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.

Old Timer First Boricua Yankee Closer Luis “Tite” Arroyo Suffers Mild-Heart Attack

Old Timer First Boricua Yankee Closer Luis “Tite” Arroyo Suffers Mild-Heart Attack

Written by William Gerena Rochet

Sunday, 18 July 2010

This OT game celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Yankees 1950 World Championship team. Yogi would have been in the list of participants wearing replica 1950 uniforms (Photo Bill Menzel) El Bronx, New York: It was not only Yogi Berra missing in action at the 64th Old Timer’s Day of July 17th 2010 due to an injury, but also Luis Enrique “Tite” Arroyo, 83, the first Puerto Rican ball player for the New York Yankees, who the night before suffered a mild heart attack. It was later confirmed by a Yankees spokesperson that on Friday night Arroyo suffered a "mild heart attack" while on a Yankees-sponsored cruise, part of the Old Timers festivities. Yankees officials could not provide his condition nor which hospital he was in. Arroyo pitched in four seasons for the Yankees, compiling a 22-10 record and 3.12 ERA, and in 1961 compiled a league-high 29 saves. He was the winning pitcher in Game 3 of the 1961 World Series, won in five games by the Yankees over the Cincinnati Reds. His bread and butter pitch was the screwball. Old Timer Horace Clarke did not know the extent of Luis Arroyo’s situation (Photo WGR) On Saturday afternoon, not knowing of this unfortunate event the night before, Latino Sports and Raymond Avila of Latino Baseball.com approached Horace Clarke (St. Croix) to ask him if he had seen Arroyo. Horace Clarke was the second basemen for the Yankees during the 70s. “I saw him last night at the boat ride and he fell and taken to the hospital. He was walking with a cane, but I don’t know what happened.” Hector Lopez (Panama) Yankees reserve outfielder from 1960 to 1966 confirmed this information as well. Hector Lopez has found memories of his playing days, but also did not know details on Arroyo’s medical situation (Photo Bill Menzel) Luis Arroyo was a Yankee reliever when the word “closer,” was not part of the baseball vernacular, and “saves” were not yet listed as an official game statistic. In fact, given the importance of the evolving role, the “save” statistic was finally recognized in 1969. David Hornestay writes in the Rise of the Relief Pitcher/The Evolution of Baseball closers: “It wasn't always this way. For most of the first half of the last century, successful pitchers generally threw twenty or more complete games each season. When they couldn't finish what they started, they were usually relieved by someone too young or too old to be entrusted with a whole game.” In juxtaposing the general (relievers/closers, but for the sake of this article only the American League) to that of the New York Yankees, it may be noteworthy to point out that in the American League Frederick “Firpo” Marberry started getting double digit “saves,” in the 1920s for the Washington Senators going as high as 22 saves in 1926. For the Yankees it was Johnny Murphy in the 1930s who may have been the first to be referred to as a "fireman" – in1939 he led with a career high of 19, but it was a Yankee relief pitcher of the late 1940's, Joe Page, who made the term popular: in 1947 he led with17 and 1949 with 27 “saves.” Hornestay writes: “Page turned in two brilliant seasons as the Yanks won pennants and World Series in 1947 and 1949 and stimulated the interest of other clubs in acquiring a specialist in picking up the pieces for shaky starters.” By the way, going back to Johnny Murphy, in eight World Series games and 16⅓ innings (spread over six different Series), he won two games, lost none, saved four, and posted an ERA of 1.10. In 1958 Ryne Duren had 20 saves for the Yankees, also the most in the League. Enter Luis Arroyo. In 1961 Luis “Tite”Arroyo was credited with 29 saves (15-5, 2.19 ERA) and the franchise record of 29 was good for 9 years until 1970 when Lindy McDaniel tied the mark (In the AL Ron Perranoski led with 34 that year). Luis Arroyo was born in Peñuelas, Puerto Rico and made his Major League debut on April 20, 1955 with the St. Luis Cardinals. Despite his 11-8 and 4.19 ERA, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates where he spent the next two seasons (‘56 and ’57) compiling a 6-14 record. He spent 1958 in an AAA Minor League team the Columbus Jets, International League, (IL) where he compiled a 10-3 record with a 4.01 ERA. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 1959 and pitched for their AAA Minor League team Havana and just got into 10 games with the Reds that year (1-0, 3.95 ERA). He spent part of 1960 with two AAA teams: the Havana Sugar Kings and the Jersey City Jerseys, IL (9-7, 2.27) and then the New York Yankees. Following the success he had with the Yankees, he suffered arm/shoulder troubles and in 1963, the last year with the Yankees (1-1 and 13.50), he ended his professional playing days with the Richmond Virginians, also with the International League. The succession of Yankee noteworthy closers who led the AL with saves after Luis Arroyo and taking into account the changes much having to do with pitching: from the pitcher’s mound, the strike zone and additional specialty pitches – and physical condition of the players themselves – in addition to the fastball and curve, led not only to the reliance and frequency of relievers, but also the increase in the number of saves. To this end we have Sparky Lyle surpassing both, Arroyo and McDaniel’s’ 29 saves with 35 in 1972. Lyle led the League with just 23 in 1976. He was followed by Hall of Famer Goose Goosage – starter for one side of the 2010 Old Timers’ game – who in 1978 led with 27 and in 1980 with 33; in 1986 Dave Righetti got into the 40s with 46; John Wetland in 1996 led with 43. And the rest is Mo time. In 1999 Mariano Rivera led the league with 45; again in 2001 with 50; in 2004 with 53. And so, the first significant Latino closer for the New York Yankees was Boricua Luis “Tite” Arroyo and the second and sure bet for the Hall of Fame, Mariano Rivera. Latino Sports wishes a speedy recovery for Luis “Tite” Arroyo and the best of health. Hopefully he can be seen in the 65th Annual Old Timer’s Game. References: http://wikipedia.org http://www.baseball-reference.com http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=5388875