Indians manager Francona in visitors dugout in Fenway Park

5/23/13, "Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona walks past photographers as he heads to the bench of the visitor's dugout before a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston," ap

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Bloomberg billions couldn't influence NY City Taxi Assn. which beat him in court case, now in delusions of grandeur Bloomberg threatens to ruin the group after he's no longer Mayor

5/22/13, "Nanny gets Nasty: “Taxi King” says Bloomberg threatened to destroy him after leaves office," Legal Insurrection, William A. Jacobson

"All because the Mayor didn’t get his way on a court case over his plan for ergonomic and posh cabs."

"Via The NY Post, Mike unleashes a ‘hail’ storm:

Mayor Bloomberg went on a spitting-mad rant against a city cab-fleet boss who won a court victory over Hizzoner’s planned “Taxi of Tomorrow” — vowing to “destroy your f–king industry” when he leaves office, The Post has learned.
A fuming Bloomberg made the threat against Taxi Club Management CEO Gene Freidman at Madison Square Garden’s private 1879 Club during last Thursday’s Knick playoff game, a witness said yesterday.
“It was like Gene had kidnapped his child. He used the f-word twice,” the witness said.
Freidman confirmed the blow-up to The Post, and said Bloomberg’s tirade included the warning that, “After January, I am going to destroy all you f–king guys.”
That’s bad news for Bloomberg’s political enemies, who could all become targets once the revenge-minded billionaire has nothing but time on his hands.

Bloomberg says he doesn’t remember the incident. Capital NY Reports:

Friedman also happens to be a member of the Greater New York Taxi Association, whose recent court victory may well permanently undermine the mayor’s Taxi of Tomorrow program.
Today, Bloomberg claimed not to remember the episode.
“The only thing I remember from that night, there was a court,” said the mayor on Wednesday at a school in East Harlem. “It was the court in the middle of Madison Square Garden. And the Knicks won. It was a great game. And I had a great time. It’s what I remember from that night.”
Bloomberg, however, did remember why it is he’s so frustrated with medallion owners, an entrenched industry that’s successfully resisted his reform efforts at every turn, including his bid to create a new fleet of taxis for the outer boroughs.
“Number one, we have to get taxi service for four and a half boroughs that are not taken care of,” he said. “What a disgrace. You get into a taxi and it won’t take you to 80 percent of our city. What kind of a city is that?”
“We also have taxis that don’t have all the facilities we want,” he continued, referring to his Taxi of Tomorrow program, which would usher in a new fleet of New York City taxis, complete with passenger airbags, reading lights, and ergonomic seats for drivers.

Who you gonna believe?"

======================

Ed. note: Sounds like a non-denial denial.

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Suzyn says scouts love Camden Yards

Suzyn Waldman on Yankee radio from Baltimore during first inning said she's seen lots of scouts taking notes during the Yankee-Oriole series, though scouts love Camden Yards so it's not unusual to see a lot of them there. She said Yankee reliever Preston Claiborne is among those scouts are noticing these days.

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ESPN to cut 300-400 jobs-Reuters

5/21/13, "Disney-owned ESPN cutting hundreds of jobs: source," Reuters, Liana B. Baker

"ESPN, the sports channel that is Walt Disney Co's most profitable unit, is cutting 300 to 400 jobs across the company and closing a small Denver office, a person with knowledge of the cuts said.

The job cuts, comprising 4 to 6 percent of ESPN's staff of 7,000, include open positions that will not be filled, said the source, who asked not to be named because the information is not public.

But ESPN will continue hiring for other open positions, the person said. The channel has recently won rights to exclusive coverage of the U.S. Open Tennis tournament, and is starting a new channel focused on U.S. Southeastern Conference college football.

The Denver office only has "a handful" of employees, the person noted.

The cuts are part of an ESPN internal review, and are not related to similar measures at Disney, said a source familiar with Disney's thinking, who declined to be named because the information is not public.

ESPN informed its staff about the layoffs on its internal website, and encouraged employees to contact their supervisor with any questions. ESPN's layoffs were first reported on Tuesday by Gawker Media's sports blog, Deadspin....

In Disney's most recent fiscal half year, ended March 30, its cable operation - which ESPN dominates - accounted for 54.7 percent of overall operating income. Theme parks, its second largest money earner, accounted for just under 20 percent of operating income....

ESPN receives $5.15 per subscriber per month and is seen in well over 101 million homes, according to the National Cable & Telecommunications Association. Disney's cable unit earnings rose by 8 percent, to $2.7 billion, in the latest fiscal 6-month period, the company said."...

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Angels Mike Trout hit for the cycle Tues., 5/21 in Anaheim v Mariners

5/21/13, "Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout acknowledges the crowd after he hits a solo home run in the eighth inning, hitting for the cycle against the Seattle Mariners," in Anaheim, final 12-0 Angels, ap. Trout singled in the 3rd, tripled in the 4th, doubled in the 6th, and homered in the 8th.

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Chris Dickerson and Travis Hafner home run ball in the 9th in Camden Yards

5/20/13, Chris Dickerson going after Travis Hafner 9th inning home run in Baltimore, final 6-4 Yankees in 10, reuters

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Yankee 3B David Adams gets first major league home run v Orioles in Camden Yards, 'David is Goliath,' says John Sterling

5/20/13, Yankee 3b David Adams hits his first major league home run tonight in Camden Yards, final 6-4 Yankees in 10, and John Sterling notes:

"David is Goliath!"

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Thousands in occupied Paterson, NJ cheered and danced after 9/11/01, and on May 19, 2013, the Palestinian flag was raised over Paterson City Hall

5/19/13, "Amid flags and cheers, Paterson celebrates Palestinian-Americans," NorthJersey.com, Bergen Record, Hannan Adely

"The flag raised — for the first time in Paterson, and possibly at any city hall in the United States — was Palestinian....No problems were on display Sunday when the flag was raised in the rain before elected officials and about 150 people. People cheered, danced, shared sweets and shouted, “Long Live Palestine.”

"Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-Paterson, and Assemblyman Thomas Giblin, D-Clifton, showed up — with Pascrell presenting a letter of Special Congressional Recognition and Giblin presenting an Assembly resolution marking the event....

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, said in a speech that the Palestinian leadership thanked the city for its gesture. He urged local Palestinians to be good citizens and to continue supporting the struggle for justice in Palestine.

Many Palestinian Americans live and run businesses in South Paterson, area some call “Little Ramallah” after the West Bank city. Abuassab, a member of the Arab American Civic Organization, said it was time the community was recognized."...photo, "Abdel Rahman Ramadan of Paterson holding a Palestinian flag as he and others danced after a Palestinian flag was raised at Paterson City Hall. Mayor Jeffery Jones declared May 19 Palestinian-American Day in the city," by Bergen Record. via Atlas Shrugs

-------------------------------------

5/20/13, "New Jersey City Raises Palestinian Flag Over City Hall – HAMAS CITY USA; Got Amnesty?!," Debbie Schlussel

"It has the largest concentration of Palestinian Muslims in the United States, North America, and practically anywhere outside the Palestinian Authority and Gaza. As I’ve also noted, even leftist MTV News...broadcast news reports showing thousands of Palestinian Muslims outside Paterson’s town hall, cheering the 9/11 attacks against America (and starting a riot using cement garbage cans and metal poles, which they used to attack police). Now, Paterson has made official what we’ve known for a long time: that it is Muslim-occupied territory. Over the weekend, Paterson raised the Palestinian flag over its city hall."...

---------------------------------------

1/18/11, "Palestinian Flag Flies Officially for First Time in Washington," ABC News

"The Palestinian flag was flown for the first time outside PLO diplomatic offices in Washington today, in a symbolic step that officials said shows momentum towards creation of an independent Palestinian state.

Ambassador Maen Areikat unfurled the red, green, white and black banner from a balcony above the office entrance to a round of applause from supporters. He hailed the moment as historic.

"It's about time that this flag that symbolizes the struggle of the Palestinian people for self-determination and statehood to be raised in the U.S.," Areikat said.

"We hope that this will help international efforts to provide recognition of the Palestinian state and we hope that, as President Obama said at the U.N. General Assembly last year, by the next General Assembly session this year in September, Palestine will be a full member of the U.N.""

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Tom Petty 24/7 on SiriusXM channel 111

5/14/13, "Tom Petty Radio" Channel to Launch on SiriusXM," prnewswire

"Sirius XM Radio announced today that it will launch two channels dedicated to Tom Petty: "Tom Petty Radio," a limited-run channel celebrating Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers' summer tour, and a separate channel dedicated solely to Tom Petty's critically-acclaimed SiriusXM music show, Tom Petty's Buried Treasure.

"Tom Petty Radio" will launch on May 17 at 6:00 pm ET, via satellite on channel 111, and through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online at siriusxm.com.

"Tom Petty Radio" will give SiriusXM listeners 24/7 access to music from throughout Tom Petty's career including his music with his longtime band The Heartbreakers and his solo work, as well as The Traveling Wilburys and his first band, Mudcrutch. The channel will also feature live concert material from Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers' recent tours and some rarely heard vintage performances.

SiriusXM listeners will also hear Petty and the members of the Heartbreakers discuss the creation of some of their most notable songs as well as some memorable moments on tour.  Additionally, "Tom Petty Radio" will feature some classic moments from Tom Petty's Buried Treasure, SiriusXM's weekly show which features the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer playing rare and classic tracks, many vintage, from his private vaults, along with his informed, passionate, and entertaining commentary.

SiriusXM will also launch an online channel showcasing Tom Petty's Buried Treasure. The commercial-free music channel will launch on June 1, on SiriusXM Internet Radio on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online at siriusxm.com...

New episodes of Tom Petty's Buried Treasure, now in its eighth year on SiriusXM, will continue to air Thursday nights at 8:00 pm ET via satellite on Deep Tracks, channel 27, and through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online at siriusxm.com."

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Rain delay in the 7th in Minnesota v Red Sox

5/19/13, "Boston Red Sox right fielder Shane Victorino  runs to the dugout as grounds crew tarp the field during a rain delay called during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins," final 5-1 Red Sox, ap

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Little League Day at Angels Stadium

5/19/13, "Children, coaches and parents walk the warning track on Little League day at Angel Stadium before a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim," ap

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Fans eat breakfast in the outfield before San Diego Padres game v Nationals in San Diego

5/19/13, "Petco Park ground crew members clean the bullpen as fans eat breakfast in the outfield before a baseball game between the San Diego Padres and the Washington Nationals in San Diego," ap

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Tarp on the field in the Bronx, R.A. Dickey v CC Sabathia rained out

5/19/13, Tarp on the field in the Bronx, Toronto Blue Jays v NY Yankees, game postponed, no make-up date yet. Would have been R.A. Dickey v CC Sabathia. getty

5/19/13, Rainout in the Bronx, photo via NY Post

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Francona greets Cleveland Browns head coach Chudzinski

5/18/13, "Manager Terry Francona of the Cleveland Indians talks with Cleveland Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski after Chudzinski threw out the first pitch prior to the game between the Cleveland Indians and the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field," in Cleveland, getty

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Fans cheer Zack Greinke on return from broken collar bone in April, gets win and rbi single

5/15/13, "Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke comes out of the game against the Washington Nationals in the sixth inning of a baseball game" in LA, ap. Greinke also had an rbi single. final 3-1 Dodgers over Nats











Greinke uses left shoulder to block Quentin, 4/11/13, ap
A brawl between the two teams occurred in the sixth inning of a baseball game between the two teams when Quentin was hit by a pitch from the Dodgers' Zack Greinke. Greinke broke his left collarbone in the fight." ap final 3-2 Dodgers

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Strikeouts per game highest in history in 2012, on track to go higher in 2013-Kepner

5/15/13, "Climbing Number of Strikeouts Reflects a Quest for Power," NY Times, Tyler Kepner

"Strikeouts are rising again in Major League Baseball. Last season, major league teams struck out 7.46 times per game, the highest for any year in history. This season, through roughly a quarter of the schedule, the rate has nudged even higher, to 7.63 strikeouts per game through Tuesday. 

The Houston Astros became the season’s first team at any level to reach 400 strikeouts when Carlos Pena fanned to end Tuesday’s loss in Detroit. Pena, who struck out 182 times last season, often bats beside Chris Carter, who leads the majors in strikeouts this season, with 60. 

Yet Carter also leads the Astros in home runs and runs batted in. He is part of an offense that was designed with full knowledge — and acceptance — of its tendency to strike out. 

“Our own internal projections had us striking out more than any other team in baseball, so we knew that going in,” General Manager Jeff Luhnow said last month. “Obviously, you don’t want to give away outs, but that’s part of the cost of trying to access power.” 

With some exceptions — Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Albert Pujols — home runs and strikeouts have almost always gone together. Fifteen members of the 500-homer club rank among the top 50 in career strikeouts. The top five players on the strikeout list — Reggie Jackson, Jim Thome, Sammy Sosa, Adam Dunn and Alex Rodriguez — have averaged 569 homers in their careers.

More and more, front-office officials and managers seem resigned to the link....

Strikeouts are not only a byproduct of swinging for the fences. The Astros, who are leaning heavily on analytics as they undergo a painful overhaul, emphasize working the count to tire out opposing pitchers. The results have not shown up for Houston, but teams with better talent can do more damage with favorable counts. 

“You want guys to get in hitters’ counts so they can drive the ball,” Daniels said. “But the flip side is that from a hitter’s standpoint, just by definition, you’re going to see guys taking more pitches, and sometimes they’re going to get in two-strike counts and strike out more.” 

The Rangers (26-14) have been especially adept at making contact. They had 243 strikeouts, the fewest in the majors, and averaged just 6.23 strikeouts per game. 

This continues a trend for the Rangers, who have managed to cut their strikeouts while other teams’ totals have soared. Texas has been 27th, 30th and tied for 24th among major league teams in strikeouts over the last three seasons, reaching the playoffs each time. 

This season, the Rangers’ offensive approach has not made them especially fearsome. Through Tuesday, they ranked only 12th in the majors in runs per game, just a spot above the Mets. Daniels said pitching and infield defense had been the most important factors in the team’s strong start, and he pointed out that in 2008, striking out a lot did not keep the Rangers from scoring. 

That year the Rangers went 79-83 but led the majors in runs while finishing eighth in strikeouts. All three players who struck out more than 100 times for that team — Josh Hamilton, Milton Bradley and Michael Young — are gone. But for all their empty at-bats that season, those players also produced."...

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Mark Teixeira watches Prince Harry at bats with Harlem RBI

5/14/13, Mark Teixeira celebrates Prince Harry big hit with Harlem RBI, AFP.Getty

5/14/13, Mark Teixeira watches Prince Harry at bat with Harlem RBI, Reuters








5/14/13, Prince Harry at bat with Harlem RBI, EPA photo. "Harry's a royal catch! Prince shows off baseball skills with kids in Harlem (but proves he's still in little league by dropping the ball)," UK Daily Mail, by Rebecca English, Royal Correspondent and Lydia Warren

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Fan on field in the 8th in Anaheim vs Kansas City

5/13/13, "Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout watches a man run onto the field during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Anaheim, Calif.," ap. final, 11-4 Kansas City









 5/13/13, "Security guard catches a man who ran onto the field during the eighth inning of a baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Kansas City Royals in Anaheim, Calif.," ap

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Rush Limbaugh travels to Kansas City for George Brett surprise 60th birthday party, marvels at Kauffman Stadium changes since he worked there from 1979-83

5/13/13, "A Great Trip Back to the Ballpark in Kansas City," Rush Limbaugh

"So, I was back in Kansas City for the weekend and George Brett's 60th birthday celebration. It was a massive surprise, and on Sunday it featured a trip to the ball game, the New York Yankees and the Royals. I was able to go for the first half of the game and then I had to split and come home and take care of some things here. But, folks, I have to tell you. You know, I worked there from 1979 to '83, and I've been back a couple times, but I hadn't been back to the bowels of the stadium.

I hadn't been back to the locker room, and that stadium has been renovated and expanded. When I got there on Sunday, George met me and took me into the locker room to meet some people. I was stunned by what I saw. I still don't believe this, and it's simply based on the way it was when I was there, there is a full-fledged restaurant in the locker room! If the starting pitcher wants a burger and fries or a cheese omelet 10 minutes before the first pitch, he can get it.

Back when I worked there, they had a couple of beer taps or beer kegs that were locked until after the game and a little cheese and cracker spread beforehand, and maybe they catered a meal after a game if the team was leaving on a road trip. This was unbelievable, the lounge with the computers and televisions and full-time masseuses and so forth. It's just mind-boggling to me the way the game has changed.

It was fascinating -- and, of course, what they've done to Kauffman Stadium is impressive with the renovation and everything. I mean, it's just amazing. I hadn't been back in so long it looked like something I'd never seen before. At this party, the surprise party on Friday night at the restaurant on the plaza, I'm standing out there. I stood in one place. I got there and I immediately sought a place I could smoke a cigar, which happened to be a little patio....

By the way, it was Mother's Day. I have to mention, it was Mother's Day of course yesterday and it was Mother's Day at the ballpark, and the players were all wearing pink something or other, pink shoes or pink sleeves. There was one guy with a pink bat....

I'm talking about this and George said, "Have you seen the official ball for today?"

I said, "No." So he went and grabbed one.

The official Rawlings game ball yesterday was printed with pink ink. So, anyway, it was a great weekend. It was a great time."...transcript, RushLimbaugh.com, images from RushLimbaugh.com

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Kansas City fans try to catch foul ball in the third

Kansas City fans try to catch Travis Hafner foul ball in the third, 5/12/13, final 4-2 Yankees. ap

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To Mark Feinsand, A home run that only ties the game is not a 'walk off' home run, especially if it's in the 8th inning.

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Joba Chamberlain rebukes Mariano Rivera 3 times in full view of reporters and fans before game v Royals-NY Times

5/12/13, "Yankees’ Chamberlain Gives Rivera a Dugout Rebuke," NY Times, David Waldstein

"Mariano Rivera has been the focus of adoring affection everywhere he has gone in baseball since announcing that this would be his final season. As part of his farewell tour, he has been meeting with fans and team employees in each city he visits.

On Saturday, however, he was the recipient of an admonishment, from a teammate, Joba Chamberlain. 

Rivera was conducting a dugout interview after he had finished meeting with local families that have endured hardships. During the interview, Chamberlain was standing on the railing of the dugout signing autographs and speaking loudly to be heard above the public address system to members of his family in the stands. 

At one point Rivera called out, “Joba, suave,” and used a hand gesture for Chamberlain to keep the volume down. Rivera continued to speak with the reporters, but once the interview ended Chamberlain said to Rivera, “Don’t shush me.” 

Rivera initially thought Chamberlain was joking, but Chamberlain reiterated the point twice more with a stern expression, saying: “I’m serious. Don’t ever shush me.” 

Rivera said he explained to Chamberlain that he was not telling him he could not speak with his family members, but that Rivera was not able to hear the questions he was being asked. 

After Saturday night’s game, Chamberlain acknowledged the exchange was unusual but would only say, “It’s between me and him.” 

The exchange between Rivera and Chamberlain, Yankee teammates since 2007, lasted only seconds, but happened in full view of reporters and fans. Nevertheless, it did not stop Rivera from continuing his interactions with fans. 

Before the verbal scuffle with Chamberlain, Rivera met with a local family who lost a 10-year-old son in an accident at an airport in Alabama. Also present at the 45-minute event was a boy in a wheelchair who started a backyard baseball league for children with disabilities and another boy with Ewing’s sarcoma cancer. 

“This one was touching,” Rivera said. “Emotional.” 

Rivera said the event was motivating because the families continued to move forward, and he said he would keep praying for them. 

“It was amazing,” he said. “I was in tears.”"

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77th win-save combination for Pettitte and Rivera, 6/11/10, 67 regular and 10 post season. Update: #70 in regular season on 5/11/13, #81 total

• Andy Pettitte during Yankee game v Astros, 6/11/10,
• his 200th win as a Yankee. getty

===============================

 5/11/13,  Pettitte-Rivera win-save #81, 70th in regular season, final 3-2 vs Royals.

===============================

Today's 4-3 win for the Yankees at the stadium was the 67th win-save tandem in regular season for Pettitte and Rivera. May 26, 2010 was their 66th regular season win-save combination (4/19/10 NY Post article notes 65th reg. season combo on 4/18/10). The two also have 10 post season win-save combos. The YES Network's studio guy mentioned today's 67th win-save combo for Pettitte and Rivera but overlooked the pair's hard fought and earned 10 post season win saves. This is in line with YES Network's studio editorial judgment since day 1, ie. to ignore or minimize very substantial post season stats of Yankee players at key times, thus allowing the most difficult work of players to be lost or not seen in their total body of work. MLB outlets generally do the same thing.

• Pettitte and Rivera's 10 post season win-save combos:

• 1. Game 2, 1998 ALDS, Tex @ NYY

• 2. Game 4, 1998 World Series, NYY @ San Diego

• 3. Game 2, 1999 ALDS, Tex @ NYY

• 4. Game 4, 1999 ALCS, NYY @ Boston

• 5. Game 2, 2000 ALDS, NYY @ Oak

• 6. Game 3, 2000 ALCS, NYY @ Seattle

• 7. Game 1, 2001 ALCS, NYY @ Seattle

• 8. Game 2, 2003 ALDS, Minn. @ NYY

• 9. Game 3, 2009 ALDS, NYY @ Twins

• 10. Game 6, 2009 ALCS, LAA @ NYY

(8 of the above were multi-inning appearances for Rivera. Honorable Mention: The "Bugs" Game, Game 2, 2007 ALDS, NYY @ Cleveland. Pettitte and Rivera appeared together in other post season games that didn't have the exact technical requirements for a win-save combo).

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Robinson Cano not hustling again, examples seen at games v Rockies

5/10/13, NY Post, "On YES, where the Yankees would lose 2-0 in Denver, Robinson Cano already had grounded out three times, each time leisurely leaving the batter’s box, his indifferent baserunning impossible to ignore. Unless you’re a Yankees broadcaster.

Then, with a man on in the ninth and after his fourth grounder to an infielder, Cano was moved to run hard, the last few steps, to avoid a double play. A tape only showed that he barely had beaten the throw.

“Robinson Cano hustling all the way down the line,” John Flaherty said.

Sanctuary! For starters, why wouldn’t he? Why would that be remarkable at any time, let alone with a man on in the ninth, down two?

But the live, visual evidence was to the contrary. Cano, at first, showed no immediate urgency to reach first or he likely would have beaten the throw by plenty.

Once again, we were told to believe what we’re told, not what we see.

Wednesday, top of the first, Cano barely left the box on a fly to left. Neither Bob Lorenz nor Flaherty said a thing about that on YES, which beats being told that he hustled."

5/10/13, "Distractions interrupt coverage," NY Post, Phil Mushnick

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Maybe it's better to build and upgrade stadiums without public money. Minnesota governor questions Minnesota Vikings decision to cut punter who was 5th round pick-NBC Sports

5/8/13, "Minnesota governor questions Vikings’ release of Chris Kluwe," Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk.nbcsports.com

"Maybe it’s a good thing to build and upgrade stadiums without public money, after all.

For the Vikings, who enlisted and embraced Minnesota governor Mark Dayton’s assistance and support for the construction of a new venue partially with taxpayer dollars, the hidden cost includes giving the politician’s future rants a bit more credence.

Dayton reportedly has questioned the team’s decision to cut punter Chris Kluwe.  According to KMSP-TV, Dayton expressed on Wednesday the view that the Vikings should have let Kluwe compete for his job — and that the team wasn’t being transparent about its reasons for cutting Kluwe.

Dayton seems to think the decision was tied to Kluwe’s support for same-sex marriage.  That’s something the Vikings have denied.

While it would be naïve to assume that Kluwe’s off-field interests didn’t become at least an ingredient in the stew that resulted in the decision to use a fifth-round pick on Jeff Locke, Dayton’s belief that Kluwe should have had a chance to compete misses the point.

If there were a competition, the odds would have been stacked in favor of the younger, cheaper draft pick.  And so Kluwe would have ended up being cut at a point in offseason calendar when it would have been too late to find another job.

The Vikings did Kluwe no favors by drafting Locke, but they definitely threw Kluwe a bone by cutting him sooner rather than later.

And if Kluwe’s off-field issues were a factor, it’s likely not because the Vikings oppose same-sex marriage.  Football teams don’t like distractions, and if there’s a younger, cheaper player who is deemed to be equally competent and who will present fewer potential non-football issues, that player will get the job every time." via Rush Limbaugh

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Rivera has had 13 one inning saves of three batters and three strikeouts, one v Rockies on 6/26/11

5/7/13, "One Mo Time: Rivera vs. Rockies," ESPN.com, Simon, Sharp

"Magic 'Mo'ment

Rivera’s most recent save against the Rockies came on June 26, 2011, a one-inning, three-batter, three strikeout effort. Rivera has had 13 saves in which he’s done that (three batters, three strikeouts). That’s more than the next three Yankees pitchers in that stat -- John Wetteland (5), Dave Righetti (4) and Rich Gossage (3) -- have combined." (item at end of article, written before Rivera's 5/8/13 appearance v Rockies)

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Goose Gossage praises closer Mariano Rivera

5/9/13, "Hall of Famer Goose Gossage lauds Yankees closer Mariano Rivera," Denver Post, Troy Renck

"Mariano Rivera is probably the greatest closer the game will ever see. He's consistent, brilliant.

Even more stunning is that his first impression is more breathtaking than his last out. That's saying something for a pitcher who has finished 905 games.

The 43-year-old Yankees star, as part of his Mo-ment of Thanks farewell tour this season, met with the longest-tenured members of the Rockies organization Wednesday, answering questions for 30 minutes. He posed for pictures with Juan Nicasio, Wilin Rosario and Jorge De La Rosa. With rain drizzling at Coors Field, Rivera signed autographs down the third-base line before the first pitch.

Sometimes stars, like art, need help. Rivera requires no embellishment.

"He is class, the perfect pro. He should be the poster for how to act at the professional level," said Hall of Famer Rich "Goose" Gossage. "He never shows anyone up. He just goes about his business better than anyone else. Some guys out there could learn from him instead of acting like fools."

Gossage and Rivera are forever linked by their occupation. Both have starred in arguably sports' toughest role: New York Yankees closer. This job comes with alarms blaring, headlines screaming and The Boss, until recently, yelling.

Rivera saved his first game May 17, 1996. He entered Wednesday with a major league-record 619 saves. He has appeared in 96 playoff games, posting a 0.70 ERA, while allowing just two home runs.
 
Gossage pitched for the Yankees for seven seasons, finishing in the top five in the Cy Young Award voting three times. He struck out 122 batters in 134 innings in 1978.*

"I don't care if you're a hot dog vendor or a player. There's nowhere harder to do it on the planet than New York," Gossage said. "I played for nine teams, and loved every minute of it. But New York is a different pressure. For Mariano to do it as long as he has, I don't think you'll ever see that again there."

Gossage, who planned to attend Wednesday's game, spends the entire spring training with the Yankees as a guest instructor in Tampa, Fla. It has only grown his appreciation for Rivera, who has used a cut fastball to break bats and crush dreams for 19 seasons.

So sharp is Rivera's cutter that left-handed hitters often use their batting practice bats against him to avoid turning their favorite model into splinters.

Goose relied on high heat, a dervish of arms, legs and stares.

"I do respect the role of the guys that take the (closer's job) seriously and not just to show or play around. And with Goose, I have an immense amount of respect for him and how he works and teaches us," Rivera said. "I have been blessed."

The Rockies honored Rivera before Wednesday's game, presenting him with a $5,000 check for his foundation. How many players do you know who can make their retirement tour not about them?

Again, this is someone whose idea of a celebration is a slightly pumped fist. Not an untucked shirt or an imaginary bow into the air....It's hard to imagine the Yankees without Rivera. His dissection of opponents is not coldblooded as much as clinically efficient.
 
He has been the best, and in a time when style trumps substance, he is devoid of hype.

"He just does everything the right way," Gossage said. "He deserves all the attention he's getting in his final year. He's a beautiful person. The game will miss him.""

--------------------------------------------------

*Ed. note: Mariano Rivera broke Gossage's single season strikeout record as a Yankee reliever (122 in 134 IP) in 1996 when he fanned 130 in 107.2 innings.

===============

PS. Please excuse bright white background behind this post. This was done by my longtime illegal hacker from google who knows his ideas can't win in a free society. So he's obsessed with sabotaging those he views as his opponents.

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Victor Martinez taking notes in the fifth in DC

5/8/13, "Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez records starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez at bat during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park," final 3-1 Nationals, ap

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Fans watch NBA and baseball in Petco Park, Marlins v Padres

5/7/13, Fans in Petco Park watch NBA game while also watching San Diego Padres play Miami Marlins, final 5-1 San Diego, ap

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Miami Marlins to close upper level seating for some weekday games, will save money on ushers and other staff

5/8/13, "Marlins Park To Close Upper Bowl For Some Games," miami.cbslocal.com

"Next time you go to Marlins Park, you won’t be sitting in the nosebleed seats, at least during weekday games. The Marlins, whose attendance ranks last in the National League five weeks into the season, have decided to close the upper bowl at Marlins Park for certain weekday games, an approach the team used at times at Sun Life Stadium.

The higher deck seats will be off limits starting with the Marlins next home games series which starts Tuesday. That will reduce the attendance capacity by about 10,000.

The move is expected to save the team money on game operations, as fewer ushers and other staff will be needed to man the areas on the upper floors. The team may consider closing the upper bowl for remaining weeknight games this season, but has yet to determine if it will do so.

Fewer than 500 people own season tickets in the upper bowl, and those fans are being moved — with no additional charge — to seats in the lower bowl for all Monday-through-Thursday games. The Marlins are drawing fewer than 20,000 fans per game, down from about 27,000 last year in the team’s first year in its new stadium.

Upper bowl tickets to weeknight games will continue be sold on Marlins.com. Fans who buy single-game upper deck tickets will be moved to the lower bowl if the Marlins decide to close the upper bowl on those particular nights." via Drudge

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Eric Chavez scores on Jason Kubel single off Josh Beckett

5/7/13, "Arizona Diamondbacks' Eric Chavez  scores on a single by Jason Kubel as Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Josh Beckett, left, and catcher Ramon Hernandez look on during the second inning of their baseball game, Tuesday, May 7, 2013, in Los Angeles," final 5-3 Arizona, ap. (I just liked this picture. S.)

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Fans try to catch Reds tying home run in the 9th

5/7/13, "B.J. Upton of the Atlanta Braves leaps against the center field wall but is unable to catch a home run hit by Devin Mesoraco of the Cincinnati Reds," bottom of the 9th to tie the game in Cincinnati, final 5-4 Cincinnati over Atlanta, getty

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Padres Jason Marquis and son Andy practice before game v Marlins

5/6/13, Padres Jason Marquis and son Andy practicing in San Diego before game v Marlins, ap

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Phil Mushnick talks NY radio with Sid Rosenberg

5/5/13, "Phil Mushnick talks NY radio with Sid," NY Radio Message Board, Posted by Sid on May 05, 2013 at 16:37:15:

"Pretty sure you'll ALL find it very interesting. Mushnick was on my morning show (6-10 a.m. weekdays on 640 a.m. WMEN in South Florida) and the long time NY Post critic talked about Imus, Francesa, me, Boomer, Carton and a host of others. For the most part explained why he's been so critical of the group over the years. The conversation. is in the middle of the page at 640sports.com. Enjoy!!!!"
-----------------------------------
5/3/13, " Sid Rosenberg to Phil Mushnick: "Mike Francesa gets something wrong like every day." Bob's Blitz 

"The legendary Phil Mushnick joined Sid Rosenberg on 640-AM Sports (WMEN Miami) yesterday. 'Honest fella' Mike Francesa was a topic. As was Imus and Boomer & Carton....Mush was originally scheduled to speak with Sid for 4 minutes. We know how that goes."

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Padres watch Kentucky Derby before game v Diamondbacks

5/4/13, San Diego Padres watch Kentucky Derby before game v Diamondbacks, final 8-1 Arizona, ap

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Jeter and Jayson Nix watch from the dugout

5/4/13, Jeter and Jayson Nix watch from the dugout, Oakland A's v Yankees, final 4-2 Yankees, getty

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David Robertson out with sore hamstring until at least Tuesday, Chamberlain placed on 15 day DL

5/4/13, "Setup man David Robertson is out for the banged-up Yankees’ series against the Oakland Athletics because of a sore left hamstring, leaving Mariano Rivera as New York’s only regular late-inning reliever available against the defending AL West champions.

Seventh-inning specialist Joba Chamberlain was officially placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday, retroactive to April 28. He has a right oblique strain. The Yankees have 10 players on the DL.

Robertson hoped he would only miss a couple of days, but manager Joe Girardi says Robertson would be unavailable at least until the Yankees begin a series at Colorado on Tuesday.

The Yankees purchased the contract of right-hander Preston Claiborne from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. To make room on the 40-man roster, New York designated righty Cody Eppley for assignment." Detroit Free Press, "AL roundup: Indians top Twins for 5th win in row"

======================

3/28/13, "Yankees Should Trade Robinson Cano And Mariano Rivera," Tom Van Riper, Forbes

"As for Rivera, last season proved that the Yankees don’t particularly need him. With a deep stable of bullpen arms, holding leads after eight innings – Rivera’s only job – isn’t a big problem."...

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Newsday invites readers to vote 'fair or foul' on a variety of John Sterling Yankee home run calls

5/3/13, "John Sterling's Home Run Calls," Newsday.com

"FAIR OR FOUL: Yankees radio broadcaster John Sterling has his signature home runs calls for players."

Newsday invites readers to vote for or against John Sterling home run calls for a variety of Yankees. Text only, not actual audio. The slide show begins with Derek Jeter and Sterling's call, "El Capitan." Newsday includes a photo for each player, and for the Captain it's Jeter hit #3000, which was also a home run off David Price, 7/9/11, which was also the day Jeter went 5 for 5:

Derek Jeter 3000, 3rd inning home run off Rays pitcher David Price, 7/9/11, ap 

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ESPN gets ad buys from companies aiming to reach Obama and White House officials, they know Obama watches ESPN so companies tailor ads to influence him on various matters-Politico

5/2/13, "Winning over President Obama with ESPN," Politico, Anna Palmer

"President Barack Obama loves to watch sports — and the people who want to catch his eye know it.

Companies and trade associations are doing something a little strange: They’re buying up airtime on ESPN.

Media strategists tell POLITICO they offer up the all-sports network as an option to clients who want to get their issues in front of Obama and top White House officials, known as big sports fans and rabid ESPN watchers.

“It’s certainly a tactic that’s talked about a lot,” said one media strategist who had a client advertise on ESPN in hopes of reaching Obama during the climate change debate of his first term. “It was for exactly that reason.”

The strategist said the ads can’t be so obvious that Obama knows he’s the intended audience.

“It’s not just targeting Obama but doing it in a way that is both interesting and will get the attention of the audience but not so unusual that it will put the client in a bad position.”

Companies and groups that have given the strategy a shot are cagey about discussing it openly. But there are plenty of examples of ads airing on ESPN in Washington that carry a political message.

Case in point: Microsoft. The behemoth tech company took to Monday Night Football to bash Google as part of its Scroogled campaign. The ad ran locally at least twice during the Washington Redskins and New York Giants game in December. Scroogle ads are also running on ESPN now in Washington.

While companies like T-Mobile, AT&T and Progressive Insurance among others regularly advertise on ESPN to promote the company’s products, the Microsoft ad raised questions about Google’s business practices just as federal regulators were considering bringing actions against Google over competition issues.

Microsoft declined to comment for this article but told POLITICO in December that the effort was to “break through all the noise” and highlight problems with Google’s shopping service.

The company also ran Do Not Track ads on ESPN in the Washington-area during the NFL draft, pushing the idea that it keeps its users’ data private.

ESPN and the White House declined to comment.

Of course, ESPN buys are generally part of a larger effort that includes lobbying, targeted advertising in print, online and on TV and earned media.

Local ad buys on ESPN in Washington range from around $750 to $1,000 per spot and at the national level could be in the $15,000 to $20,000 range, according to a source familiar with pricing. The prices vary by show, time of day and sporting event."... via Breitbart

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Rays-Royals game postponed due to snow in Missouri, May 2, 2013. Last snow in May in Kansas City was May 3, 1907

5/2/13, "Kansas City Royals pitcher Luis Mendoza gestures in the dugout as snow falls during a weather delay in a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Kauffman Stadium, in Kansas City, Missouri. The game was postponed after heavy rain turned to sleet and snow during the middle of the fourth inning," ap

5/2/13, "Rays-Royals game postponed due to snow in KC," AP Sports, Dave Skretta

"Members of the Rays and Royals started popping up in their dugouts to take pictures of the flakes falling. The last time there was measurable snow in May in Kansas City? Try May 3, 1907
.
The high temperature barely eked over 40 degrees, and that was overnight, breaking the record for the coldest high temperature on May 2 of 48 degrees set in 1917.
It could be even worse on May 3, too.

The White Sox are due in town Friday night to start a three-game series, but the forecast calls for temperatures in the upper 30s and a 50 percent chance of precipitation at first pitch."

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Only Beautiful People allowed on Bloomberg's bike program, those weighing over 260 lbs. are prohibited-NY Post

5/2/13, "New York City bike-share program bans riders who weigh more than 260 pounds," NY Post, Seifman, Fenton, and O'Neill

"Can obese cyclists sign up for the city’s new bike-share program? Fat chance!

It is “prohibited” for any rider who weighs more than 260 pounds to sign up for the soon-to-launch initiative — prompting backlash from riders who say the fat-shaming rule is enough to make them fly off the handle.

Everyone who signs up for the program has to agree to a contract, which states users “must not exceed maximum weight limit (260 pounds)” because the bikes can’t hold that much heft.
Would-be riders called the rule unfair, saying the 40-pound cruisers are plenty sturdy.

“That’s bogus. 260 pounds isn’t going to break the bike,” said Juleissy Lantigua, 19. “To me, that’s discrimination. And I’m not easily offended!”

Others claimed the rule makes no sense — especially at the height of the city’s obesity problem.

“If you’re 260 pounds or 300 pounds and want to ride a bike, you should be allowed to. You’re making a choice to live healthier and to lose weight,”
said Jhoskaira Ferman, a 20-year-old student from Pelham Bay, Bronx.
Several bike-shop owners agreed that the weight limit was bogus.

Bike-share users who make the cutoff weight can sign up for $95 per year or $25 per week. The program will begin this month.

But Department of Transportation policy director Jon Orcutt said the city won’t strictly enforce the weight limit.
“I think people will be self-selecting, practical and safe,” he said.

He added the provision was inked for legal reasons at the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Bike-share programs run by the same contractor — the Portland, Ore.-based Alta Bicycle Share — launched in Boston with the same weight restriction. London’s program also has the restriction.

The contract also says that anyone using bike share may unknowingly have their image used in “promotional, advertising [and] publicity” materials for Alta."

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Astros pitched no-hitter v Yankees on June 11, 2003

5/1/13, "A No-Hitter So Rare It Took 6 Pitchers," NY Times, B. Hoffman

"What seemed like a potential blowout became the first no-hitter against the Yankees in the Bronx since 1952, and the first no-hitter in history to feature six pitchers — not that any of the Houston pitchers seemed initially aware of what was going on."...scoreboard at Yankee Stadium, 6/11/2003, final score 8-0, ap photo

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Erik Bedard and Carlos Pena confer in the Bronx

5/1/13, Erik Bedard and Carlos Pena confer at Astros v Yankees, final 5-4 Yankees, getty

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Ben Francisco gets first Yankee home run and John Sterling call, "It's a Ben Francisco Treat!"

5/1/13, Ben Francisco hit a home run in the bottom of the third v Astros. John Sterling's call was as follows: (This is the full version, updated from earlier version):

"And it's gone! Into the first row in left field, Ben Francisco! He opened his Golden Gate, hit one in the left field seats! Hey, it's a Ben Francisco treat!"

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Fans try to catch Cody Ross bat in first inning

4/30/13, Fans try to catch bat of Diamondback Cody Ross that went flying in the first inning of game v San Francisco Giants, ap (photo link goes to generic cbs mlb photo site)

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Little, Brown to publish Mariano Rivera autobiography, 'The Closer,' in 2014

4/30/13, "Little, Brown Buys Rivera Memoir," Publishers Weekly

"Little, Brown has acquired world rights to Yankee pitcher Mariano Rivera's memoir, The Closer. The book, which was acquired by executive editor John Parsley from the athlete's representatives at SFX Baseball and Relativity Sports, is planned for spring 2014. Simultaneous to the English edition, LB will also a release a Spanish and audio edition of the title, with Little, Brown Books for Young Readers planning a children's edition for fall 2014.

Rivera, who has announced that he intends to retire after his forthcoming season with the Yankees, is considered one of the greatest relief pitchers to have played the game. The book will cover his impoverished childhood in Panama through his signing with the Yankees and his reign on the mound. Speaking to the book, LB said Rivera will "reveal details and stories of the championship teams of which he’s been a part; the pressure of playing for a team and a city as epic as New York for his entire career—not to mention the pressure of being the closer for such a team; the rivalries...the experience of being a Latino baseball player in the United States; and what it is like to maintain deeply Christian values in professional athletics."

Parsley, who is also editing, said the book will be for all fans, not just Yankee ones and that Rivera will, in his first book, "finally open up to the world, showing how passion for the game, dogged hard work, commitment to leadership and excellence, and his faith have made him a world champion, future Hall of Famer, and Yankee legend."" via mention on Yankee Radio

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ESPN to move baseball analysts out of the booth in experiment on Wed., May 1 Washington-Atlanta game

4/28/13, "ESPN to move baseball analysts near dugout," USA Today Sports, Michael Hiestand

"A TV baseball experiment on tap Wednesday – analysts out of the booth to instead be near dugouts.

On ESPN's Washington-Atlanta game, play-by-play announcer Sean McDonough will be able to stretch out in the booth -- analysts Mark Mulder and Doug Glanville won't be there. Instead those analysts will be positioned near dugouts, likely in the camera wells beside them – to get a field-level view.

This is the first time ESPN has tried that on baseball. But, McDonough recalls a similar test on college basketball two seasons ago when he stayed courtside midcourt and analysts Jay Bilas and Bill Raftery were sent behind baskets. The only problem, McDonough tells USA TODAY Sports, is it's "much more difficult to keep from talking over each other. You can use body language about who's talking next." Still, McDonough liked it."...

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Billy Butler and daughter before double header in Kansas City v Cleveland Indians

4/28/13, "Kansas City Royals' Billy Butler gets a kiss from one of his daughters before the first of two baseball games against the Cleveland Indians," finals, 9-0 Kansas City game one, 10-3 Cleveland game two. ap

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Scramble for Russell Martin home run in St. Louis

4/28/13, "St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Shane Robinson scales the center field wall after a home run by Pittsburgh Pirates' Russell Martin in the second inning" in St. Louis, final 9-0 Pirates, ap

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Overbay flips chasing foul in the first

4/28/13, "Lyle Overbay #55 of the New York Yankees keeps himeself from falling into the photo well trying to catch a foul ball in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium," final 3-2 Yankees, getty

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Bloomberg: 'You're never going to know where all our cameras are.' Mr. Bloomberg, they're not your cameras. In six months a new mayor will be elected, and even if you spend another $300 million it isn't going to be you.

4/26/13, "Bloomberg: New Yorkers will 'never know where our cameras are'," rt.com

"New York City police officials intend to expand the already extensive use of surveillance cameras throughout town. The plan, unveiled Thursday, comes as part of a drive for increased security around the US following the Boston Marathon attack....

“You’re never going to know where all of our cameras are,” Bloomberg told reporters gathered outside City Hall....

New York City Police Department Commissioner Ray Kelly announced the plan during a press conference with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, in which the two announced that the suspected Boston Marathon bombers were planning to attack New York next. The pair said they hope to discourage criminals by using so-called “smart cameras” that will aggregate data from 911 alerts, arrest records, mapped crime patterns, surveillance cameras and radiation detectors, among other tools, according to The Verge."...

3/22/13, "Bloomberg warned that drones would be able to peep into private residences - but that Peeping Tom legislation could help maintain some privacy."...

3/22/13, "We're going to have more visibility and less privacy': Mayor Bloomberg admits soon NYPD surveillance cameras will be on nearly every corner and in the air," NY Daily News, Tina Moore. image below a creation of a Free Republic commenter. White patch below courtesy of my hackers who don't like free speech.

7-11 Big Gulps were a loophole in Bloomberg's soda ban.

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DWI checkpoints in operation for cars traveling from Yankee games, unclear if same is true for fans leaving Mets games-NY Post

4/28/13, "Foul-tipsy checkpoint," NY Post, Rosario, Prendergast, "Cops snare DWI Yank fans after games."

"Take me out to the precinct! Boozy Bomber fans might want to pass the car keys to sober friends — as crackerjack cops set up DWI checkpoints near Yankee Stadium to catch drivers running afoul of the law, The Post has learned.

A Post reporter was stopped while driving home Friday night on Edward L. Grant Highway and University Avenue, and cops told him they were checking drinkers coming from The House That Ruth Built.

Three other checkpoints were set up in the area surrounding the stadium, sources said.

There was at least one DWI bust at the Grant Highway checkpoint and four more in The Bronx, but it wasn’t clear if the motorists had just left the ballpark.

Other checkpoints were set up at 146th Street and the Grand Concourse and in Manhattan on 155th Street near the Macombs Dam Bridge and on 179th Street, the sources said.

The NYPD sporadically sets them up around the Stadium after games, a police source explained. But these cops are not the same ones who police the Stadium as part of a special game-day unit.

It wasn’t clear if Met fans are subject to the same level of scrutiny around Citi Field.

Police said the checkpoints are part of a citywide drunken-driving crackdown — and insisted they’re not meant to target Yankee fans in particular.

Still, the checkpoints held up fans driving home after Friday night’s 6-4 Bomber victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, said a Major League Baseball source.

They “created a terrible bottleneck for [those] trying to leave via car,” the source said."...

photo, NY Post, Sadowski

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Diamondbacks in 10

4/27/13, "Arizona Diamondbacks' A.J. Pollock, front right, who scored the game-winning run, joins other teammates as they run out to teammate Cody Ross, who hits the sacrifice fly to knock Pollock in, as Colorado Rockies' Wilin Rosario, left, looks on in the 10th inning," in Phoenix. final in 10, 3-2 Diamondbacks, ap

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'Natitude' sign in Washington Nationals ballpark

4/27/13, "Washington Nationals center fielder Denard Span makes a catch on a fly ball hit by Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto during the first inning," final 6-3 Nationals, ap

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