mercredi 30 mai 2012

Rogers helps lead Molloy into final eight after needing 45 stitches in face

Mike Rogers wiped the side of his face and looked down at his hand. Blood. Lots of it.

The Archbishop Molloy catcher stood his ground at home plate, trying to prevent the winning run from scoring any way he could. In the process, Holy Cross base-runner Stephen Wolfring slid awkwardly, his cleat coming up and grazing Rogers across his face.

“At first I thought it was my ear, like I was bleeding from my ear drum or something,” Rogers said. “I guess I got lucky.”

The senior was rushed to Long Island Jewish Hospital and was given 45 stitches in his left cheek. Less than 24 hours later, he was texting Stanners teammate Tyler Roberts.

Robert Cole

Molloy team celebrates its win over Holy Cross.

Photos: Archbishop Molloy-Holy Cross, Game 3

Robert Cole

Molloy's Mike Rogers shows 45 stitches from injury he suffered during Monday's game.

Photos: Archbishop Molloy-Holy Cross, Game 3

“Bring my bat,” Rogers wrote. “I’m cleared to play.”

To which Molloy star Jonathan Ramon said, “Wow.”

Rogers was the designated hitter and actually had two hits and scored twice in No. 7 Molloy’s 9-5 win over No. 11 Holy Cross in the decisive Game 3 of a CHSAA Class AA baseball third-round, best-of-three series Tuesday at Fordham University. Ramon said Rogers’ presence was inspiring.

“You could just tell by his personality,” said Ramon, who tripled and doubled. “He’s such a nice kid, but he just has that toughness to him."

After falling in walk-off fashion in Game 2 on Monday, Molloy (13-7) banged out seven runs in the third inning, sending 13 batters to the plate. Chris Piteo had the big hit with a two-run double and Mike Fuchs had a two-run single. Mike O’Dwyer’s RBI single chased Holy Cross starter Julian Polanco without an out recorded in the frame.

Ramon, the starting pitcher on Tuesday, and the Stanners would need the support. Zach Cruz had a two-RBI triple in the fifth following Julian Bilodeau’s RBI single and the Knights were down just 7-4. But Molloy got two insurance runs in the sixth on RBIs by Fuchs and O’Dwyer and Ramon struck out Austin Nieves and Thomas Lentino to finish the game with Cross (11-10) leaving the bases loaded.

“We had to set the tone,” said Ramon, who struck out 10 and gave up just two earned runs. “Our mindset was to finish them. That’s a tough team to fight.”

Perhaps not quite as tough as Rogers. He said he felt some pain when the anesthesia wore off last night, but all he really thought about was not missing the game, which could have been his last. He went to the doctor in attempt to get cleared earlier and raced to Fordham from Flushing afterward.

“I just wanted to play today,” Rogers said. “As soon as I got clearance, I ran here.”

Added legendary coach Jack Curran: “I didn’t think he’d be here. He’s a lucky boy. Another inch and it could have cut the carotid artery or something.”

Rogers probably won’t be behind the plate for awhile, but his season will continue Wednesday. Molloy comes back to face No. 2 St. Raymond in the double-elimination championship round 4 p.m. back at Fordham. When asked if he inspired his team, Rogers was modest.

“I don’t think they needed [inspiration],” he said. “The atmosphere has just been phenomenal the last two days. We really want to win this.”

Donovan Armas will be on the mound Wednesday and St. Raymond will throw ace Anthony Colon.

“I’m happy for this team,” Curran said. “They deserve it. They worked hard and I think they’re pretty good.”

mraimondi@nypost.com

Mike Rogers, Archbishop Molloy, Holy Cross, Molloy-Holy Cross, Jonathan Ramon, face

Nypost.com

lundi 28 mai 2012

Belmont Park Charts

May 27th, 2012 Clear And Fast. Turf Firm.

©2012 Equibase. All Rights Reserved

FIRST-1 1/16m(T); $33,000; clm($20,000); 3up

Off: 12:50. Good. 3w 2nd turn, gamely

Time: 25.2, 49.39, 1:14.06, 1:39.68, 1:46.44.

Trainer: Carl Domino

Winner: B G, 6, by Monashee Mountain-Spring

Scr: Kitten in May, Headingtothecity, Meridian Magic, Gunman.

Horse

Wt.

PP

1/4

1/2

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

Lt. John

114

5

3

3

1 hd

1 no

Ortiz

9.90

Love Shack

109

4

2

1

2 1

2 1

Garcia

12.60

Elder Skatesman

121

1

5

4

5 hd

3 no

Desrme

34.25

Slamm'n Lou

121

3

6

5

4 1

4 nk

Napravnk

7.70

Clear Out

121

2

7

7

6 2

5 no

Lezcano

3.00

R J Hope

121

7

10

9

8 1

6 1/2

Lezcano

12.90

Gamblin Fever

121

8

8

8

7 1

7 1/2

Ortiz, Jr.

17.90

Launch N Relaunch

121

6

9

10

9 3

8 nk

Alvarad

15.70

East Indies

121

10

1

2

3 hd

9 10

Cmch,Jr.

4.00

Same Old Wish

121

9

4

6

10

10

Domngez

2.90

5-Lt. John

21.80

10.80

8.20

4-Love Shack

13.80

10.60

1-Elder Skatesman

11.80

* Exacta (5-4) $309.00 * Superfecta (5-4-1-3) $29,455.00 * Trifecta (5-4-1) $4,360.00 *Winner picked by Vic C.

SECOND-6 1/2 fur; $28,000; clm($14,000); 3up

Off: 1:19. Good. pace from 2p,dug in

Time: 24.14, 47.87, 1:11.37, 1:17.7.

Trainer: Richard Dutrow, Jr.

Winner: B G, 5, by Wildcat Heir-Talented Bet

Scr: Cure.

Claimed-Wildcat Frankie by trainer David Jacobson

Horse

Wt.

PP

1/4

1/2

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

Wildcat Frankie

121

4

1

1

1 2 1/2

1 2 1/2

Domngez

0.50

Missile Motor

121

1

4

3

2 2 1/2

2 3

Studart

15.60

Al's Lark

121

3

2

2

3 2

3 4 1/4

Ortiz, Jr.

3.45

Poni Colada

121

6

3

4

4 3 1/2

4 6 1/2

Cohen

5.90

System Restore

121

5

6

5

5 3

5 2 1/2

Naprvnk

26.75

History Starts Now

114

7

5

6

6

6

Garcia

15.50

Secret Getaway

114

2

7

_p

u

_lled

_up

Ortiz

61.50

5-Wildcat Frankie

3.00

2.30

2.10

2-Missile Motor

6.50

4.20

4-Al's Lark

2.70

* Daily Double (5-5) $36.00 * Exacta (5-2) $19.80 * Quinella (2-5) $13.80 * Superfecta (5-2-4-7) $169.00 * Trifecta (5-2-4) $56.00 *

Winner picked by DaSilva, Affrunti, Debbie L., Consensus, (Best Bet), Double picked by Vic C.

THIRD-1 1/4 miles(T); $75,000; mdn; 3up

Off: 1:47. Good. hand ridden late

Time: 25.01, 5.69, 1:16.2, 1:41.59, 2:05.69.

Trainer: Christophe Clement

Winner: DK B/ C, 3, by Arch-Fleuron

Scr: Mr. Beer Goggles, Know Sense.

Horse

Wt.

PP

1/2

3/4

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

Arc Above

118

2

7

6

2 1

1 1 1/2

Domngez

2.60

Coach Royal

118

9

3

3

1 1 1/2

2 3 3/4

Prado

3.70

Punctual Jeff

118

1

8

8

5 2

3 1/2

Castellan

2.05

Dendrite

118

3

1

1

3 2

4 1

Velzqez

10.10

Gnostic

118

4

2

2

4 1/2

5 3 1/2

Alvarad

27.75

Grandpa Len

118

6

5

5

7 2

6 1 3/4

Lezcano

23.20

The Kid N Me

118

10

10

10

9 1/2

7 hd

Naprvnk

15.70

Great Karoo

123

5

9

9

8 1/2

8 1/2

Ortiz, Jr.

28.00

Alajmal

123

8

4

4

6 hd

9 3/4

Castro

20.70

Master of Markets

118

7

6

7

10

10

Velsqez

12.80

Next >

1

2

3

Carl DominoWinner, Richard Dutrow, Meridian Magic

Nypost.com

Kahne gulps up Coca-Cola 600

CONCORD, N.C. — Kasey Kahne powered to victory in the Coca-Cola 600 last night, taking NASCAR’s longest race for the third time for his first win with Hendrick Motorsports.

Kahne also gave car owner Rick Hendrick his 201st Sprint Cup series win.

Kahne crossed the finish line nearly five seconds ahead of Denny Hamlin. Kyle Busch was third and series points leader Greg Biffle fourth.

Kahne became the 16th Hendrick driver to take the checkered flag.

It was Kahne’s 13th career win and first since last November in Phoenix.

Hendrick drivers were all near the top. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was sixth, and Gordon seventh — just his third top 10 finish of the season.

Five-time series champion Jimmie Johnson was 11th.

Danica Patrick, the first woman to drive in the race since Janet Guthrie in 1976, was five laps down in 30th. Still, it was her best finish in three career Sprint Cup races.

Kasey Kahne, Rick Hendrick, Greg Biffle, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin, Hendrick, Sprint Cup series, Kyle Busch, finish line, Coca-Cola, Jimmie Johnson

Nypost.com

dimanche 27 mai 2012

Vic Cangialosi’s Calder Grade

FIRST-1m&70yds; $10,500; clm($6,25); 3up

1-Surge Power

8-5

5-Dr. D R

15-1

2-Little Jake

5-1

6-I Go Through

3-1

3-Hold My Calls

8-1

7-Rio Grey

10-1

4-Otro Visur

4-1

SECOND-6 fur; $10,500; clm($6,250); 3up

1-Aiden's Lil Devil

2-1

5-Kristina's Slew

4-1

2-Windy Cafe

20-1

6-Shift It

12-1

3-Atomic Flea

3-1

7-Super Girlie

4-1

4-Altamar

10-1

8-Tequil'sDesre

12-1

THIRD-1 1/16m(T); $16,500; cl($25,0); 3up

7-Pyrite Smokin

3-1

5-El Bendinat

5-1

1-StarshpFreedm

6-1

6-Exchange Miss

8-1

2-Seamless

4-1

8-Chistosa

5-2

3-Jazzy Moves

15-1

9-Peekablue Sue

8-1

4-Samantha G

10-1

10-MissOliviaRae

6-1

FOURTH-1m&70yds; $10,500; cl($6,25); 3up

4-Lion Thunder

4-1

5-Sweetsthernm

20-1

1-Miami Hammer

3-1

6-WhazamdderU

3-1

2-Liv n' Run

5-2

7-Measure Up

8-1

3-Conqueror Jak

20-1

8-Brown Feather

12-1

FIFTH-6 fur; $10,500; clm($12,50); 3,4&5YO

1-Threehifives

4-1

6-Victorytthegte

12-1

2-Move ThatBus

10-1

7-Royal Jokester

6-1

3-StealthBmber

20-1

8-Armachan

5-2

4-Blast of Macho

3-1

9-Tigers Word

8-1

5-ExquisteObern

12-1

SIXTH-1 1/16m(T); $14,000; clm($16,0); 3up

9-Red Hills

5-1

5-HopefullyLcky

10-1

1-Carly'sRealDeal

7-5

6-BadNewsCaptn

6-1

2-Sarava Star

8-1

7-ShadowRnner

12-1

3-PersonalPsychc

6-1

8-Jackwagon

12-1

4-OurRedemptin

15-1

SEVENTH-5 1/2 fur; $11,000; cl($10,0); 3up

1-Reggae Man

5-2

6-Ynot Gray Boy

12-1

2-Hey Brayden

3-1

7-Bennyfax

6-1

3-Pete Distinction

5-1

8-My DadHarold

10-1

4-KnightfMschef

10-1

9-Mr Nu Nu

8-1

5-Radicchio

15-1

EIGHTH-6 fur; $20,000; alw; 3up(f)

1-Flying Trip

5-2

5-White Merlot

4-1

2-Kate's Holiday

20-1

6-Truly Classy

10-1

3-Wyatt'sWomen

3-1

7-Bessie M

3-1

4-WildBoutTiffny

6-1

NINTH-5 fur(T); $19,500; cl($40,0); 3,4&5YO

3-Street Fleet

5-2

8-Angel Strong

8-1

1-Trick the Queen

4-1

9-StarshpAshley

10-1

2-Be Widgett

6-1

10-ExclusiveSarah

5-1

4-Pomzie

15-1

11-Simpatia

8-1

5-Jessany

10-1

12-Merita

6-1

6-FlatterMeLcky

15-1

13-Vow of Honor

6-1

7-Versaice

12-1

14-MongsExprssn

2-1
Nypost.com

samedi 26 mai 2012

76ers, Celts set for Game 7 Heat

WALTHAM, Mass. — Kevin Garnett won’t be posting any comments from the 76ers owners on his mental bulletin board. The Philadelphia fans won’t be getting all riled up over comments deriding their loyalty.

“It’s Game 7. There’s no tomorrow,” Celtics captain Paul Pierce said before practice yesterday. “If this is not the most important thing to you right now, there is no way to motivate you as a basketball player.”

The Celtics and Sixers will play tonight for a spot in the Eastern Conference finals, where one of them will face the Heat for the right to play for the NBA title. The 76ers forced the semifinal series to a decisive game by beating Boston 82-75 on Wednesday, keeping alive a surprising run that started when they knocked out the top-seeded Bulls in the first round.

BRING IT ON! This Philadelphia fan, like the Sixers themselves, is ready for a Game 7 war against the Celtics tonight, with the winner getting to face the Heat in the Eastern Conference finals.

NBAE/Getty Images

BRING IT ON! This Philadelphia fan, like the Sixers themselves, is ready for a Game 7 war against the Celtics tonight, with the winner getting to face the Heat in the Eastern Conference finals.

“I think they’re excited about the chance to go in there and have this Game 7 and see what we can do,” Philadelphia coach Doug Collins said. “I don’t think we have any fear. I haven’t felt that in our guys at all. When we have played poorly, it’s not out of being fearful. I think sometimes we don’t execute well. That to me has nothing to do with whether or not the guys believe they can do it.”

The Sixers have not been to a Game 7 since 2001, and Collins said he was relying on the energy of a young team that has just one 30-year-old, Elton Brand, getting significant playing time. The Celtics, who have three in the starting lineup alone, are 3-2 in seventh games since the new Big Three of Garnett, Pierce and Ray Allen was assembled in 2007.

Brand said his younger teammates are ready. Philadelphia point guard Jrue Holiday, who called Game 6 the “end of the world,” said this would be “The End of the World II.”

“They’re not scared of the moment at all, which is really good for our team,” Brand said. “Some of the older guys are saying, ‘Hey, we don’t get this opportunity too many times. So let’s try to win this game.’ ”

That’s also the mood in Boston, where they are gearing up for the last run of the new Big Three. Pierce is under contract, but Garnett and Allen will be free agents at the end of the season.

Still, Garnett wasn’t manufacturing anything to motivate himself for the game, as he did for the finale against Atlanta when he fixated on comments by a Hawks owner calling him a dirty player. (He then fed the Sixers bulletin board material this week when he said they had fair-weather fans.)

Allen said he wasn’t thinking — yet — about the possibility it could be his last game in a Boston uniform.

“We’ve been so fortunate to do what we’ve done here,” he said. “It seems like we’ve been ruled out so many times before, so many years before. It’s just another opportunity to go out and be who we are, so we’re not worried about what’s beyond tomorrow. We’re worried about more about what we have in the present day.”

The Celtics will be without guard Avery Bradley, who also missed Games 5 and 6. Coach Doc Rivers said Bradley will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on a left shoulder that frequently popped out of its socket during the regular season and playoffs.

Celtics, Celtics, Kevin Garnett, Sixers, Sixers, Paul Pierce, Philadelphia, the Eastern Conference finals, 76ers, Eastern Conference, bulletin board, Boston, WALTHAM, Mass., Elton Brand, Philadelphia point guard Jrue Holiday

Nypost.com

vendredi 25 mai 2012

Giants' Nicks breaks foot, will miss three months

One of the goals for the Giants in training camp was to find a capable No. 3 receiver, but they will spend most, if not all, of their summer without their top receiver, Hakeem Nicks, a huge component in their Super Bowl-winning 2011 season.

Nicks yesterday showed why there is always a risk when a player steps onto the field, even when no one is wearing pads and no contact is allowed. Nicks fractured a bone in his right foot in a morning OTA session and, following surgery, is expected to be out at least three months.

Nicks was hurt early in practice inside the team’s field house while running a route in individual drills. He broke the fifth metatarsal and will have surgery in Charlotte, N.C., today to have a screw inserted into the broken bone. The procedure will be performed by foot and ankle specialist Dr. Robert Anderson.

The Giants said the recovery time for Nicks is approximately 12 weeks. Their regular season begins Sept. 5, meaning if all goes well Nicks will be able to play in the opener against the Cowboys. He will miss the remaining seven OTAs, the veteran mini-camp and, possibly all of training camp at the University at Albany. Camp opens July 26 and runs through Aug. 14.

“It’s probably going to be close,’’ coach Tom Coughlin told the NFL Network about Nicks’ chances of making the season opener. “He feels very confident about it. The doctors have expressed it as being something that they think will heal very, very well. We certainly hope that Hakeem is correct in saying that he heals fast.’’

Last season, Nicks caught 76 passes for a career-high 1,192 yards and seven touchdowns and constantly attracted special attention from opposing defenses. He was a force in the postseason, leading all NFL receivers with 28 catches for 444 yards along with four touchdowns. He has shown impressive toughness with the Giants while dealing with several leg and foot issues and also ankle and hamstring problems.

With Nicks, the Giants were searching for a No. 3 receiver to replace Mario Manningham, who signed with the 49ers, and will sort through Jerrel Jernigan, Ramses Barden, Domenik Hixon and rookie second-round pick Rueben Randle as candidates. Without Nicks on the field, there will be increased opportunities for all those receivers, with Victor Cruz the only established player in the bunch.

If the Giants get Nicks back in mid-August they will consider themselves fortunate. Last year, first-round pick Prince Amukamara suffered the same injury and was out of action for 15 weeks. In 2010, offensive tackle Will Beatty missed two months with the same broken bone.

The OTAs have already not been kind to the Giants, who lost cornerback Brian Witherspoon on Wednesday in the first OTA practice. For the second time in 10 months, Witherspoon tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Witherspoon was waived yesterday and replaced on the roster by defensive back Dante Hughes, a six-year veteran who tried out for the team at the rookie mini-camp two weeks ago.

Hughes has played for the Colts and the past three seasons for the Chargers, appearing in 53 regular-season games with two starts. Last season, Hughes played in all 16 games for the Chargers with one start. He finished the season with a career-high 42 tackles (32 solo). Hughes was originally a 2007 third-round draft pick by the Colts out of California.

paul.schwartz@nypost.com

Exclusive Super Bowl merchandise featuring New York Post front pages

Hakeem Nicks, Nicks, the Giants, Giants ebook download, OTA, OTA, training camp

Nypost.com

NYSAISAA softball roundup: Horace Mann stuns top-seed Fieldston to advance to final

Horace Mann was at its worst in its games against Fieldston this season, losing twice in run-rule fashion. In both of those contests, the Lions had a chance to break through with runners in scoring position and never did.

That all changed Wednesday on the brink of elimination.

Ashley Gerber broke a tie in the fourth inning with a two-run single and No. 5 Horace Mann only built its lead from there in a stunning, 8-2 upset win over top-seed Fieldston in the NYSAISAA softball semifinals at Hackley in Tarrytown. For the second straight year, the Lions will be in the championship game, this time against Holy Child at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Manhattanville College.

Silvia Gerber

Horace Mann is headed back to the NYSAISAA final after beating Fieldston, 8-2, on Wednesday.

“The difference between this one and the last two was we got the hit today,” Mann coach Ray Barile said.

A few of them. Paige McMahon had an RBI triple in the fifth inning and Kaitlyn Puglia, Mia Farinelli and Jamie Gropper all had run-scoring hits in the seventh to blow things open for Horace Mann (10-4).

Farinelli was excellent in the circle, giving up just two runs on two hits – both to Princeton-bound star Kate Miller – with four strikeouts in seven innings. It was her second straight excellent performance in this tournament after she twirled a gem in the quarterfinals against Riverdale on Sunday.

“The last three games, Mia has a lot of her pitches working,” Barile said. “They’re doing what they’re supposed to be doing. She has a better understanding about when to throw what.”

Puglia was 3-for-4 with three RBIs, three runs scored and a pair of doubles and Paige McMahon went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Puglia also robbed Savannah Stern of a sure double near the 225-foot sign in center field and doubled off Miller at second base.

Last year, Horace Mann was the favorite to win its first NYSAISAA title since 2006 after winning the Ivy League title, but the Lions were upended in the championship game by Poly Prep. Now, Mann is the underdog, something of a Cinderella story as the No. 5 seed.

“My girls, they were 10 times more excited than they were last year,” Barile said about after the semifinal game. “They were going crazy, but Mia and Cara both said, hey we still have work to do.”

The coach admitted there were nerves heading into a game with Poly last year. His group is feeling loose heading into Thursday’s matchup with Holy Child, though. Mann fell to HC, 4-2, in a non-league game this year.

“I think they’re focused,” Barile said of his players. “They’re all looking forward to playing tomorrow – big time.”

Holy Child 3, Poly Prep 2: Kathleen Samuelson had the game-winning RBI double in the seventh inning with the game tied at 2 for No. 3 Holy Child, which advances to face No. 5 Horace Mann in the championship game 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Manhattanville College.

Samuelson was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and gave up just one earned run on two hits with seven strikeouts to end Poly Prep’s unprecedented streak of six consecutive NYSAISAA titles. The Blue Devils finish their season 11-3.

mraimondi@nypost.com

Horace Mann, Holy Child, Holy Child, NYSAISAA, NYSAISAA, NYSAISAA, Fieldston, the Lions, championship game, championship game, Mia Farinelli, Manhattanville, Paige McMahon, Poly Prep, Mann coach Ray Barile, Kaitlyn Puglia

Nypost.com

Devils, Brodeur face ghosts of 1994

Those who weren’t around aren’t impressed.

So they say.

“That’s 15, 20 years ago, I don’t care,” Devils captain Zach Parise said.

He was still trying to savor last night’s dramatic 5-3 Devils victory in Game 5 at the Garden, where Ryan Carter scored the tie-breaking winner with 4:24 to play.

But the victory only launched memory lane to “We’ll Win Tonight,” The Post’s famous back page of May 25, 1994.

“Are they making promises already?” Patrik Elias wondered. “We won’t worry about it. Who cares what happened way back then?”

They are talking about Mark Messier’s promise, 18 years ago today, that the Rangers would win Game 6 of that epic, historic second Battle of the Hudson, that would send the winner to the Stanley Cup finals as the favorite.

DEVILS’ GARDEN: Zach Parise celebrates the empty-net goal that finished off the Devils’ 5-3 victory over the Rangers in Game 5 last night at MSG.

NY Post: Charles Wenzelberg

DEVILS’ GARDEN: Zach Parise celebrates the empty-net goal that finished off the Devils’ 5-3 victory over the Rangers in Game 5 last night at MSG.

It’s so eerily similar, the Devils up 3-2 again, heading home after winning two straight with two chances to knock off their rivals.

Back then, the Rangers won the Presidents’ Trophy as regular-season champs, six points ahead of the Devils. This season, the Rangers won the Eastern Conference and the Devils finished seven points back.

The 1994 Rangers, seeking to end their 54-year Stanley Cup drought, missed the playoffs the previous year, bringing in Mike Keenan. These Devils, seeking to win their first Cup since 2003, their longest drought since they started winning Cups, missed the playoffs last season and brought in Pete DeBoer as coach.

The 2006 Hurricanes won the Cup after missing the 2004 playoffs, but the intervening lockout gives that rebound an asterisk because of the two-year rebuild. So the Devils are trying to become the first team since those 1994 Rangers to hoist Stanley the year after missing the playoffs.

Of course, Martin Brodeur, the last of those legends still playing, and incredibly still at the same stand, understands the significance of Game 6 tomorrow.

“This situation is what creates history,” Brodeur said, putting everything in the grand perspective it rightly deserves. “Whatever happens in the next few days is what this rivalry is all about.”

It’s all set up for tomorrow in Newark, though they should move the game to the Meadowlands just to complete the recreation.

“It’s a good feeling. We’ve worked hard to get in that position. But nothing’s done yet,” said Brodeur, who will attempt to exorcise perhaps the final demon of his best-ever, Hall of Fame career.

In Game 6 in 1994, the Devils were leading 2-0 as the second period dwinded, Rangers GM Neil Smith dying agonies in the press box, when Alex Kovalev let go the shot that Rookie of the Year Brodeur should have stopped.

Then Messier, he of the “guarantee,” tied the game in the third, scored the winner and added the empty-netter for a hat trick and everlasting Rangers glory, at least once Stephane Matteau finished the legendary series in double-OT in Game 7 at the Garden.

It’s legend, and it will live large until the Devils consign it to the scrapheap of history. This is the first time the teams have met this late since then, and the first time they’ve had a Battle of the Hudson go this far since then. The Devils dare not let it come back to Manhattan again.

“We definitely want to finish them in our building,” Ilya Kovalchuk said. “This is a tough building to win in, and we did it twice in a row.”

A third time might be a charm, but they would be pushing their luck. Especially with Messier’s Promise still to be avenged.

mark.everson@nypost.com

Rangers, Zach Parise, the Devils, Devils, Devils, Martin Brodeur, Mark Messier

Nypost.com

jeudi 24 mai 2012

Colangelo's catch saves the day, giving Sea back Archdiocesan title

The ball went up in the air off Madeline Giannini’s bat and lofted into short right field. St. Joseph by the Sea coach Mike Ponsiglione took a deep breath.

“I knew it was a do-or-die,” he said. “I knew we were gonna win the game or lose the game on that play. There wasn’t gonna be a play at the plate. That was either gonna be a diving catch or we were gonna lose.”

The bases were loaded for Preston. There were two outs. The CHSAA Archdiocesan championship hung in the balance.

And the ball? It hung up just enough for Kristy Colangelo to run in, slide and make a stunning catch to seal a 1-0 win for St. Joseph by the Sea on Tuesday at Bicentennial Veterans Memorial Field in the Bronx. The victory marks Sea’s sixth Archdiocesan title in the last eight years.

Robert Cole

St. Joseph by the Sea players mob Kristy Colangelo after she made the game-ending catch.

Photos: St. Joseph by the Sea-Preston

Robert Cole

Preston right fielder Kristy Colangelo makes a diving catch to end the game with the bases loaded.

Photos: St. Joseph by the Sea-Preston

“When the bases are loaded and it’s down to the last out, you gotta go all out,” Colangelo said. “You gotta leave everything out there.”

The Vikings (15-0) will meet the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens champion in the state semifinals 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Kellenberg in Uniondale, L.I. They might not have gotten there without Colangelo’s play, which was reminiscent of some of the saves she made as Sea’s soccer goalkeeper in the fall.

“Unbelievably fearless,” Ponsiglione said. “No fear. She’s come such a long way. She used to be afraid to make mistakes. I used to tell her all the time, ‘Kristy, the only way you’re gonna find out if you can do it is if you do it. Be aggressive. Be yourself.’ She’s an athlete.”

The sliding catch preserved the victory and the shutout for Jackie Cautela, who gave up just four hits and struck out eight in seven innings to the Panthers (15-2). She outdueled Preston freshman Julianna Orrico, who was also excellent, giving up just one run on three hits in seven innings.

Sea’s lone run came in the first inning when Alexandra Prescia crushed a long double into left center and came around on a Lianna Jordan bunt and Alannah Dawson sacrifice fly. The Vikings wouldn’t score again off Orrico, but that’s all Cautela needed.

“Jackie threw her heart out today, she really did,” Ponsiglione said.

The junior ace started to run out of gas a bit in the seventh, though. Orrico led off with a single and Kitty Lajqi put down a bunt hit, setting up first and second and no one out. Franki Primiani bunted into a fielder’s choice – catcher Vanessa Jioia made a great play behind the plate to get the lead runner at third – and Victoria Rivera walked. With the bases loaded, Cautela struck out pinch hitter Mary Connolly and got Giannini to fly softly to right.

“It looked like one of those bloop hits,” Cautela said. “Kristy is the fastest girl on the team. She got a good jump on the ball. I was confident in her.”

It would have been a heartbreaking loss for most teams, but not for Preston. In fact, Panthers coach Rachel Mazza couldn’t stop smiling afterward with the thought that only one player (Lajqi) graduates from her team. Orrico and star third baseman Danielle Kibler are both freshmen.

“Did we expect championship?” Mazza said of this year. “They made us believe. We could only get better. They’re so young.”

This was Sea’s year in the Archdiocese, especially after the Vikings fell to St. John Villa in the semifinals last year. They were highly motivated to take home this title.

“We wanted this more than anything and we got it,” Cautela said. “Hopefully we’ll continue this.”

It’ll be hard for Sea not to carry some momentum into the state tournament next week. The incredible catch and celebration in right field will be a lasting memory, though, no matter what happens next.

“There’s nothing better,” Colangelo said. “I’ve never felt anything like that before.”

mraimondi@nypost.com

St. Joseph, Kristy Colangelo ebook download, The Vikings, Colangelo, Colangelo, Jackie Cautela, the Sea coach Mike Ponsiglione, Julianna Orrico, Preston, Cautela, Kristy

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Sex-icon Valley: Kleiner partner claims harassment

A female investment banker at Silicon Valley’s acclaimed Kleiner Perkins fund has sued the firm for sexually harassing her and then stripping her of bonuses and duties because she complained.

Ellen Pao, a Princeton engineering graduate with a law degree and MBA from Harvard, said she joined the firm in 2005 as a junior partner and chief of staff to top partner John Doerr.

Within months, a second, married junior partner made “inappropriate sexual approaches” and then pressured her to have sex with him, according to court papers.

When she rebuffed him, he engaged in “offensive, obstructionist and difficult” behavior toward her, it is alleged.

kpcb.com

Kleiner Perkins partner Ellen Pao is suing her employer, alleging that after breaking up with a colleague she endured seven years of retaliation from other male partners with "evil motives."

Pao said she finally “succumbed” to the advances and had sex with her co-worker “on two or three occasions.”

After she dumped the co-worker, identified at Ajit Nazre, she suffered seven years of retaliation from other male partners, the court papers allege.

Pao claimed at least 20 other female professionals at the firm were also treated “despicably, maliciously, fraudulently and oppressively” by Nazre and other male supervisors who barred women from meetings and company events.

After repeated complaints to bosses about unwanted advances and retaliations, one supervisor advised she reunite with Nazre, “drop the complaint and even marry him.”

Another boss told her to transfer to the China office, adding that “the personalities of women do not lead to success” at the Silicon Valley firm.

Pao is demanding unspecified damages for workplace violations.

Following an external probe into Nazre’s behavior, he resigned from the firm.

Kleiner spokeswoman Christina Lee said in a statement that “the firm regrets that the situation is being litigated publicly and had hoped the two parties could have reached resolution,” adding that the complaint “is without merit.”

tharp@nypost.com

Kleiner Perkins, Ajit Nazre, Ellen Pao, Silicon Valley, Silicon Valley, Pao, junior partner, Princeton

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mercredi 23 mai 2012

Jury has doubts about McNamee

WASHINGTON — Among the 29 questions the Roger Clemens jury wanted to ask the pitcher’s chief accuser, Brian McNamee, one cut to the heart of the case.

“Why should we believe you when you have shown so many inconsistencies in your testimonies?”

“I won’t ask that,” U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton declared during a bench conference with trial attorneys to decide which juror questions he would read. “That’s for them to decide.”

The question makes it sound as if at least one of the jurors in the perjury case has serious doubts about the credibility of the government’s key witness against the 11-time All-Star pitcher.

GETAWAY: Former trainer Brian McNamee, the star witness in the Roger Clemens per<a href=jury trial, leaves federal court in Washington on Monday. There was no testimony yesterday." title="GETAWAY: Former trainer Brian McNamee, the star witness in the Roger Clemens perjury trial, leaves federal court in Washington on Monday. There was no testimony yesterday." width="300" height="300" src="/rw/nypost/2012/05/23/sports/web_photos/brian_mcnamee--300x300.jpg" />

AP

GETAWAY: Former trainer Brian McNamee, the star witness in the Roger Clemens perjury trial, leaves federal court in Washington on Monday. There was no testimony yesterday.

Or it could be the juror believes McNamee, but wanted to play devil’s advocate just to make sure.

The court did not sit yesterday because the judge had another obligation, a timely pause following five-plus grueling days of testimony from the government’s key witness.

Clemens is charged with lying to Congress when he testified in 2008 he had never used steroids or human growth hormone. McNamee, Clemens’ longtime strength coach, says he injected Clemens with steroids in 1998, 2000 and 2001 and with HGH in 2000. He is the trial’s only witness to claim firsthand knowledge of Clemens using those substances.

The subjective nature of a jury trial makes score-keeping impossible, especially when considering this jury cares little about baseball and knew little or nothing about Clemens at the outset. The government might end up having the better case, but by then the jurors might have been put off by a plodding presentation by prosecutors that is literally putting people to sleep. Two jurors have already been dismissed for dozing off during a trial now in its sixth week.

Clemens’ top lawyer, Rusty Hardin, could have the opposite problem. He is colorful, witty and displays the type of courtroom personality lacking by the government, but his scattershot method of cross-examination is confusing and sometimes hilarious. The panel could perceive Hardin as someone putting on an act that’s more style than substance.

The trial was always going to revolve around McNamee’s credibility — it’s not an understatement that he is 95 percent of the government’s case — so the jurors’ impressions of him are crucial.

Roger Clemens, Brian McNamee, District Judge Reggie Walton online, Rusty Hardin, jury trial, government

Nypost.com

mardi 22 mai 2012

Teixeira plans to be back in Yankees lineup tonight

Mark Teixeira isn’t fully recovered from the severely inflamed bronchial airways that kept him out of the Yankees starting lineup three straight days, but he was back on the field yesterday.

After missing two games while trying to get rid of the coughing fits that have bothered him all year, Teixeira pinch-hit for Eric Chavez in the ninth inning of the Yankees’ 5-2 loss to the Reds, and reached on a throwing error by third baseman Wilson Valdez after ripping a grounder down the line. He immediately was replaced by a pinch runner.

Teixeira intends on starting tonight against the Royals.

“I’m not 100 percent, obviously,” Teixeira said, again wheezing as he spoke after the game. “I think at this point, I know I have to deal with it for a while. The days off definitely helped and we’ll see how it goes [tonight].”

BOX SCORE

Medication didn’t help and has been discontinued, but the offensively-challenged Yankees believe Teixeira is ready to contribute again.

“He’s been a big hitter for us,” manager Joe Girardi said of his reasoning for bringing Teixeira off the bench yesterday to face hard-throwing lefty Aroldis Chapman. “I talked to him and made sure he felt all right. My hope was him running wouldn’t bring about the cough.”

Teixeira didn’t think the brief exertion would set him back, but it’s clearly not an issue that’s going away anytime soon.

“We’re going to keep managing it,” Teixeira said. “I’m not worried. I played a month and a half with it and hopefully time is going to make it better.”

There’s no guarantee of that.

“I really don’t know,” Teixeira said. “You could take all year off and still not be feeling great.”

* Brett Gardner is scheduled to undergo another MRI on his strained right elbow this week and won’t pick up a bat before Thursday, when the left fielder travels to Tampa.

“We’re not real comfortable with where he is,” Girardi said. “We just don’t feel like it’s quite healed yet. ... The key is getting him over the hump so he doesn’t have a setback.”

Gardner saw a doctor yesterday and admitted being out for more than a month has been difficult.

“I’m anxious, but I’m taking the mindset with this whole thing that I’ve got to be patient and let it heal,” Gardner said, “whether that’s three or four more days or two or three more weeks.”

Mark Teixeira ebook download, Joe Girardi, Wilson Valdez, Eric Chavez, Yankees, straight days, Brett Gardner, Aroldis Chapman

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lundi 21 mai 2012

CHSAA/Private softball rankings

Oh boy, what a week.

Both CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens semifinals were classics with Archbishop Molloy topping Fontbonne Hall 1-0 in eight innings and St. Francis Prep scoring twice in the bottom of the seventh to come back and beat Mary Louis. Preston however was the story of the weekend. The Panthers beat Notre Dame Academy and defending champion Moore Catholic to reach their first CHSAA Archdiocesan final since 2004. St. John Villa moves into the rankings at No. 8 after beating Cardinal Spellman.

Check out the rest of the rankings:

1. St. Joseph by the Sea (14-0) (Last week: 1)

Robert Cole

Danielle Cervasio and St. Franc s Prep earned a thrilling win over Mary Louis last week.

The Vikings will get a chance to regain the CHSAA Archdiocesan crown after dispensing of St. Barnabas in the quarterfinals and St. John Villa in the semis. Jackie Cautela struck out 10 and Alannah Dawson drove in two in the five-inning win over the Bears on Sunday.

Next: @ No.3 Preston, CHSAA Archdiocesan final (May 22, 5 p.m.)

2. Preston (15-1) (4)

The Panthers freshmen played well beyond their years in a 4-1 win over Moore Catholic in the Archdiocesan semifinal. Julianna Orrico was superb in the circle and Danielle Kibler delivered the big hit. It’s Preston’s first appearance in the final since 2004.

Next: No. 1 St. Joseph by the Sea, CHSAA Archdiocesan final (May 21, 5 p.m.)

3. Archbishop Molloy (11-2) (3)

Victoria Goldbach has been of the key cogs to the Stanners' run atop CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens and she again came up big. The senior struck out 13 and shut out Fontbonne in a 1-0 win in eight innings to send Molloy to the final. Kristen Ponticelli delivered the walk-off hit.

Next: No. 5 St. Francis Prep, CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens championship series (May 21, 5 p.m. @ Queens College)

4. Moore Catholic (9-5) (2)

The Archdiocesan title will not return to Moore Catholic. The Staten Island school's bats went quiet in a 4-1 loss to Preston in the diocesan semifinals in The Bronx. The Mavericks tried to rally late, but it was not meant to be for a team loaded with seniors.

Next: Season complete

5. St. Francis Prep (9-4) (5)

Coach Ann Marie Rich told catcher Jessica Menna all season long her slumping bat was going to be there when SFP needed it. The sophomore singled with two strikes and two outs to give her team a chance to rally for a thrilling win over Mary Louis in the semifinals to earn a rematch with Molloy.

Next: No. 3 Archbishop Molloy, CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens championship series (May 21, 5 p.m. @ Queens College)

6. Mary Louis (7-6) (6)

It was a feeling all too familiar for Mary Louis, getting its heart broken by rival St. Francis Prep in the diocesan quarterfinals. Brittany Nicoll singled in the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh, but TMLA couldn’t hold the lead in the bottom of the fame. This was still a fine season for the Hilltoppers.

Next: Season complete

7. Fontbonne Hall (6-8) (7)

It was a season of growth for the young Bonnies team. They showed they could compete with the best teams in the city and nearly ended Molloy’s season in a 1-0 loss in eight in the diocesan semifinals. This is not the last we have heard from this talented group.

Next: Season complete

8. St. John Villa (7-7) (NR)

The Bears were valiant in their seventh inning comeback to beat Spellman in the Archdiocesan semifinals. Ariana Trembone had a big day at the plate and Dorothy O’Neill drove in two. Villa however could not pull another upset of St. Joseph by the Sea in the semifinals.

Next: Season complete

9. Poly Prep (11-2)

The Blue Devils are one win away from defending the NYSAISAA title they have owned for the last six years in the championship game. On Sunday, they defeated Friends Seminary and Holy Child is on deck Monday in Bay Ridge.

Next: Holy Child, NYSAISAA semifinals (May 21, 4 p.m.)

10. Fieldston (11-2)

Fieldston and Horace Mann played last Monday, too, but there is much more at stake this time. The Eagles will try to advance to the NYSAISAA championship game after a magical regular season that saw them share the Ivy League title.

Next: Horace Mann, NYSAISAA semifinals (May 21, 4 p.m.)

On the bubble : Horace Mann (9-4), Cardinal Spellman (10-5), Riverdale (8-4), Notre Dame Academy (3-10), Bishop Kearney (13-1) and St. Edmund (12-2)

jstaszewski@nypost.com

mraimondi@nypost.com

St. Francis Prep, St. Francis Prep, St. John Villa, St. John Villa, Archbishop Molloy, Archbishop Molloy, CHSAA Archdiocesan, Mary Louis, Mary Louis, Moore Catholic, Fontbonne Hall, Fontbonne Hall, Queens College, Notre Dame Academy, Archdiocesan, Archdiocesan, CHSAA, Preston, St. Joseph, NYSAISAA

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dimanche 20 mai 2012

‘Destiny’ ends Lukas’ 116-race skid in graded stakes

BALTIMORE — Snapping a mind-boggling streak of 116 straight losses in graded stakes races, Hall-of-Fame legend D. Wayne Lukas saddled 5-2 favorite Hamazing Destiny to win yesterday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Maryland Sprint Handicap at Pimlico by 1 1/2 lengths.

Ridden by Corey Nakatani, Hamazing Destiny chased the heated pace duel between Diski Dance and Immortal Eyes, ranged up to join them turning for home, then opened up down the stretch. Band Box rallied for second.

“He was the favorite and he ran like it,” said Lukas, who had Optimizer in the Preakness. “It’s a good way to start the day.”

AND THEY’RE OFF! Ovour The Top (No. 7,) leads the field down the front stretch in The President of the United Arab Emirates Cup, a Grade 1 race for purebred Arabian horses, before yesterday’s 137th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

Getty Images

AND THEY’RE OFF! Ovour The Top (No. 7,) leads the field down the front stretch in The President of the United Arab Emirates Cup, a Grade 1 race for purebred Arabian horses, before yesterday’s 137th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

Lukas won the next race with 8-1 Skyring.

Hamazing Destiny, who won for the first time in 11 starts dating back to Sept. 2010, ran the six furlongs in 1:10.48 to pay $7.80. The exacta came back $30.20.

JAMES W. MURPHY STAKES

One race after the drought ended, a streak began.

Lukas’ 3-year-old colt Skyring led wire-to-wire in a turf thriller to win the $100,000 James W. Murphy Stakes to give the renowned trainer his second straight stakes triumph of the afternoon.

Skyring never had raced on turf, but the 76-year-old Lukas must have seen something to ship him to Maryland to run him in a turf stakes. The horse had no turf workouts but he is a son of English Channel, who is throwing turf winners in bunches.

With that record, Skyring escaped at 8-1 with top Californian jockey Joel Rosario.

He put Skyring on the lead right from the jump and he was never headed, though Hammers Terror, second choice at 3-1, pressed him all the way. In deep stretch, Easy Crossing, the 2-1, favorite and Mr Handsome, a 23-1 shot, joined them and all four fought a thrilling tussle to the wire.

Skyring beat Easy Crossing by a neck with Mr Handsome a nose back in third. The winner got the mile in 1.35.3 to pay $19.60. The exacta came back $69.40.

“I liked him the best of all my horses all day long,” Lukas said.

“[Lukas] told me the horse tries hard and never gives us,” Rosario said. “He was certainly right.”

ALLAIR DUPONT DISTAFF

Two races before trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Mike Smith teamed up in the Preakness with Bodemeister, they reached the winner’s circle when the 4-year-old filly Awesomemundo rallied wide into the stretch, then prevailed over Love and Pride in a long stretch duel to win the Grade 3, $100,000 Allaire Dupont Distaff by a head.

Owned by Baffert’s wife, Jill, Awesomemundo was making her first stakes appearance after winning three of her last four starts in California against maiden and allowance company.

After pressing the early pace set by Canadian Mistress, Love and Pride looked like a winner when she turned for home on top under John Velazquez. But then Awesomemundo came flying to her outside, and after appearing to bump a couple of times, Awesomemundo got up in the final strides.

The daughter of Awesome Again ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.70 to pay $4.80 as the favorite. The exacta returned $22.40.

Earlier on the card, Baffert and Smith won a 1 1/16-mile allowance race with the 3-year-old colt Paynter, a candidate for the June 9 Belmont Stakes.

DIXIE STAKES

It wouldn’t seem like a day at the track if the Todd Pletcher training juggernaut didn’t win a big race and yesterday was no exception when Hudson Steele demolished a strong field to win the Grade 2 $300,000 Dixie Stakes over 1¹/‚ˆ miles on the turf.

Bet down to 3-1 favorite with hot jockey Javier Castellano on board, Hudson Steele trekked pacesetter Straight Story out of the gate, took over at the top of the stretch and then ran away from them all to score by 2 1/2 lengths from 16-1 long shot Humble and Hungry with Forte Dei Marmi a half length back in third.

The winner, a 5-year-old gelding, has never been off the board in seven starts on the turf, with five wins and two seconds. He came to the Dixie off a similarly easy score in a minor stake at Pimlico three weeks ago.

Casino Host, the second choice at 7-2 with John Velazquez, had to give six pounds to Hundson Steele and never looked like winning. From gate 11, he fell back to midpack early and struggled on to get fourth.

Hudson Steele, who won the Jersey Derby two years ago, ran the trip in 1.47.1 to pay $8.20. The exacta returned $119.60.The only hard luck story came from jockey Mike Smith on Forte Dei Marmi. “We had a bad start,” he said. “He stumbled right out of the gate and it probably cost us second.”A beaming Pletcher said, “He [the winner] was loaded up the whole way. It was a real big effort.” Castellano said, “He exploded. It was amazing. He was so strong.” So were the bettors who knocked him down to 3-1.

D. Wayne Lukas, Pimlico, Preakness Stakes, Hudson Steele, Mike Smith, James W. Murphy Stakes, Bob Baffert, Hundson Steele, John Velazquez, John Velazquez

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samedi 19 mai 2012

PSAL Class B softball roundup: Grady heads to quarters after slugfest with Transit

Grady is headed to the quarterfinals for the first time in more than a decade.

Julia Smith and Kristal Anthony each had three RBIs apiece for the 13th-seeded Falcons in a 17-14 win over No. 4 Transit Tech in the PSAL Class B second round Friday at Sperandeo Brothers Field.

Lloyda Blandford had four hits and four runs scored and Merlyn Ramirez Pinzon scored three times for Grady (15-3), which travels to No. 12 Brooklyn Tech for the quarterfinals Monday. Transit Tech finishes 15-2.

No. 1 Sinatra 18, No. 17 RFK 3: Erica Longueira had three hits and Chelsea Zic scored four times to lead Sinatra (17-0), which meets No. 9 Morris in the quarterfinals Monday on Randall’s Island. RFK finishes 12-6.

No. 2 Lab Museum United 10, No. 15 Baccalaureate 0: Sarah D’Amico pitched a four-inning no-hitter with 12 strikeouts to lead LMU (16-0), which meets No. 10 Flushing in the quarterfinals Monday. Baccalaureate finishes 13-5.

No. 12 Brooklyn Tech 16, No. 5 Health Professions 6: Casey Lorimer went 4-for-4 with six RBIs and two runs scored and Anna McPherran ad Brielle Cardieri each had two RBIs for Tech (14-1), which meets No. 13 Grady in the quarterfinals Monday. Health Professions finishes 14-4.

No. 11 Scholars Academy 11, No. 6 Bronx Leadership 3: Lauren Hegel went 3-for-4 with five RBIs and a run scored and Kayla Nolan and Victoria Mancini each had two RBIs for Scholars (15-2), which meets No. 14 Goddard in the quarterfinals Monday. Bronx Leadership finishes 15-2.

No. 9 Morris 38, No. 8 Brooklyn Studio 0: Chasity Quinones had eight RBIs, Tiara Brown had six RBIs and Jennifer Brosnan had five RBIs to lead Morris (16-2), which meets top-seed Sinatra in the quarterfinals Monday on Randall’s Island. Brooklyn Studio finishes 15-3.

No. 10 Flushing 7, No. 7 FDA 4: Angelique Austin went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Arislenia Rodriguez gave up three earned runs on seven hits with nine strikeouts in seven innings for Flushing (15-3), which meets No. 2 Lab Museum United in the quarterfinals Monday. FDA finishes 14-4.

OTHER SCORES

No. 14 Goddard 11, No. 3 John Adams 3

mraimondi@nypost.com

Transit Tech, Brooklyn Tech, quarterfinals, Chelsea Zic, Merlyn Ramirez Pinzon, Erica Longueira, Lab Museum United, RFK, Sinatra, RBIs

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vendredi 18 mai 2012

Ewing interviewing with Bobcats on Thursday: report

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Two people familiar with the situation say the Bobcats will interview Orlando assistant Patrick Ewing on Thursday in Charlotte for their vacant head coaching position.

The people say Charlotte will interview Memphis assistant Dave Joerger on Friday. The people spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the team hasn't publicly announced its list of candidates.

Bobcats owner Michael Jordan is friends with the Knicks great, but is not expected to sit in on the interview. General manager Rich Cho and president of basketball operations Rod Higgins have handled interviews so far.

Charlotte has interviewed assistant coaches Michael Malone from Golden State, Cleveland's Nate Tibbetts, St. John's Mike Dunlap and expressed interest in Indiana's Brian Shaw.

Bobcats assistant Stephen Silas, son of former coach Paul Silas, has also interviewed.

Orlando assistant Patrick Ewing, Bobcats, Michael Jordan, Memphis assistant Dave Joerger, Stephen Silas, Michael Malone, Nate Tibbetts, Knicks, Rod Higgins, assistant coaches

Nypost.com

jeudi 17 mai 2012

Monticello Results

WEATHER Clear TRACK Fast

FIRST-mile; pace; $4300; cond

OFF: 12:54 TIME: 1:56.3

2

AllTrckdOut(MMrton)

3.10

2.10

2.10

1

Duncans Western (M Forte)

3.40

2.20

3

Joans Bad Boy (J Marohn Jr)

3.00

* Perfecta (2-1) $7.00 * Trifecta (2-1-3) $18.80

Winner picked by Little

SECOND-mile; pace; $2000; cond

OFF: 1:13 TIME: 1:58.4

4

YchtKng(CWshgton)

101.00

18.80

6.50

1

Wantasmile (S Mcaleese)

2.40

2.10

2

Trappers Treat (R Harp)

4.70

* Perfecta (4-1) $173.50 * Trifecta (4-1-2) $1,618.00 * Daily double (2-4) $82.50 * Superfecta (4-1-2-6) $13,071.00

THIRD-mile; pace; $4000; cl($2000)

OFF: 1:30 TIME: 1:58.1

5

Ooby Dooby(JDevaux)

8.70

5.40

3.10

2

Lima Favorite (M Merton)

8.80

3.80

1

Big Reuben (J Marohn Jr)

4.40

* Perfecta (5-2) $61.50 * Trifecta (5-2-1) $134.00 * Pick 3 (2-4-5) $1,330.00 * Superfecta (5-2-1-6) $882.00

FOURTH-mile; pace; $2000; cond

OFF: 1:50 TIME: 1:57.1

4

Top Flight (G Merton)

13.80

5.20

3.20

1

Basso Hanover (J Devaux)

2.40

2.10

3

Michael C Hanover (W Parker Jr)

2.40

* Perfecta (4-1) $31.60 * Trifecta (4-1-3) $95.00 * Pick 3 (4-5-4) $5,607.00 * Superfecta (4-1-3-2) $376.50

FIFTH-mile; pace; $10000; cl($4000)

OFF: 2:10 TIME: 1:58.0

3

NowThatsArt(MForte)

17.80

6.30

7.20

5

Happyending (M Merton)

4.20

3.80

6

Windsun Fire N Ice (K Switzer Jr)

8.30

* Perfecta (3-5) $73.00 * Trifecta (3-5-6) $800.00 * Pick 3 (5-4-3) $447.00 * Superfecta (3-5-6-4) $1,594.00

SIXTH-mile; pace; $3400; cond

OFF: 2:37 TIME: 1:58.3

2

Jadestone(KSwtzerJr)

6.80

3.30

2.40

1

Star Power (J Taggart Jr)

2.40

2.10

4

C A Marauder (G Merton)

3.10

* Perfecta (2-1) $12.80 * Trifecta (2-1-4) $44.00 * Daily double (3-2) $37.60 * Pick 3 (4-3-2) $566.00 * Superfecta (2-1-4-3) $127.50

SEVENTH-mile; pace; $2700; cond

OFF: 3:01 TIME: 1:59.1

4

WilsonJayN(GMerton)

5.10

2.60

2.50

3

AllamercnMster(WPrkerJr)

3.00

2.50

5

Redneck Riviera (K DI Benedetto)

2.70

* Perfecta (4-3) $16.80 * Trifecta (4-3-5) $39.00 * Pick 3 (3-2-4) $238.00 * Superfecta (4-3-5-6) $93.50

Perfecta picked by Little

EIGHTH-mile; pace; $3400; cond

OFF: 3:24 TIME: 1:58.4

3

EnmyAtThGt(WPrkrJr)

3.70

2.60

2.30

5

Art Glass (K Switzer Jr)

2.80

2.60

2

Real Liar (C Stratton)

6.80

* Perfecta (3-5) $6.90 * Trifecta (3-5-2) $49.20 * Pick 3 (2-4-3) $36.40 * Superfecta (3-5-2-1) $151.50

Perfecta picked by Little

NINTH-mile; pace; $4000; cl($2300)

OFF: 3:43 TIME: 1:59.3

3

Art Maker (G Merton)

6.90

2.80

2.30

1

Streetcar (W Parker Jr)

2.30

2.10

5

General Maximus N (J Devaux)

2.70

Scr: Briars Return.

* Perfecta (3-1) $11.80 * Trifecta (3-1-5) $41.00 * Daily double (3-3) $12.80 * Pick 3 (4-3-3) $29.20 * Superfecta (3-1-5-4) $212.50

TENTH-mile; pace; $2700; cond

OFF: 4:00 TIME: 1:59.0

4

TheRsngN(GAnnloro)

4.00

2.70

2.20

2

May Day Jojo (J Devaux)

4.10

2.90

6

Fox Valley Roper (K DI Benedetto)

3.80

* Perfecta (4-2) $15.00 * Trifecta (4-2-6) $55.00 * Pick 3 (3-3-4) $33.00 * Superfecta (4-2-6-5) $310.00

Winner picked by Little

ELEVENTH-mile; pace; $3400; cond

OFF: 4:20 TIME: 1:57.3

4

JezlThoryA(JMrohnJr)

4.90

3.00

2.80

6

Rich N Flashy (W Parker Jr)

11.40

9.30

1

Roo Roo Rusty (K DI Benedetto)

4.10

* Perfecta (4-6) $54.50 * Trifecta (4-6-1) $177.00 * Pick 3 (3-4-4) $94.50 * Superfecta (4-6-1-5) $557.00

TWELFTH-mile; pace; $4000; cond

OFF: 4:39 TIME: 1:58.3

5

MllnDllrBy(KSwtzrJr)

13.40

5.40

4.40

3

My Edward (G Merton)

2.60

2.60

1

L Flaviadi (K Devaux)

4.10

* Perfecta (5-3) $71.00 * Trifecta (5-3-1) $233.00 * Pick 3 (4-4-5) $66.50 * Superfecta (5-3-1-2) $497.00 *

ATTENDANCE N/A.

HANDLE $632,998.

Trifecta, pace, J Marohn Jr, W Parker Jr, W Parker Jr, J Devaux, J Devaux, G Merton, Superfecta

Nypost.com

mercredi 16 mai 2012

Today's Sports on the Air

Baseball

7 p.m.

Red Sox at Rays ESPN

7:07 p.m.

Yankees at Blue Jays YES, WCBS (880 AM)

7:10 p.m.

Reds at Mets SNY, WFAN (660 AM)

NBA Playoffs: Conf. Semis

7 p.m.

Celtics at 76ers, Game 3 TNT

9:30 p.m.

Lakers at Thunder, Game 2 TNT

Cycling

5 p.m.

2012 Tour of California: Stage 4 NBCSN

NHL Playoffs: Conf. Finals

8 p.m.

Devils at Rangers, Game 2
NBCSN, ESPN (98.7 FM), WBBR (1130 AM)

Horse Racing

12:50 p.m.

Belmont Ch. 71

NBA Playoffs, Mets SNY, Baseball7 p.m.Red Sox, ESPN, WFAN, WCBS, Blue Jays, 76ers, Thunder, Tour of California, Rays

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mardi 15 mai 2012

Drew first to go in JPMorgan Chase purge following $2.3B trading blunder

JPMorgan Chase’s chief investment officer resigned last night, becoming the first head to roll in response to the bank’s massive $2.3 billion trading blunder.

Ina Drew, 55, and at least two other executives will lose their jobs in the fallout from a scandal that has tarnished the bank’s once-sterling reputation and that of its respected CEO, Jamie Dimon, according to sources.

Drew, one of the most powerful women on Wall Street, is expected to resign immediately, sources said. She earned an estimated $15.5 million last year as head of the bank’s Chief Investment Office, which oversaw the trading unit in London that incurred many of the losses.

Achilles Macris, a London-based manager of the desk where the funky derivatives trades were authorized, and Javier Martin-Artajo, another senior trader, are also on the chopping block, according to published reports.

Sources say that the execs could also lose their bonuses to “claw backs.” A JPMorgan spokesman declined to comment.

The so-called “London Whale,” the French-born Bruno Iksil, who has been widely linked to a huge $100 billion bet on an obscure index, is not currently on the list of those to be fired, sources said.

A New Jersey native and Johns Hopkins graduate who was known for her brains as well as her appetite for risk, Drew is one of the few women to have risen to the upper echelons of Wall Street — only to fall from grace.

The firings come just days after Dimon dropped the $2 billion trading bombshell in a hastily arranged conference call on Thursday. A contrite Dimon referred to the loss as “sloppy” and the bank’s handling of it as “poorly executed” and “poorly monitored.”

Sources said the bank’s risk manager, John Hogan, was one of the first execs to highlight the risky trade and forge a plan of action.

Yesterday, in an interview on “Meet the Press,” Dimon said he was “dead wrong” in dismissing reports questioning the risky hedging strategies and said he had given regulators ammunition to impose tougher regulations on Wall Street. “This is a very unfortunate and inopportune time to have this kind of mistake,” he said.

The dismissal of Drew comes as JPMorgan’s trades are being examined by regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission and London’s regulatory body, the Financial Services Authority.

JPMorgan shares fell nearly 9.3 percent on Friday to $36.96, losing much of what some investors refer to as the “Dimon premium.”

mark.decambre@nypost.com

Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase, JPMorgan, Wall Street, Bruno Iksil, London, London, bank, powerful women, Javier Martin-Artajo

Nypost.com

lundi 14 mai 2012

POST GAMES TO WATCH: May 14-May 20

The Post’s high school staff looks ahead to the most intriguing matchups in boys basketball and girls basketball for the week of May 14 through May 20.

BASEBALL

Grand Street Campus @ James Madison (Monday, 4 p.m.)

Bragging rights, borough supremacy, the Brooklyn A East division title and playoff seeding – you name it, it’s on the line when these two teams meet up. Grand Street swept the series last year en route to the division crown, and it is the heavy favorite with arguably New York City’s best lineup. Madison, however, has one of PSAL’s top pitching staffs – co-aces Matt Zalon, Joe Cali and Mike Fitzpatrick are capable of shutting down the potent Wolves – and its lineup has become to produce consistently as well.

Beacon vs. Stuyvesant (Tuesday, 4 p.m. @ DeWitt Clinton Park)

Manhattan A West, at one time Beacon’s division to lose, is now a tossup between the Blue Demons and their rival, Stuyvesant. After consecutive losses to Norman Thomas and George Washington, the Hitmen have caught fire and won five straight behind the 1-2 punch of Kyle Yee and Evan Lubin. Beacon doesn’t have such aces to rely upon – Juan Adorno and Kai Glick are injured – as the two teams tied in the loss column meet to decide the division title this week.

Moore Catholic vs. St. Joseph by the Sea (Wednesday, 4 p.m. @ Richmond County Youth Complex)

The Staten Island division title could very well be decided here. St. Joseph by the Sea was hit with its first league loss of the season Friday night in extra innings against Monsignor Farrell, while Moore Catholic has just a single loss, too. The division champion gets the highly sought-after bye into the eight-team, championship round of the CHSAA Class AA playoffs.

CHSAA elimination games (Saturday, TBA @ Mount St. Michael)

It’s hard to believe the postseason begins Saturday, but two teams will go home that day and two others will advance on to the best-of-three series portion of the playoffs. Teams that played in these games have gone on to long runs in the past. Could one of these teams, which will be decided this week, make some waves after winning at Mount St. Michael?

NYSAISAA semifinals (Sunday, 11 a.m. @ higher seeds)

The end-of-the-year private school state tournament has produced a different champion each of the last three years. Last year’s winner, Poly Prep, should receive the top seed, but the Blue Devils won’t have an easy road as Ivy Prep League rival Fieldston beat them during the regular season, ACIS co-winners Berkeley Carroll and St. Ann’s are dangerous and Riverdale, also of the Ivy League, is playing the best baseball of anyone.

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James Madison, Mike Fitzpatrick, George Washington, Matt Zalon, Joe Cali, Juan Adorno, Monsignor Farrell, Richmond County Youth Complex, Brooklyn A East division, Moore Catholic, Blue Demons, Norman Thomas, Mount St. Michael

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vendredi 11 mai 2012

Tiger in danger of missing cut

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Milestones have been as much a part of Tiger Woods’ career as his wins and his sins.

Unless Woods posts a low score in today’s Players Championship second round at the TPC at Sawgrass he will reach another milestone — albeit a dubious one.

Woods, after shooting an uneven opening-round 2-over-par 74, is in jeopardy of missing back-to-back cuts in consecutive tournaments for the first time in his career.

Woods’ missed cut at last week’s Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow was just the eighth of his professional career, dating back to 1996. He enters today’s second round tied for 100th. The top 70 players plus ties make the cut after the second round.

STRUGGLING: Tiger Woods looks on with concern after hitting his tee shot on the 15th hole in yesterday’s first round of The Players Championship.

Getty Images

STRUGGLING: Tiger Woods looks on with concern after hitting his tee shot on the 15th hole in yesterday’s first round of The Players Championship.

So Woods, who will tee off at 1:49 p.m., has some work to do.

For the struggling Woods, his story of late is becoming a broken record. At least Woods finished his round, though. He had to withdraw from the Players Championship the last two years because of injuries.

Though his statistics — just 7-of-14 fairways hit and 9-of-18 greens in regulation — suggest Woods was well off his game, he saw it differently.

“I didn’t get a lot out of that round,” he said. “It should have been probably 1 or 2-under par.’’

Woods began the day with a bogey on the 10th hole, his first, and he fought his game the rest of the day, carding five bogeys and just three birdies.

“It wasn’t certainly the most positive start,’’ he said. “Any kind of momentum that I would build, I would shoot myself in the foot on the very next hole. I just didn’t score. Just one of those days. It was frustrating in the sense that my good shots ended up in bad spots, and obviously my bad shots ended up in worse spots.’’

Woods walked off the course with his over-par round and saw a leaderboard littered with red numbers, led by Ian Poulter’s 7-under-par 65. Poulter is tied with Martin Laird for the first-round lead.

“Obviously some of the guys went low,’’ Woods said. “You can shoot a round in the 60s today. That certainly can be had out there.’’

Woods’ history at the Stadium Course is a mixed bag, at best. Other than his win in 2001 and runner-up in 2000, which were the two best years of his career, yesterday marked the 17th round in his last 20 here that Woods failed to break 70.

Woods thought he was in good form while practicing on the range, where he said he “hit it really good.’’ But, as usual of late, he was unable to bring it to the round.

“It’s golf,’’ he said.

Woods said he must “just be patient with it, just keep plugging along.’’

As if the inconsistent state of Woods’ game wasn’t rattling enough to his psyche, there was a woman, who might not be considered what you would call “a catch’’ for the prom, who followed him throughout his round yelling, “Tiger, you’re my baby doll.’’

Overall, it was not a pretty day for Woods.

mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com

Tiger Woods, PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. ebook download, Players Championship

Nypost.com

Cussing gramps stole from firm to place bets

A foul-mouthed octogenarian who openly admitted to siphoning cash from a now-defunct Manhattan trucking firm has avoided law enforcement — a situation that has his former business associate fuming.

“Let’s not make a big f---king issue over a few thousand dollars,” Sol Gittelman said in a June deposition after admitting he had been placing bets in a football pool with cash from the company’s coffers.

Alleged fraud by 86-year-old Gittelman and his son Jud ran into the millions, according to Andy Moffatt, who was 50-50 owner of Dispatch Transportation Corp. The firm went belly-up in 2009 amid accusations of systematic looting, despite having delivered pricey fashions for decades to ritzy shops like Bergdorf Goodman.

Jud Gittelman, who was Moffatt’s 50-50 partner, was sued last year by Bergdorf owner Neiman Marcus, and paid a six-figure sum to settle charges he had overbilled the swanky store, according to a source.

Sol Gittelman, who hasn’t been convicted of any crime or found guilty of any civil embezzlement charge, didn’t return phone calls seeking comment. Jud Gittelman didn’t respond to requests for comment through his attorney.

In January, the IRS ruled Jud Gittelman had improperly helped himself to $1.1 million in company funds in 2006 and 2007, according to documents reviewed by The Post.

“When I came across the case, I thought it should go to both the IRS and the district attorney,” said Mark Schwartz, a lawyer for Moffatt.

Nevertheless, Sol Gittelman is living it up in a posh Upper East Side apartment at 860 Fifth Ave. Jud Gittelman owns a mansion in Larchmont, NY and a ski chalet in the Berkshires.

A spokeswoman for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance declined to comment.

Sol Gittelman, Dispatch Transportation Corp., Andy Moffatt, Jud Gittelman, Jud, Neiman Marcus, Gittelman

Nypost.com

jeudi 10 mai 2012

Yankees lose to Rays; Robertson blows save

That didn’t take long.

In just his second save opportunity as Yankees closer after Mariano Rivera was likely lost for the season last week with a knee injury, David Robertson imploded, giving up four runs in the ninth in a 4-1 loss last night to the Rays at the Stadium.

“I blew it tonight,” said Robertson, who loaded the bases, gave up a game-tying sacrifice fly to B.J. Upton and a three-run homer to Matt Joyce. “It’s a sad way to end a game.”

And while Robertson has picked up a lot from Rivera sitting in the bullpen the last few years, he’ll soon have to apply one of his most important lessons.

BAD ENDING: Robinson Cano confers with David Robertson after the Yankees’ new closer gave up a three-run homer to Matt Joyce in the ninth inning of the Rays’ 4-1 victory last night at the Stadium.

Jeff Zelevansky

BAD ENDING: Robinson Cano confers with David Robertson after the Yankees’ new closer gave up a three-run homer to Matt Joyce in the ninth inning of the Rays’ 4-1 victory last night at the Stadium.

“It’s gonna happen,” said Robertson, who gave up just eight runs all of 2011 and hadn’t been scored on in 26 1/3 innings — since Aug. 29 last year vs. Baltimore. “You’re gonna lose games. It’s the worst feeling in the world. When Mo does it, he comes back the next day and is the same guy. He goes right back out there, takes the mound and does his thing. I’m gonna have to do that [tonight].”

YANKEES BOX SCORE

He might not have the chance, since manager Joe Girardi said he probably won’t use Robertson tonight after going to him two straight nights.

But Girardi hasn’t wavered in his support of Robertson.

“It’s obviously an adjustment anytime you move up in a role,” Girardi said. “I have a ton of confidence he’ll do a good job for us and he’ll bounce back.”

Robertson gave up singles with his first two pitches and walked Ben Zobrist to load the bases. He struck out Carlos Pena looking for the first out, but Upton’s fly ball to right field was just deep enough for Sean Rodriguez to beat Nick Swisher’s throw home. Joyce followed with his homer on a 1-2 pitch that saw him slip to the ground while twisting his ankle.

“Eventually I’m not gonna be able to get out of all my messes that I create,” said Robertson, famous for pitching out of jams.

Despite the loss, his teammates believe Robertson can do the job.

“No one in this room has lost any confidence in [Robertson],” Swisher said. “I know Mo’s blown a save in his career. He’s just learning how to do this. I think he’ll be right back here [tonight], ready to go. He’s a fighter. In a situation like that, I wouldn’t want anybody else out there but him right now.”

Boone Logan knows it won’t be easy.

“He’s got big shoes to fill,” said Logan, who got a key strikeout with the bases loaded in the fifth. “Maybe he’s putting too much pressure on himself. He’s never been a finesse pitcher. When he just throws, he’s unhittable. I think he’s trying to be too fine.”

Rafael Soriano, who managed to get through a scoreless eighth last night, figures to get a shot tonight if a save opportunity arises.

Prior to Robertson’s problems, the bullpen had been terrific for the Yankees, with Logan, Cory Wade and Soriano pitching 3 1/3 shutout innings in relief of David Phelps.

Phelps, who could be bumped out of the rotation Sunday when Andy Pettitte returns, was decent again — but inefficient. He didn’t give up any runs, but needed 89 pitches to get through 4 2/3 innings.

Girardi said he hadn’t determined what he was going to do with Phelps, adding: “The kid pitched his heart out.”

The Yanks couldn’t muster much against Tampa Bay starter Jeff Niemann after Derek Jeter scored in the first on Robinson Cano’s double.

Until the ninth, it seemed it might be enough.

“[Tonight] can’t come fast enough,” Robertson said. “I can’t wait to get another chance.”

dan.martin@nypost.com

David Robertson, Robertson, Matt Joyce, Joe Girardi, Robinson Cano, Mariano Rivera, B.J. Upton, Yankees

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Yahoo! board member out; CEO frets

Yahoo! board member Patti Hart will be updating her resume soon — she’ll be adding “former” to her current role at the Sunnyvale, Calif., web portal.

Hart, who is also the CEO of International Game Technology, said yesterday she won’t run for re-election to Yahoo!’s board — a decision that was almost made for her after her resume came under scrutiny for inconsistencies.

The 54-year-old was among the Yahoo! board members in charge of vetting CEO Scott Thompson, who is getting slammed for inaccuracies in his description of his background.

The entire Yahoo! board said yesterday it would probe Thompson’s alleged resume padding.

Patti Hart

The resume wrecking ball was set in motion by activist hedge fund manager Dan Loeb of Third Point, which is fighting for four seats on Yahoo!’s board.

Yahoo! has criticized Loeb’s picks, and he turned the criticism around by uncovering Thompson’s falsified education history. The CEO had been touting a computer science degree he never received.

Hart’s education history also shows some padding: She has a business administration degree, not one in economics and marketing, as her resume suggests.

All Things D was the first to report on Hart’s pending departure, and said that she was being asked by Las Vegas-based International Game Technology to exit the Yahoo! mess and lose the distraction.

Loeb has called for all records regarding Thompson’s hiring and vetting process, including the resume he submitted.

It is not clear if the computer science degree was misstated on his resume, but it has been mentioned in his corporate bio, in public filings and online.

Thompson has told Yahoo! workers he is sorry for the distraction, but he has not addressed his trumped-up credentials.

Yahoo! shares yesterday ticked up 1 cent to $15.36 but remain off 17.6 percent over the past 12 months.

gsloane@nypost.com

International Game Technology, Scott Thompson, Patti Hart, resume, computer science degree, Yahoo!, Yahoo! board members, Yahoo! workers

Nypost.com

mercredi 9 mai 2012

Former Giants WR Robinson dies of cancer at age 50

Stacy Robinson, who spent his entire six-year NFL career as a receiver for the Giants and was a member of two Super Bowl-winning teams, died Tuesday after a battle with cancer. He was 50.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Stacy Robinson,” Giants co-owner John Mara said. “He was a good man who was loved and respected by his teammates and everyone in this organization. His work on behalf of the Players Association was of great benefit to many players. He will be missed. His family is in our thoughts and prayers.”

Robinson was a 1985 second-round draft pick out of North Dakota State and played at a time when the Giants were often a run-first team under Bill Parcells. He played in 43 games for the Giants and had 48 receptions for 749 yards and seven touchdowns.

Robinson made a difference in Super Bowl XXI, catching three passes for a team-high 62 yards as the Giants crushed the Broncos, 39-20. Robinson left the NFL after the 1990 season and began a second career working for the NFL Players Association. His most recent position was the union’s director of player development where he helped players prepare for careers once their playing days had ended.

paul.schwartz@nypost.com

Exclusive Super Bowl merchandise featuring New York Post front pages

Stacy Robinson, the Giants, Giants, NFL, Players Association, NFL Players Association, Bill Parcells, North Dakota State, John Mara, Super Bowl XXI

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Mets defeat Phillies on pinch-hit homer by rookie

PHILADELPHIA — Jordany Valdespin sure knows how to make an entrance.

Just hours after the Mets activated Valdespin last night to replace injured shortstop Ruben Tejada, the rookie infielder took Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon deep in the ninth inning and silenced what remained of a sellout crowd at Citizens Bank Park.

“They gave me an opportunity today and everybody saw what happened,” a beer-drenched Valdespin said after his first major league hit, a three-run homer, led the Mets to a wild 5-2 victory over the Phillies. “It’s exciting because I gave a chance for my team to win.”

AIR JORDANY: Jordany Valdespin watches the flight of his pinch-hit, three-run home run in the ninth inning (his first career hit) off Jonathan Papelbon during the Mets’ 5-2 victory over the Phillies last night.

Reuters

AIR JORDANY: Jordany Valdespin watches the flight of his pinch-hit, three-run home run in the ninth inning (his first career hit) off Jonathan Papelbon during the Mets’ 5-2 victory over the Phillies last night.

BOX SCORE

Valdespin entered as a pinch-hitter in the ninth and ripped a 1-0 pitch over the right-field fence after the Mets had received a key double from Mike Nickeas to put runners on second and third moments earlier.

Not only did the Mets (16-13) fend off Roy Halladay, they beat an elite closer in Papelbon, who had made nine straight scoreless appearances before last night. Twenty straight batters had gone hitless against Papelbon until Nickeas’ double.

“Anytime you win a game that Doc [Halladay] started where Papelbon came in for the ninth, that is a great victory,” David Wright said.

But it may have come with a price tag, as catcher Josh Thole was removed from the game with dizziness after getting clobbered by Ty Wigginton’s left shoulder in a collision at the plate in the eighth.

Bobby Parnell put runners on second and third in the eighth before Freddy Galvis hit a comebacker. Parnell threw home to get Wigginton, but Thole was knocked silly in the process. Thole lay motionless for about two minutes before leaving the field on his own, replaced by Nickeas.

The Mets received a beneficial call to help keep the game tied 2-2 in the seventh. With the bases loaded and one out, Hunter Pence hit a grounder to Daniel Murphy for a potential inning-ending double play. But first base umpire Alan Porter ruled Pence beat Justin Turner’s relay. The point was moot: Second-base umpire Ron Kulpa said Shane Victorino, running from first, had left the base line and interfered with Turner’s throw. Three outs, and trouble averted by Parnell.

Wright’s two-run double in the sixth got the Mets on the board. Halladay had been cruising, working on a one-hitter with two outs in the inning, before Andres Torres walked and Kirk Nieuwenhuis singled him to second. Wright then slapped a shot inside the third-base bag, making it 2-2.

“When you face some of the guys that are the best in the game, like [Halladay], like Cliff [Lee], you just can’t roll over,” Mets manager Terry Collins said. “You’ve got to battle and you’ve got to scratch and try to put the ball in play and make the most of it. I salute this club. This club doesn’t quit. They play hard from start to finish.”

Mets starter Jon Niese struggled with control and lasted only five innings, in which he allowed two earned runs on four hits and four walks before Manny Acosta, Parnell, Tim Byrdak and Frank Francisco combined for four scoreless innings.

Halladay had to settle for a no-decision after allowing two earned runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and one walk over seven innings. The no-decision ended Halladay’s streak of eight consecutive starts with a victory against the Mets, dating to 2006 when he pitched for the Blue Jays.

“[Halladay] was real dominant tonight,” Wright said. “We were fortunate to get those two runs and get him out of the game.”

mpuma@nypost.com

Jonathan Papelbon, Roy Halladay, Halladay, Phillies, Mets, Mets, the Mets, the Mets, ninth inning, David Wright, Josh Thole, Papelbon

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mardi 8 mai 2012

Victory never so sweet

headshotMark Cannizzaro

CHARLOTTE-- Although you’d never detect it in his demeanor, the weight of being winless was growing heavier by the tournament.

Rickie Fowler was in danger of becoming Anna Kournikova in golf spikes, the golf version of the former Russian tennis star who never won a singles title despite being marketed so brilliantly you would have thought she won more times at Wimbledon than Martina Navratilova.

Fowler, with his globally visible sponsors and distinct look with his flashy clothes, was in danger of forging a dubious reputation for being all style and no substance.

But the 23-year-old former Oklahoma State star dramatically altered the script yesterday with a clutch playoff victory at the Wells Fargo Championship, defeating Rory McIlroy and D.A. Points with a birdie on the 18th hole.

It was his first PGA Tour win in his 67th career tournament and, despite his youth and the fact he has been a pro for only two years, it felt like a long time coming.

“It’s been a wait, but I’m definitely still young and hopefully this opens the door to many more,’’ Fowler said.

“It’s definitely been a work in progress to get this first win, but I think he’s been comfortable with how much he’s been through and what he’s accomplished early on,’’ Fowler’s mother, Lynn, said as she tried to control her emotions at the 18th green. “He was just meant to do this. He knew when he was 2 years old exactly where he was going and what he was going to do.’’

Fowler said he felt like it was “just more when’’ he was going to win as opposed to if he would. So did his caddie, Joe Skovron, who has known Fowler since he was 4.

“Obviously, he wanted to get it and the more he got close the more he wanted it,’’ Skovron said. “He’s 23 years-old and he knows how good he is. He knew it was coming, that it was just when, not if.’’

As Fowler calmly rolled in his four-foot winning putt, a few of his PGA Tour friends, including Aaron Baddeley and Ben Crane, stood behind the 18th green rooting him on.

“He’s a member of the band now,’’ Crane said. “For his sake I was thankful the first win came sooner as opposed to later. We all knew it was in the back of his mind and he wanted to seal one of these off. Now it’s open the gates from here for him.’’

The beauty of Fowler’s win was as much the way he did it — with style and substance — as the fact that he finally broke through.

Asked if, because of the aggressive way in which he’s been marketed he felt even more of a burden to win, Fowler said, “No, because this is who I am. I don’t want to be anyone who I’m not and don’t want to be marketed any way that doesn’t represent me. It’s been a lot of fun. Obviously, I have some great sponsors who helped me show who I am on the course. Now we’ve got the win, so we’re good to go.’’

Asked to describe his emotions after the breakthrough, Fowler said, “Keep going.’’

“It’s a good feeling right now, definitely some relief, satisfaction,’’ he said. “It’s not a bad thing, winning. It’s kind of fun.’’

mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com

PGA Tour, Fowler, Anna Kournikova, Wells Fargo Championship

Nypost.com

lundi 7 mai 2012

State of IPO nation

With Facebook’s IPO set to take place in a week or so, tech seems like a pretty fertile field. You can buy lots of shovels and hoes for $100 billion.

Inc. is a pretty good guide for those who aspire to be the next Mark Zuckerberg. Most of the short columns — such as how children of entrepreneurs are two to three times more likely to launch a business — are aimed at those who want to start the next big thing. Best for those with start-up ambitions is the cover story on turntable.fm, whose users create virtual DJs and play songs in a chat room. The article delves into how the two founders, Seth Goldstein and Billy Chasen, are fighting as they try to figure how to keep the once-hot business from falling off the charts.

Wired magazine’s cover story is about Marc Andreessen, a lesser- known tech player than Zuckerberg or Steve Jobs. While the magazine has always been a place where the digerati blow their own horn, the Andreessen interview by editor Chris Anderson falls short of rigorous by miles. Take this exchange: Anderson, “A quote of yours that I’ve always loved is Netscape would render Windows ‘a poorly debugged set of device drivers.’ ” Andreessen, “In fairness, you have to give credit for that quote to Bob Metcalfe, the 3Com founder.” Elsewhere there’s the ubiquitous profile of “The Avengers” director, Joss Whedon.

If you can’t get enough of Jobs, Fast Company serves up a splashy cover package dubbed, “The Lost Steve Jobs Tapes,” elevating it to a Silicon Valley version of the Dead Sea Scrolls. It’s a 12-page collection of hundreds of conversations spanning a quarter-century between the late Apple founder and reporter Brent Schlender. It incudes lots of fawning illustrations of a prophet-like Jobs. For relief, there’s a saucy photo essay on the evolution of beach wear, starting with the knee-length versions of the early 1900s to the current barely there kind.

After the wildly successful Forbes 400 list of billionaires, the magazine has come up with a slew of new groups to which to pander. This cover story of Forbes’ latest issue heralds “The Midas List,” the top 100 tech investors, and the inevitable fluff that purports to explain the brilliant strategies that have made them so rich. For No. 1 ranked Jim Breyer of Accel Partners, it was simple: he happened to make an early bet on Facebook. Forbes under new editor Randall Lane has another list that promises to be a little more intriguing: America’s most powerful art dealers. (There are only 12; average age 65).

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Mark Zuckerberg, Marc Andreessen, Steve Jobs, Facebook, Seth Goldstein, cover story, cover story, Billy Chasen, Chris Anderson, Bob Metcalfe

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