28 Mar 2024

The Loop: The Nipsey Russell 2024 Baseball Preview

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MINNESOTA TWINS
“Handle with Care”
After injurious years
Buxton’s garnering cheers
Returning to outfield action
But we’re fearing, by fall
He’ll again hit the wall
And he finishes season in traction

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 1: Byron Buxton #25 of the Minnesota Twins reacts after getting hit by a pitch during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Target Field on June 1, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Guardians 7-6. (Photo by Matt Krohn/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES DODGERS
“Shohei the Money”
Ohtani is destined to thrill
On Dodgers with Freeman and Betts
But he’d need 700 mill
To pay his interpreter’s debts

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 12: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers warms up on deck during the fifth inning of the MLB spring game at Camelback Ranch on March 12, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

TEXAS RANGERS
“The Last Shall Be First”
This outfit was quite minor leaguer
‘Til spending a boatload on Seager
Caused a billion brain cramps
By becoming world champs
An all-time upset by the meager

Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy celebrates with the trophy after winning Game 5 of the baseball World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, in Phoenix. The Rangers won 5-0 to win the series 4-1. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

MILWAUKEE BREWERS
“Arms Race Lost”
With no Woodruff, no Burnes
Milwaukee’s fate turns
The Brew Crew is stuck with no aces
It will be quite the bummer
Spending all of this summer
Bouncing round between fourth and fifth places

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 10: Corbin Burnes #39 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches in the bottom of the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on September 10, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
“Brotherly Choke”
Fans were laughing themselves very silly
On the brink of World Series in Philly
But instead of a rout
D-Backs knocked Phillies out
Drowned their woes in Bud Light: Dilly! Dilly

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 24: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after flying out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning in Game Seven of the Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 24, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

BOSTON RED SOX
“Dumpster Fire of the Vanities”
Sox have been pretty sloppy
Since the exit of Poppy
Mediocrity soils The Hub
Now the Fenway Park snobs
Join the working-class slobs
In booing their second-rate club

HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 22: Christian Arroyo #39 and manager Alex Cora #13 of the Boston Red Sox look on from the dugout against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning in Game Six of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 22, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

OAKLAND ATHLETICS
“Loss, Vegas”
Almost done with their Oakland hiatus
Set to stink up the Strip once in Vegas
Will take oodles of luck
For this putrid lame duck
To get out of the cellar; they’re stuck

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 28: With the decision to move from Oakland to Las Vegas fans of the Oakland Athletics hang signs from the right field seats during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at RingCentral Coliseum on April 28, 2023 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
“You Cannot be Series-ous”
Arizonans saw their phoenix arise
The Diamondbacks’ surge was no fake
T’would only be more of surprise
If they somehow elect Kari Lake

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 24: Gabriel Moreno #14, Paul Sewald #38 and Emmanuel Rivera #15 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate after beating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 in Game Seven of the Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 24, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

CHICAGO CUBS
“Stuck in Wrigleyville”
Bellinger came back on the Chicago stage
He’s gonna cash in, said the chorus
But he’s playing this season for minimum wage
GMs tired of paying Scott Boras

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 26: Cody Bellinger #24 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after scoring on a RBI single by Yan Gomes #15 in the second inning at Truist Park on September 26, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

NEW YORK YANKEES
“From So-so to Soto”
The Yankees broke bank to sign Soto
With a World Series title their goal
They’ve got better chance winning the lotto
If elbow’s disabling Cole

New York Yankees’ Juan Soto hits an RBI single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

ATLANTA BRAVES
“Ronald Trumped”
Acuna’s alone: 40-70 Dude!
A season of glorious thrills
But come each October, a sickening mood
When Braves get dismantled by Phils

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 12: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after flying out in the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during Game Four of the Division Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 12, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

TORONTO BLUE JAYS
“Fat City”
The most likely scenario
For the fans of Ontario
More angst from their overblown club
They put all faith in Vladdie
Who is far from his daddy
Stuck with star who’s a bit of a chub

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 04: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after being tagged out by Carlos Correa #4 of the Minnesota Twins during the fifth inning in Game Two of the Wild Card Series at Target Field on October 04, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

MIAMI MARLINS
“Single Hitter”
Arraez remained quite the hitter
When he came to the Fish from the Twins
But in South Beach he’s bound to turn bitter
‘Cause their fans are outnumbered by wins

MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 15: Luis Arraez #3 of the Miami Marlins celebrates hitting a home run against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at loanDepot park on September 15, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)

BALTIMORE ORIOLES
“The Busts of October”
T’was not in the cards
In old Camden Yards
After Orioles’ ‘23 rise
Dreams collapsed in a heap
Thanks to postseason sweep
Charm City: where hope always dies

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 08: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles runs to first base against the Texas Rangers during Game Two of the American League Division Series at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on October 08, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES ANGELS
“Mike Drop”
There’s never been reason to doubt
The hall of fame talent of Trout
Yet they’ll never go far
‘Til they clone superstar
There’s no end to their postseason drought

TEMPE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 24:Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels looks on during a spring training exhibition against the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Peoria Sports Complex on February 24, 2024 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

CINCINNATI REDS
“Red Hots”
The Nati is filled with young hitters
Forgive us for pointing out truth
They’re playing in kiddie-size ballpark
Where everyone slugs like Babe Ruth

CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 26: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds watches a two-run home run during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on September 26, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

HOUSTON ASTROS
“The Yordan Rules”
Alvarez is true hitting king
His tape-measure homers are fabled
Yet ‘Stros won’t be adding a ring
With most starting pitchers disabled

HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 23: Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astros celebrates from third base after hitting a triple against Max Scherzer #31 of the Texas Rangers during the third inning in Game Seven of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 23, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

NEW YORK METS
“Billions”
In Flushing, they’re knowin’
That, thanks to Steve Cohen
The Mets will be leaders in spending
But success is bewitching
This year, got no pitching
Another debacle’s impending

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 10: Mets owner Steve Cohen at the opening of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination site at Citi Field on February 10, 2021 in the Queens borough of New York City. The inoculation site will focus on providing vaccinations to Queens residents, food service workers, and taxi drivers. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

SAN DIEGO PADRES
“Can You Hear the Taps, Fernando?”
The ‘23 Padres were trending
Thanks to ungodly splurges of spending
But this franchise is cursed
Several miles out of first
Their delusions of grandeur are ending

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 15: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the top of the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum on September 15, 2023 in Oakland, California. Players are wearing #21 and patches with 21 in honor of Roberto Clemente Day. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

SEATTLE MARINERS
“Pacific Coast”
Won no titles with Griffey
With Ichiro, still iffy
They’ve won no more rings than the Pilots
But at last, M’s are blessed
They’re American League’s best
Get ready for Space Needle riots

PEORIA, ARIZONA – MARCH 07: Julio Rodriguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners slaps hands with fans on his way to the dugout before a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Peoria Sports Complex on March 07, 2024 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Aaron Doster/Getty Images)

PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
National League East:
1. Braves 2. Phillies 3. Marlins 4. Mets 5. Nationals
National League Central:
1. Cubs 2. Reds 3. Cardinals 4. Pirates 5. Brewers
National League West:
1. Dodgers 2. Diamondbacks 3. Padres 4. Giants 5. Rockies
National League wild cards:
Phillies over Cubs, Diamondbacks over Reds
National League Division Series:
Dodgers over Phillies, Braves over Diamondbacks
National League Championship Series:
Braves over Dodgers

American League East:
1. Orioles 2. Blue Jays 3. Rays 4. Yankees 5. Red Sox
American League Central:
1. Twins 2. Tigers 3. Guardians 4. Royals 5. White Sox
American League West:
1. Mariners 2. Astros 3. Rangers 4. Angels 5. Athletics
American League wild cards:
Astros over Rangers, Mariners over Blue Jays
American League Division Series:
Orioles over Astros, Mariners over Twins
American League Championship Series:
Mariners over Orioles

2024 World Series:
Braves over Mariners

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com

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28 Mar 2024

‘A Brand New Neighborhood’: City Council to Vote Soon on Willets Point Development

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The proposal would build 1,400 income-restricted apartments—on top of 1,100 already in the works—on the Flushing waterfront just east of Citi Field. It also includes a privately financed stadium for the New York City Football Club.

Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit

The site of the future soccer stadium at Willets Point, pictured here in November.

The City Council is expected to vote in the coming weeks on plans for the city’s first soccer stadium at Willets Point—along with hundreds of new apartments nearby—the latest chapter in decades of attempts at developing the Flushing waterfront site just east of Citi Field.

Phase I of the development, approved last year, green-lit the construction of 1,100 affordable housing units and a public school designed to accommodate up to 650 students.

Phase II, currently under consideration, seeks approval for another 1,400 affordable apartments,  the addition of a 25,000-seat, privately financed stadium for the New York City Football Club (NYCFC), as well as a 250-room hotel.

With the city facing a historically low 1.4 percent housing vacancy rate, approval of the project would mark a significant housing win for the Adams administration’s “moonshot” goal of adding 500,000 new homes over the next decade. The City Planning Commission unanimously approved Phase II on March 6, and the City Council now has until April 26 to vote on the proposal under the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) requirements.

“There hasn’t been this many number of affordable units coming online in decades, and it’s not just the stadium—this is a brand new neighborhood that’s coming to the borough of Queens,” said Queens District 21 Councilmember Francisco Moya, who represents Willets Point.

“I’m very proud of the work that I’ve been able to do to get this project to where it is today and hopefully in the upcoming weeks we’ll finalize that with a vote for approval at the Council,” he added. 

Council approval is likely: Moya has been a major supporter of the plan, and under the longstanding tradition of “member deference,” the Council usually votes in line with the preferences of the district representative where the proposed land use change is located (though members have, on occasion, broken ranks).

Locally, the project has been met mainly with positive support, and easily passed 37-2 in a Queens Community Board 7 (CB7) endorsement vote in early December of last year.

But some community members have raised environmental concerns around building in the area, situated in a historic floodplain and partial wetlands. 

Cody Herrmann, who sits on CB7 and is a founding member of the Guardians of Flushing Bay, was one of two board members who voted against the proposal. Speaking with City Limits in February, she expressed worry about the potential displacement of older low-income residents and the environmental challenges of building in the floodplain, despite the city’s reassurances that the development will be elevated.

She cited additional concerns based on a NASA study released in September of last year that indicated nearby areas in Queens, including the famed Arthur Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, are sinking.

“These areas of land are sinking, and they’re sinking faster than anywhere else in the city,” said Herrmann. “So now we’re gonna put this new mega-development, tons and tons of housing, a huge soccer stadium into land that we know is sinking, into land that we know was a wetland that was filled in…it’s just not good long-term planning.”

Another criticism of the plan came after the New York Times reported last year on an Independent Budget Office analysis which projected the stadium would result in a loss of over half a billion dollars in tax revenue throughout the New York City Football Club’s (NYCFC) 49-year lease term, since the city isn’t collecting property taxes on the publicly-owned site.

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC), which is actively involved in the project’s Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP), refuted these concerns, saying the IBO report was “grounded in an entirely implausible scenario” according to reporting by Gothamist earlier this month.

Speaking on the unique partnership the plan has with NYCFC, Moya looked to distinguish the Willets Point development from other athletic projects that have lagged on some of their commitments to surrounding communities.

“This stadium is 100 percent privately financed. Look at what happened at Atlantic Yards, Barclays. They still haven’t even begun to fulfill the commitments that they put forward,” said Moya, referring to affordable housing pledged as part of the Brooklyn stadium deal that have yet to be fully realized years later.

“Housing, we’ve already started on phase one,” Moya said of Willets Point. “You put housing first before anything else, and I think that just goes to the true dedication and the wanting to be part of the fabric of the community.” 

According to city planning documents, income restricted units at the site are expected to target tenants earning anywhere from 30 percent of the Area Median Income—roughly $42,360 for a family of four—to 130 percent AMI, about $183,560 for a four person household.

The project is expected to spur 1,600 jobs and $6.1 billion in economic impact over the next 30 years, according to the EDC.

“For many years, this was joked to be the iron triangle, or the valley of the ashes,” Mayor Eric Adams at the groundbreaking for Phase I of in December. “We’re now going to see a vital community come about right here in the shadows of Shea Stadium.”

To reach the reporter behind this story, contact Chris@citylimits.org. To reach the editor, contact Jeanmarie@citylimits.org

Want to republish this story? Find City Limits’ reprint policy here.

28 Mar 2024

Packers sign former Vikings kicker Greg Joseph to provide competition for Anders Carlson

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GREEN BAY, Wis. — Veteran kicker Greg Joseph has signed with the Green Bay Packers after spending the past three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Packers announced the Joseph signing on Thursday. His arrival provides competition for Anders Carlson, who struggled with consistency as a rookie kicker last season.

Joseph, 29, went 24 of 30 on field-goal attempts last season while going 3 of 6 from 40 to 49 yards and 4 of 7 from at least 50 yards. He was 36 of 38 on extra-point attempts.

For his career, Joseph has made 82.6% (100 of 121) of his field-goal attempts and 90.1% of his extra-point tries (146 of 162 in 67 regular-season games. That includes a career-long field goal of 61 yards.

Joseph played 14 games with the Cleveland Browns in 2018 and two games with the Tennessee Titans in 2019. He had been the Vikings’ main kicker since 2021.

Now he gets to compete with Carlson, a 2023 fifth-round draft pick from Auburn.

Carlson made 81.8% (27 of 33) of his field-goal attempts during the regular season, but was just 4 of 8 from 40 to 49 yards and 3 of 5 from at least 50 yards. He also was 34 of 39 on extra-point attempts.

Carlson missed an extra-point attempt in the Packers’ 48-32 wild-card playoff victory at Dallas and missed a 41-yard field goal in their 24-21 NFC divisional playoff loss at San Francisco.

The Packers also have signed kicker Jack Podlesny since the end of their season. Podlesny played college football at Georgia and hasn’t appeared in an NFL game.

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28 Mar 2024

Recipe: Here’s why you should serve a turkey dinner in the spring

by | posted in: Society | 0

Save turkey for holiday feasting? Not anymore. A boneless turkey breast, roasted in just over an hour, can be a midweek entrée, or the cornerstone of a company dinner.

Lean and lovely boned turkey breasts, 1 1/2 to 2 pounds, require very little of the cook’s attention. Once the flavoring ingredients are added and the bird is in the oven, most of the work is done. It’s the perfect amount for a small family, with four large or six small servings. For smaller families, there will be luscious leftovers, perfect for next-day lunches.

Mediterranean Turkey Breast

Yield: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 boneless turkey breast, skin on, about 1 1/2 pounds; see cook’s notes

1 tablespoon olive oil

8 large cloves garlic, peeled and chopped

1 1/2 cups dry white wine

1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced “ready-cut” tomatoes, partially drained

1/3 cup pitted imported black olives

3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried)

Pinch dried red chili flakes

1 tablespoon tomato paste

Salt and pepper

For serving: Fettuccine or penne, cooked al dente and drained

Optional: 1/2-1 teaspoon finely minced lemon peel (zest), colored part only

Optional garnish: 1 tablespoon drained capers

Optional garnish: Sprigs of fresh basil

Cook’s notes: If the turkey breast has a pop-up timer, gently remove it.

To save time, you can substitute a large jar of your favorite prepared tomato-based marinara pasta sauce, such as arrabiatta or tomato with basil and skip Step No. 2.

DIRECTIONS

1. Lightly dust turkey with flour. Heat olive oil in a 5-quart Dutch oven on medium-high heat. Add turkey breast, skin down. Brown well on both sides, about 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Remove turkey from pan.

2. Add garlic to pan; the oil in the pan will probably be hot enough to lightly brown the garlic after 1-2 minutes; stir it frequently. Add wine and tomatoes to pan. Return to medium-high heat. Scrape the sides and bottom of pan to loosen any brown bits. Add basil, oregano, chili flakes and tomato paste. Stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer.

3. Place turkey breast in center of sauce. Cover and simmer on low heat for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Test turkey breast for doneness using an instant-read thermometer. It should register 170 degrees in thickest part of breast. Taste sauce; adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt or pepper. If it needs a boost, add a little finely minced lemon zest.

4. If desired, remove skin from turkey. Place hot, cooked pasta on a platter with a lip or in a large, shallow pasta bowl. Place sliced turkey on top, overlapping slightly like a fan. Spoon sauce on top. If desired, sprinkle capers on top. Garnish with sprigs of fresh basil.

Award-winning food writer Cathy Thomas has written three cookbooks, including “50 Best Plants on the Planet.” Follow her at @CathyThomas Cooks.com.

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