Hits: 165

WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK. By “Bull” Allen July 21:

Hello there, everybody! This is Bull Allen, greeting you from the Mel Allen Voice of the Yankees Broadcast Booth in the mezzanine behind home plate in the Big Ball Park in Da Bronx where everything was big.

Big outfield. Big Upper Deck with a 45 degrees rake jutting fans  out to field edge.

Big bullpens visible from every seat in the park where you could see the mopUP men warming up to take over for a starter that did not have it. Mopup men then had to pitch into the ninth inning and get out guys without walks.

Big Closers who usually warmed up alone– the reliables the Money Pitchers who did not start innings, they came in with tying and winning runs on the bases and were expected to “put out the fire” throw a double play ball or throw both smoke and strikes. I remember them: Joe Page,Luis Arroyo, Bud Byerly, Bob Grim, Ryne Durin, Sparky Lyle, Tommy Byrne. Steve Hamilton.

Big starters.

They gave you 7 innings a start, if not all 9 innings: The Big Train, Gomez, Ruffing, Reynolds, Turley, Hoyt, Spahnie, Koufax, Feller, Lemon, Wynn, Lary. Pierce, Donovan, Pascual, Ramos (No first names, because you know them. The Starting Pitchers were big. They were marquee names that fans would go to see….because they were good.

Big plays. Lots of them because the outfield was big. Big plays you remember if you saw them. In the Big Ball Park the catches were legendary:

Wes Covington  running into the left field corner from left center and  gloving back-handed  in full stride spearing Bobby Shantz’s liner to left in Game 2 of the Series in 1957. Sandy Amoros racing deep into the left corner in the 7^th game of the 1955 series and robbing Yogi Berra of a double that would have tied the game: Wikipedia describes the action:

The first two batters in the inning reached base and Yogi Berra came to the plate. Berra, notorious for swinging at pitches outside the strike zone, hit an opposite-field shot toward the left field corner that looked to be a sure double, as the Brooklyn outfield had just shifted to the right. Amorós seemingly came out of nowhere, extended his gloved right hand to basket-catch the ball and immediately skidded to a halt to avoid crashing into the fence near Yankee Stadium‘s 301 distance marker in the left field corner.

Amoros wheeled around  then threw to the relay man, shortstop Pee Wee Reese, who in turn threw to first baseman Gil Hodges, doubling Gil McDougald off first; DOUBLE PLAY! Hank Bauer grounded out to end the inning. 

 How about that! A catch-em and   throw em out 7-6-3 Double Play.  Perhaps the most incredible catch and save the game catch ever.

The essence of baseball is ever present tension, striving,never giving up on a ball or a feared hitter. You always think you can get to the ball so you go all out. Reach back for that EXTRA SOMETHING EXTRA and  brain,  body and mind coordinate to make you run faster than ever, see the ball, YOU ONLY SEE THE BALL  into the webbing of your glove  and – your legs and body  precisely knowing aware you’re about to crash into the wall you automatically   dig your spikes into the running track to stop yourself,  spin, whirl and hit the cutoff man and you become immortal in the sun for eternity. Never tp be forgotten.

Or if you’re a pitcher in the pinch against a great hitter,   throwing a pitch like the Twentieth Century Limited right on the outside corner at the knees,  you save the game. Like Devin Williams did on Opening Day this year.

Ahh, memories in the sun.

Kurt Gibson’s 3 run  pinch hit homer, off Dennis Eckersley against the great Oakland A’s in 1988 leading the Dodgers to a World  Series victory. It was Gibson’s only at bat in that series, and it was a mightY drive unbelievably deep in the right field stands  in the setting sun, prompting Jack Buck to yell into the microphone  “I can’t believe what I just saw!”

The ground ball going through Bill Buckner’s legs in the 1986 World Series 6^th game turning the Mets fortunes around.

Luis Gonzalez blooping a single to left off Mariano Rivera with 2 out to drive in the winning runs in the 7^th game in 2001 to give the Diamondbacks the World Championship.

You can replay them wonder in your mind and they come right back. The joy. The pain all comes back.

Nothing artificial about them. They were wrenching heart-breaking and ecstatic miracles  that you never forget.

Where am I going with this?

Baseball is the only place you can see miracles: miracle plays.

I told myself after the All Star Game I was not going to talk about using a home run derby hit-off to decide the All Star Game.

But I was talking to the old Dutchman Larry Shapiro down in North Carolina about the All Star Game. I said, “of course they used real major league pitchers during the Home Run Derby to test the homer hitters?”

The Dutchman said “NO they were the batting practice pitchers they used during the home run derby Monday night.”

“I said, you’ve got to be kidding? They decided the game with batting practice?”

It is one more example of how baseball and the people who run it have no respect for their game and its great uniqueness.

The great appeal of baseball is the extraordinary play. The miracle homerun. The bloop single by Gonzalez.

The reason this homerun derby decided the game: “to avoid running out of pitchers.” How stupid is that. If you are not going to test the All Star managers by making them use the pitching staff they have wisely when they are under pressure to use everybody—but wisely, then they shouldn’t play the game, or make it a full week  (no game on Friday. That gives every pitcher 3 days rest.

I’d take the top three pitchers and pitch them 3 innings each—so you see how they do against the full lineups.If they get in trouble, bring in relievers (the Aaron Boone school of pitching management).

And you go to real extra innings.

Really a Home Derby to avoid running out of pitchers mocks the game.

The players play hard they want to win. And when you decide a game by seeing how many hit homers off pitches right down the pipe well that is batting practice. That is disrespecting the fan. It is disrespecting the players. They should least use the stupid ghost runner on second in the 10^th inning.

What disturbs me is the true believers in the current state of Artificial Baseball: 20 seconds to pitch, 9 seconds to get in the batter’s box, no shifts, the awful runner on 2^nd to start the 10^th inning, every relief pitcher has to pitch to three hitters (which turns matchups upside down) already plays havoc with bullpens. Writers are waxing eloquent about the pitching clock, the speeding up of the game, the hitting, and how the games are not as long.

But some of them are longer than others: “Unwatchable,”  especially if you broadcast Yankee games.

And the umpiring! I watched a 1920s kinescope of a Giants-Cubs game on YouTube and I saw something incredible umpires running to anticipate a play after an initial play. You do not see that in major league umping today.  Now this is not the fault of the umpires. It is the effect of the challenge rule. If your call is going to be decided by non three dimensional replays (which do not show depth of field), you have tendency to feel you have back up. It doesn’t matter what my call is. It is only natural.

Now those very same writers are praising the excitement of home run derby and how it is more fun for the players and suggesting it replace extra innings.

Are they out of their minds? Talk about a gift to gambling from Major League Baseball this would bring a lucrative opportunity to bet on who would win home derby if the game ended in a tie.

They should not do that.

They should bring back the donnybrook extra innings of old, play until somebody wins.

Fans love it.

Only sportscasters, sportswriters and networks hate it.

Hits: 161

PLAYLAND PRIOR TO OPENING IN MAY

Westchester County Communications Director Catherine Cioffi Issues Statement on Playland

(White Plains, NY) – “As has been widely reported, Playland Park was left in a significant state of disrepair, putting the 2025 season at risk.

We are deeply grateful to the County Parks Department, the County DPW, and the many dedicated contractors who have worked tirelessly to repair rides and restore the park. We also thank New York State officials for their swift response in inspecting and approving rides for reopening.

“That said, as we have communicated on our website, on social media, in the news, and at the point of sale, not all rides are currently operational at this time.  We have been transparent to allow Playland enthusiasts to make an informed choice with free admission and listing the open rides.

“More than 65,000 guests have already enjoyed Playland this season—taking advantage of free admission and an all-day ride pass for just $15 with a parking fee reduced to half of what it was last year under the management company that abandoned Playland. 

“With the return of Playland’s legendary fireworks display Friday evenings, entertainment with the beach and pool, Playland is affordable family fun.”

Hits: 175

This Saturday, July 19 from 10 AM to 2 PM the Wig Outlet at 194 S Central Ave Hartsdale is having an open house.  They also donate wigs for children with hair loss at no cost to the family.

The hair needs to be at least 8″ long and it can be colored, permed or grey etc. so anyone can donate.

It needs to be tied into a ponytail to cut it off and keep it neat.

They accept donations all year round if they drop it off in a pony tail in a plastic bag.

This is a worthy cause and a fantastic initiative. Appreciate that the Wig Outlet is working hard to make the lives of children better.  Hope residents will donate.

PAUL FEINER

Hits: 197

Governor Directs State Agencies To Prepare Strategies for Limiting Long-Term Damage to Vital Programs Facing Federal Cuts

Republican Cuts Threaten To Rip Away Health Care Coverage for More Than 1.5 Million New Yorkers and Jeopardize SNAP Benefits for Nearly 3 Million New Yorkers

All New York’s GOP Congressional Representatives Voted for These Cuts

In the face of detrimental federal funding cuts, Governor Kathy Hochul today convened a cabinet meeting to discuss the cuts imposed by Washington  an anticipated $13 billion being cut from New York’s health care system, 1.5 million New Yorkers being stripped of health insurance coverage, and more than 300,000 households projected to lose some or all of their SNAP benefits.

In addition to assessing these and other impacts, Governor Hochul has directed State agencies to prepare comprehensive strategies to help limit the long-term damage to vital programs facing federal cuts. Announces New York Counties will have to fund cuts to SNAP programs

“While Republicans in Washington callously slash funding for vital programs across the country, my administration is standing up for New Yorkers to soften the blow of these cuts amidst an affordability crisis,” 

Governor Hochul said. “President Trump’s devastating ‘Big Ugly Bill’ will inflict harm across the state, leaving detrimental gaps in funding and families without the crucial benefits and coverage that they need. New York State remains laser-focused on ensuring New Yorkers have access to resources and support necessary to uplift them and their families.”

Essential Plan/Medicaid Cuts

Republicans’ cuts to health care and other benefits will hurt all New Yorkers. The changes will eliminate insurance coverage for millions of New Yorkers, destabilize health insurance programs statewide, and have an overall fiscal impact on the State and the New York health care system of almost $13 billion per year. These changes will make it harder for providers statewide to keep operating and make it more difficult for all New Yorkers to find care when they need it.

• More than 2 million New Yorkers could lose their current insurance coverage, including approximately 730,000 lawfully-present non-citizens who could lose Essential Plan (EP) coverage as more than half of EP’s budget — $7.5 billion in federal funding — is eliminated, and a further 1.3 million New Yorkers who will lose Medicaid coverage due to new eligibility and verification hurdles.
• Of these 2 million people, 1.5 million New Yorkers are anticipated to become uninsured, with uncompensated care costs to hospitals and providers estimated to rise to more than $3 billion annually — which means less access to care and higher medical bills for New Yorkers.
• Analysis from the Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA) and the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) estimates a total $8 billion in annual cuts to New York’s hospitals and health systems, which could force hospitals to curtail critically needed services such as maternity care and psychiatric treatment, not to mention to downsize operations, and even close entirely. These consequences will not only affect Medicaid enrollees, but also harm everyone who requires hospital care, leading to longer wait times and less access to critical services.

SNAP and Nutrition Assistance: New York and local governments are facing up to $1.4 billion in new costs annually:

Since the inception of SNAP, the federal government has funded these benefits 100 percent, receiving bipartisan support from presidents of both parties and in Congress. For the first time in the history of SNAP, the Republicans’ enacted law requires states to contribute to the cost of benefits, or risk having to end their SNAP programs entirely — jeopardizing a program that nearly three million New Yorkers rely on to put food on the table. In total, as a result, New York and local governments are facing up to $1.4 billion in new costs annually:

• New York State will be required to fund 15 percent of all SNAP benefits starting as early as October 1, 2027, at an estimated cost to the State of $1.2 billion per year. 
• The law further cuts the federal share of SNAP administrative costs from 50 percent to 25 percent which will increase costs for the State by roughly $36 million annually, and increase costs for counties and New York City by roughly $168 million annually. Counties will have to begin incorporating this fiscal hit into their 2026 budgets due this fall. 

New York State is also facing more than $900 million in lost SNAP benefits for New Yorkers, due to new, more punitive program requirements that will make it harder for people to qualify for the assistance they need:

• The law intentionally imposes unnecessarily administratively complex work requirements on SNAP recipients, which is projected to result in more than 300,000 households losing some or all of their SNAP benefits, devastating low-income households’ grocery budgets. With an average loss of $220 per household per month, New Yorkers are projected to lose more than $800 million of SNAP benefits due to these changes.
• The law further restricts eligibility for legally present noncitizens who have previously been eligible for SNAP, now excluding anyone that does not have legal permanent resident status, Cuban/Haitian status, or Compact of Free Association status. As a result, 41,000 noncitizens in New York State, including individuals granted refugee or asylee status by the federal government, are expected to lose the food assistance they rely on to feed themselves and their families, totaling roughly $108 million in lost SNAP benefits for New Yorkers.

The law also cuts funds for the SNAP-Ed New York Program, which promotes healthy eating and efficient use of already modest SNAP benefits by teaching SNAP beneficiaries how to shop for and cook wholesome, healthy meals on a limited budget: 

• As a result, New York will lose $29 million annually that funded this work by 18 community-based organizations throughout the entire State including Cornell Cooperative Extensions in Albany, Allegany, Erie, Wayne, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, St. Lawrence, Steuben and Suffolk counties. 

Beyond worsening food insecurity and malnutrition, cuts to the program will hurt local businesses and weaken SNAP’s ability to boost local economies in every state. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) own research has shown that SNAP benefits have a multiplier effect, with every $1 spent on SNAP generating $1.54 in economic activity as recipients spend their benefits at local businesses in their communities. For New York, where a total of approximately $7.4 billion in SNAP benefits are issued every year, that means $11.5 billion in economic activity is generated annually across urban, suburban and rural areas alike. Slashing families’ grocery budgets will reduce revenue for thousands of businesses, with ripple effects throughout the food supply chain. If states are forced to end their SNAP programs, in addition to increasing hunger and poverty, grocery stores in rural areas will struggle to stay open, people in agriculture and the food industry will lose jobs, and State and local economies will suffer:

• Lost SNAP sales and matching dollars will have a critical impact on local economies and the more than 18,000 retailers that accept SNAP in New York State, including grocery stores, local shops and more than 400 SNAP-authorized local farmers’ markets and farm stands that can be found in every county in New York selling New York agricultural products to the people in their local community.
• SNAP sales in the farming community have dramatically increased since 2019, providing New York consumers access to healthy, farm fresh foods and providing our farm communities additional economic development dollars.
• As the State matches SNAP dollars spent at farm markets through the Fresh2You FreshConnect program, the hit to farms of decreased SNAP funding is doubled.

Hits: 171