Talk Bronx New York

Some time in November, you can add Derek Jeter to the list of Forever Yankees. And make room for Mariano Rivera.

What, you don’t think the 27-time world champions and the captain will agree on a multi-year extension that will keep Jeter in pinstripes until the day he retires?

If you want to bet the other way, send your wager to the e-mail address at the end of this story.

“I’ve said from Day One, this is the only organization I’ve ever wanted to play for, and that’s still true today,” Jeter said yesterday before the team’s first full-squad workout at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “I was a Yankees fan growing up. This is where I want to be. I’ve never envisioned myself playing anywhere else, and hopefully I don’t have to.”

‘I’ve said from Day One, this is the only organization I’ve ever wanted to play for, and that’s still true today. I was a Yankees fan growing up. This is where I want to be. I’ve never envisioned myself playing anywhere else, and hopefully I don’t have to.’

-Derek Jeter

Read more..

(No Ratings Yet)
 Loading ...
 Email This Post

Maurice Samuels, left, and Dennis Badillo, in a class in Bronx Park. They are participants in a job-training program for arborists.

 In New York, a city where tree climbing in public parks is officially considered disorderly conduct, the art of hauling yourself skyward, branch by branch, may be endangered for children and adults alike. Add the modern diversions of mobile gadgets and video games and, as Idiongo Okoro said, “you never really notice the trees.”

But now he does. For the past four months, Mr. Okoro and 10 other New Yorkers from some of the toughest neighborhoods have spent time in patches of urban forest to learn how to care for, prune and — yes, — climb trees as part of an intensive seven-month job training program.

There are jobs for professional tree-climbers (a k a arborists), and although New Yorkers raised amid concrete and brick might not make the likeliest candidates, Mr. Okoro, 25, and his group are learning how to walk on branches and shin up trunks.

The program is part of an unusual outreach effort by the city and a collection of private tree-care companies and nonprofit groups to train urban young people for “green-collar” jobs.

The program, now in its second year, has already had success, parks officials say. Graduates from last year’s class now work as apprentice arborists with the parks department and the New York City Housing Authority, horticulturists with the Prospect Park Alliance, and grounds custodians at Wave Hill and the Central Park Conservancy. Read more..

(No Ratings Yet)
 Loading ...
 Email This Post

Jeter tops Wright for charity

Derek Jeter accepts a $100,000 donation from Delta for his Turn 2 Foundation after compiling a higher batting average than David Wright

 The sounds of the seasons were echoing through the hallways of Yankee Stadium on Thursday evening, as Derek Jeter helped pack Yankees knapsacks full of goodies that will soon be delivered into the hands of appreciative children.

Behind a sound system blaring holiday hits, Jeter was joined by dozens of helpers from his Turn 2 Foundation, wearing ‘Jeter’s Leaders’ pinstriped jerseys and festive red and green caps. The high schoolers tore through box after box to assemble gift bags and create a happier holiday for many.

“This is the fun time, especially with the foundation,” Jeter said. “This is when you get a chance to see all the kids that you’ve been working with, going through the programs. I always enjoy the holiday season.”

Jeter’s ‘Turn 2 Holiday Express’ is one of the activities created to reward children involved in Turn 2’s Signature Programs, who are demonstrating positive behavior, academic excellence, and leadership qualities in school and their communities.

Approximately 1,000 gift bags were packed during the session in the Bronx, containing items donated by the Yankees and sponsors of the foundation. After their work was complete, Jeter’s Leaders were welcomed in Yankee Stadium’s Delta Sky 360 suite for a private party with the Yankees captain. Read more..

(No Ratings Yet)
 Loading ...
 Email This Post

Former Yankees manager Joe Torre got some help from his old players to raise money for his Safe At Home Foundation.

Yankee reliever Mariano Rivera was the guest of honor at the seventh annual event at Chelsea Piers on Friday.

The foundation raises money to create safe rooms in area schools where students can seek help in cases of domestic violence.

“I never was hit by my dad but my mom, you know, felt the abuse,” said Torre. “But I had a lot of scars, just knowing stuff was going on in my house and I grew up as a very nervous kid.”

“You know, he’s taken his experiences growing up and taken that opportunity to give back and raise awareness and it’s very difficult to do,” said Yankees team captain Derek Jeter. “And I’m sure its very difficult for him to share his stories. But he’s turned that negative into a positive.” Read more..

(No Ratings Yet)
 Loading ...
 Email This Post

Much has been made about this year’s World Series champions, the New York Yankees, and their astronomical payroll. Many critics point to the estimated $208 million the Yankees spent in player salaries in 2009, and claim the “Bronx Bombers” simply “bought” the World Series championship. While it’s true that the Yankees far outspent any of their opponents this past season, it’s hard to argue with the results: they are baseball’s best in 2009.

With this in mind, we’ve decided to take a look at World Series champions over the past 10 years and analyze whether big bucks can buy World Series success.

The Yankees have spent big dollars throughout the decade, and it’s paid off with playoff appearances in nine of the past 10 seasons, and four World Series appearances, but you’ll never believe how much they actually spent to get there. With the likes of A-Rod, Jeter and CC, the Yankees were able to bring the World Series championship back to the Bronx for the first time since 2000. The Red Sox have matched the Yanks as far as titles, and have kept up with New York in spending as best they could. It took a group of “idiots” and the greatest series comeback in postseason history to reverse the Curse of the Bambino in 2004. Read more..

(No Ratings Yet)
 Loading ...
 Email This Post