Editor’s Note: In lieu of a news roundup today, which we couldn’t get to because of a fire and school building contamination, we offer you this Bronx sports roundup, courtesy of BxNN intern and Yankee fan Justin Bodden.
By Justin Bodden
Red-hot Yankees set to take on Red Sox for division lead
The most famous rivalry in all of sports resumes tonight as the Yankees face the Red Sox at Fenway for the lead in the AL East. The Bombers come into the series sizzling: winners of their last 7 games and coming off a sweep of the White Sox in which they didn’t walk a single batter. The Red Sox and their line-up full of MVP candidates are coming off a split with the Cleveland Indians. Both teams are tied for the second best record in the majors at 68-42. This season, the Yankees have struggled against the Sox, losing 8 out of 9. The Bombers hope for a replay of the 2009 season when they also struggled early against the Sox, losing their first eight games to their AL East rivals, but then finished the season winning 9 of the last 10 against them. That, the Yanks went on to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies for their 27th championship.
Despite not making any deadline deals, Yanks continue to win
For the first since 1998 the Yankees failed to alter there roster by the day of the trade deadline, but that didn’t stop them from winning. Even though some are saying the bombers idleness might have cost them a shot at a pennant, the Yankees are a season-high 22 games over .500 and concluded July with a 16-11 record. The Bombers were led by C.C. Sabathia, who finished the month with a 4-1 record and posted a 0.92 ERA, which was the third lowest ever for a single month in Yankee history.
Bronx Southpaw headed to Indians
Bronx Product Abel Guerrero recently signed a deal to join the Cleveland Indians where he will start playing rookie ball. Guerrero graduated from Bronx baseball powerhouse Monroe High School, then played at SUNY Old Westbury and Galveston (Texas). He was drafted in the 29th round of last year’s MLB draft. The former Monroe ace who was an outfielder before converted to pitcher is nervous, but excited. “It’s going to be great, being with all those great players. It’s going to make me want to push forward even more,” said the lefty.
Controversy Surrounds Bronx Little Youth Baseball Team after clinching Series berth
Bronx youth baseball team Next Millennium’s celebration was cut short following its 8-6 win over Springfield, which gave the team a berth in the Cal Ripken World Series in Visalia California. Controversy emerged when eight of the nine teams who competed against Next Millennium complained about the legality of the team’s roster, prompting an investigation. The team has had its share of history with illegal rosters and if the team is found guilty they will be disqualified from the World Series.
Former Fordham Rams ready to hit the gridiron professionally
Two former Fordham University Rams will be lacing up their cleats to play in the NFL this upcoming season. Defensive back Isa Abdul-Quddus and tight end Stephen Skelton recently signed NFL deals, in hopes of securing a spot on the roster of their respective teams. Abdul-Quddus who is tied for the Fordham record for interceptions in a game with three, signed with the 2010 Super Bowl championion New Orleans Saints. Meanwhile Skelton, who has the Ram record for most catches in a season by a tight end inked a deal to join his brother and former college teammate, Quarterback John Skelton, in Arizona to play for the Cardinals. The signings makes them the third and fourth Fordham players to sign NFL contracts over the past two years.
Hoopster Tyler Wilson headed to Hayes
This fall Tyler Wilson of Manhattan’s Rice High School will be taking his talents to South … Bronx. The 6’1 combo guard, who formerly played for the storied Rice Raiders, has chosen to play basketball at the Bronx’s Cardinal Hayes High School this fall. The decision comes as Wilson helps lead his AAU team, the Bronx-based New York Gauchos, to victories this summer. The Gauchos are currently undefeated.
