Morrisania News: Pick Pocket

Morrisania News: Pick Pocket: Sticky Fingers Shops Along #Fordham Road Cops Release Pic of Pick Pocket By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 27- Call her ...

Pick Pocket

Sticky Fingers Shops Along #Fordham Road

Cops Release Pic of Pick Pocket

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 27- Call her Fordham’s most wanted. Cops are looking for a serial pickpocket who ripped off shoppers along Fordham Road over a six-month period.

Police released a photo of a sticky-fingered suspect, they say, struck at a Marshalls store seven times. The thief also struck other businesses in the Fordham shopping district including a Children’s Place, a cell phone store and a Burlington Coat Factory.

In incidents dating back to January, cops say the suspect repeatedly robbed shoppers at the Marshalls store, located at 2501 Grand Concourse, and made off with cash and credit cards. In those cases, the suspect took either victim’s wallet or purse and made off with cash ranging from $200 to $5. 

As spring arrived, the crook upped her game. On April 17, the thief struck at a T-Mobile store on Fordham Road. The suspect made off with a 63 year-old’s bag which contained a laptop, two cellphones and chargers.  

On May 3rd, the thief made off with a 70-year-old woman’s paycheck worth $1,044. The victim had put her property containing her paycheck on the counter of a supermarket when the thief helped herself.

The suspect is described as a 40-year-old black woman who is 5 foot 5 and weighs 135 pounds. She was last seen wearing a turquoise shirt and a beige hat.

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Morrisania News: Teen has Wild West Shootout with Cops

Morrisania News: Teen has Wild West Shootout with Cops: Teen has Wild West Shootout with Cops By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 26- Cops arrested a teenager in Claremont who thought h...

Teen has Wild West Shootout with Cops

Teen has Wild West Shootout with Cops

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 26- Cops arrested a teenager in Claremont who thought he was in the Wild West. The teen took shots at cops with a revolver that looked like it came out of an old Western movie.

At around 7:40 p.m. on June 25, officers from the 42 Precinct Anti-Crime team were conducting a patrol inside 595 East 179th Street. Suddenly, the officers heard a woman scream out, "He has a gun."

Outside cops saw a 15 year old with a revolver. As officers gave chase, the teen turned and opened fire. The gunman missed and police did not return fire. Cops caught the teen at St. Paul's Avenue and Crotona Street. A 22 caliber old style revolver was recovered at the scene.

Charges are pending.

Morrisania News: Old Timers' Day Photos

Morrisania News: Old Timers' Day Photos: From Yogi to Tino to Goose and Rickey legends returned to Yankee Stadium to take part in the 2014 Old Timers' Day festivities. (Phot...

Old Timers' Day Photos

From Yogi to Tino to Goose and Rickey legends returned to Yankee Stadium to take part in the 2014 Old Timers' Day festivities. (Photos by Ken Carozza)

Morrisania News: Yankees Headin’ Back to the Top?

Morrisania News: Yankees Headin’ Back to the Top?: Yankees Headin’ Back to the Top? Fans Think So By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 20- A three-game sweep over Toronto has ...

Yankees Headin’ Back to the Top?

Yankees Headin’ Back to the Top?

Fans Think So

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 20- A three-game sweep over Toronto has the New York Yankees feeling confident. And it should carry towards more momentum Friday night when the Baltimore Orioles come to Yankee Stadium for three more But the Blue Jays are a team the Yankees have to chase in the AL east and Thursday night they got closer to the first place Jays.

David Phelps continued to be a momentum builder on the mound, and the Yankees once again scored first and tacked on runs. The bullpen took over as the Yankees won their third straight, 4-2.

A week ago, the Yankees had that continued issue of situational hitting missing from the lineup. The captain, Derek Jeter, struggled and Carlos Beltran, one of their key off- season free agent acquisitions, was coming off the disabled list. The past three nights in the Bronx, and against a powerful Toronto lineup, the Yankees looked like a first place team.

They are now tied in the loss column with Toronto, 1/1-2 games from first place. Does a chase for first place in mid-June have anything to do with this resurgence, or is this just the part of a long baseball season?

 “There is a lot of meaning to these games,” manager Joe Girardi commented. His team has won seven of their past nine games. “We all understand that, and we know they understand that. When you face each other 19 times, you look to try to catch people, put some distance between some people and win series."

The Yankees swept a series for the fourth time this season. This one, though, had significance with a stretch of 15 consecutive games against divisional opponents. The Orioles will present a challenge and Tampa Bay, in the cellar, always does. These were the first place Blue Jays who have gone 3-9 over their last 12 games, and been on top since the 22^nd of May.

"Hey, if you're going to play in prime time, you've got to perform on the big stage and we didn't do it," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "We're fully capable of doing it. We just didn't do it. It'll be definitely good to move on.”

The Blue Jays move on. They will have time to figure out a way to break a 16-game losing streak at Yankee Stadium. Their next stint in the Bronx is scheduled at the end of next month.

The Yankees are looking at the positive side of things. The past three games everything came together, something they projected themselves to do with their off-season spending spree that surpassed $450 million in free agents. Brian McCann, the catcher, who had a go ahead home run the night before, realized the significance of winning three against the front runners.   

“We were able to score some runs,” he commented. “Swinging the bat better…It’s hard to pinpoint one thing. We’re putting together better consistent at bats. It’s big to win games. Obviously when you play teams in your division, you want to win.”

McCann is swinging the bat better. “We’re playing better baseball than we were the past couple of weeks,” he said. Jeter has been getting on base, a .405 clip in his last nine games and Brett Gardner, 1-for-3, Thursday night is batting .366, 15-for-41 over his last ten games.

"Big series for us," Adam Warren said. The reliever earned his second save of the season after retiring two Blue Jays’ in the ninth. The closer David Robertson needed a night off after pitching the first two games of the series.

 "It's nice to kind of see our team click a little bit and play some good baseball,” said Warren

These are words being said by a Yankees team that was looking for answers last week. That included the final two games out in Oakland that did not go their way. And, yes, everything is clicking, even with this contingency of a starting rotation because three quarters of the regulars are on the disabled list.

Aside from Masahiro Tanaka, and his 11-1 record, the manager is elated what he is getting from Chase Whitley and Vidal Nuno. Then there is David Phelps, (3-4) who tossed seven-innings and gave up two runs with a good back door cutter and curve, but allowed a home run to Melky Cabrera in the third inning.

“Refreshing to see guys like Chase (Whitley), one of the biggest things that motivated me,” Phelps commented. The sweep, it’s huge. We gotta win games against them.”

And winning games during this divisional stretch is what the Yankees did. Time will tell if this division will continue to be bunched with teams in September, and that also includes the Red Sox who may not be ready to give up their World Series crown.

We do know this though: Three games have sent a message that the Yankees intend to be a part of this equation by September.  

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso  www.newyorksportsexaminer.com

Morrisania News: Yanks Sweep Blue Jays

Morrisania News: Yanks Sweep Blue Jays: Yanks Sweep Blue Jays By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 20- The Yanks 6-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday nigh...

Yanks Sweep Blue Jays

Yanks Sweep Blue Jays

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 20- The Yanks 6-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium gave them a sweep of the three-game series. The win cut the Toronto lead over the second place Yankees to 1.5 games in the American League East. The win was also the 16^th straight for the Yankees over the Blue Jays in the Bronx.

As in the previous two starts against the Blue Jays, a combination of effective pitching and timely hitting led to the Yankee victory. Carlos Beltrán, who contributed to the win with two runs driven in, described the three games against Toronto thusly, “We got great outings from our starting pitchers and we scored runs.”

David Phelps, who starts or relieves as the need arises, pitched seven innings on Thursday, which tied for his high for the season. His performance was outstanding as he only yielded six hits and two walks during his stint on the mound. 

Only two of the six hits did damage. With two out in the third, Jose Reyes singled. The next batter, Melky Cabrera, delivered. The former Yankee homered to right to drive in two runs. The home run was his second hit of the game and extended his hitting streak against his former team to 19 games, the longest active hitting streak by a player against any team. Cabrera has reached base safely in all his 21 games against the Yankees.

Phelps has not had much difficulty in his four career starts against Toronto, all played in the Bronx. He raised his won/loss mark to 3-0 and lowered his ERA to 2.67. The 27 year-old said, “I expected to be on a longer leash” since relievers Dellin Betances and David Robertson were not available to pitch.

New York, without the luxury of any home runs, used effective at bats to score its six runs.  The rare use of “small ball’ was responsible for the Yankee win.

Sacrifice flies by Jacoby Ellsbury in the first, Kelly Johnson in the second and Carlos Beltrán in the third gave the Yankees its first three scored.

Beltrán’s double in the fifth drove in the fourth run for New York. A ground out to short by Derek Jeter in the sixth and a bases loaded walk in the seventh scored the final two runs for the Yankees.

The Baltimore Orioles will be visiting for the three game weekend series. On Saturday a plaque to honor Tino Martinez will be placed in Monument Park. Goose Gossage will be honored with a plaque on Sunday. Also, the annual Old Timers’ Day festivities will take place on Sunday.

Morrisania News: Chase Whitley

Morrisania News: Chase Whitley: Chasing Success for #Yank Pitcher Whitley get another quality start and timely hits in win over first place Jays By Rich Mancuso ...

Chase Whitley

Chasing Success for #Yank Pitcher

Whitley get another quality start and timely hits in win over first place Jays

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 19- Chase Whitley has become valuable to the New York Yankees pitching rotation and there is no telling how more valuable he will become. Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium, in his seventh start, Whitley gave manager Joe Girardi another five good innings. A revived Yankees offense got the early lead and tacked on runs.

All is going good again in the Bronx, even the bullpen did their job in a 7-3 win over the first place Toronto Blue Jays.

For the second straight night the Yankees handed the first place Blue Jays a loss, the 25th straight home win over Toronto dating back to September 19, of 2012. But the important point for the Yankees was another win with good pitching, and the timely hit. All of a sudden first place is getting close and that seemed to be slipping away as of a week ago when they lost two of three games out in Oakland.

If they sweep the three-game series Thursday night, well first place will be a game-and-a half away. The Yankees would also be even in the loss column with Toronto.

There are two aspects to consider with the Yankees during this current string of games with opponents from the AL East. One is how the first place Jays suddenly, are not as invincible as they were a week ago. The other is, the Yankees are 6-2 in their last eight games and are doing things that have not been evident much.

And, the unexpected quality starts are contributing to a revival in the Bronx. Whitley allowed two earned runs and improved to 3-0 after starting his season with four straight no decisions.

“Did not know what to expect when he came up,” Girardi said. “We have never seen him as a starter. So our expectations have changed a lot.

The right-hander threw 95 pitches and has been a pleasant addition to the rotation. Whitley made his Major League debut against the cross-town Mets on May 15th after being summoned from Triple-A Scranton. The Yankees needed a starter in the rotation due to their rash of injuries.

He could be here longer, because, Girardi and the Yankees now know what to expect. Whitley has made a claim to stay in the Bronx. Eventually he will increase his length of time on the mound, and he could be a part of a rotation when the inflamed right knee of CC Sabathia heels and that may require more time.

Though he has not been in the Bronx that long, Whitley has adjusted and was talking like a veteran. He said, the command was not his best. He also gave credit to his catcher, Brian McCann who tied a career high with five runs batted in. The big hit was McCann’s two-run homer in the fourth inning that put New York ahead, 3-2.

There is also a difference in the Yankees clubhouse, and winning will do that.

“We’re relaxed and having fun,” Whitley commented. “It comes with winning, that’s contagious.”

He has learned quickly what it takes to be a winning pitcher, and of course the big hit and night from McCann helped the cause.

"It was about time I chipped it in, and tonight was a good night to do that," McCann said. "It was just nice to contribute… on the offensive side for a change." He also had a bases loaded triple, and this is the type of offense the Yankees have been expecting from their catcher who has been struggling to get the big hit at home.

McCann was hitting .174 in June. It was the type of game he needed and it came off the Jays’ best starter, Mark Buehrie, (10-4) who remained winless in his last 13 starts against the Yankees.

Girardi said, “We really believe in him as an offensive force and he showed it tonight. A couple tough lefties he's facing and he drives in five. He's done a great job behind home plate. He's never taken it behind home plate."

He added, “This is the team we are chasing. These games are extremely important playing teams within your own division.”

Two straight wins over Toronto. These are the games the Yankees need to win and they may be doing it at the right time with more than half a season of games left to play. There is no telling where this new feel of winning will take them. For now though, the Yankees are enjoying it and look for the sweep Thursday night.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso  www.newyorksportsexaminer.com

Morrisania News: Turnstile Jumpers Turn Arrest into NYPD Melee

Morrisania News: Turnstile Jumpers Turn Arrest into NYPD Melee: Turnstile Jumpers Turn Arrest into NYPD Melee Photo by Andre Rivera By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 18- A small army ...

Turnstile Jumpers Turn Arrest into NYPD Melee

Turnstile Jumpers Turn Arrest into NYPD Melee

Photo by Andre Rivera

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 18- A small army of NYPD patrolmen responded after witnesses say an of out-of-control suspect had to be subdued.

Sources say a male and female were arrested for jumping the turnstile of the Number 2 train at the Prospect Avenue station at 2:15 p.m. on June 12.

The male suspect began kicking the window of the patrol car, when additional officers were called to remove and eventually restrain him.

One unconfirmed report stated that one of the 200 bystanders was also arrested for filming the incident, but that could not immediately be confirmed with the NYPD.   

Morrisania News: Subway Perv Sought by Cops

Morrisania News: Subway Perv Sought by Cops: Subway Perv Sought by Cops By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 18- Cops are asking for the public’s help to catch a man who e...

Subway Perv Sought by Cops

Subway Perv Sought by Cops

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 18- Cops are asking for the public’s help to catch a man who exposed himself to a 10-year-old girl on the #5 train.

At around 11 a.m. on May 11, a man boarded the #5 subway train at the Dyre Avenue station. Once the subway doors closed, the man exposed himself to a 10-year-old girl and a 42-year-old woman. Cops say the suspect fled the train at the Gun Hill Road Station.

Police released surveillance video of the suspect from the subway station. He is described as a black male in his 50s. He is six foot six and weighs 245 pounds.

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577. 

All calls are confidential.

Morrisania News: Tanaka Terminates Toronto

Morrisania News: Tanaka Terminates Toronto: Tanaka Terminates Toronto Raises Mark to 11-1 as Yanks Top Blue Jays (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW Y...

Tanaka Terminates Toronto

Tanaka Terminates Toronto

Raises Mark to 11-1 as Yanks Top Blue Jays

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 18- Masahiro Tanaka continued his sensational pitching as he earned his 11^th win of the year. 

The 3-2 win of the Yanks over the Toronto Blue Jays was the 14^th consecutive victory of the Yanks over their Canadian rivals in games played in the Bronx. The victory cut the deficit for the second place Yankees to 3.5 games behind the American League East leading Blue Jays. 

Yankees skipper Joe Girardi commented, “You want to close as much ground as you can.”

As has happened in each of Tanaka’s 14 games this season, the major story of the game is his performance on the mound. The 25 year-old has thrown a “quality start” in each of his 14 appearances in the majors. He is only the second pitcher to pitch at least six innings and give up three runs or less in each of his first 14 major league starts in more than a century. Steve Rogers of the Montreal Expos achieved that feat in 1973.

Former Met shortstop Jose Reyes hit the first pitch of the game into the stands in right for a home run. After the game Tanaka, recalled, “I think it was the first time in my career that I gave up a first pitch home run. It threw me off my rhythm.” After two batters were retired, two Blue Jays batters hit singles in the inning. 

Girardi described the first pitch in the following manner, “He [Tanaka] just threw a pitch right down the middle and Reyes knows this park very well.”

Although Tanaka expressed disappointment with his performance after the game, he only yielded two additional hits in the five other innings he pitched. He walked two, yielded five hits and fanned 10, double figures for the fifth time this year. His 113 strikeouts in his first 14 starts in the big leagues is third in history. His season ERA dropped after the contest to a minuscule 1.99.

Most importantly for the Yankees, the Japanese native did not yield a run after his first pitch. He was removed after six because of his pitch count of 104. 

Girardi was profuse in his praise of Tanaka throughout the season, “His stuff is pretty good and he knows how to use it and make adjustments. It’s hard not to say that his start is as good as anyone I know. I don’t think it’s fair to expect that from anyone. It’s just remarkable.”

Another experienced eye, that of the Yankees veteran captain, Derek Jeter, saw very similar to what the Yankee manager did in watching Tanaka, “He’s pretty much done that every time out. His ability to make adjustments from hitter to hitter is probably the most impressive thing. He makes adjustments throughout the game.” 

The self-critical rookie disagreed with the assessments of Jeter and Girardi, “I don’t feel I was making adjustments tonight. I was just trying to keep the ball down.” 

However he performed as he has done this season, it should be noted that Tanaka leads the American League in wins, winning percentage and ERA. 

The Yankee relievers, Dellin Betances in two innings and David Robertson in the ninth, did not give up a run.

Rookie Chase Whitley and veteran Mark Buehrle will be the starting pitchers in the second game of the three game set on Wednesday night.

Morrisania News: Perv Teacher

Morrisania News: Perv Teacher: Perv Teacher Faces 14 Years in Attack on 10 Year Old Student (Photo by David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 16-...

Morrisania News: Perv Teacher

Morrisania News: Perv Teacher: Perv Teacher Faces 14 Years in Attack on 10 Year Old Student (Photo by David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 16-...

Perv Teacher

Perv Teacher Faces 14 Years in Attack on 10 Year Old Student

(Photo by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 16- A former Bronx teacher charged in the unthinkable crime of a sex attack on a 10-year-old special education student, has pled guilty to the horrific crime.

The Bronx District Attorney announced that former 5th-grade teacher Anthony Criscuolo, 41, has pled guilty to first-degree felony rape and will be sentenced next month.

Police sources stated at the time that Criscuolo was a teacher at P.S. 386 in University Heights and had told the victim's family that she had won an award.

The unidentified 10 year old was attacked by her teacher inside his car on that spring afternoon in June, 2013.

Criscuolo had faced 25 years in prison, but the district attorney's office agreed to the deal in an effort to "not further traumatize this young victim" with the added ordeal of a public trial.

Criscuolo has also agreed to surrender his teaching license and be added to the sex offenders registry. Upon completing his sentence, Criscuolo will also be required to 18 years of post-release monitoring.   

Morrisania News: Little Italy Feast

Morrisania News: Little Italy Feast: Little Italy Feast Photos by Gary Quintal Italians and would-be Italians came out to celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony on Arth...

Morrisania News: Little Italy Feast

Morrisania News: Little Italy Feast: Little Italy Feast Photos by Gary Quintal Italians and would-be Italians came out to celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony on Arth...

Little Italy Feast

Little Italy Feast

Photos by Gary Quintal

Italians and would-be Italians came out to celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony on Arthur Avenue. Music, rides and of course food were on hand to celebrate. A procession was held in which the statue of the saint was carried throughout the neighborhood.