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 ...

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...

Christmas comes early in the Bronx. Fresh off testifying in his buddy Roger Clemens trial, Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte lands in the Bronx on Mothers Day. His arrival caused quite a stir within baseball circles. Yankees manager Joe Girardi says it best, “I’m excited” while speaking of Andy Pettitte’s return to the Yankees rotation, “I think it will be a great day at the stadium.” Enough said. The return of Andy Pettitte highlights a mediocre pitching staff who ranks 11 th in the American League with 5.54 ERA. Aside from CC Sabathia, Yankees pitching has more suspects than a line up. Staffed with young pitchers like Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova, a veteran presence may help transform a fragile rotation. Not so fast.  Andy Pettitte had a 4.55 ERA in six starts… in the minors. Major League hitters are probably licking their lips while waiting for Andy Pettitte’s return. The first big league test comes on Mothers Day against hard hitting Seattle Mariners. Some say Pettitte command was...