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2013년 8월 2일 금요일

Column: Hall voters dropped the ball for Cooperstown

Photo credit: The plaque of Jacob Ruppert in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium. (Getty Images)

If you’re a baseball fan who remembers the days when Jacob Ruppert owned the Yankees, you’re likely near your 80th birthday or well past it.

And regardless of age, you also likely didn’t head upstate to Cooperstown yesterday when he was enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, along with two players who passed away around the time Ruppert did, in 1939.

And who can blame you? There hasn’t been a Hall of Fame class absent a living person in 48 years.

I get it. The collective of Hall of Fame voters isn’t going to give players linked to performance-enhancing drugs a free pass. I’m not going to say they should.

But if the so-called “cheaters” are going to be kept out for now, why not reward those who (likely) played the game fairly? Why couldn’t the baseball world have honored former Houston Astros great Craig Biggio, even if he may not be what most think of as a first- ballot Hall of Famer?

During a 20-year career, the Long Island native and seven-time All-Star collected 3,060 hits while playing the majority of his career as a second baseman, plus more than 360 games each as a catcher and outfielder. He’s fifth all-time in doubles (668) and has been hit by a pitch more times than anyone in the modern era (285).

No, Biggio was never a truly great hitter (.281 lifetime; only hit over .300 four times) not an elite player (only two top-five finishes in the NL MVP voting).

Biggio already received 68.2% approval from the voters (a player needs at least 75% to be elected), and the reality is that he will be a Hall of Famer soon. Only now it’s more likely he’ll be lost in the crowd with the influx other likely clean greats coming in the next few years such as Greg Maddux (2014), Randy Johnson (2015) and Ken Griffey Jr. (2016).

Maybe Biggio’s career doesn’t scream “first ballot,” but at least there would have been reason to care about this year’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
That is, aside of those who remember Jacob Ruppert.

Scott Fontana, amNY’s sports editor, can be reached at scott.fontana@am-ny.com

http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/column-hall-voters-dropped-the-ball-for-cooperstown-1.5785253

Rex Ryan: Jets' decisions are a 'group effort'

Photo credit: Jets coach Rex Ryan (James Escher)

The Jets don’t know who their starting quarterback will be come Week 1, but head coach Rex Ryan said yesterday that when the time comes to make a decision, he’s comfortable giving a say to new general manager John Idzik.

“Ever since I’ve been here, this is my fifth year here, not one decision has ever been made by one man,” Ryan told reporters at the team’s training camp facility at SUNY Cortland. “Not one decision and that’s whether it’s who’s up, who is active, who’s going to be the starter at this and this, who we draft. It’s always a group effort on what is best for this team.”

Ryan has two years remaining on his contract with the Jets, but is under pressure to help the team improve from its 6-10 record from last season.

Ryan said receiving input from the team’s front office is not a unique occurrence throughout the NFL.

“There’s a lot of teams in this league where the head coach does not have the final say on who makes the 53-man roster,” Ryan said.

(amNY)

http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/rex-ryan-jets-decisions-are-a-group-effort-1.5785495

Former high school dean allegedly harassed and sexually abused students

Photo credit: amNY

A former dean and community associate at midtown Manhattan's Business of Sports School had sexual relationships with at least four students there, sexually harassed four others, and asked one teen to buy him marijuana, according to a two-month investigation by the Special Commissioner of Investigation.

Malik Taylor, 31, of Queens, who went to work at the school in May 2012, earning $32,000 a year, resigned in May before he could be fired, according to officials.

The report has been forwarded to the district attorneys for Manhattan and Brooklyn District who are reviewing it in contemplation of charges.

Sexual activities with girls between the ages of 16 and 19 allegedly took place in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Bronx hotels, vehicles, and five times in BSS classrooms.

"His actions are completely reprehensible and he is no longer eligible to work for the NYC Department of Education," said a spokesman for the agency.

The investigation was triggered by a complaint made by an assistant principal at the school after a teacher/advisor reported that a student had told her that she was in a sexual relationship with Taylor and that she believed he was involved with other students as well.

Taylor was unavailable for comment.

(amNY)

http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/former-high-school-dean-allegedly-harassed-and-sexually-abused-students-1.5798220

Ranking pro sports' all-star games

Photo credit: The 2013 NBA All-Star Game. (Getty)

The NFL’s annual all-star game will have a whole new look this season, after Wednesday’s news that the Pro Bowl rosters will now be decided by a fantasy-style draft. The new plan scraps the old AFC vs. NFC format with the hope of revitalizing one of the least interesting all-star formats in major professional sports. So, will the Pro Bowl be better than any of the other all-star games with the latest changes? Here’s where amNewYork ranks it among the big four, taking into account the festivities peripheral to the games themselves.

No. 1: NBA All-Star Weekend
Defense wins championships, but there’s no championship at stake in the All-Star Game, so why bother with ‘D’? Unlike the other sports, most of the participants here are true stars, too, which is appropriate for a star-driven league. Aside from the game, the other competitions are hit or miss and have mostly peaked years ago. Still, the dunk contest provides the occasional memorable slam. Even with the miserable Shooting Stars challenge, the NBA takes the all-star crown.

No. 2: MLB All-Star Break
Years ago, all the other sports were a distant second to baseball’s Midsummer Classic. Interleague play changed that, and the sheer number of players on the roster (78 players were All-Stars earlier this month at Citi Field) means many players are far from stars (Steve Delabar, Travis Wood). The Home Run Derby is fun for the first few minutes, and the Futures Game is a treat for fan bases eyeing tomorrow’s All-Stars. But who’s watching the Legends & Celebrity Softball Game?

No. 3: NHL All-Star Weekend
If hockey ever has one of these again — the lockout nixed last year’s festivities and the Winter Olympics will prevent it again this year — it’s not the worst of the four. The game’s format has changed a few times in the past 15 years, and the last outing in 2012 featured a fantasy draft of teams. Like the NBA, defense is optional, but that makes for fewer sensational saves. The Skills Competition is probably the best of this group’s All-Star peripherals.

No. 4: NFL Pro Bowl
Even with the revamped format — which also eliminated kickoffs — the NFL is dead last. Few players truly want to be there, and that’s saying something, considering the game has returned to Hawaii. Other than the players who are fantasy football studs, viewers aren’t interested in watching their Pro Bowl center block the Pro Bowl nose tackle. And there’s no skills competition, which is highly disappointing. Hopefully, the NFL isn’t expecting the new Pro Bowl to be a hit, because it won’t be.

(amNY)

http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/ranking-pro-sports-all-star-games-1.5807684

Revisiting Parcells' greatest coaching jobs as he enters the Hall of Fame

Photo credit: Getty RHONA WISEBill Parcells coached either the Jets or Giants for 11 seasons. (Getty)

Bill Parcells’ bust will adorn the halls of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, after his enshrinement on Saturday. The two-time Super Bowl winner helmed some great teams during his 19-year NFL coaching career with the Giants, Patriots, Jets and Cowboys. Here’s a look at “The Big Tuna’s” top four.

1986 Giants
Four years earlier, the Giants had gone 3-13 in Parcells’ first year as an NFL coach. In ’86, they set a franchise record by going 14-2 — also the most wins by a Parcells-coached team. Led by 1,516-yard rusher Joe Morris and quarterback Phil Simms, Big Blue stomped the 49ers and Redskins before topping John Elway’s Broncos in Super Bowl XXI.

1990 Giants
Other than the strike-shortened 1987 season, Parcells kept the Giants among the NFC’s elite. He amassed three seasons of 10-plus wins out of four. The last of these came in ’90, when the 13-3 Giants smashed the Bears and edged the Niners en route to the NFC title. Two weeks later, Parcells’ bunch pulled off one of the greatest Super Bowl upsets when they nipped the Bills, 20-19, thanks in part to a missed field goal.

1996 Patriots
After a brief two-season retirement following Super Bowl XXV, Tuna returned to New England, where he had once served as linebackers coach. Parcells led the 11-5 Pats to Super Bowl XXXI against the Packers. However, the underdog Patriots couldn’t stop Brett Favre from winning his only title, and Parcells never coached in the big one again.

1998 Jets
Parcells was able to get close to the Super Bowl once more in his return to New York. After a messy contract dispute, he wound up with the Jets shortly after the Super Bowl. He led Gang Green to a franchise-best 12-4 record and its only first-round bye. While the team led the Broncos, 10-0, in the third quarter of the AFC Championship Game, it wasn’t enough. Gang Green lost 23-10.

***

REST OF THE CLASS
Here’s who else will be joining Bill Parcells in the 2013 class of Hall of Famers.

Larry Allen (OL)
Perhaps the best blocker in Cowboys history, he made <QA0>
11 Pro Bowls.

Cris Carter (WR)
One of the best receivers of the 1990s for the Vikings.

Curley Culp (DT)
The six-time Pro Bowler won Super Bowl IV with the Chiefs.

Jonathan Ogden (OT)
One of the best ever on the blind side during 12 seasons with the Ravens.

Dave Robinson (LB)
A top playmaker for the Vince Lombardi-led Packers dynasty.

Warren Sapp (DT)
Anchored Buccaneers defensive line for Super Bowl XXXVII victory.

(amNY)

http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/revisiting-parcells-greatest-coaching-jobs-as-he-enters-the-hall-of-fame-1.5814713

Nick Cannon to Amanda Bynes: 'I'm here for you'

Nick Cannon to Amanda Bynes: 'I'm here for you'

Photo credit: Nick Cannon (Getty)

Nick Cannon reaches out to his “little sister” Amanda Bynes in an open letter posted to hiswebsite Wednesday, offering support to his former Nickelodeon co-star currently on a two-week long involuntary psychiatric hold.

The “America’s Got Talent” host, who first worked with Bynes, 27, on the fifth season of “All That” in 1998, wrote that the situation is “no laughing matter,” requesting the starlet call and lean on him.

Cannon, 32, who is also a rapper and married to Mariah Carey, blames “access to excess,” fame and the workings of the entertainment industry for many of his friends falling victim to “dangerous addictions.”

Cannon adds “This is what I believe happens to many people in the public eye and we all sit back and judge these people for our own entertainment. We say things like, " I’m glad I’m not famous ", “Celebrities are Crazy", “See what fame and money does to people". And most of the time your assumptions and accusations maybe accurate but also inappropriate.”

He concludes the 946-words-long letter with a direct offer of support to Bynes, followed by the lyrics to Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me”: “So I say to my sister Amanda Bynes you’re not alone. I’m here for you. I understand. I care and I appreciate you, because that’s what family does and that’s what family is for… not to be all cheesy and over sentimental but I got to end this with the ingenious Wither’s lyrics "Lean on me when you’re not strong and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on. For it won’t be long until I’ll need somebody to lean on.”

Bynes is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 26 in Manhattan regarding her flap in her apartment building in which she allegedly threw a bong on the window.

(amNY)

http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/nick-cannon-to-amanda-bynes-i-m-here-for-you-1.5812737

Keith Urban returning to 'American Idol'

Photo credit: Keith Urban (Getty)

Country singer Keith Urban will be returning to "American Idol" as a judge when the Fox singing contest returns for its 13th season next year, Fox Broadcasting Company said on Thursday.

"I will confirm one thing, Keith is going to return to the show, you could see how much he loved the show," Kevin Reilly, chairman of entertainment at Fox told reporters at a Television Critics Association meeting.

"Idol," once a ratings juggernaut for Fox, has slumped in recent years and is in the midst of revamping its judging panel after high-priced talent Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj failed to boost viewership last season.

Pop singer Carey and rapper Minaj announced after the "Idol" May finale that they were leaving the talent show, while longtime judge Randy Jackson also bowed out.

Singer Jennifer Lopez, who left the show in 2012 after two seasons as a judge, may return to the panel when "Idol" begins in January, Reilly said.

"There is no deal with her or with anybody else," he said after saying Fox has had discussions with Lopez about a return.

"Idol," which premiered in 2002 and drew more than 30 million viewers during its peak years of 2006 and 2007, attracted only 14.2 million viewers for its finale, in which vocal powerhouse Candice Glover won the competition.

The show's longtime producer, Nigel Lythgoe, was let go in June and replaced by Swedish producer Per Blankens, who was most recently the producer of Sweden's version of the show.

(amNy)