LOS ANGELES—There is nothing like the spotlight of New York, especially when you’re a showman like Marcus Stroman.

The Stro Show is off to a sizzling launch in 2024. He’s started three games, including the Yankees home opener, and has a 2.12 ERA. His first two starts were simply dominant: He gave up zero earned runs and seven hits on 12 combined innings, with 10 total strikeouts. 

“He’s been terrific, I mean, he’s right in line with how he’s been [building up] the last couple of months, execution’s been excellent,” manager Aaron Boone said about Stroman’s buildup from spring training to his first two starts. “Command, excellent—where he wants to be, the misses he wants. Staying off the barrel, big pitches in some spots where he’s had to make one, but really sharp.”

Stroman’s third start on April 10 was not as terrific: He gave up four earned runs in the top of the third inning, after allowing a one-out single to score one, and a three-run homerun to cap off the inning. He went five innings that day, and even with that tough third inning, he only gave up one combined hit through the other four innings.

“I thought the stuff was good. He had good swing and miss going, but just not as sharp, especially with how sharp he was in the first two,” said Boone after Stroman picked up his first loss of the season. 

Stroman signed a two-year contract worth $37 million in the offseason with the Yankees. He earned his payday with the Yanks after having arguably his best season in 2023 with the Cubs, which included his second career All-Star appearance, a 3.58 ERA, and the best day on the mound he’s ever had: a one-hit shutout against the Rays on May 29, which included one walk and eight strikeouts.

The Yankees were 12-5, the best record in Major League Baseball, when they took on the Toronto Blue Jays on the road on Tuesday night. Stroman was scheduled to start yesterday afternoon in the final game of the Yankees three-game set against the Blue Jays. They’re doing this without Gerrit Cole, who’s expected to be out until late May to early June with a right elbow injury. With their star pitcher out at least the first third of the season, someone had to step up and fill that hole. So far, Stroman has been that guy.

He went into yesterday with  the second-most strikeouts of anyone on the team with 17, and is tied with the lowest WHIP of the starting rotation at 1.06.

Even with Stroman being the Yankees best pitcher, the team was 1-2 before yesterday’s game when he’s been on the bump. The offense had only scored one run in the 17 innings that Stroman pitched.

The season is still very young, so the Yankees’ offense is bound to pick up when Stroman gets the nod. Yankees fans and management shouldn’t have to worry about their pitcher too much when he’s on the mound, because he’s set a standard for himself these past few seasons where excellence is expected.

The post Yankees’ Marcus Stroman is true Jedi on the mound appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.

* This article was originally published here

“Let Me Tell You” is a series of columns from our expert editors about NYC living, including the best things to do, where to eat and drink, and what to see at the theater. They publish each Tuesday so you’re hearing from us each week. Last time, Things to Do Editor Rossilynne Skena Culgan suggested ideas for the long-vacant Times Square Sbarro. 

In a borough where rents soar, sirens wail, and tall buildings eclipse the sun, finding a meditative moment in Manhattan can feel nearly impossible. Dedicating time for wellness often feels like an indulgence reserved only for the ultra-rich (ahem). But I experienced three completely free experiences over the past week that left me feeling a lightness without lightening my wallet. Allow me to share, and I hope you’ll head out to these spots for a piece of peace. 

1. Field of Light at Freedom Plaza

On the far east edge of Manhattan, 18,750 glowing orbs of light sprout from the ground. They gleam in green, blue, pink, and purple tones, each one emerging from the Earth like an avant-garde flower. The fiber optic lights are part of an otherworldly experience called Field of Light. 

The 6-acre installation was installed by British artist Bruce Munro who’s known for using light to create an emotional response. For me, his intention definitely worked. I reveled in the quiet walk along winding paths, watching as the color of the orbs evolved. Instead of my typical hurried walking pace, I slowed down and sauntered through the field. Though the skyline is visible from Field of Light, the installation feels far away from the typical hustle and bustle of the city, allowing me to detach from my daily worries. 

Expect to spend about 30 minutes strolling through Field of Light. While the exhibit is free to visit through fall, you will need to reserve a ticket online; a standby line is available for walkups. Find Field of Light at East 41st Street between First Avenue and FDR Drive. 

2. Daedalum at Lincoln Center

To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect when I heard about the new art installation outside of Lincoln Center. I’ve seen my share of interactive art exhibits, and sometimes they don’t live up to the hype. On a dreary afternoon last week, I trudged in rain boots to Lincoln Center, juggling an umbrella and a laptop bag, then waited in a short line. 

But from the second I stepped inside Daedalum, my gloomy spirits melted away. Nineteen egg-shaped domes make up this inflatable labyrinth, and walking through it truly felt magical. I was immediately dazzled by the saturation of colors inside the maze—the ocean blues, emerald greens, and cherry reds that dance along the walls. I reveled in feeling lost inside the maze, inching along in shoe covers as I waited with delight to see what would await me around the next corner.

Some of the sections reminded me of a sun, a flower, or a tree, each one rendered in a trippy aesthetic. I spent about 30 minutes inside the labyrinth, going back to a few spots that I particularly enjoyed once I got my bearings. You’re even welcome to sit down or lie down inside if you’d like. 

You can show up anytime between 11am and 6pm through April 21 to wait in line, or you can reserve a “fast track” pass online. Find the exhibition behind Lincoln Center at Damrosch Park.

3. Tulip Festival at West Side Community Garden

While the first two recommendations focus on human-made art, sometimes nature in itself is the best masterpiece. There’s no better place to admire nature’s incredible artistry right now than the West Side Community Garden where the annual Tulip Festival is in bloom.

Thousands of colorful tulips—pink, yellow, red, purple, orange, and more—spill over planters for their moment in the spotlight. You can spend as long as you like. Maybe you’ve only got time for a short breeze past or maybe you can grab a spot on a bench and sit for an hour.

No matter how long you stay, consider your visit a walking meditation. Take time to notice how the red and yellow hues mix together on some petals. Watch as birds dart from branch to branch. Breathe in the hyacinth-scented air. Feel the cherry blossom petals as they gently fall from the trees above. 

For me, spending a half hour in the garden on a recent gray Wednesday afternoon brightened up my entire week.

These flowers are fleeting, though, so be sure to visit soon. Gardeners expect the tulips to be in bloom until early May. Find the garden at 123 West 89th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues.

* This article was originally published here

This Saturday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, WBC super lightweight world champion Devin Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) will defend his title against Ryan Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs). The fight will be broadcast and streamed live on DAZN PPV. The two fighters have a lot of history, as they matched up six times as amateurs, with each winning three of the bouts before starting their respective professional careers.

“I’m feeling good. I’m on track to make weight,” said the 25-year-old Garcia last week after his media workout. Garcia lost his first professional fight a year ago to Gervonta Davis and blamed the loss on the rehydration clause that prevented him from adding significant weight after the weigh-in.

“I was at around 146 yesterday and we’re continuing to train hard like we always do,” he said, “I know I am training hard. I am feeling great, looking good in the gym.”

Garcia exuded confidence ahead of the match but could be playing a psychological game with Haney, which will have little effect once the bell rings for Round 1 to begin.

“It’s going to be light work for me,” he declared. “I am going to cook Devin Haney. Just another day in the office. Devin is not on my level and he will never be on my level.”
Haney, like Garcia is 25 and taking a business as usual approach to the impending clash.

“Camp has been amazing,” Haney said earlier this month. “I’m in the zone, always. I’m obviously getting more adjusted to this new weight class.”Haney, who defeated Regis Prograis in his first fight at super lightweight in December, maintained he is getting stronger and in the best physical shape of his career.

“Not having to go down the extra five pounds has been a tremendous help for me,” he said. “I had been at 135 for a long time. At 140, it just feels so different. My performance against Regis Prograis showed that.”

He also addressed the numerous comments about him by Garcia posted on social media and other platforms.

“At the end of the day, Ryan Garcia is going to say what he is going to say,” Haney said. “No matter what, I am going to do my job to be the very best Devin Haney I can be. Whichever version of Ryan shows up on April 20, I will be ready for him. Ryan Garcia is just another opponent to me. I am in competition with greatness. That is why I train so hard, that is why I stay so disciplined.”

This past Saturday, undefeated heavyweight Jared Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs)  defeated Ryad Merhy in Corpus Christi, Texas, by a 100-90, 99-91, 100-90 unanimous decision.

“I stayed sharp for 10 rounds, that’s the biggest takeaway,” Anderson said after his win. “I made some mistakes. I got hit with a few punches. I shouldn’t have gotten hit at all because he didn’t even come here to fight.”

The post Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia to meet for the first time as pros appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.

* This article was originally published here

Candice Hill knew she would be attending the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Next Generation Institute, a program for assistant coaches aspiring to become head coaches, held in conjunction with the Final Four. Just prior to departing, Hill got some excellent news—she was selected as the new head coach at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). While her position was squared away, Hill still listened intently to all the information during the program.

“I took away some great nuggets about…accepting that everybody goes through ups and downs. It’s really about the resilience you and your program have,” said Hill. The WBCA has been a big part of her journey. As a college student, she participated in the So You Want to Be a Coach program and was later named to the WBCA’s Thirty Under 30.

She joins UMBC after three seasons with St. John’s University women’s basketball, serving as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator this past season. She served a crucial role in helping the Red Storm return to the NCAA Tournament in 2023 and is deeply appreciative for the knowledge Coach Joe Tartamella imbued. Hill was pivotal in upping the skills of star guard Unique Drake, who was MVP of the Seniors All Stars Game played during the Final Four.

“Coach Joe Tartamella brought me in as a piece to the rebuild of his program, and I believe that’s what I’m going to do here [at UMBC],” Hill said. “Another thing I will be able to take away from not only St. John’s but every stop I’ve been at is the effort to build relationships within the university’s community and outside of the community.

“Joe Tartamella taught me how to win, how to be strategic and honestly allowed me to be me,” she added. “I’m going to do the same thing with myself and with my staff. I’m going to have people on my staff that are proven winners, that have experience and bought into what I’m trying to do at UMBC.”

She is thrilled to not only take this next step in her career, but to do it in her hometown of Baltimore. There are some highly competitive Division I and II programs and Maryland, and Hill is looking forward to being part of the community.

“Growing up here makes UMBC so attractive to me, but it’s also based in a city where I know I can recruit to,” said Hill, who played her college basketball in Baltimore at Loyola University.

The post Candice Hill returns home for her first head coaching position appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.

* This article was originally published here

It has been a remarkable season for the Knicks.

Through a season ending shoulder injury to their two-time All-NBA power forward Julius Randle,  which occurred on January 27, not only did they persevere, the Knicks excelled. Their regular season schedule culminated on Sunday at Madison Square Garden fittingly with a dramatic and hard-fought 120-119 overtime victory over the Chicago Bulls to secure an unlikely No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. It also produced the 50-32 Knicks’ first 50-plus win season since they went 54-28 in the 2012-13 campaign.

“It’s a goal to be the best team we can be by the end of the year, and for us now it’s just move on from that,” said the Knicks’ uncontainable point guard Jalen Brunson, whose 40-point, 7-assists, 8-rebound display of  indomitable will was a microcosm of the 27-year-point guard’s astonishing season.

“It’s something to be crossed off and have to get better from here.” Brunson’s 11 th 40-point game this season tied Patrick Ewing for the second most in a single season in franchise history. Bernard King reached or exceeded the 40-point mark 13 times in the 1984-85 slate. Brunson, in only his second season with the Knicks, also reached 36 games scoring 30 or more, tying Richie Guerin (1961-62) and Ewing (1989-90) for the franchise record. His 28.7 points per game average was fourth overall in the league.

“I got teammates and coaches in this locker room who trust me and I trust them and we all try to go out there and make the right play every single time,” expressed Brunson. “No matter what’s going on out there, no one really cares about the credit or anything. We’re just trying to win and so we do whatever it takes, and I have their back out there.”

Now Tom Thibodeau will lead his team into the playoffs for the third time in four seasons since becoming the Knicks’ head coach in July of 2020. Their first round opponent, either the Philadelphia 76ers or Miami Heat, was determined last night when they faced each other last night in Philadelphia in an NBA Play-In Tournament matchup. The Knicks were 2-1 against Miami this season and 3-1 versus the 76ers.

They open the playoffs at the Garden for Game 1 this Saturday at 6 p.m. and a 7:30 p.m. start on Monday at MSG for Game 2. 

“I think when you have competitors, it doesn’t matter. Competitors compete,” Thibodeau said of which team the Knicks will meet.

Brunson emphasized the Knicks’ approach will be consistent with how they have carried out their business thus far.  “Making sure our mentality is the same, if not, better,” he pointed out. “Making sure we’re getting right and making sure we’re watching and preparing, getting our minds right. And that’s what is most important.”

The post The 50-win Knicks enter the playoffs as the East’s No. 2 seed appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.

* This article was originally published here

The Rooftop at Pier 17 has long been one of our favorite concert venues in New York City. The panoramic views, the chill vibe, and the stellar acoustics make it a truly special spot to see a show. And with this year’s stacked lineup of 60+ concerts this summer, it’s definitely worth heading there for a night of live music.

The sixth Summer Concert Series on The Rooftop at Pier 17 features more than 60 artists in genres from rap (Isaiah Rashad) to rock (Social Distortion) to electronic (Electric Callboy) and more. Plus, there are several bands on the roster that will make Millennials swoon with nostalgia (like Taking Back Sunday, Something Corporate, Two Door Cinema Club, and Mayday Parade). Read on for the full lineup and get tickets here.   

RECOMMENDED: Governors Ball 2024 just announced its lineup

Here’s the full Pier 17 lineup for summer 2024

• May 4 – Social Distortion and Bad Religion
• May 8 – Bad Religion and Social Distortion
• May 11 – Freddie Gibbs & Madlib with El Michels Affair
• May 13 – Electric Callboy with Bury Tomorrow and If Not For Me
• May 31 – NEEDTOBREATHE with special guest Judah & The Lion
• June 1 – Isaiah Rashad
• June 14 – Greensky Bluegrass
• June 15 – Reggae Fest Blaze
• June 16 – Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue with Neal Francis
• June 21 – Something Corporate
• June 22 – Billy Currington with Larry Fleet and Redferrin
• July 6 – Everyday People with DJ Moma & Friends
• July 9 – Cavetown & Mother Mother
• July 10 – Mother Mother & Cavetown
• July 11 – moe. with Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country
• July 12 – Michael Franti & Spearhead with Trevor Hall & The Great In-Between
• July 17 – Old Crow Medicine Show with special guests Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway
• July 18 – Totally Tubular Festival feat. Thomas Dolby & more
• July 20 – The9AMBanger: Rise & Rosé
• July 23 – Two Door Cinema Club with special guest flipturn
• July 24 – Two Door Cinema Club with special guest flipturn
• July 25 – O.A.R. with special guests Fitz and the Tantrums, and DJ Logic
• July 26 – O.A.R. with special guests Fitz and the Tantrums, and DJ Logic
• July 28 – Iration and Pepper with special guests DENM and Artikal Sound System
• July 30 – Switchfoot, Blue October, & Matt Nathanson
• August 1 – Sad Summer Festival feat. Mayday Parade, The Maine & more
• August 3 – Anjunabeats Outdoors
• August 4 – SLASH – S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival with Keb’ Mo’, ZZ Ward, and Robert Randolph
• August 8 – Still Woozy with special guest MICHELLE
• August 9 – Still Woozy with special guest MICHELLE
• August 15 – Stray Cats with special guests The Midnight Cowgirls
• August 16 – Andrew Bird and Amadou & Mariam
• August 17 – Taking Back Sunday with special guests Citizen
• August 18 – Taking Back Sunday with special guests Citizen
• August 22 – mike.
• August 24 – Sublime with Rome
• August 31 – Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Andy Frasco & The UN, and Dogs in a Pile
• September 4 – Crowded House
• September 12 – Dashboard Confessional with special guests BOYS LIKE GIRLS and Taylor Acorn
• October 12 – Nothing But Thieves
• Plus, more shows to be announced.

Tickets are on sale here. 

Tips for seeing a show at Pier 17

If you haven’t seen a show on The Rooftop at Pier 17 yet, it’s worth changing that this summer. With its 3,500 capacity, the venue offers an intimate atmosphere combined with impeccable views of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty. 

As for drinks, stop by the Patrón Patio, a lounge with Patrón Tequila cocktails and frozen beverages. If you want to treat yourself, you can add on access to the Grey Goose Terrace, a private rooftop lounge with food and cocktails for purchase, plus an Instagram-worthy backdrop of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Before (or after) the show, there are plenty of delectable dining options near the venue’s Seaport location. To name a few: Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s seafood restaurant The Fulton; Tin Building by Jean-Georges; Helene Henderson’s Malibu Farm New York; Andrew Carmellini’s Italian chophouse Carne Mare, NoHo Hospitality’s Mister Dips, more.  

“The Rooftop at Pier 17 has become a bucket list destination with New Yorkers and visitors from across the country and around the globe, looking forward to the Summer Concert Series every year,” Anton Nikodemus, CEO of Seaport Entertainment Group said in a press release. “People are flocking to The Rooftop not just to hear their favorite artists perform live, but for the breathtaking views of the city skyline and to enjoy the best cocktails and food the city has to offer at the Seaport’s surrounding bars and restaurants.”

* This article was originally published here

Members of the group Cross-union Retirees Organizing Committee (CROC) showed up at Manhattan’s 26 Federal Plaza on April 12 to deliver a letter addressed to President Joe Biden to bring attention to the concerning direction they see Medicare going in. 

CROC members are mostly New York City municipal retirees who said they wanted to deliver a letter to Medicare and Medicaid Services representatives about something they call a “(Dis)Advantage” plan, a play on Medcare’s Advantage plan terminology. 

“We are mostly New York City retirees, and the city has been trying for three years to take away our wonderful Medicare,” said Julie Schwartzberg, a CROC founder who also once served as vice president of AFSCME District Council 37’s Local 768. “We found out that all over the country, the same thing is happening. In states all over the place, in cities, they’re taking away retirees’ Medicare and putting people on Medicare Advantage.” 

“Medicare Advantage is profit-making. We don’t want it,” she added.

Security guards at the federal building refused entry to CROC representatives after the rally. The group was asked to mail in their letter and stand by for a response from Biden regarding their concerns.

CROC members have reacted to the changes in Medicare by helping to form the National Alliance for Retiree Health Care. They say they’ve been joined in this new national effort by retirees in Vermont, Delaware, California, Minnesota, Washington, and Tennessee who stand ready to unite nationally to fight against any tweaks to access to Medicare. 

In their letter to the Center for Medicare Services and Biden, the national movement asks that instead of having Medicare privatized, there be more of an effort to expand it.

“We are an alliance of retiree organizations fighting for the expansion of our public Medicare benefits and against the ongoing privatization of traditional Medicare,” one portion of the letter reads. “We retirees served our communities for years, paid into Medicare every paycheck, and were promised strong public Medicare when we grew older.

“Now retirees all over the country are being forced into for-profit Medicare Advantage plans, without their consent. Many other seniors have chosen Medicare Advantage because they cannot afford expensive private Medigap plans or are deceived by false advertising.

“These plans are literally killing us. The National Bureau of Economic Research estimates that 10,000 Medicare Advantage patient lives could be saved every year if insurance companies did not delay and deny the care their doctor ordered as a method of increasing their profits.”

“Medicare (Dis)Advantage screws everyone” 

“Through the years we always thought that the enemy was the Republicans who were against Social Security and––like Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan––against Medicare,” Stuart Eber, Council of Municipal Retiree Organizations (COMRO) president, remarked during the stand-in. “Then we woke up in the 21st century and we have Democrats and Republicans who are foisting Medicare Advantage on us.”

Eileen Moran, a member of the Professional Staff Congress’ (PSC) retiree executive committee said that because it’s propelled by the need to make a profit, she believes “Medicare (Dis)Advantage screws everyone.” 

“The PSC Social Safety Net early on was skeptical of the agreement that the [Municipal Labor Committee] made with the city both in 2014 and then again in 2018, because there was no way that you could save $600 million a year every year without denying care. But that’s the route that the MLC and the city took. And that’s why we’re here because we’re urging Biden to make sure that regular Medicare is protected––real Medicare, not Medicare (Dis)advantage. And if we begin to claw back that $140 billion that’s being wasted going into corporate executive salaries and advertising to lie to people, then we could actually go without a Medigap policy, and we could expand Medicare to cover dental, eyeglasses, hearing aids, etc––all of which is not covered now. But instead, we’re flushing money down the toilet to make people in the 1% richer and richer and richer.”

Schwartzberg said CROC believes Medicare could be financially buttressed with the funds the federal government has won in lawsuits against the largest insurance companies who, according to Physicians for a National Health Program, overbill Medicare Advantage. Many of these companies have had to pay million-dollar fines for fraudulent and inflated bills, according to a 2022 congressional report. “We are saying, take that money that the insurance companies are robbing––and there’s an estimate that it is up to $140 billion a year––and put it into Medicare. Why does Medicare make us pay 20%? Why don’t they have dental? Why don’t they have optical? Why can’t we take the money from the fraud and …make Medicare whole? That’s why we’re here. That’s why we’re going up and delivering a letter to President Biden saying, this is what you can do.”

The post NYC retirees vow to fight Medicare privatization appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.

* This article was originally published here