared game 3 in its magnitude to a Game 7 of the World Series. Joe Girardi refuted such an analogy by saying, “I mean, obviously, the team that wins this game is going to have a lead, but it’s not Game 7.” He added, “I think it plays a much bigger role if it’s a two-game deficit, as opposed to 1-1.

ALCS GAME 2 ALCS WINNERS IN A MAJORITY TREND TO GO TO THE WORLD SERIES: LATINO SPORTS SUPPORTS THE MINORITY.

But for history buffs, consider this trend in recent ALCS history, since the best - of-seven format was adopted in 1985m the team that has won Game 2 in the ALCS has advanced to the World Series 18 times in 24 series (75%), including nine of the lasts 11. In games when the ALCS was played with a best-of-five format, the team winning Game 2 advanced to the Fall Classic 78% of the time (31 of 40 series). So there is a majority percent and there is a minority percent. We here at Latino Sports are upbeat about being in, ah, a minority.

Another question was on getting to score first “What is the importance of getting out of the gate quickly…” something the Yankees have not been able to do in the first two games. Then there was a non-A.J. questions, one on Josh Hamilton having homered in his first at bat in Game 1 and with 4 walks (two intentionally) in Game 2: “Are you going to be pitching to him carefully, or is it just the situation?”

REAL TIME: YANKEES FALL BEHIND IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FIRST ON A TWO RUN HOME RUN BY JOSH HAMILTON. RANGERS HAVE SCORED IN THE FIRST INNING OF EACH OF THE 3 GAMES.

But baseball being a 3-seasons LONG sport allowing for ups and downs, trends and streaks as well as turnarounds – even if encapsulated within the confines of a short series: the possibility of Mr. Lee having his post season winning streak come to an end was within the realm of possibility.

Besides Cliff Lee, the other pitcher who has such an impact is Roy Halladay – one that practically strikes fear in the hearts of fans and others, but one who after a pitching a no-hitter in the NLDS, lost to the Giants in the first game of the National League Championship Series at Philadelphia, Game 1.

An example of streaks and turnarounds is the fact that the Yankees have won all three games when opposed by a left-handed starter this postseason. Yet, they had lost the final nine regular season games against a Left-hander starter.

For Texas, on the other hand, with their win in Game 2 they snapped a 10-game postseason losing streak to the Yankees (and first postseason home win at that).

Cliff Lee had won his first 6 postseason starts between last year’s as a Philly and this year with Texas, he was undefeated. Andy Pettitte in the last two postseasons was also undefeated (5-0).

REAL TIME: LEE ALLOWS FIRST WALK OF THIS POSTSEASON IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 4TH TO MARK TEIXEIRA (0 FOR 9 SO FAR) BUT STILL NO YANKEE HITS.

After 4 full innings the Yankees were looking for a first hit of the game. Cliff Lee had 7 strikeouts.

LATINOS IN THE GAME:

The Texas Rangers starting lineup consisted of Nelson Cruz, Vladimir Guerrero and Bengie Molina. Cruz was born in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic (DR), Guerrero, Nizao, Peravia, DR and Bengie in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico (P.R.). It is of the opinion of Latino Sports President Julio Pabón that any player with any amount of Latino blood would be considered Latino. In his way Ted Williams would have been one as is the case with Michael Young (born in Covina, California).

The New York Yankees starting lineup consisted of Robinson Cano (San Pedro Macoris, DR), Jorge Posada, Santurce, P.R. and Alex Rodriguez, (New York, NY)


REAL TIME: LEE ALLOWS FIRST HIT TO JORGE POSADA IN THE BOTTOM THE 5TH. AND 2ND HIT TO BRETT GARDNER IN THE 6TH. THIRD CONSECUTIVE POSTSEASON GAMES LEE HAS 10 Ks.

After 5 full innings Yankees are looking for their first run of the game. Lee’s total strikeout reaches 9. Lee allows second hit in the bottom of the 6th and even though Gardner steals second he is left stranded there. Lee reaches 10 strikeouts for third consecutive postseason game.


REAL TIME: LEE COMPLETES 8TH: 0 RUNS, 2 HITS, ONE WALK AND 11 STRIKEOUTS; PETTITTE QUALITY START:


Lee finished his night with 13 strikeouts and tied a career high. According to Texas skipper Ron Washington after the game, Lee would have come out to pitch the 9th if the score remained at 2-0. “No, we was going to ride him (Is his cowboy Texas talk?). We had some people up ready to go in case something happened, but were going to ride him,” he said. Later he added, “… but this guy, when he comes out of the gate, he finishes what he starts. And we was going to allow him the opportunity to do that.”

Andy Pettitte with no run support ends his night of 7 innings allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and 5 strikeouts. Kerry Wood pitched a scoreless 8th. On the pitch that Hamilton hit for a 2-run home run, Andy after the game said, “It was just a bad pitch by me. I hung a cutter, left it on the inner half.”

TEXAS UNLEASHES RUN OUTBURT IN THE TOP OF 9TH. PUTS GAME OUT OF REACH.

Boone Logan came in to get Josh Hamilton out but failed. Hamilton doubled to center. David Robertson replaced Boon and gives up five hits, striked out one batter, gives up one intentional walk, and before reliever Sergio Mitre got the final out, 6 runs had scored; one charged to Boone, 5 to Robertson. (Vladimir Guerrero, Nelson Cruz, and Bengie Molina were each got a hit this inning). A positive outcome of this run outburst was that the Yankees definitely did not have to face Cliff Lee in the bottom of the 9th. Well, not that it made a difference. Neftali Felix closed the game and struck out 2. A total of 15 Yankees struck out.

POST – GAME CONCERN: IS A.J. STILL PITCHING TOMORROW?

In the shortest answer of the night Yankees skipper Joe Girardi said, “Yes.” But there is another element that seems to get put out of the radar and with a pitcher like Cliff Lee: the Yankees offense. “We haven’t swung the bats great. But we have seen some pretty good pitching, and we are not the only lineup that they have shut down,” said the skipper.

True dat. After the first two games it became a 5-game series. Now it is down to 4. The Yankees starting pitching has to be as good or better than Andy Pettitte was tonight and the bats have to come alive. Otherwise, it would sadden the Boss in heaven if the Yankees do not turn this series to their ultimate satisfaction.

Latino Sports Baseball ALDS Blog: “Master Plan” as Yankees sweep Twins in 3 games.

Written by William Gerena Rochet

Sunday, 10 October 2010

If there had been a master plan for the Yankees 2010 post season it would have been to play as a Wild Card team the Minnesota Twins in the ALDS, instead of the tougher Texas Rangers with nemesis Mr. Lee (and possibly and overall tougher rotation). In this way the New York Yankees as in times of war and peace, and the country has engaged in the former quite a bit since WWII, known as the Bronx Bombers, would face a team they have bounced around that last few years.

And in this way the Yankees would find out if Andy Pettitte would be his dandy self after his tune up starts after returning from the DL and yes indeed, by allowing only 2 runs on 5 hits in 7 innings; the Yankees won 5-2 on October 7th, and incidentally that date marks the US in the Afghanistan War’s 10th year.

Prior to the start of the series the Yankees had beaten the Twins 6 consecutive times in post seasonplay – coming from behind each time and later in this series making that 8 times ( the longest streak of come from behind postseason wins by one same team against the same opponent in major-league history). With the 3rd game win, it was the first of the series the Yankees were not behind.

Oh, where have you gone Joe Mauer, the Twin Cities are looking up to you.

With Pettitte’s performance the Yankees had figured out at least that they had a one-two punch with ace C.C. Sabathia as the series opening pitcher. It turned out he was not sharp after a long rest, but the team rallied to win 6-4. At the most, the Yankees would rather like to have a trio as they did last year with Sabathia, Pettitte and Burnett and they found him. Phil Hughes.

If necessity is the mother of invention, then the Yankees did need to re-invent themselves after a dismal September – unless this was part of the ‘master plan’ mentioned above – something Joe Girardi after the game refuted. “There was a lot of misunderstanding…. We were trying to win our division. I mean, we wanted home field advantage. We love playing here.” He also pointed out how difficult it was playing hurt players, “I asked him every day, Swish (Nick Swisher) can you play today? Swish got tired of me asking,” he added.

Gone AWOL was A.J. Burnett from last year’s trio (a schedule driven luxury gave skipper Joe Giraldi’s the option of going with a 3-man 2009 post season rotation). It would have to be up to Phil Hughes to step up to the, ah, mound to replace Burnett. And with a different schedule beginning with the next round and the Fall Classic most likely requiring a fourth starter, for the Latino sports minded, Javier Vázquez won’t figure in the ALCS (and WS) roster. In consolation to the powers that be, between Javi (10-10) and A.J. (10-15), they were a combined 20 game winner (20- 25 – ouch!)

Tampa Rays get past Texas 6-3 avoiding a sweep.

With one of our war Presidents watching, the Texas Ranger did not sweep the 0-2 Tampa Rays – getting a quality start from RHP Matt Garza (15-10) who pitched 6 innings allowing 2 runs (one earned). With Texas starter Colby Lewis (12-13) going 5 innings (no runs on only 2 hits) neither starter figured in the decision.

Two Latino-Cubans figured in Phillies – Reds Game 2 of NLDS

Two Latinos – to be exact, two Cuban exiles figured in the Philadelphia Phillies-Cincinnati Reds game 2 of the NLDS game outcome. The winning pitcher for the Phillies was ex-Yankees Jose Contreras and the losing pitcher for Cincinnati was Aroldis Chapman. Both entered the game in relief.

Latinos on the field

Who makes someone a Latino? Is it someone from Latin America; someone born of parents who migrated to the US? Someone with a percentage of Latino Blood? Or, as Puerto Rican singer Jose Feliciano sings, in ‘That Puerto Rican Feeling,’ meaning – someone who “feels,” or embraces his heritage of Latinoness.. Anyway, readers can write a response to this if they like. At any rate, the Yankees starting lineup had 3 Latinos: Alex Rodriquez, Robinson Cano, and Jorge Posada. And of course, one Mo time.

The Twins lineup had a young player named Danny Valencia and given he is from Miami, he may be of Cuban heritage. In the 7th, Venezuelan Jose Mijares entered the game and pitched 2/3 innings.

Phil Hughes: a huge success

Phil Hughes, a piece of the puzzle in place: he pitched brilliantly going 7 innings, no runs on 4 hits, with 6 strike-outs and only one base on balls. The trio is in place, lead singer C.C. Sabathia, second voice, Andy Pettitte and third voice, Phil Hughes; auditions for a quartet for a series coming to a stadium near you start soon. Joe Girardi indicated the roster would be announced Wednesday, October 13th.

Knock on Wood

Since coming to the Yankees on July 31st Kerry Wood had allowed just 2 earned runs in 26.0 inning pitched, but today in 1/3 of an inning in the top of the 8th he left the bases loaded given up 3 hits, allowing 1 run and 1 walk. The Yankees got out of the inning with Boone Logan and Dave Robertson getting one out each without allowing another run to score.

Mo pitched a one, two, three 9th inning. Game over. Yankees sweep the Minnesota Twins winning 6-1. The hunt for October/November is under way.


Second publishing 8:45 A.M. 10/10/2010

Photo By Bill Menzel

New York Yankees (3-0) 6, Minnesota Twins (0-3) 1
October 9, 2010

Council member Melissa Meets the Community on the Julia de Burgos Latino Cultural Center’s future.

By William Gerena Rochet

Council woman Melissa Mark Viverito laid out the parameters of the meeting within the framework of people knowing the significance and vital importance of the Julia de Burgos Latinos Cultural Center, by saying: “We want to insure there is a level of active engagement, consistent cultural programming and a comprehensive cultural vision for that center and those two spaces will allow that to happen.”

And thus to a packed community Room of possibly 150 people at the La Guardia House Senior Center in Spanish Harlem on Monday, October 4th 2010, Council member Melissa Mark Viverito’s call for a “Visioning Discussion” on the future of the Julia de Burgos Latino Cultural Center got started – an event that film maker Ed Morales would later describe as “very emotional” – given that Taller Boricua (TB), in an effort to keep control of that space, had rallied numerous supporters to attend the meeting (the space is the large event room on the ground floor and the Theatre on the second floor above it ‘y nada más’).

The Council woman explained the process for selecting a new entity to manage the center: one that would give greater access to it and in contrast to what has taken place under the hand of TB, she said, “People that have tried, I know I as a community resident, and prior to my capacity as a Council member, the theater is a place that unfortunately is a very bureaucratized space to get access to.”

For soprano and Música de Camara Director Eva de la O, her attempt to bring classical music to the Center got derailed by the obstacle the TB bureaucracy has in place.

Playwright Gene Rodriguez said the theatre was not ‘Theatre worthy,’ lacking basic upgrades in seating, light and sound. He felt that eventually a theatre hub could be established in the community. On that note, sort of speak, Musician Johnny Colón said that it was not just lack of utilizing the existing space for culture and the arts, but the need to expand it even more. The fact that the public high school (it is not a Charter School) was embedded in the building robbed the community of needed space. All concurred on this point.

A young woman offered her vision of having a center for expression and creativity for young people. A community Youth theatre would be welcomed much more so now at a time so many young people have been lost to street gun violence.

Los Pleneros de la 21, disavowed any short comings with the Center, possibly focusing on the substantial work they do in the building as tenants with their Bomba and Plena workshops and presentations, or perhaps they buy into the same position the does not separate the community room/theatre space with the rest of the building.

Edwin Marcial when prodded to do so, made the assertion that there was poor management by the head of TB, Fernando Salicrup, so curiously enough this was followed up with a recommendation to give Mr. Salicrup training in management (as a solution to the problem). In the absence of a conspiracy theory, it was somewhat comical.

While the Council woman knew that her meeting’s aim to establish community involvement for the future of the Center would be met with the opposition organized by TB, an observer gave her kudos for her courage, or in plain talk: that the Council woman had “cojones,” (think unisex , think unisex!).
Maritza Villegas, a student counselor at Manhattan Center for Science and Math in the community said, “I think Melissa is a masterful mediator and her courage and principles go unmatched as an elected official.”

With the Council woman having substantial support of her own, her commanding presence and with moderator Carlos Vargas steering the meeting to meet its purpose as well as he could, things remained pretty much under control – considering a repetitive chorus of the pro-TB points already made that revolved around stopping the process as laid out by the Council woman. Later it was recommended to create a task force – something that given the irrevocable time line in place – if anything, a task force may a good idea for helping evaluate those who apply to be at the helm of the Center.

Melissa, as she is popularly known, intermittently got up to clarify issues, or challenge false allegations and innuendos from the floor.

For one, that the space does not include Taller Boricua’s offices, the gallery and two other rooms in the northern side of the Building and for another, that the Salsa Wednesdays cancellation was not the doing of the Council woman, but that of TB itself (Taller Boricua’s current lease of the multicultural space where Salsa Wednesdays is held will be renewed month to month until the new manager is identified). Furthermore, in her years in office TB or Mr. Salicrup has not attempted to meet with her. This is consistent with his decision not to ever endorse or support her candidacy for City Council in the past.

To wit, TB insists on putting forth the position that they and the other tenants’ future at the Center are in immediate jeopardy due to the process of changing the management of the community room/theatre space. In other words, TB is using the tactic of misinformation coupled with fear to continue to do what they were doing, or lack thereof. And while the work of Taller Boricua over a 40 year span is a separate untouchable legacy, their intent of collapsing it with the management of the community room/theatre space appears to be disingenuous.

This type of fear/misinformation is different than the concern other may have, namely that another Puerto Rican Institution would not only be lost to the community, but to the greater Puerto Rican population at large, “The Puerto Rican Diaspora,” as Artist-activist and entrepreneur Franklyn Flores made note of. “The Julia de Burgos Center has to be seen as a Cultural space for Puerto Ricans from any part of the country, not just El Barrio,” he said.

And thus these individuals listened to sort out of what was being said from the voices for a “Vision” to voices affirming the role of two individuals: namely the progressive track record of Council member Melissa and Fernando Salicrup's legacy behind 40 years of work with Taller Boricua in Spanish Harlem – and the voices he rallied to reverse the process under way.

That process mainly involves the following: The City Government with its administrative office of the Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC or EDC for short) issued on September 30, 2010, in governmental jargon, a “Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI).

What this means is that interested parties: qualified individuals, companies, or organizations, would position themselves to be the future guardians of the Center, the community room/theatre space – effectively taking it out of the control of Taller Boricua.

The council woman Melissa Mark Viverito stated that she is fully supportive of the RFEI and at the end of the meeting made it clear that she would continue with the process, notwithstanding the request made by TB supporters to rescind it.

The process is a product of her taking action in support of community voices ’s ongoing concern about the lack of access to the community space and thus the EDC’s issuing the RFEI (like ah, do you follow?). On the other hand TB claimed that this RFEI was issued only because, to their understanding, of “the lack of improved sound proofing of the Theatre space.”

But as stated in the Council member’s communication for the visioning meeting, it reads:

‘As you may know, Julia de Burgos was approved for disposition for non-profit cultural and educational uses in 1992. It was envisioned that the building would serve the surrounding community by providing classes, workshops, studio and performance space to neighborhood artists and residents and would be available for use by theater, music and art cultural groups. Unfortunately, this has not been the case and (the) building has been underutilized for many years.’

The meeting ended and if one could say there was any unity, there was to the extent as Maritza Villegas concluded by saying: “I thought the meeting was a huge success giving the community an opportunity to voice their concerns and positions in a safe environment.”

A Spirit of Unity or Unity of Spirit and not of mind is the question: la lucha continuará.

wgr339@yahoo.com

Javier Vazquez third active pitcher with a win over each ML Team with victory over Joel Piñero

El Bronx – NY: Joel Piñero and Javier Vazquez have played in the same team before – Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. Both had a rough 2010 early goings as they faced each other at Yankees Stadium for the second time this year. The first one was on April 14 and Piñero went 7 innings allowing just one run and got the win over Vazquez with the final score 5-3. It was the beginning of a Vazquez tough return to The Bronx, posting a 1-4 record and an 8.10 ERA in his first six starts (He would lose to the L.A. Angels again on April 25th but to a different Angels’ pitcher). But in 10 starts since, he’s been 6-3 with a 2.77 ERA, 53 strikeouts, and 21 walks over 65 innings. In his last start he pitched 7 scoreless innings against the Mariners in Seattle leading 1-0, but Joba Chamberlain in his role as a bridge to Mariano, coughed up a grand slam home run to deny Vazuez his 8th victory. Joel Piñero, on the other hand, after dropping four of his first six starts has cruised through the past few months, winning seven consecutive decisions.

On a very hot afternoon game Vazquez pitched 4 scoreless innings while Piñero had given up 6 runs in and it seemed as – well, Vazquez would have the upper hand over Piñero by mid-game. But baseball being what it is, would see Vazquez exit the game before Piñero. On the top of the 5th Vazquez gave up 3 runs as it seemed he could not get the first out of the inning. “I thought he started to make mistakes with his fastball and his off speed pitches were not on mark,” said skipper Joe Girardi after the game. Javier Vazquez admitted that much, “I did not have good stuff and good location; later my off speed pitches were not getting it done,” admitted Vazquez. Latino Sports asked him if his lack of strikeouts were an indication of his not having “good stuff,” and he said that at times having good stuff not necessarily mean strike outs. “But when I am striking out batters I feel my good stuff is working,” he added.

Then in the top of the 6^th he just faced two batters who would score an additional 2 runs featuring Hideki Matsui’s 12rh home run, a two run blast. The Angels left the bases loaded of right hander Yankees reliever Dave Robertson and the Yankees still led 6-5. Javier had an opportunity to win his 8^th.

Joel Piñero completed 6 innings allowing 6 runs on 11 hits. He walked only two batters, struck out 5 and gave up a 3-run home run to Robinson Cano.

Left hander Boone Logan started the top of the 7^th for the Yanks, and got 2 outs, one on a hard hit ball by Bobby Abreu to center, followed by base hit to Tori Hunter and a punch out of Hideki Matsui.

Joba Chamberlain entered the game and made it interesting as he would remind Yankee fans of the last time he came in to a game to hold a Javier Vazquez one run lead – again by one run, but not as pretty as the night in Seattle: would Joba give it up again? Joba walked the first batter he faced, Angels’ first baseman Mike Napoli. During that at bat Tori Hunter got himself in scoring position by stealing second base before Joba’s first pitch. Juan Rivera got an infield single that Alex Rodriguez had no play on. The bases were loaded – now prime time for Joba to give up a grand slam- no thank you madam, or get out of the inning which he did by getting 3B Kevin Frandsen to hit into a force out at third.

Joba pitched the 8^th and did give up a run that would have tied the game at 6 had the Yankees not put good distance between them and the Angels by scoring 4 runs of Angels’ reliever Scott Shields. This inning featured a home run by Cuban Juan Miranda (his 3^rd) and an unusual at bat that led to a 3-run home run. With 2 Yankees on base, Brett Gardner argued a call while batting for which he was thrown out of the game by home plate umpire Paul Emmel. Pinch hitter Colin Curtis went up to finished the Gardner at-bat with a 0-2 count; Curtis got his first career home run driving in runs. The Yankees were now up 10-6 and this would be the final score. In a non-save situation, Mariano Rivers pitched a scoreless 9^th.

With the win Javier Vazquez beat the Los Angeles Angels for the first time in his career. With this victory he becomes the third active Major Leaguer to defeat all 30 teams, joining San Francisco’s Barry Zito and Philadelphia’s Jamie Moyer (Elias Sports Bureau). Joel Piñero would see his 7-game consecutive win come to an end. His last start against the Yankees was on April 24^th at Los Angeles, a game he lost – again giving up 11 hits and 6 runs as he did in this one on a steamy hot July 21 afternoon in the Bronx.

South Bronx Coalition demands transparency from the New York Yankees

South Bronx Coalition demands transparency from the New York Yankees

Written by William Gerena Rochet

Friday, 16 July 2010

This banner in the Palace of championship banners 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. Rev. Lydia Lebrón -Rivera, pastor of the La Resurreccion United Methodist Church, welcomed the press and those in attendance; she offered condolences to the Steinbrenner and Sheppard families with a moment of silence for their losses and even included them in her prayer convocation. A moment of silence for the departed ‘Boss’ George Steinbrenner and ‘Voice’ Bob Sheppard (Photo WGR) But in her secular remarks she outlined why she and the Church she serves under where committed and involved in this particular struggle. “There is a great disconnect between the world we live in in the South Bronx and the world of justice and equality that people of faith and vision have with the believe in the ultimate creation; because we have a moral imperative to raise our voices; we raise our voices against big corporations all across the country – particularly the Yankees which – yet, not only our beloved team, but one in the South Bronx that puts Capital before people,” Reverend Lebrón-Rivera said. Rev. Lydia Lebrón –Rivera: a voice resembling that of Liberation Theology where the religious and the secular become a call for Justice on Earth (Photo WGR) Rev. Lebrón -Rivera added that by neglecting the community, “slowly and surely they (the Yankees Corporation) bring poverty, displacement of people and negative environmental consequences...We need to make sure the Yankees stand for higher values than just greed and higher profits and that they are accountable to us and they honor the promises laid out in the community benefits agreement.” Robert Carrillo, chair of the 4DSBXCoalition explained the Yankees CBA- Community Benefits Agreement (Photo WGR) Robert Carrillo, chair of the 4DSBXCoalition explained that the Yankees CBA (Community Benefits Agreement) 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 Yankee organization committed to hiring local businesses and residents for the stadium construction and to establishing both a one million dollar job training program plus an annual $800,000 fund to provide grants and equipment to local community groups. More than $2 million is now at stake with very little if any accountability to the community. Attorney Harvey Epstein of the Urban Justice Center talks of the letter to be sent to team President Randy Levine (Photo WGR) Attorney Harvey Epstein of the Urban Justice Center said a letter will be delivered to Randy Levine, the President of the New York Yankees Partnership, owners of the team, that remonstrates the absence of documents tracking each commitment made in the 2006 Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) and to show to what extent any of the pledges are a work in progress – if at all; if any have fallen short, aborted or never begun. He said, “We need for this information to be made public; to explore what happened, where the money went and with this demand we want to know in 20 days; we expect that the Yankees will comply.” In urging people to get involved in this issue, Mr. Epstein implored the community organizations and residents to be active: “Everyone knows that in 2006, The Yankees entered into Community Benefits Agreement with the local elected officials that in exchange for, they agreed with the development of this new stadium. And in exchange what did the community get? What is the traffic situation; what is the job situation? The community needs to know that.” Ms Sirrah Harris of the Urban Justice Center gave additional details as to what the CBA promises entailed. For one, a yearly distribution of home game tickets were to be allotted to the community; the benefits and percentage (25%) of construction jobs were not to be Bronx borough-wide, but specifically for South Bronx residents including technical and equipment for community and youth organizations. Attorney General candidate Ramon Jimenez not only demands Yankees ‘Agreement’ compliment, but is very critical of the Bronx political establishment for their lack of backbone on the issue.(Photo WGR) On the question the role the elected politicians have played in demanding transparency on the CBA, 'People's lawyer' Ramon Jimenez who is running for Attorney General with the Freedom Party line said not a single one had the guts to challenge the Yankees management on the issue and pointed out to Randy Levine’s duty to come through with the demands put forth in this news conference. Reverend Lebrón concluded by inviting people to attend the coalition’s meetings on this issue and to join them in another news conference at the Woodlawn Cemetery in support of the workers there.