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by Derek Felix

JV depth too much for Leman

January 11, 2012 in Articles, Berkeley Carroll

PARK SLOPE, BK- Depth played a role in the Berkeley Carroll JV Boys win over Leman Monday at the Lions Den. First-year coach Terrence Caufield’s Lions continued to roar by posting a 55-35 home win over the Manhattan school, who only had six players. They were missing two but gave BC a stiff challenge due to an experienced group led by Billy Byrne’s 14 points.

In fact, Berkeley Carroll fell behind 9-6 before turning the first quarter around thanks to an 11-0 run. Top scorer Izzy David netted 10 of the Lions’ 17 on some strong drives and free throws en route to a game high 15. After one, they led 17-9.

However, a sloppy second produced only two buckets and a slew of turnovers much to Caufield’s disgust. To Leman’s credit, they played superb defense, limiting David’s effectiveness while forcing him into a few miscues. Berkeley Carroll struggled with the pressure, throwing balls away while letting their opponent back in it. Not surprisingly, Leman controlled a low scoring stanza by outscoring BC 10-4 to trail by four at intermission. Only a late Chris Harper trey gave them some breathing space.

For much of the opening 16 minutes, the Lions’ shorthanded foe outhustled them to loose balls. That changed in the second half with the Lions paying more attention to detail. They also executed better thanks to outstanding efforts from David Colon and twin brother Andrew Colon. Both were instrumental in a quick 7-0 run that extended BC’s lead to 28-19. Each did most of the damage with David scoring 10 of his 11 after the break while Andrew had nearly an identical line, netting nine of 10 in the second half.

A high scoring third quarter saw Berkeley Carroll get back on track by outscoring Leman 21-13, extending from four to a 12-point lead (42-30). The Colon brothers got help from Zach Llewlyn, who scored eight in transition.

Caufield also used his bench, subbing in and out to keep players fresh. The strategy paid dividends with Joey Shapiro hitting a bucket while Matteo Heilbrun distributed the ball and played solid D.  For most of the contest, Leman hung around thanks to Byrne, who used his size and explosiveness to beat the Lions down the floor for easy lay-ins. He had help from Jordan Wright (8) and Daniel Blatto (5).

Leman finally wore down in the final quarter. Limited to just five, they couldn’t maintain BC’s fast pace. With both Colons scoring off steals and Kyle Graber scoring inside, Berkeley Carroll pulled away for another win.

Notes: The JV hosts Dwight tomorrow at 4 followed by the Varsity in a big clash at 5:30.

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by Derek Felix

Second half surge pushes Lions past Brooklyn Friends

January 7, 2012 in Articles, Berkeley Carroll

PARK SLOPE, BK- One of the areas Berkeley Carroll needs to improve on is consistency. Especially if they want to succeed this season. It was a point senior captain Adam Kochman emphasized following a strong second half that pushed the Lions past ACIS league rival Brooklyn Friends, 54-40 yesterday at the Lions Den.

Early on, it looked a bit too easy for Berkeley Carroll, who used a 9-0 run to go ahead by seven. A big part of the afternoon was sophomore guard Ian Miller, who caught fire from the outside- netting a pair of treys in a seesaw first quarter en route to a game high 21 points. It was a strong response to a foul plagued game in a three-point win Wednesday over Staten Island Academy. Miller passed the six he had in the game’s first few minutes.

However, Brooklyn Friends turned it around following a timeout with a 9-0 run of their own to go in front by two in what amounted to a high scoring first quarter. The Brooklyn rivals combined for 38 total points with each playing at a frenetic pace. To say defense was non-existant would be an understatement. Friends was led by lanky big man Jared Long, who terrorized the Park Slope hosts under the basket by converting second and third chances. He scored 10 of his team best 16 in the opening half while crashing the boards for a double/double.

Berkeley Carroll also got help from junior forward Dondre Benson, who hit for all eight in the first half on an array of floaters. With leading scorer Shane Pearley held in check, the Lions needed a balanced attack to turn back Brooklyn Friends. Pearley finished with 11 but took his lumps against the bigger Long, whose hard foul forced the sophomore from the game. In his place, Jasper Kitchen stepped up and sank a pair of free throws while providing a lift.

The second stanza was predictably sloppy with neither team able to match the early intensity. It led to plenty of turnovers and wild action, which couldn’t have pleased third-year Lions’ coach Carmine Giovino. After a Miller long jumper in the final minute helped keep his team ahead 28-25 at the half, he and his assistant Reed discussed strategy, Berkeley Carroll came out and executed the game plan.

Giovino changed tactics by shifting to a zone to offset Long’s effectiveness. In particular, strong defensive work from starter Duncan Hardy and senior Mike Andria helped turn the tide. Both played with ferocity, pushing Long away from the bucket and rebounding with poise. Along with Kochman, they forced Long into some wild shots, frustrating the junior into fouls. With Brooklyn Friends unable to capitalize from the perimeter, they struggled mightily from the field.

It helped explain a 14-4 third quarter in favor of the Lions, who increased their lead to 42-29. Giovino inserted Will Reagen, who didn’t disappoint. Playing with the kind of energy necessary, his hustle and defensive work led to steals. Reagen also chipped in with a couple of timely baskets off strong drives. Kochman also sprung to life with a corner three that got the bench up.

Another key contributor was Josiah Murrell, whose size and hustle made life difficult on Long. Giovino’s strategy paid off with everyone getting involved. Leading by 13, the Lions never let Brooklyn Friends get close. Some timely hooping by Miller and Pearley along with three Kochman free throws allowed Berkeley Carroll to breathe easy.

Combined with a successful tournament win at Loyola during the break, the Lions have won five in a row since senior Joe Longo’s ankle injury. Longo hinted that he might return by next Friday for Trevor Day. That would only be a boost for a team that’s worked itself into contention. A big test comes next Thursday versus Dwight.

JV rolls past Brooklyn Friends: It was another good day for first-year coach Terrence Caufield’s Boys JV, who were too much for Brooklyn Friends to handle- winning handily 63-23. Izzy David paced the Lions with 14 while starters Chris Harper and David C contributed seven and six respectively.

Danny McCormick came off the bench for 13 and Matteo Heilbrun added 10 as the JV improved to 4-0 in league play. They’ll host Claremont Prep Monday followed by the Varsity Ladies, who aim for their second straight following a blowout win at Evangel Christian.

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by Derek Felix

Defense keys three-point win over Tigers

January 6, 2012 in Articles, Berkeley Carroll

PARK SLOPE, BK- For most of Wednesday’s first game of the new calendar year, ACIS league rivals Berkeley Carroll and Staten Island Academy were back and forth. The hotly contested Varsity Boys basketball game at the BC Athletic Center in Brooklyn featured runs from each squad. However, it was the Lions finally getting third-year coach Carmine Giovino’s message by stepping up their intensity in the defensive end that led to a 53-50 win.

Even with outside threat Ian Miller (a pair of treys in first half) saddled with four fouls on the bench, Berkeley Carroll turned it around following a dismal third quarter that saw them fall behind by as much as six. It was a team effort with only leading scorer Shane Pearley hitting double figures with a game high 20 while the rest of his teammates chipped in for an important league win.

While Pearley did his part inside and out, sophomore shooting guard Jasper Kitchen provided the spark with strong defense and timely scoring. His two three’s were part of a 9-0 run to open the fourth quarter. Super sub Adam Kochman also made a nifty backdoor feed for a Duncan Hardy lay-in as Coach Giovino watched his team compose themselves down the stretch. Kitchen got all eight in the second half and older brother Cole Kitchen had some big steals and rebounds to go with two buckets.

The Tigers had three players in double digits led by James Morisano’s 15. He did most of his damage in the first half, hurting Berkeley Carroll in the paint. Morisano would also get flustered in the final stanza due to the Lions’ aggression, which caused a couple of charges. Morisano had help from guard Alex Morbano, who sliced and diced his way to 13 while Lionel Greene contributed 11, including consecutive fouls on Miller which sidelined him.

Giovino did a solid job using Hardy and Mike Andria to offset Morisano’s inside edge. Both played strong D and hustled. The Lions got eight from Dondre Benson, who hit one runner that answered a Staten Island Academy hoop.

Despite the 9-zip run, BC still had to hold off SIA, who got two three’s to make things interesting. But they got enough free throws including one from Benson to pull it out.

JV romp: In JV action, the Lions soared past SIA 54-19. They were led by Izzy David’s 13, all coming in the first half. Chris Harper added 12 and Danny McCormick had eight.

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Avatar of Derek Felix

by Derek Felix

Defense keys Lion win over Friends Seminary

December 14, 2011 in Articles, Berkeley Carroll

PARK SLOPE, BK- Defense wins championships. More importantly for the Berkeley Carroll Lions, it helped them to an important home win over league rival Friends Seminary- posting a 63-53 victory to enter the Christmas break on the right foot.

Second-year coach Carmine Giovino was pleased with a superb team effort over the defending ACIS champs, who showed some growing pains after a quick start. Minus starter Joe Longo, Giovino inserted senior captain Adam Kochman into the lineup. He didn’t disappoint finishing with eight, including four big free throws down the stretch that helped put away Friends Sem.

“I stepped up and hit my free throws. This was the best game we’ve played,” the always loquacious Kochman said afterwards of his team’s effort.

Leading scorer Shane Pearley netted more than half his club best 23 following intermission. The super sophomore hurt Friends Seminary with an array of shots inside and out, including a nice steal and finish that allowed the Park Slope hosts to build a double digit lead in response to a nice surge from the mid-Manhattan school during the first part of the third quarter.

The Lions had taken control late in the first half and led 27-19 at intermission. They got solid contributions from Josiah Murrell , who replaced foul plagued starter Dondre Benson, and played huge minutes in the middle portion. Murrell did a sound defensive job on Friends Sem’s big man Joe Pucci, who scored his team’s first 13.  The versatile junior sliced and diced his way to a game high 26. However, Murrell and teammates made life difficult on him in the second half by taking away time and space.

“The defense won us the game. We really got after it and rebounded well,” Pearley pointed out. “It was the best defense we played all year.“

Giovino saw his team outwork their opponents by getting to loose balls and closing out against Friends’ other perimeter threats. They also were aggressive offensively, getting the second option in foul trouble, which limited his effectiveness. The attention to detail wasn’t lost on Pearley, who exploded for 11 in the final half of the third following a 10-2 Friends run that tied it at 29.

“We know that every team’s gonna make a run. We came out ready to play. We made some mistakes. We played some strong defense to get some rebounds to get out of it,” the Lions’ high man added.

BC’s response showed poise as they finished the quarter with a 16-4 run to maintain a 45-33 lead enterting the final stanza. Senior guard Cole Kitchen immediately replied with a trey from the left wing that put his team ahead for good. Kitchen, who has battled injuries and fought hard to come back- had his best game. He contributed timely hoops en route to nine point and stellar D, including a few steals that aided the Lions’ cause. Coming off a frustrating outing versus Packer, it had to be satisfying.

Friends Seminary didn’t go away in the fourth, getting a long three off a double screen to crawl within eight. However, it just wasn’t enough due to Berkeley Carroll’s attention to detail. Aside from great D, they made life difficult on their opponent by rebounding well and holding them to one possession. In contrast, the Lions hit the glass and got to loose balls for key resets. It was the kind of basketball that wins.

Sophomore Ian Miller finished strong with 10 of his 14 in the final eight, including six-for-six at the charity stripe. Everyone got involved, including Duncan Hardy, who gave Giovino a solid effort on the glass with Benson on the bench.  Murrell also had a sweet theft and lay-in off BC’s press.

It all translated to Berkeley Carroll’s best win of the season. Exactly what the doctor ordered for Giovino with his team now off until the Loyola Tournament. They don’t return home until Wednesday, January 4, 2012 for a meeting with nemesis Staten Island Academy. All part of a hectic month.

Note: Giovino inserted freshman Richie Palacios into the game late so he could get his first Varsity point. It came on a free throw, prompting a nice reaction.

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by Derek Felix

Lions fall to Pelicans

December 13, 2011 in Articles, Berkeley Carroll

PARK SLOPE, BK- Whenever Berkeley Carroll and league rival Packer get together, it’s usually entertaining. On Friday, the Lions fell short to the Pelicans 66-55 in a game of runs at a packed BC Athletic Center.

Early on, it was back and forth with each school trading buckets. However, the Pelicans began to pull away thanks to the stellar play of sophomore forward Ethan Feldman. Feldman sliced and diced the Lions for a game high 26 points. Many came in the opening half with Packer taking control due to some cold shooting from the Park Slope hosts. They broke open a one-point game with a 10-0 runthat steered them ahead 25-17. Before second-year coach Carmine Giovino knew it, his team trailed 31-21 at intermission.

In particular, Ian Miller struggled from the perimeter and leading scorer Shane Pearley didn’t get going until the second half when things got interesting. Senior guard Joe Longo also was quiet in the early going before helping lead a second half charge. Unfortunately, it was a bit of deja vu for the unlucky five-year starter, who reinjured the same ankle that cost him most of his junior season. At a critical time with his team within striking distance, Longo was forced out due to a collision. He iced the ankle, which originally was injured versus Packer against Packer around the same time at the Lions Den.

Longo’s misfortune certainly didn’t hurt Packer, who also had the benefit of some awfully generous calls from a less than adequate ref. The Lions had a few whistles go against them, including a missed charge that resulted in Miller’s fourth before the fourth quarter. There also was a regrettable call in which the trailer counted a critical Pelican hoop after the third quarter buzzer that stretched Packer’s lead to 49-38.

Prior, the Lions picked it up in the third quarter thanks to Miller and Pearley. A pair of treys from Miller sliced a 15-point lead to nine getting them back in it. Packer coach George Butis quickly called for time. Thanks to a couple of timely hoops from Jake Shapiro and Daniel Chin (14 Pts), the Pelicans carried momentum into the final stanza. Berkeley Carroll turned up the head in the fourth with Pearley and Longo stepping up. Both were instrumental defensively, with steals and big buckets that drew BC within five. Everytime they seemed ready to take over, someone from Packer made a big play to keep them afloat. Nick Morton was a third Pelican in double digits with 11, including a couple of nice finishes. They also had a distinct advantage at the line due to all the fouls. It certainly wasn’t the best officiated game.

Longo’s loss was felt down the stretch as the Lions were forced to foul after Cole Kitchen’s trey was off. Feldman and Co. sealed it at the line.

Notes: Pearley netted 14 of his team-leading 21 after the break while Adam Kochman chipped in five. Dondre Benson was held to nine with five in the first half.

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by Derek Felix

Lady Lions’ rally falls short in defeat to Friends Seminary

December 7, 2011 in Articles, Berkeley Carroll

PARK SLOPE, BK- Sometimes, a lesson can be learned when you lose early on. That was probably the case yesterday for first-year Berkeley Carroll ladies hoops coach Sydney Blumstein, whose Lady Lions dug themselves a huge hole they couldn’t get out of. Despite a valiant second half effort, Berkeley Carroll fell to ACIS league rival Friends Seminary 37-29 at the Lions’ Den in Brooklyn.

Similar to the Mens Varsity a day before, the Lady Lions came out sluggish against a young opponent who took full advantage, building a 17-point lead at intermission. Much of it was attributed to high scorer Dana Burger, who accounted for 15 of the Manhattan school winners’ 37. The feisty guard hurt BC in transition, doing most of her damage in the opening 16 minutes.

Burger got help from teammates Sammy (8 Pts) and Ruvi, who came off the bench for six. Friends Seminary exploited a size edge inside which led to chaos for Blumstein’s squad, who allowed second and third chances. Part of the problem was senior captain Olivia Wilson, who ran into foul trouble. Not the biggest forward, she makes up for it with aggressiveness, fighting for every loose ball. With Wilson on the bench following a third early foul that also saw her hobbled, Berkeley Carroll struggled mightily.

The only consistent offense came from sophomore shooting guard Becca Bender, who connected on a pair of treys in the first half before going ice cold from the perimeter. Time and again, she was left open by Friends Seminary, who focused on shutting down Sarah Paller. Paller was held in check with six while Bender paced the Lady Lions with eight and Mia Kellman contributed seven.

Following a close first quarter, Friends Seminary began to build a lead thanks to the heady play of Burger, who got her teammates involved.  When she wasn’t distributing, she was finishing near the bucket. Meanwhile, the BC lived and died with Bender, who had plenty of chances to score from beyond the arc. However, like most inexperienced players, she couldn’t maintain it. With the paint blocked and both Paller and Kellman off, Bender fired away without much luck.

Blumstein wasn’t helped by a questionable call on Wilson for her fourth early in the second half. By that point, her team trailed 26-9. A more determined group returned to the court, making life much tougher for Burger and Friends Sem. Forcing turnovers and ill advised shots, the Lady Lions chipped away by outscoring their opponent 9-1 in the third quarter.

Paller hit a big three during the run which helped slice the deficit to nine entering the final stanza. In the fourth, they got even closer thanks to Kellman coming alive with a three and another bucket for five of her seven. Olivia Saleh came off the bench and contributed hard nosed D and couple of timely hoops in transition.

Playing with four fouls, Wilson took the ball away and went coast to coast for a hoop that suddenly put her team within four. She would foul out with over two minutes left, leaving it to an equally young team to try to come all the way back.

However, Friends Seminary replied back with consecutive buckets to steer ahead by eight. The Lady Lions weren’t done with Kellman and Bender each hitting quick two’s to once again pull them within four with enough time left. The defense gave them opportunities. However, Bender misfired on a three and wild two, which spelled the end.

Friends Sem finally salted it away with a bucket and then held on for an eight-point victory, dealing BC (3-1) their first loss.

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by Derek Felix

Second half spurt boosts Lions past United Federations

December 6, 2011 in Articles, Berkeley Carroll

PARK SLOPE, BK- It was a tale of two halfs for the Berkeley Carroll Varsity Men’s basketball team. Trailing by as much as 13, a huge spurt allowed the Lions to pull out an exciting come from behind 62-51 victory over United Federations yesterday at the BC Athletic Center.

Shane Pearley scored 20 of his game high 24 in the final 16 minutes and Ian Miller netted 10 of 14 after intermission to help second-year coach Carmine Giovino’s squad post an important early win. In particular, the play of Pearley allowed the Park Slope hosts to recover quickly. The second-year starter scored inside and out to recover from a sluggish start. In fact, the whole team struggled in the first half.

The Lions and UNIS played a low scoring first stanza in which both clubs failed to find the basket. BC let an early lead slip away with too many clanks from the outside. It continued in a dreadful second quarter that saw the guests methodically build a six-point halftime lead thanks to the play of Christian Do Sario, who slashed his way to 11 points. Despite pacing his team with 19, he was defended better following the break.

It didn’t turn around right away as UNIS extended to a 13-point cushion by outworking Berkeley Carroll. Do Sario had help from Chris Wint, who chipped in with a dozen, including a conventional three-point play late that kept his team afloat. Foul trouble on both sides forced the coaches to make adjustments. But it was Giovino’s five-man unit of Pearley, Miller,  Dondre Benson, Josiah Murrell and super sub Adam Kochman that swung the momentum.

Starter Joe Longo got it started with a steal midway through the third before being subbed for by Miller. Though the senior leader was limited to a bucket, his intensity got a pat from Coach Giovino, who appreciated the heady guard’s effort. Perhaps it rubbed off on Miller, whose 5-0 run ignited the Lions. Having one of his worst shooting games, the sophomore guard scored on a lay-up and then converted a steal into a three-point play, which got the bench up.

“That was big,” Miller said afterwards. “Kinda the whole team turned it around. It started before that.”

Back in it, BC responded with chaotic pressure defense that forced United Federations into some undisciplined turnovers. That’s when Pearley took over finishing with 10 in the quarter as the Lions suddenly climbed within two. Kochman also was instrumental with a big three from the corner and a couple of free throws, along with aggressive D.

Pearley and Miller each picked up four fouls early in the fourth but there was no way they were coming out. Giovino alerted them and they responded with maturity. After a bucket by Do Sario, the Lions went ahead 43-41. They eventually increased it to six before Wint took the ball strong for a finish and hit a free throw to slice it to three. But BC stayed ahead with Benson draining a right baseline jumper.

The Lions outscored UNIS 41-24 in the second half. They never relinquished the lead. Miller finally got a trey to go and Pearley scored down the stretch as Berkeley Carroll pulled away. Forced to foul, UNIS watched the Lions hit from the charity stripe, which sealed a hard fought comeback victory.

JV Routs UNIS: In the first game, the JV Boys routed UNIS 84-38. They were led by Izzy David’s game high 31. It was their third win under new coach Terrence Caufield.

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by Derek Felix

Phillies make latest splash landing Pence

July 30, 2011 in Articles, MLB, Trade Deadline

The Phillies are at it again acquiring Hunter Pence from the Astros yesterday.

What is it about the City Of Brotherly Love that attracts star athletes? With the lone exception of the 76ers, Philadelphia sports teams are on a roll. Whether it’s the Flyers grabbing headlines by trading both Mike Richards and Jeff Carter to clear room for latest new goalie Ilya Bryzgalov or the Eagles slipping in the back door to land Jet corner target Nnamdi Asomugha, it’s become all about Philly. Speaking of which, the Phillies are at it again, making another big splash in dealing for former Astro right fielder Hunter Pence yesterday.

Before we get into the steep price the Phils were willing to pay the majors’ worst team, nobody does business quite like the NL East frontrunners. It looks like the former ’08 World Champs should run away with the division after their latest acquisition. Pence won’t blow you away by any stretch but the All-Star is a good hitter, who uses the whole field. On a terrible team, he still was hitting over .300 with 11 home runs and 62 RBI’s.

“I think he’s a very hard, hustling player,” Phils manager Charlie Manuel said of the 28-year old who will supplant Domonic Brown in right and bat fifth in support of Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. “I think that he likes to play. He gives you everything he’s got. He’s got talent. He’s got power. He’s strong the other way hitting the ball. He’s a good player.“

No doubt Pence should benefit from a better lineup and as hitter friendly a ballpark as there is in baseball. A sharp contrast to his only major league team, Houston. He’ll get a chance to shine in October on the perennial favorite to represent the NL. The Phils boast a four ace rotation of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels. Need more convincing? Utley is finally rounding into shape and Howard is as clutch a slugger as you can ask for. Throw in true pros Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino and Placido Polanco and it’s a no-brainer for the newest Phillie. Where would you rather be? On a last place roster whose future looks bleak or on a team full of All-Stars with a chance to win a World Series?

“He asked me how I liked it,” last year’s Cy Yound winner Halladay said. “Of course, with me it’s been everything I thought it would be. I think he’s excited to come here and play.“

What’s not to like? Pence went from a 35 win disaster to an MLB best 66. A differential of 31! Instead of looking up at a very winnable NL Central 22.5 out, his new team entered tonight five up on the injury depleted Braves. The red hot Mets at 55-51 would be tied with the Pirates, only two and a half out. Unfortunately, they’re in the NL East still 11.5 behind the Phils- chasing wild card leader Atlanta. The Amazin’s have crept within six and a half but can’t afford to slip up. They’re trailing the Nats 3-0 on former Phils’ right fielder Jayson Werth’s 12th dinger in an otherwise awful first season in D.C. At last check, Atlanta had four on the board against Florida.

Already new Phillie teammates Howard and Rollins have gone yard in support of Lee, who’s shutdown the Pirates thus far. Pence is 0-for-2 with a groundout and a fly out. Hopefully, he’ll adjust quicker than ex-Met/new Giant Carlos Beltran, who’s 1-for-10 with six strikeouts, including his first at bat in a game San Francisco trails 5-1 to the same Reds that rolled over- dropping four in succession to the Mets at home for the first time ever. Usually, it takes some time for new players. Give it a couple of weeks as the calendar turns to August.

“I appreciate the love the fans have given me,” an emotional Pence expressed. “It’s been a wonderful time in Houston for me. I’ve had great memories and a great time playing for them. It’s the only organization I’ve known. It was a good time, and I think there’s going to be a bright future for both myself and the Astros organization.”

While he has a new challenge, the Astros’ rebuild is underway after dealing away their best player for three prospects and a player to be named later. They also agreed to pick up $1 million of his $2.3 million salary so the Phils wouldn’t hit the $178 million luxury tax that the Yankees routinely eclipse with a payroll in the neighborhood of $200 million. Instead of trading much rumored Domonic Brown, Philadelphia sent Jarret Cosart, Jonathan Singleton and Josh Reid to Houston.

Cosart is a starter who was 9-8 with a 3.92 ERA with Single-A Clearwater. The 21-year old was originally drafted by the Phillies in the 38th round back in ’08.

“We view him as a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher,” Astros’ GM Ed Wade said. “He’s at High A at this point in time, still a young developing player, but we felt that if we had a chance to get a top-of-the-rotation starter and a 30 home run guy in a deal like this, it made all the sense in the world. They were the two key pieces for us.”

That “30-home run guy” Wade’s referring to is 19-year old Singleton, who Philly took in the eighth round of the ’09 MLB Draft. On the same team as Cosart, he was hitting .282 with nine homers and 47 RBI’s over 92 games. Respectable numbers for a teenager.

“He’s certainly one of the top prospects out there, one of Philadelphia’s top prospects,” boasted Wade, who also promoted outfielder J.D. Martinez, who was tearing up Double-A. The 2010 Minor League Player Of The Year was batting .340 with 13 dingers and 71 RBI’s in 87 games for Corpus Christi.

“You put it on a pedestal your whole life, and when it actually happens you’re in shock,” an excited Martinez explained to MLB.com. “I’m still freaked out.”

The third prospect is relief pitcher Josh Zeid, who was grabbed two rounds later in the ’09 Draft by the Phils behind Singleton. After struggling as a starter, he’s made a seamless transition to the bullpen, posting a 2.25 ERA in 10 games at Double-A Reading. Wade views the 24-year old as a potential set up man for former Yankee and current closer Mark Melancon, who’s best known in Staten Island for closing out the Low-A Baby Bombers’ second consecutive New York-Penn League championship in ’06.

On trading a homegrown star, Wade heaped praise. “This is a bittersweet moment for us as an organization. Everybody connected with this organization takes pride in what Hunter Pence has done for us, the way he’s come through the system and represented, not only our team but the city of Houston as admirably as he’s done.

Time and circumstance dictates that you have to do some tough things sometimes, and this certainly ranks among them.”

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by JoeMcDonald

Red Storm Bow Out To Orangemen In New York Battle At MSG

March 15, 2011 in Articles

St. John’s March Madness betting odds shouldn’t be affect too badly with their loss in the Big East quarterfinals to Syracuse, and they’ll definitely be back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002. But still, after a number of big wins at Madison Square Garden, the magic finally ran out on Thursday against another team from New York.

 

The Red Storm were outscored 47-36 in the second half of a 79-73 loss against Syracuse, and their lack of an inside presence was exposed when Syracuse freshman Fab Melo, who has been awful after high expectations coming into the season, scored 12 points on 5-of-5 shooting. Dwight Hardy had 22 points, while Justin Brownlee added 15 points, seven boards and four assists, but that duo combined for 10 of the team’s 19 turnovers. They also struggled from the perimeter against the Syracuse zone, going 4-of-14 from the three-point line, and they were 15-of-24 from the free-throw line.

 

St. John’s is still comfortably in the NCAA Tournament, and they’re being looked at as a No.6 seed, but that could drop one spot. However, the selection committee will likely take into account that they lost to a very good Syracuse team, and there really was no homecourt advantage as the Orangemen are also from New York, and the advantage was a big reason in wins over teams like Pittsburgh and Duke this season. But the loss to Syracuse did highlight some problems for the Red Storm, and that is their lack of size. If the Red Storm run into a team with a great post player, they’re going to be in trouble. St John’s can also struggle with three-point shooting, and the Syracuse zone proved that if you can turn the Red Storm into a long-range team, they can be beat.

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Avatar of Derek Felix

by Derek Felix

The Duke of Flatbush

March 1, 2011 in Articles, columns, MLB

It’s been a couple of days since Duke Snider passed away of natural causes at the age of 84. The former Brooklyn/LA Dodger played in baseball’s Golden Era when New York was King of America’s past time.

Imagine having three New York baseball teams who were always playing in World Series during the late 40′s and 50′s. Not only did the Yankees, Dodgers and Giants turn the town upside down but combined to win 10 world championships, including eight straight from 1949-56. Spanning 1947-57 before the Dodgers left for Hollywood with the Giants right behind, our three baseball franchises combined for 17 World Series appearances, nine championships and seven Subway Series when it wasn’t a pipe dream.

A big reason for New York’s dominance was our three Golden Age center fielders. Or as referred to in Terry Cashman’s ode to the Boys Of Summer Talkin’ Baseball, “Willie, Mickey and the Duke.” Of course, he was referring to Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle and Duke Snider. A Hall Of Fame trio who owned the spotlight patrolling baseball’s sexiest position.

Growing up as a kid, I heard stories from Dad about New York Giant games he attended at the Polo Grounds along with Yankee games at the original Stadium before all the renovations, etc. It’s still hard to believe that it doesn’t exist anymore. That aside, every time we drive through the Bronx, he always notes where the Polo Grounds once stood. Heck. We’ve been on the street where the apartment buildings are with one image left from a special time.

I often wonder what it must’ve been like growing up with three teams to choose from. Whether it was the Bronx Bombers or the Giants or Brooklyn’s best and Ebbets Field, it sounds like a baseball haven. If I could have a time machine, I’d definitely experience that Golden Era when Mays, Mantle and Snider were treating New Yorkers to an extraordinary brand of baseball.

As has been told by Ralph Branca, the infamous Brooklyn Dodger who gave up Bobby Thomson’s dramatic pennant clinching home run in ’51, the Giants stole signs that year and to this day, he still believes our own Staten Island Scot knew what was coming. Regardless, it’ll always be one of those signature moments that make baseball such a great game. If you’re on the Giants’ side, prior to that fateful ninth, your team had scored one run in 17 innings at home. If you’re a Dodger fan, you believe Thomson knew. One of those classic sportsbar debates.

If only that kind of passion still existed. Not the same recycled crap we get these days on WFAN or ESPN Radio. They just don’t make ‘em like Willie, Mickey and The Duke. Of course, Snider always was behind both Mays and Mantle, who fans still argue over who was better. I’m a Yankee fan and while The Mick was New York, I’ve always been on the Say Hey Kid’s side. There in lies the problem as the other Cooperstown center fielder never gets his due despite a brilliant career.

Perhaps it’s like Branca told Steve Somers yesterday in an interview that he always was behind Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese. A great double play combo with Robinson symbolic for breaking the barrier as the first Negro to play in the majors. Every year, baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson Day commemorating April 15, 1947 when No.42 debuted in Dodger blue. The biggest had to be 1997 with it the 50-Year Anniversary. I remember Topps having a special Jackie Robinson series as part of their baseball set. I still own a few of the cool cards at home.

It’s like taking a trip down memory lane. And we don’t mean NAS. So, how does The Duke of Flatbush stack up? Here are the highlights:

DUKE SNIDER (The Silver Fox)

-Signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1943

-Debuted on April 17, 1947

-Elected Baseball Hall Of Fame in 1980

-Spent 16 seasons with BK/LA Dodgers totaling 389 home runs, 1,271 RBI’s while batting .300 with 1,995 hits, 1,199 runs, 99 stolen bases plus 343 doubles and 82 triples

-Finished second for NL MVP in ’55 hitting .309 with 42 homers and a career best 136 RBI’s, which led the majors along with his 126 runs 

-Awarded ML Player of the Year (1955)

-Hit .320 with 4 HR and 7 RBI’s in finally beating the Yankees for the ’55 World Series

-Eight-time All-Star (’50-56, ’63) 

-Finished in the top 4 for MVP three times (’53-55)

-Played 18 seasons including one with the Mets in ’63 and his final year with the rival Giants (’64)

-40-or-more HR five consecutive years (’53-57)

-6 seasons 100+ RBI (’50-51, ’53-56)

-most hits one season, 199 (’50, ’54)

-most runs one season, 132 (’53)

-Career Totals: .295 BA, 407 HR, 1,333 RBI, 2,116 H, 1,259 R, 99 SB, 971 BB, 1,237 SO, .380 OBP, .540 SLG, .919 OPS

-Postseason: 6 WS (won in ’55/’59) .286-11-26

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