MadMacks Magazine

High School Baseball Rankings (week of 4/15 – 4/22)           Sitting atop our Bronx High School PSAL Baseball rankings you’ll find James Monroe Eagles who record stands at an unblemished 7-0. As expected, defending PSAL Baseball Champions at James Monroe HS have gotten off to an excellent start this season led by experienced head coach Michael Turo. The James Monroe varsity baseball program has continued to be a force in the Bronx AAA division. Batting leaders are seniors Jordy Batista, Samuel De La Cruz and Juan Pinero who respectively sits atop their division in RBI’s, along with talented underclassmen freshman Derek Suliz, sophomore Bryant Bassett and junior Miguelange Toribio. Starting junior ace pitcher Edward Urena Hernandez leads the division in ERA percentage and junior closer Timothy Rivera compliments a tough pitching line up. The eagles look ready to make another run at a PSAL baseball title. Here are the Bronx PSAL High School Baseball Rankings for the mon

GAME OF THE WEEK by Deigo Mack Our ‘Game of the Week’ brings us to a match up both teams had marked on their calendar. The third ranked Bathgate Educational Complex (6-0) meets sixth ranked Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy (5-1), 4 pm Friday April 27 th at Seton Park Field located at 232 nd Street in Independence Avenue. This is a key game for both teams as each looks to establish themselves as a Bronx ‘AA’ division powerhouse. East meets West should be a tagline as the Riverdale/Kingsbridge Tigers look to stay atop the ‘AA’ WEST division and the Bathgate Bulldogs fight to conquer the ‘AA’ East. Bathgate head coach Steve Lomuscio said “We want to compete at a high level and we know Riverdale is a smart team and their tough to beat” he continued, “It always comes down to defense and good pitches but we’re really hungry and have some solid players.” He does have a solid third baseman in Sterling Rodriguez who is having a breakout year as a senior. On the other side, Rive

NBA JAM SESSION                                                                                         Hottest coach in the NBA has to be OKC Thunder Scott Brooks as he leads his team to the top of the Western Conference . Friends say: "Wait until the Western Finals." I say: "Put your money where your mouth is." For one Serge Ibaka looks like Super Big Man , Kevin Durant looks focused, Russell Westbrook looks for shots, and I'm looking for a sucker. Trust me, it works. Not for nothing, speaking of work ...It looks like Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers and Derek Rose of the Chicago Bulls will be collecting unemployment checks for a few months after re-injuring themselves. By the way, that's two of the top selling jerseys in the NBA. Speaking of Jersey, I really miss Tony Soprano. That's me imitating old school Nets fans after they moved a mediocre team to Brooklyn.   Mean

In this ‘Thing of Ours’ called hip hop, many are called, but few are chosen.  Sometimes hype can precede hip hop artists, turning our beloved rapper of the month ,  into a ‘one hit wonder’ and late night comedy punch line. After that, it’s off to a digital desert, somewhere lost in itunes oblivion. Only an unspoken veteran pass can save you. To qualify, one must be considered a ‘man of honor‘, proving there’s another level of skill and reverence for those most lyrically qualified. Enter Kool G. Rap, normally  considered your “Favorite rappers, favorite rapper”.  Celebrating over 20 years in the game, Kool G. Rap preps a new release on his independent label.  Purposely flying under the radar in recent years, he continues to build his legacy - one verse at a time. New school fans are curious about Kool G. Rap and rightfully so; he’s been in the game 20 years, an original Juice Crew member, who’s name is placed in verses by Jay Z and others.  Need more p

In boxing, most champions come and go like taxi cabs in a airport.  The only exception is Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather Jr. Its umpteen years and counting since his pro debut in October 1996, yet Floyd Mayweather Jr. remains undefeated at 44-0. That’s an amazing stat in boxing. Especially when your resume includes names like Genaro Hernandez, Julio Luis Castillo , Ricky Hatton and Juan Manuel Marquez.  Not to mention tough champions like Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto and Oscar De La Hoya, plus deceased fan favorites Arturo Gatti and Diego Corrales with all due respect. So again, I submit my question… Can Floyd Mayweather Jr. be the greatest fighter  EVER ?   Regardless of your response,  we’ll get to preview history on September 14th 2013 as Showtime PPV gives us Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Anticipation spreads to common folk as we anxiously await a Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight. The Showtime network delights

Today in the United States of America, there seems to be a growing consensus against gun violence.  Lately, we’ve heard plenty of statements against guns and its lackadaisical laws by everyone from President Obama to inner city politicians.  Our political choir sings a sad tune, as gun violence continues to bite us like a raging anima l.   This ‘Big Bad Wolf’ of handgun tragedy has haunted this country for  50 years.   All you have to do is recall your favorite musician to consider the effects of guns in America. Has anyone ever heard of John Lennon? Marvin Gaye? Selena?  How about Tupac Shakur or Notorious BIG?  Yeah, you get my drift. If you can stand the scent of gunpowder, one can visit sports to find more victims of gun violence. The handgun has removed boxer Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho and football player Sean Taylor from doing those things we love them for. The saga continues as great leaders have been taken away from us, hereby weakening the fabric