Talk Bronx New York

Pedro Martinez faces the New York Yankees on the biggest stage of them all tonight, as he tries to give the Philadelphia Phillies a commanding two games to none lead in the World Series at Yankee Stadium.
Hated by Yankee fans during his time with the Boston Red Sox, then later with the Mets, Martinez, is no stranger to the Bronx. In 32 regular-season starts against the Yankees, he has a record of 11-11 with a 3.20 earned run average.

“I think in every aspect, the way you guys have used me and abused me since I’ve been coming to [Yankee] Stadium,” said Martinez on being cast as the villain to Yankee fans. “I remember quotes in the paper, ‘Here comes the man that New York loves to hate.’ The man? None of you have ever eaten steak with me or rice and beans with me to understand what I’m all about as a man. You might say the player, the competitor, but the man? You guys have abused my name. You guys have said so many things and have written so many things [about me].”

The veteran right-hander had been 8-4 in the old stadium and pitched perhaps his best game there back in 1999 when he allowed one hit and struck out 17 in a complete game win.

This, though, will be his first appearance in the new ballpark. Read more..

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Jay-Z and Alicia Keys perform their song, ‘Empire State of Mind’

 Duo performs ‘Empire State of Mind’ prior to Game 2

 For approximately four minutes on Thursday night, the Yankees and Phillies had a chance to be fans.

Prior to Game 2 of the World Series, the majority of the players in each dugout stood against the rail taking in the spectacular scene in center field, where rapper Jay-Z and singer Alicia Keys, both New York natives, delivered their hit “Empire State of Mind” on a custom-made stage adorned in Yankees flags.

While Yankees infielder Ramiro Pena caught the entire performance on videotape, cameras panned to pitcher Joba Chamberlain bobbing his head and closer Mariano Rivera watching in wonderment.

“I think it’s special for all of New York,” Yankees captain Derek Jeter said of the hit song which is on Jay-Z’s album “The Blueprint 3″ and doubles as Jeter’s at-bat music.

“I think it almost seems like it’s the anthem for New York right now,” Jeter added. “I got an opportunity to get to know Jay-Z throughout the years and he’s very, very talented doing a lot of things. But he knows what he’s doing, so I think New York has kind of embraced that song.” Read more..

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