newyorkpost--2020-09-12--Jets defense bracing for some Bills’ trickery

But if it really is a carbon copy of last year ’ s Week 1 matchup , then the Bills will start the game in the hurry-up offense again .
Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has reminded his team of that unconventional decision because just four starters return .
“ We ’ ve talked about that long and hard , and we ’ ve practiced that throughout the whole training camp , ” Williams said .
“ One of the things our guys are doing is going through a defensive-players-only meeting.
” The Bills drove 49 yards into field-goal territory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to try it again ?
The lack of preseason games could entice teams to test out the conditioning of opposing defenses .
“ I ’ m not real big on preseason games , anyway , ” Williams said .
“ It doesn ’ t make any difference to me if our practices are heated , when our conditioning is done well , and we are playing every snap in practice like it ’ s a game .
If we ’ re not in pads , I can tell who can play and who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maye ( calf ) and left guard Alex Lewis ( shoulder ) are questionable , while linebacker Avery Williamson , quarterback Joe Flacco and rookies Denzel Mims and La ’ Mical Perine are out .
Williams said Maye “ had a good day ” of practice .
Maye went from not practicing Thursday to limited participation Friday and said he “ felt better.
” The Bills will be without cornerback Josh Norman ( hamstring ) and defensive tackle Vernon Butler ( hamstring ) is questionable .
Jets coach Adam Gase declined to reveal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike White who gets promoted from the practice squad to No .
2 quarterback .
He called it a “ 50/50 shot , ” but he must decide by 4 p.m. on Saturday .
A first-year rule allows teams to promote two players from the practice squad for games .
Rookie James Morgan is not expected to be among the maximum 48 players active ( from an expanded 55-man roster ) before kickoff .
The Jets are about to experience the heightened security measures implemented by the NFL for traveling by plane and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ It ’ s going to be unique , for sure , ” right guard Greg Van Roten said .
“ We had a meeting [ Friday ] morning about all the different protocols and stops along the way to get to where we need to be : In the hotel , buses , seat assignments .
Things in the past you don ’ t really think about , so it ’ s going to be a little bit of an adjustment .
”

A Jets-Bills season opener feels like déjà vu.
But if it really is a carbon copy of last year’s Week 1 matchup, then the Bills will start the game in the hurry-up offense again. Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has reminded his team of that unconventional decision because just four starters return.
“We’ve talked about that long and hard, and we’ve practiced that throughout the whole training camp,” Williams said. “One of the things our guys are doing is going through a defensive-players-only meeting.”
The Bills drove 49 yards into field-goal territory before losing a fumble.
One reason to try it again? The lack of preseason games could entice teams to test out the conditioning of opposing defenses.
“I’m not real big on preseason games, anyway,” Williams said. “It doesn’t make any difference to me if our practices are heated, when our conditioning is done well, and we are playing every snap in practice like it’s a game. If we’re not in pads, I can tell who can play and who can’t play.”
Safety Marcus Maye (calf) and left guard Alex Lewis (shoulder) are questionable, while linebacker Avery Williamson, quarterback Joe Flacco and rookies Denzel Mims and La’Mical Perine are out.
Williams said Maye “had a good day” of practice. Maye went from not practicing Thursday to limited participation Friday and said he “felt better.”
The Bills will be without cornerback Josh Norman (hamstring) and defensive tackle Vernon Butler (hamstring) is questionable.
Jets coach Adam Gase declined to reveal whether it will be David Fales or Mike White who gets promoted from the practice squad to No. 2 quarterback. He called it a “50/50 shot,” but he must decide by 4 p.m. on Saturday.
A first-year rule allows teams to promote two players from the practice squad for games. Rookie James Morgan is not expected to be among the maximum 48 players active (from an expanded 55-man roster) before kickoff.
The Jets are about to experience the heightened security measures implemented by the NFL for traveling by plane and bus and staying in a hotel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s going to be unique, for sure,” right guard Greg Van Roten said. “We had a meeting [Friday] morning about all the different protocols and stops along the way to get to where we need to be: In the hotel, buses, seat assignments. Things in the past you don’t really think about, so it’s going to be a little bit of an adjustment.”


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--‘Tribute in Light’ 9/11 memorial shines bright on final night

Gabe Vitalone , the 98-year-old former professor and coach at William ...

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum’s “Tribute in Light” shone brightly over New York City for a final night Friday.
The light display, which nearly didn’t happen this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, will go dark by dawn Saturday.
This year, it commemorated those who died at the World Trade Center on the 19th anniversary of the deadliest terror attack on American soil.
The museum’s initial decision to cancel the light display caused widespread outrage, and the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation quickly pushed to mount its own display.
The museum relented and agreed to stage the “Tribute in Light” after Gov. Andrew Cuomo promised state assistance in making sure the workers who install and maintain the display would be safe.


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--98-year-old former coach to sing anthem before Yankees game

Gabe Vitalone , the 98-year-old former professor and coach at William Paterson University whose chance to sing the national anthem @ @ @ @ @ April was put on hold in April , will sing a virtual version before Sunday @ @ @ @ @ Vitalone will dedicate his performance to the memory of his childhood friend , Joe Romano @ @ @ @ @ 1944 on the Island of Saipan while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps .
“ @ @ @ @ @ like I ’ ve lived two lives : mine and his , ” Vitalone told @ @ @ @ @ “ He only got 20 years to live his .
There ’ s no justice @ @ @ @ @ who lives in Pompton Plains , N.J. , was originally slated to sing the anthem @ @ @ @ @ the Stadium on April 19 .

Gabe Vitalone, the 98-year-old former professor and coach at William Paterson University whose chance to sing the national anthem before a Yankees game in April was put on hold in April, will sing a virtual version before Sunday’s Yankees-Orioles game.
Vitalone will dedicate his performance to the memory of his childhood friend, Joe Romano, who died in June 1944 on the Island of Saipan while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.
“I’ve always felt like I’ve lived two lives: mine and his,” Vitalone told The Post in April. “He only got 20 years to live his. There’s no justice in that.”
Vitalone, who lives in Pompton Plains, N.J., was originally slated to sing the anthem before a Yankees-Reds game at the Stadium on April 19.


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--19 years after 9/11 triggered war, Afghan peace talks open in Doha

The opening ceremony for talks between the Afghan government and Taliban insurgents began in Qatar ’ s capital Doha on Saturday , marking the start of negotiations aimed at ending two decades of war that has killed tens of thousands of combatants and civilians .
The 19-year conflict is also the United States ’ longest overseas military action , vexing three successive presidents .
The ceremony began at 9 a.m with a recitation from the Koran , followed by opening comments by Qatar ’ s foreign minister .
Major players in the process , including Afghanistan ’ s peace council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baradar Akhund , and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are also scheduled to speak .
Officials , diplomats and analysts say that although getting both sides to the negotiating table was an achievement , this does not mean the path to peace will be easy .
“ The negotiations will have to tackle a range of profound questions about the kind of country Afghans want , ” Deborah Lyons , the United Nations special representative for Afghanistan , told the U.N Security Council this month .
The inauguration ceremony comes one day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks on the United States that triggered its military involvement in Afghanistan .
U.S. forces intervened in Afghanistan on the orders of President George W. Bush a month after the attacks to hunt down their mastermind , Osama bin Laden , a Saudi who had been given sanctuary by the country ’ s radical Islamist Taliban rulers .
They initially offered mainly air support to the Taliban ’ s local enemies .
Although the Taliban regime was quickly toppled , they regrouped and have since waged an insurgency that has sucked in Afghanistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of countries , including NATO forces .
Negotiations to broker a comprehensive peace deal were envisaged in a troop withdrawal pact signed between the United States and the Taliban in February in an attempt to find a political settlement to end the war .
After months of delay , a dispute over the Taliban ’ s demand for the release of 5,000 prisoners was resolved this week .
Ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November , President Donald Trump is looking to show progress in his pledge to end the U.S. involvement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces stationed in Afghanistan .
The United States has reduced its troop levels and by November is expected to have fewer than 5,000 soldiers in Afghanistan , down from about 13,000 when the U.S.-Taliban deal was signed .
More than 2,300 U.S. troops have been killed in Afghanistan since 2001 , and about 450 British soldiers .
A European diplomat in Kabul said that a ceasefire – which the Taliban have so far rejected – should top the talk ’ s agenda .
“ The Taliban leaders will have to stop fighters from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to degrade the atmosphere and potentially derail negotiations , ” the diplomat said .
How to include the Taliban , who reject the legitimacy of the Western-backed Afghan government , in any governing arrangement and how to safeguard the rights of women and minorities who suffered under Taliban rule are big challenges , experts said .
Nevertheless , many diplomats , victims of violence and members of civil society say negotiations are the only realistic way to bring an end to a conflict that has killed more than 100,000 civilians and hampered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in poverty .
“ Solutions will not be found on the battlefield , we know this , ” Lyons said .

The opening ceremony for talks between the Afghan government and Taliban insurgents began in Qatar’s capital Doha on Saturday, marking the start of negotiations aimed at ending two decades of war that has killed tens of thousands of combatants and civilians.
The 19-year conflict is also the United States’ longest overseas military action, vexing three successive presidents.
The ceremony began at 9 a.m with a recitation from the Koran, followed by opening comments by Qatar’s foreign minister.
Major players in the process, including Afghanistan’s peace council chairman Abdullah Abdullah and Taliban leader Mullah Baradar Akhund, and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are also scheduled to speak.
Officials, diplomats and analysts say that although getting both sides to the negotiating table was an achievement, this does not mean the path to peace will be easy.
“The negotiations will have to tackle a range of profound questions about the kind of country Afghans want,” Deborah Lyons, the United Nations special representative for Afghanistan, told the U.N Security Council this month.
The inauguration ceremony comes one day after the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the United States that triggered its military involvement in Afghanistan.
U.S. forces intervened in Afghanistan on the orders of President George W. Bush a month after the attacks to hunt down their mastermind, Osama bin Laden, a Saudi who had been given sanctuary by the country’s radical Islamist Taliban rulers. They initially offered mainly air support to the Taliban’s local enemies.
Although the Taliban regime was quickly toppled, they regrouped and have since waged an insurgency that has sucked in Afghanistan’s neighbors and troops from dozens of countries, including NATO forces.
Negotiations to broker a comprehensive peace deal were envisaged in a troop withdrawal pact signed between the United States and the Taliban in February in an attempt to find a political settlement to end the war.
After months of delay, a dispute over the Taliban’s demand for the release of 5,000 prisoners was resolved this week.
Ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November, President Donald Trump is looking to show progress in his pledge to end the U.S. involvement and pull out most of the foreign forces stationed in Afghanistan.
The United States has reduced its troop levels and by November is expected to have fewer than 5,000 soldiers in Afghanistan, down from about 13,000 when the U.S.-Taliban deal was signed. More than 2,300 U.S. troops have been killed in Afghanistan since 2001, and about 450 British soldiers.
A European diplomat in Kabul said that a ceasefire – which the Taliban have so far rejected – should top the talk’s agenda.
“The Taliban leaders will have to stop fighters from attacking Afghan forces and civilians, violence continues to degrade the atmosphere and potentially derail negotiations,” the diplomat said.
How to include the Taliban, who reject the legitimacy of the Western-backed Afghan government, in any governing arrangement and how to safeguard the rights of women and minorities who suffered under Taliban rule are big challenges, experts said.
Nevertheless, many diplomats, victims of violence and members of civil society say negotiations are the only realistic way to bring an end to a conflict that has killed more than 100,000 civilians and hampered Afghanistan’s development, leaving millions in poverty.
“Solutions will not be found on the battlefield, we know this,” Lyons said.


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--Prosecutor who led investigation into the origins of Russian probe resigns

A federal prosecutor who was helping lead the investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe has resigned from the Justice Department , a spokesman said .
Nora Dannehy was a top prosecutor on a team led by U.S. Attorney John Durham of Connecticut , who was appointed last year to lead an investigation into how the FBI and other federal agencies set out to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and whether the Trump campaign had coordinated with the Kremlin .
A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney ’ s office in Connecticut on Friday confirmed Dannehy ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by The Hartford Courant , but the spokesman declined to comment further .
Her departure could complicate the final stretch of an investigation already slowed by the coronavirus pandemic but eagerly anticipated by President Donald Trump and his supporters to uncover what they see as wrongdoing within the FBI during the Russia investigation .
It leaves the investigative team without one of its veteran prosecutors as key decisions presumably await before the probe wraps up .
Durham ’ s appointment by Attorney General William Barr was made public soon after the release of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Russian election interference .
In the year and a half since , he has questioned former law enforcement and intelligence officials — former CIA Director John Brennan among them — about decisions made during the course of the Russia probe .
Dannehy had been a top leader on the team , present for interviews with such officials , including Brennan .
The investigation has not yet produced the results that Trump supporters had been hoping for .
There is also pressure to wrap up soon given that Justice Department policy frowns on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though Barr has said that policy would not apply here since Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is not a target of the probe .
It ’ s also not clear that Durham ’ s work would be permitted to continue if Trump loses in November and Democratic leadership assumes control at the Justice Department .
Trump himself has indicated that he wants results soon , saying at a White House press conference on Thursday that Durham was a “ very , very respected man ” and that his work would involve a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much more than that.
” The investigation has produced one criminal charge so far , against a former FBI lawyer accused of altering an email related to the surveillance of a former Trump campaign aide .
But that prosecution did not allege a broader conspiracy within the FBI , and the conduct it involved had largely been laid out in a Justice Department inspector general report from last December .
It is not clear if Durham will be able to conclude his work before the election , though Barr has not ruled out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In other developments related to the Russia investigation , lawyers connected to the case of former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn were submitting arguments Friday about how the prosecution should proceed in light of an appeals court ruling last week .
The court ruled that U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan did not have to dismiss the case just because the Justice Department wanted him to .
The ruling opened the door for Sullivan to scrutinize the basis for the department ’ s unusual request , which came even though Flynn had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI .
John Gleeson , the retired federal judge who was appointed by Sullivan to argue against the Justice Department ’ s position , said in a filing that the case should not be dismissed and called the government ’ s motion to dismiss “ plainly a corrupt political errand for the President.
” “ There is clear evidence that the Government ’ s Motion to Dismiss the case against Defendant Michael T. Flynn rests on pure pretext , ” Gleeson wrote .
“ There is clear evidence that this motion reflects a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our justice system.
” Flynn pleaded guilty as part of the Mueller probe to lying about conversations during the presidential transition in which he urged the then-Russian ambassador to not escalate tensions in response to sanctions that had just been imposed for interference in the 2016 election .
At the time , the FBI was investigating whether the Trump campaign had coordinated with Russia to swing the election , and White House officials were stating publicly that Flynn and the diplomat had not discussed sanctions .
The Justice Department sought to dismiss the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI didn ’ t have good reason to interview Flynn in the first place and that any false statements he may have made during questioning were not material to the probe into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia .

A federal prosecutor who was helping lead the investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe has resigned from the Justice Department, a spokesman said.
Nora Dannehy was a top prosecutor on a team led by U.S. Attorney John Durham of Connecticut, who was appointed last year to lead an investigation into how the FBI and other federal agencies set out to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and whether the Trump campaign had coordinated with the Kremlin.
A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office in Connecticut on Friday confirmed Dannehy’s departure, which was first reported by The Hartford Courant, but the spokesman declined to comment further.
Her departure could complicate the final stretch of an investigation already slowed by the coronavirus pandemic but eagerly anticipated by President Donald Trump and his supporters to uncover what they see as wrongdoing within the FBI during the Russia investigation. It leaves the investigative team without one of its veteran prosecutors as key decisions presumably await before the probe wraps up.
Durham’s appointment by Attorney General William Barr was made public soon after the release of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report into Russian election interference. In the year and a half since, he has questioned former law enforcement and intelligence officials — former CIA Director John Brennan among them — about decisions made during the course of the Russia probe. Dannehy had been a top leader on the team, present for interviews with such officials, including Brennan.
The investigation has not yet produced the results that Trump supporters had been hoping for. There is also pressure to wrap up soon given that Justice Department policy frowns on investigative steps that could affect an election, though Barr has said that policy would not apply here since Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is not a target of the probe. It’s also not clear that Durham’s work would be permitted to continue if Trump loses in November and Democratic leadership assumes control at the Justice Department.
Trump himself has indicated that he wants results soon, saying at a White House press conference on Thursday that Durham was a “very, very respected man” and that his work would involve a “report or maybe it’s much more than that.”
The investigation has produced one criminal charge so far, against a former FBI lawyer accused of altering an email related to the surveillance of a former Trump campaign aide. But that prosecution did not allege a broader conspiracy within the FBI, and the conduct it involved had largely been laid out in a Justice Department inspector general report from last December.
It is not clear if Durham will be able to conclude his work before the election, though Barr has not ruled out the possibility of additional criminal charges.
In other developments related to the Russia investigation, lawyers connected to the case of former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn were submitting arguments Friday about how the prosecution should proceed in light of an appeals court ruling last week.
The court ruled that U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan did not have to dismiss the case just because the Justice Department wanted him to. The ruling opened the door for Sullivan to scrutinize the basis for the department’s unusual request, which came even though Flynn had twice pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.
John Gleeson, the retired federal judge who was appointed by Sullivan to argue against the Justice Department’s position, said in a filing that the case should not be dismissed and called the government’s motion to dismiss “plainly a corrupt political errand for the President.”
“There is clear evidence that the Government’s Motion to Dismiss the case against Defendant Michael T. Flynn rests on pure pretext,” Gleeson wrote. “There is clear evidence that this motion reflects a corrupt and politically motivated favor unworthy of our justice system.”
Flynn pleaded guilty as part of the Mueller probe to lying about conversations during the presidential transition in which he urged the then-Russian ambassador to not escalate tensions in response to sanctions that had just been imposed for interference in the 2016 election.
At the time, the FBI was investigating whether the Trump campaign had coordinated with Russia to swing the election, and White House officials were stating publicly that Flynn and the diplomat had not discussed sanctions.
The Justice Department sought to dismiss the case in May, arguing that the FBI didn’t have good reason to interview Flynn in the first place and that any false statements he may have made during questioning were not material to the probe into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--Gary Sanchez gives Yankees glimmer of hope slump could end soon

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman had to answer a call from ...

When your starting catcher enters a game hitting .125, anything positive is accepted.
Though Gary Sanchez went 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position in the Yankees’ 2-1, 10-inning win over the Orioles on Saturday, there was a small indication he could be ready to improve.
Sanchez walked leading off the second and doubled with one out in the fourth. In the sixth he smoked a liner to left that was caught, which was easily his best at-bat of the day.
Slowly, the Yankees are getting healthy.
Third baseman Gio Urshela is likely to come off the injured list Tuesday. He has been out because of a bone spur in the right elbow. The plan also calls for Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge to report to the alternate site in Scranton. And it is possible Jonathan Loaisiga comes off the IL Tuesday.
Though James Paxton might not make it back from a strained left forearm flexor, getting those players back gives Boone almost a full complement of players.
“Those are big names and impact players we are talking about. There is a chance those guys will be back real soon and that is exciting. In the meantime just excited to see us get rolling again and start playing better baseball,’’ Boone said. “But there is no question, those guys you are talking about and they are close definitely puts a smile on your face.’’
Stanton ran the bases before Saturday’s game against the Orioles, and according to Boone, the plan is for Judge and Stanton to report to the alternate site in Scranton, but no date has been cemented.
“At some point,’’ Boone said about the duo going to Scranton. “I don’t know if it’s [Saturday] or tomorrow or whenever.’’
When Boone spoke, Stanton and Judge hadn’t completed their daily workouts.
Clint Frazier started a 15th straight game in the cleanup spot, and it paid off immediately when his fly ball to right field with one out in the first inning scored DJ LeMahieu from third for a 1-0 Yankees lead. Frazier finished 1-for-3 with a triple.
The Yankees are 17-7 at Yankee Stadium this season, making this the 29th straight winning season at home (since 1992). According to Elias Sports Bureau it is the majors’ longest current streak and the longest streak by any team since a major league-record 47-year streak for the Yankees from 1918-64.
Over their past eight games, Yankees starters have posted a 1.96 ERA, 55 strikeouts and have held opponents to two earned runs or fewer in each of those games.


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--Missing serval cat found safe after being spooked by family dog

A 40-pound African serval cat named Spartacus has been found safe and sound after escaping from his home and spending @ @ @ @ @ wild .
The cat was “ was trapped near its home and is in good @ @ @ @ @ posted on Facebook Friday .
The animal has been returned to its owner , Dean @ @ @ @ @ ran away Wednesday after getting spooked by the family dog .
King adopted Spartacus from @ @ @ @ @ ago .
A photo of Spartacus with his paws up on the kitchen counter , @ @ @ @ @ has gone viral on social media .
The family owns the cat legally and has @ @ @ @ @ Department of Fish and Game , police said .

A 40-pound African serval cat named Spartacus has been found safe and sound after escaping from his home and spending days in the New Hampshire wild.
The cat was “was trapped near its home and is in good health,” Merrimack police posted on Facebook Friday.
The animal has been returned to its owner, Dean King, who said Spartacus ran away Wednesday after getting spooked by the family dog.
King adopted Spartacus from a Florida zoo four years ago. A photo of Spartacus with his paws up on the kitchen counter, eyeing a coffee maker, has gone viral on social media.
The family owns the cat legally and has a permit from the state Department of Fish and Game, police said.


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--Feds can’t scapegoat Google and Big Tech as anti-trust targets forever

The feds are reportedly gearing up to bring an antitrust ...

It seems that every week is a big week for Big Tech these days. Sometimes hitting record highs, sometimes taking a big hit.
But I wouldn’t be worried about market jitters. The real Sword of Damocles for Big Tech could come as early as this week, when a supposedly free-market Trump administration could launch a landmark lawsuit against one of the biggest and most successful companies not just in technology, but in any industry ever created on American soil.
The company is Google, the world’s greatest search engine, which has been in the crosshairs of politicians of both parties. Barring something dramatic, it will soon be the target of litigation brought by the Trump Department of Justice and many states’ attorneys general for alleged antitrust abuses.
Google doesn’t fit the classic definition of an antitrust target by costing consumer money — it’s a free service for consumers that makes much of its money on advertising. But what makes Google enticing for class warriors is its size ($1 trillion market cap), massive profitability and omnipotence as everyone’s favorite search engine, which also allows it to allegedly play dirty.
It’s been accused of skewing search results to advertisers and giving top billing to search results that favor progressive political thought, not to mention mining user data for its business.
Given the politics of the moment, Google may be the first, but probably not the last, tech company to get roasted at the hands of the government not for doing anything terribly wrong, mind you, but for simply being too big and successful and the latest whipping boy for politicians in both parties.
I’ve seen this before with the banks after the 2008 financial crisis, though at least the banks created the financial crisis that led to the Great Recession some 10 years ago. Big Tech ushered in an economic renaissance and helped keep our economy from falling into another Great Depression during the pandemic.
I say this not as a Pollyanna about tech or any big company using its might to push for laws that benefit its bottom line (see the support Big Tech gave to net neutrality, which was essentially a free ride on cable operators’ backs). I have no doubt that there are plenty of lefty programmers out there working for Google or Facebook or Twitter who would love to push political commentary that seems to support their wokeness, though for some reason, I’m never at a loss for commentary that appeals to my libertarian leanings.
And yes, I worry about my privacy, as any American who read Orwell would about centralized power keeping tabs on us all.
But Google or Facebook or Apple isn’t the government; they’re tracking my web searches to sell me stuff, which is why I keep getting ads for chin-up bars and hairy-chest dad-bod hoodies. (I bought one as a birthday gift for my pal and Fox Business colleague Neil Cavuto.)
Sorry, I’m more worried about politicians looking for an easy scapegoat to make us all forget the real problems we have to face in the months and years ahead and destroying an American business success story. It doesn’t take a Karl Rove political genius to figure out that politicians on both sides of the aisle have screwed up stuff royally during the pandemic, and yet I’m supposed to believe a crackdown on Google for showing preferences in its search engine to its advertisers will help cure COVID or get the economy running full steam ahead.
It will obviously do neither, and will make achieving the latter a lot more difficult. A little context: Apple, Amazon, Alphabet (Google’s parent), Microsoft and Facebook are the largest companies in the stock market and their strength and size only grew during the pandemic. Tech represents about 12 percent of GDP, and $1.3 trillion in wages, according to Price Waterhouse.
That may make them a monopoly in the eyes of Elizabeth Warren, but it also made them a massive employer, a payer of a lot of taxes and a useful and cheap tool for consumers during a difficult time.
Woken up to NFL woe
The football season is now upon us, and like many fans of the sport, it couldn’t come soon enough for me. But the game’s number crunchers are worried. COVID forcing many stadiums to go fanless is one concern with football being able to produce decent revenues this season. So are plans by the NFL to politicize the game.
I spoke with some football business executives and here’s how they broke down the league’s difficult finances in 2020. Football is a $16 billion-a-year sport, with about $8 billion of its revenues coming from television rights, according to John Tatum, CEO of the Dallas-based Genesco Sports Enterprises.
So keeping decent television ratings is key. The lack of excitement from the crowds will likely turn away some viewers. Another likely turnoff: Decisions by the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to embrace social-justice slogans on the field and even on helmets as the season opens this week.
Football fans may be all in on social justice, but if history is any guide, they also hate politics being part of the game. The last time the NFL embraced political messaging, with widespread kneeling by players, TV viewership fell dramatically. But at least the league had fans in the stands to make up the difference.
Which means woke football could be a money-losing proposition.


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--Breaking down 11 key players in this US Open at Winged Foot

Dustin Johnson has never been to Winged Foot .
That shouldn ’ t ...

Here’s a look at some key players at the U.S. Open this week at Winged Foot:
No. 1 in the world, two wins and two seconds in past four events, newly minted FedExCup champion. Has four top-four finishes in U.S. Opens from 2014-18. Any questions?
Jon Rahm
For as talented as he is and for his No. 2 ranking, the Spaniard has yet to truly threaten at a major. He thrives on tough set-ups, as evidenced by his wins at Muirfield and Olympia Fields this year. That could bode well at Winged Foot, which will be a handful.
He’s been one of the big stories of the season, as the PGA Championship winner. His form has remained terrific. Does he have a second major championship in him this year?
Bryson DeChambeau
He took the PGA Tour by storm early in its restart with his bulked-up physique and bomb drives but has fizzled of late.
Phil Mickelson
He has a score to settle at Winged Foot, particularly on No. 18. He, too, is a record six-time runner-up in U.S. Opens. At age 50, can he possibly do it?
Justin Thomas
The likely PGA Tour Player of the Year has one major victory, the 2017 PGA, but has only one top-10 in a major in his past eight tries.
Webb Simpson
The 2012 U.S. Open winner has been in good form this season.
Rory McIlroy
Is he ready to return to form after just having his first child?
Xander Schauffele
He has six top-10 finishes in 12 major championship starts and has been in great form all season.
Gary Woodland
The forgotten defending champion from Pebble Beach in 2019, has had a quiet 2020.
Tiger Woods
Speaking of forgotten, Woods has played so little this season we sometimes forget he’s still competing.


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--Here’s what functional NYC school systems look like — and it puts DOE to shame

With very different approaches , the Success Academy and the Catholic school systems are showing how leaders who actually put education first can handle the challenge of restarting schools amidst a pandemic .
The 20,000-student , 47-school Success Academy network had intended to offer a “ hybrid ” approach similar to what the regular public-school system promises .
But in the face of the city ’ s constantly changing and insanely complex rules for the use of public-school buildings , Success opted to go all-remote through December .
Now critics are complaining about the rigor of Success ’ all-online curriculum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning work is surely what parents want .
By the way , Success high schoolers began remote classes Aug. 4 ; other grades started Aug. 24 .
The regular system put off its planned start of classes to Sept. 16 for remote work and Sept. 21 for ( some ) in-school instruction — with the later date still in doubt thanks to the threats of United Federation of Teachers chief Mike Mulgrew and the haplessness of the Department of Education under Chancellor Richard Carranza .
Meanwhile , the city ’ s Catholic schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the 60,000-student Archdiocese of New York ( covering Manhattan , Staten Island , The Bronx and parts of Westchester ) as well as the separate , 22,000-student system covering Brooklyn and Queens .
Students were met with new safety procedures and protocols that included temperature checks , hand sanitizer and masks .
At Immaculate Conception School in The Bronx , an industrious maintenance worker roamed the halls wiping doorknobs , staircase rails , walls , hallways and other contact points .
At regular city schools , custodians are grumbling about having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trips to sanitize their buildings .
Under Success ’ Remote 2.0 program , students will get at least five hours a day of live instruction and be taught by the same teacher each day .
Meanwhile , the DOE is struggling to find enough teachers to staff its real and virtual classrooms .
Or even guarantee that city kids will receive live instruction for an entire school day .
Not surprisingly , Success is maintaining its rigorous academic and grading standards .
City schools have essentially gone to a pass/fail system ( which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and likely will seek to opt out of state tests once again .
Bottom line : Children in the regular public-school system — mostly low-income black and Hispanic students — are getting short shrift , because the adults who run their schools have other priorities .

With very different approaches, the Success Academy and the Catholic school systems are showing how leaders who actually put education first can handle the challenge of restarting schools amidst a pandemic.
The 20,000-student, 47-school Success Academy network had intended to offer a “hybrid” approach similar to what the regular public-school system promises. But in the face of the city’s constantly changing and insanely complex rules for the use of public-school buildings, Success opted to go all-remote through December.
Now critics are complaining about the rigor of Success’ all-online curriculum — but finding ways to make remote learning work is surely what parents want.
By the way, Success high schoolers began remote classes Aug. 4; other grades started Aug. 24. The regular system put off its planned start of classes to Sept. 16 for remote work and Sept. 21 for (some) in-school instruction — with the later date still in doubt thanks to the threats of United Federation of Teachers chief Mike Mulgrew and the haplessness of the Department of Education under Chancellor Richard Carranza.
Meanwhile, the city’s Catholic schools opened all-in-person classes last week. That’s the 60,000-student Archdiocese of New York (covering Manhattan, Staten Island, The Bronx and parts of Westchester) as well as the separate, 22,000-student system covering Brooklyn and Queens.
Students were met with new safety procedures and protocols that included temperature checks, hand sanitizer and masks.
At Immaculate Conception School in The Bronx, an industrious maintenance worker roamed the halls wiping doorknobs, staircase rails, walls, hallways and other contact points. At regular city schools, custodians are grumbling about having to skip their second jobs and fishing trips to sanitize their buildings.
Under Success’ Remote 2.0 program, students will get at least five hours a day of live instruction and be taught by the same teacher each day. Meanwhile, the DOE is struggling to find enough teachers to staff its real and virtual classrooms. Or even guarantee that city kids will receive live instruction for an entire school day.
Not surprisingly, Success is maintaining its rigorous academic and grading standards. City schools have essentially gone to a pass/fail system (which is thisclose to a pass/pass system) and likely will seek to opt out of state tests once again.
Bottom line: Children in the regular public-school system — mostly low-income black and Hispanic students — are getting short shrift, because the adults who run their schools have other priorities.


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--NYPD probing death leap from Washington Heights building

The NYPD is probing a death leap from a Washington Heights building , police said Saturday .
The individual is @ @ @ @ @ the Audubon Houses housing project at 1909 Amsterdam Ave. at about 2 p.m. , authorities @ @ @ @ @ the individual dead at the scene , an NYPD spokesman said .
The victim ’ @ @ @ @ @ , and no other information was available as of Saturday evening .

The NYPD is probing a death leap from a Washington Heights building, police said Saturday.
The individual is believed to have jumped from the Audubon Houses housing project at 1909 Amsterdam Ave. at about 2 p.m., authorities said.
EMS workers pronounced the individual dead at the scene, an NYPD spokesman said.
The victim’s name was not released, and no other information was available as of Saturday evening.


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--The Democrats’ partisan damage: Goodwin

The Democrats’ partisan damage: Goodwin

President Trump on Friday hosted the leaders of Serbia and ...

First, it was the United Arab Emirates and Israel making peace. Then it was Serbia and Kosovo agreeing to set aside political disputes to sign an economic deal. And now Bahrain and Israel are set to sign a peace treaty.
The last month has been a remarkable one for the Biblical injunction to turn swords into plowshares. Most dramatically, the number of Arab countries recognizing Israel’s right to exist has doubled, from two to four, a leap that is reshaping 75 years of Middle East politics before our eyes.
These breakthroughs were brokered by President Trump and his administration. It is an extraordinary record of peacemaking, yet in too many circles, it is being treated as a sideshow without significance.
Naturally, The New York Times took the low road, insisting Saturday that the deals show Trump trying “to position himself as a peacemaker before the elections in November.”
So being an actual peacemaker doesn’t count because the Times spies a personal motive?
In the same vein, talk of the president getting a Nobel Peace Prize is instantly dismissed. Over the dead bodies of the world elite will Trump be so honored.
Make no mistake — had these feats been achieved by a Democratic president, he would be celebrated. When Trump does it, meh.
That much is obvious, but there’s another dimension to these deals, one that bears on the dangerous polarization gripping America. We are now in an election year where political violence is growing and both parties are expressing reservations about whether they will accept the outcome.
Future historians will chart the decades-long path of how we got to this perilous point, but they must not ignore the incredible damage done by Democrats’ decision to reject the legitimacy of the Trump presidency.
Having never accepted his election, they resisted and tried to destroy him. They weaponized the Justice Department and the FBI, CIA and State Department, and enlisted the left-leaning media — meaning most of the media — to paint Trump as unfit, unworthy and even a Russian agent.
Worse than personal slander, it was character assassination masquerading as concern for national security. It reached rock bottom in the impeachment fiasco, where they tried to undo 2016 and prevent Trump from being on the ballot this year.
These were the dirtiest tricks imaginable, and they haven’t stopped. Rep. Adam Schiff even has a new “whistleblower.”
Now imagine if Dems had taken a different course. Imagine if Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer had acted as responsible opposition leaders starting in 2017 instead of surrendering to the mob.
They would have found a president eager to negotiate on almost everything. Trump prides himself on being a dealmaker and loves nothing more than a signing ceremony.
Call it vanity, but because that’s who he is, Pelosi and Schumer could have gotten much of what they wanted. Trump, remember, had been a Democrat, a party donor, and many of his policy outcomes, such as rising wages for poor and middle-class families and record low unemployment for black and Latino workers, were things Democrats always said they wanted to achieve.
But in the early months of his presidency, Pelosi and Schumer and the party establishment decided they would not make deals with Trump and would not even seriously negotiate on most issues. To do so, they concluded, would legitimize him — and probably cost them their leadership positions. So they abdicated their responsibility to the nation in exchange for partisan power.
Here’s a partial list of what they sacrificed. They claimed to want a national infrastructure program but said no when Trump pushed for one. They said they wanted the first big immigration deal since 1986, but rejected Trump’s demand for improved border security and enforcement, along with a deal on the “Dreamers.”
The details of the big GOP tax-cut package could have been reshaped if Dems played ball. Instead, they voted no in unison — and got nothing, including on the state and local tax-deduction limits blue states have been moaning about ever since.
Dems did, briefly, cooperate on fighting the coronavirus, but soon decided it was better used as a weapon against Trump. It was impeachment by another name.
None of this is to suggest that Trump is easy to deal with or predictable. He can be difficult to the point of exasperating, insufferably boastful and gratuitously mean in his personal attacks. He might well lose the election because he cannot discipline himself enough to attract swing voters.
But those undesirable traits haven’t stood in the way of the international peace deals. Is Trump a different person in those negotiations, or are Arabs and Israelis, Serbs and Kosovars more focused on the fruits of the deal than on the dealmaker’s personality?
To be sure, much of Trump’s Mideast success has to do with big strategic decisions that reversed Barack Obama’s approach. Trump’s policy of isolating the mad mullahs of Iran instead of coddling them included withdrawing from Obama’s misbegotten nuclear pact, reimposing harsh economic sanctions and taking out Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the military leader whose specialty was spreading death and mayhem.
At the same time, Trump reduced our troop presence in hot spots and became the most supportive American president Israel has ever known. The result, Charles Lipson writes in Spectator USA, is that Trump “has forced all Arab-Muslim states in the region to choose between placating the Mullahs and making a common front against them. The Bahrain and UAE agreements with Israel show that they are choosing to oppose —not appease — Iran.”
Obama, by comparison, got an emboldened, aggressive Iran and no peace treaties between Arabs and Israel. But he did get a Nobel Peace Prize.
Blas ‘turns’ on NYC
New York has had all kinds of mayors, but never one who turned his back on the city during an emergency.
Until now.
The latest example of Mayor de Blasio’s refusal to do his job involves the letter from business leaders imploring, begging and demanding him to do something to reverse the city’s slide.
He responded with a tweet calling on big business to help the city get outside help — cash from Washington and legislation from Albany to borrow more. Yes, a tweet.
The right answer would have included a promise to better manage spending and a commitment to essential services so the budget gap doesn’t spell doom. It would involve an invitation for the letter signers to help craft solutions within city control.
That’s not the mayor we have. This one has been missing in action for most of the pandemic, does nothing about the frightening crime surge and encourages complainers to leave town, saying they will be replaced soon enough.
To coin a phrase, it’s “Mayor to City: Drop Dead.”
Unclean wipe
From the National Review: “More than two dozen phones belonging to members of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team were wiped clean of data before the Justice Department’s inspector general could comb them for records . . .”
Well, well, well.


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--Semyon Varlamov reclaims mantle as Islanders’ No. 1 goalie

Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello added another acclamation to his ...

A brief hiccup bridging the Islanders’ current playoff series and their previous one appears to have been eradicated now by Semyon Varlamov, who has reclaimed his spot as the starter in goal with two consecutive strong performances between the pipes.
Varlamov’s latest showing — particularly early in a 5-3 Game 3 victory Friday night over the Lightning — backstopped the Isles to their first win of the Eastern Conference finals with a chance to even the series Sunday afternoon in Game 4 in Edmonton.
Thomas Greiss had started and posted a shutout in the Game 7 clincher one round earlier against the Philadelphia Flyers, but he was chased in the first period of an 8-2 loss in the opener against the Lightning.
“I think the great thing is having two goaltenders, but I thought the first 10 minutes of that game, it could have been out of reach real early,” Isles coach Barry Trotz said in a Zoom call Saturday. “I thought Tampa came out buzzing, they had a long shift right off the bat, and I think they had three or four scoring chances and Varly had to be really sharp.
“We mismanaged the puck a couple of times, we threw it into the middle of the ice … and he had to come up with some big saves early, which was really key any time you’re gonna win a hockey game. But [Friday] night he was the difference, especially early, and I thought we settled in after that. He had a good game.”
Late goals by Brock Nelson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau (empty net) pushed the Isles ahead from a 3-3 tie, but the 32-year-old Varlamov executed 34 saves to record his 10th win of this postseason run. He is the only Isles goalie other than Hall of Famer and four-time Stanley Cup winner Billy Smith (1980-84) to reach double digits in wins in one playoff year.
“[Varlamov] has been there for us all along,’’ said forward Cal Clutterbuck, who scored the Isles’ first goal. “Obviously, he came up huge for us a couple times. We broke down a couple times — and that’s something we’ll have to tighten up — but he was there when we needed him [Friday night].’’
Varlamov also was sturdy in Game 2 — though the Isles lost, 2-1, in heartbreaking fashion on Nikita Kucherov’s winner with 8.8 seconds remaining in regulation.
Trotz’s team also will need that net play to continue against a Lightning squad that hasn’t lost consecutive games during this postseason. The Isles are 4-12 in their history when trailing a seven-game series two games to one, but they haven’t won one (0-6) since upsetting Pittsburgh in seven games in the second round in 1993.
“Obviously after Game 1, we knew we had to bounce back. I think Game 2 we played a pretty good game, played how we want to play. But we just have to keep building here,” Isles defenseman Ryan Pulock said.
“We’re gonna get their best game tomorrow, and we’ve gotta have our best game,” Trotz added. “You’re in a position where you can get it to a best-of-3. We’ve gotta make sure we do everything in our power that it gets to that best-out-of-3.”


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--City Hall needs to fight harder for the construction NYC desperately needs

Another state appeals court has overruled ridiculous “ Not In My Back Yard ” objections to a development project that ’ s fully in legal compliance with zoning rules .
It ’ s welcome news for a city looking to bounce back from the economically debilitating impact of the coronavirus .
Late last month , a Manhattan appellate court unanimously overturned an absurd ruling that halted the Two Bridges project .
An important takeaway from the decision should guide lower courts in similar cases : “ It is undisputed that they do not violate any applicable zoning regulation ” — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ override city officials ’ exercise of their lawful discretion .
Earlier this summer , in a 5-0 decision , the same court reinstated the city ’ s rezoning of Inwood , reversing a lower court ’ s December finding .
Both rulings are wins for developers and the de Blasio administration — just as the city faces a devastating budget shortfall that will strain its ability to build infrastructure and invest in affordable housing .
Two Bridges gets the greenlight for three apartment towers ranging 70 to 100 stories along the Lower East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the single-largest infusions of new affordable housing in Manhattan in decades , $ 40 million in upgrades to the East Broadway subway station that will make it handicap-accessible , $ 12.5 million in repairs to a nearby NYCHA complex and $ 15 million in upgrades to three public parks in the neighborhood .
Next on the court docket is the 200 Amsterdam appeal .
Other pending projects include 1510 Broadway and an affordable-housing project and rezonings in Soho and Gowanus .
Unfortunately , the city recently withdrew from a promising public-private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Anable Basin that would ’ ve produced up to 12 million square feet of commercial , residential and open space .
City Hall ’ s foot-dragging on restarting the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure or ULURP , a multi-step public-review process , is an added crimp on development when New Yorkers badly need new housing and construction jobs — and with private investment even more critical now that the city ’ s own coffers are badly squeezed .
This is the only hope for Mayor de Blasio ’ s ambitious affordable-housing plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 2026 .
So City Hall needs to push hard — fighting bad judicial rulings and moving faster on other administrative blocks to building .
Get New York City building — and growing — again .

Another state appeals court has overruled ridiculous “Not In My Back Yard” objections to a development project that’s fully in legal compliance with zoning rules. It’s welcome news for a city looking to bounce back from the economically debilitating impact of the coronavirus.
Late last month, a Manhattan appellate court unanimously overturned an absurd ruling that halted the Two Bridges project. An important takeaway from the decision should guide lower courts in similar cases: “It is undisputed that they do not violate any applicable zoning regulation” — meaning judges need to stop trying to override city officials’ exercise of their lawful discretion.
Earlier this summer, in a 5-0 decision, the same court reinstated the city’s rezoning of Inwood, reversing a lower court’s December finding.
Both rulings are wins for developers and the de Blasio administration — just as the city faces a devastating budget shortfall that will strain its ability to build infrastructure and invest in affordable housing.
Two Bridges gets the greenlight for three apartment towers ranging 70 to 100 stories along the Lower East Side waterfront. The project will include one of the single-largest infusions of new affordable housing in Manhattan in decades, $40 million in upgrades to the East Broadway subway station that will make it handicap-accessible, $12.5 million in repairs to a nearby NYCHA complex and $15 million in upgrades to three public parks in the neighborhood.
Next on the court docket is the 200 Amsterdam appeal. Other pending projects include 1510 Broadway and an affordable-housing project and rezonings in Soho and Gowanus.
Unfortunately, the city recently withdrew from a promising public-private waterfront rezoning in Long Island City’s Anable Basin that would’ve produced up to 12 million square feet of commercial, residential and open space.
City Hall’s foot-dragging on restarting the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure or ULURP, a multi-step public-review process, is an added crimp on development when New Yorkers badly need new housing and construction jobs — and with private investment even more critical now that the city’s own coffers are badly squeezed.
This is the only hope for Mayor de Blasio’s ambitious affordable-housing plan to create or preserve 300,000 housing units by 2026.
So City Hall needs to push hard — fighting bad judicial rulings and moving faster on other administrative blocks to building. Get New York City building — and growing — again.


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--Islanders’ Lou Lamoriello named NHL’s GM of the Year

Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello added another acclamation to his Hall of Fame resume , being named winner of the @ @ @ @ @ GM of the Year award for the 2019-20 season .
It marks the first time @ @ @ @ @ , which began being given out in 2010 .
The 77-year-old Lamoriello , who previously @ @ @ @ @ GM of the New Jersey Devils , edged out Tampa Bay ’ s Julien BriseBois @ @ @ @ @ in voting done by a 41-member panel of GMs , NHL executives and media members @ @ @ @ @ moves in his second season with the semifinalist Islanders were the free-agent signings of Semyon @ @ @ @ @ the re-signing of captain Anders Lee and others and the in-season trades for J-G Pageau @ @ @ @

Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello added another acclamation to his Hall of Fame resume, being named winner of the NHL’s Jim Gregory GM of the Year award for the 2019-20 season.
It marks the first time Lamoriello has won the award, which began being given out in 2010.
The 77-year-old Lamoriello, who previously won three Stanley Cups as GM of the New Jersey Devils, edged out Tampa Bay’s Julien BriseBois and Dallas’ Jim Nill in voting done by a 41-member panel of GMs, NHL executives and media members.
Lamoriello’s key moves in his second season with the semifinalist Islanders were the free-agent signings of Semyon Varlamov and Derick Brassard, the re-signing of captain Anders Lee and others and the in-season trades for J-G Pageau and Andy Greene.


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--No chick or treat: Peeps maker halts production due to COVID-19

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BETHLEHEM , Pa. — Peeps treats are going on hiatus for several months — another consequence of the coronavirus pandemic .
Just Born Quality Confections said it won ’ t be producing the popular marshmallow sweets for Halloween , Christmas or Valentine ’ s Day as the Bethlehem , Pennsylvania-based company prepares for next Easter , PennLive.com reports .
Production of the holiday-shaped candies was suspended in the spring as the coronavirus spread across the state .
Limited production resumed in mid-May with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just Born said .
“ This situation resulted in us having to make the difficult decision to forego production of our seasonal candies for Halloween , Christmas and Valentine ’ s Day in order to focus on meeting the expected overwhelming demand for Peeps for next Easter season , as well as our everyday candies , ” the company said .
For confectioners , Easter is one of their biggest and busiest times of the year as children — and adults — use the holiday as an excuse to indulge in candy eggs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has been in business since 1923 , said its other seasonal confections are expected to return to store shelves by Halloween 2021 .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Peeps treats are going on hiatus for several months — another consequence of the coronavirus pandemic.
Just Born Quality Confections said it won’t be producing the popular marshmallow sweets for Halloween, Christmas or Valentine’s Day as the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-based company prepares for next Easter, PennLive.com reports.
Production of the holiday-shaped candies was suspended in the spring as the coronavirus spread across the state. Limited production resumed in mid-May with protocols in place to protect employees, Just Born said.
“This situation resulted in us having to make the difficult decision to forego production of our seasonal candies for Halloween, Christmas and Valentine’s Day in order to focus on meeting the expected overwhelming demand for Peeps for next Easter season, as well as our everyday candies,” the company said.
For confectioners, Easter is one of their biggest and busiest times of the year as children — and adults — use the holiday as an excuse to indulge in candy eggs and chocolate bunnies.
Just Born, which has been in business since 1923, said its other seasonal confections are expected to return to store shelves by Halloween 2021.


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--‘Mother Nature calls’: Aroldis Chapman bolts from mound after ninth

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman had to answer a call from Mother Nature , but first he needed to get the @ @ @ @ @ ninth inning of Saturday ’ s 2-1 win over the Orioles in 10 frames .
@ @ @ @ @ for the first out , Aaron Boone and trainer Tim Lentych went to the mound @ @ @ @ @ and Chapman struck out the next two batters .
With his work done , Chapman @ @ @ @ @ went down the dugout steps quickly and into the tunnel that leads to the clubhouse @ @ @ @ @ up ?
“ He is fine .
Leave it at that , ’ ’ Boone @ @ @ @ @ an end to the mystery .

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman had to answer a call from Mother Nature, but first he needed to get the final two outs in the ninth inning of Saturday’s 2-1 win over the Orioles in 10 frames.
After Chapman retired Renato Nunez for the first out, Aaron Boone and trainer Tim Lentych went to the mound. The visit was brief and Chapman struck out the next two batters.
With his work done, Chapman hurried off the field, went down the dugout steps quickly and into the tunnel that leads to the clubhouse.
So, what was up?
“He is fine. Leave it at that,’’ Boone said.
Then Boone put an end to the mystery.
“Mother Nature calls sometimes,’’ Boone said.


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--Big Ten to vote on football returning as early as October

The Big Ten could return sooner than it ever anticipated .
A little more than a month after postponing all fall sports and turning its attention to spring football , the Big Ten is expected to hold a vote in the next 72 hours on when and if the league will return to play , with Oct. 17 being presented as the earliest potential start date , according to Yahoo Sports .
The report states that the league ’ s return-to-competition task force and medical committee gave a presentation Saturday to eight Big Ten presidents and chancellors , who approved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors — a group of 14 — with focus on medical and safety issues , game scheduling and TV scheduling .
If the league could return by mid-October , the Big Ten could hold its championship game in late December , and potentially participate in the College Football Playoff .
However , the conference could end up beginning play at a later date — late November through January — with Maryland and Wisconsin ’ s programs each currently not practicing due to COVID-19 cases .
The league @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vote , and sources told Yahoo Sports that the medical information would need to be “ distinctly different ” for the Big Ten to start play soon .
The availability of cheap , rapid testing appears to be the biggest difference , though numerous games continue to be postponed due to coronavirus outbreaks on numerous teams .

The Big Ten could return sooner than it ever anticipated.
A little more than a month after postponing all fall sports and turning its attention to spring football, the Big Ten is expected to hold a vote in the next 72 hours on when and if the league will return to play, with Oct. 17 being presented as the earliest potential start date, according to Yahoo Sports.
The report states that the league’s return-to-competition task force and medical committee gave a presentation Saturday to eight Big Ten presidents and chancellors, who approved a formal pitch being made to the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors — a group of 14 — with focus on medical and safety issues, game scheduling and TV scheduling.
If the league could return by mid-October, the Big Ten could hold its championship game in late December, and potentially participate in the College Football Playoff. However, the conference could end up beginning play at a later date — late November through January — with Maryland and Wisconsin’s programs each currently not practicing due to COVID-19 cases.
The league postponed play last month with an 11-3 to vote, and sources told Yahoo Sports that the medical information would need to be “distinctly different” for the Big Ten to start play soon. The availability of cheap, rapid testing appears to be the biggest difference, though numerous games continue to be postponed due to coronavirus outbreaks on numerous teams.


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--Wild video shows plane passenger punch woman in alleged racial attack

A British passenger was not exactly taking it easy on an EasyJet flight , where he was caught in shocking video throwing a punch at a fellow flier in a racially charged incident , according to a report .
In the expletive-laden footage , the man erupts in fury and throws a punch as he lunges over a seat after a woman can be heard saying , ‘ I am African .
Do not chat s— about my people , ” The Sun reported .
Other passengers claimed the woman was defending a friend whom the brute had racially abused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Antalya , Turkey , on Tuesday .
A flight attendant is heard ordering everyone to return to their seats during the fracas before another airline employee escorts the maskless attacker off the plane at the destination .
He is then seen on video sitting in the terminal while surrounded by police .
Travelers said the unhinged man had been involved in an earlier incident on the flight when he allegedly went ballistic after a passenger threw away his son ’ s paper airplane , according to the news outlet .
“ Approximately two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of the flight were disturbed by a commotion at the back of the plane , ” a passenger told The Sun .
“ It was clearly two grown men coming to blows and prolific use of the C-word from one of them.
” Tempers flared again an hour after the two were separated , when the man asked to get some cash from the back of the plane and attacked his initial victim , according to The Sun .
“ We find out from the airline staff that the son of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the direction of the first victim which he then screwed up and threw away , prompting the violent outburst , ” the passenger said .
“ Another hour passes and we are about to land when all hell breaks loose again , ” the passenger added .
“ Absolutely no idea what prompted this but it was racial abuse of the most vile kind directed at one woman of color .
“ A second woman of color verbally defends her friend only to be met with the same torrent of abuse which escalated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the video , ” the passenger said .
An EasyJet rep told The Sun that the passenger was removed for “ disruptive behavior.
” “ Whilst such incidents are rare , we take them very seriously , and do not tolerate abusive or threatening behavior on board , ” the spokesperson said .
Airport authorities did not immediately respond to an inquiry from The Sun .

A British passenger was not exactly taking it easy on an EasyJet flight, where he was caught in shocking video throwing a punch at a fellow flier in a racially charged incident, according to a report.
In the expletive-laden footage, the man erupts in fury and throws a punch as he lunges over a seat after a woman can be heard saying, ‘I am African. Do not chat s— about my people,” The Sun reported.
Other passengers claimed the woman was defending a friend whom the brute had racially abused earlier on the flight from London to Antalya, Turkey, on Tuesday.
A flight attendant is heard ordering everyone to return to their seats during the fracas before another airline employee escorts the maskless attacker off the plane at the destination.
He is then seen on video sitting in the terminal while surrounded by police.
Travelers said the unhinged man had been involved in an earlier incident on the flight when he allegedly went ballistic after a passenger threw away his son’s paper airplane, according to the news outlet.
“Approximately two hours into the flight from Gatwick, most of the flight were disturbed by a commotion at the back of the plane,” a passenger told The Sun.
“It was clearly two grown men coming to blows and prolific use of the C-word from one of them.”
Tempers flared again an hour after the two were separated, when the man asked to get some cash from the back of the plane and attacked his initial victim, according to The Sun.
“We find out from the airline staff that the son of the instigator had thrown a paper plane in the direction of the first victim which he then screwed up and threw away, prompting the violent outburst,” the passenger said.
“Another hour passes and we are about to land when all hell breaks loose again,” the passenger added. “Absolutely no idea what prompted this but it was racial abuse of the most vile kind directed at one woman of color.
“A second woman of color verbally defends her friend only to be met with the same torrent of abuse which escalated into the violent assault that you see in the video,” the passenger said.
An EasyJet rep told The Sun that the passenger was removed for “disruptive behavior.”
“Whilst such incidents are rare, we take them very seriously, and do not tolerate abusive or threatening behavior on board,” the spokesperson said.
Airport authorities did not immediately respond to an inquiry from The Sun.


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--Grieving NYC family holds memorial for slain tot Davell Gardner’s 2nd birthday

Davell Gardner was just 22 months old when a stray bullet took his life at a Bedford-Stuyvesant playground — but in his too-short days he ’ d come to love football so much , it seemed he always had a ball in his little hands .
So when his grieving family celebrated the boy ’ s second birthday Saturday in Pulaski Playground — about 10 blocks north of where he died — footballs were everywhere .
Golden paper footballs covered the table , along with football bracelets and toys for the rest of the kids .
The centerpiece was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Ever since he was able to crawl and hold things he would hold a football , ” said Davell Gardner Sr. , who wore a heart-shaped locket around his neck with his son ’ s photo inside .
“ He was a character .
He would have a smile from ear to ear , ” the dad said .
“ He was very lovable .
He affected a lot of people .
If he was here , he would be running around playing with a football.
” Meanwhile , a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toddler ’ s July 12 death at Raymond Bush Playground , according to one of the birthday party ’ s guests — Chief of Brooklyn North Patrol Judith Harrison .
Two suspects are already in jail for other recent homicides , she has told reporters .
On the day he died , “ I vowed that I would support them , ” Harris said of the boy ’ s family .
“ Every shooting is tragic , but it certainly tugs on your heart strings when it ’ s a one year-old that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be cold to that.
” The father has set up a GoFundMe page in the boy ’ s honor ; he hopes to fund a foundation that will host numerous projects on his son ’ s behalf .

Davell Gardner was just 22 months old when a stray bullet took his life at a Bedford-Stuyvesant playground — but in his too-short days he’d come to love football so much, it seemed he always had a ball in his little hands.
So when his grieving family celebrated the boy’s second birthday Saturday in Pulaski Playground — about 10 blocks north of where he died — footballs were everywhere.
Golden paper footballs covered the table, along with football bracelets and toys for the rest of the kids. The centerpiece was a bouquet of brown footballs atop silver stems.
“Ever since he was able to crawl and hold things he would hold a football,” said Davell Gardner Sr., who wore a heart-shaped locket around his neck with his son’s photo inside.
“He was a character. He would have a smile from ear to ear,” the dad said.
“He was very lovable. He affected a lot of people. If he was here, he would be running around playing with a football.”
Meanwhile, a “very robust investigation” continues into the toddler’s July 12 death at Raymond Bush Playground, according to one of the birthday party’s guests — Chief of Brooklyn North Patrol Judith Harrison.
Previous 1 of 5 Next Advertisement Members of the NYPD and friends and family attended today's memorial BBQ for Davell Gardner. Stephen Yang Stephen Yang Advertisement Dave Gardener Sr. Stephen Yang Advertisement
Two suspects are already in jail for other recent homicides, she has told reporters.
On the day he died, “I vowed that I would support them,” Harris said of the boy’s family.
“Every shooting is tragic, but it certainly tugs on your heart strings when it’s a one year-old that’s shot. You can’t be cold to that.”
The father has set up a GoFundMe page in the boy’s honor; he hopes to fund a foundation that will host numerous projects on his son’s behalf.
Additional reporting by Laura Italiano


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--Oxford and AstraZeneca resume COVID-19 vaccine trial

Drug giant AstraZeneca has put its coronavirus-vaccine testing on hold ...

LONDON (AP) — Oxford University announced Saturday it was resuming a trial for a coronavirus vaccine it is developing with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, a move that comes days after the study was suspended following a reported side-effect in a U.K. patient.
In a statement, the university confirmed the restart across all of its U.K. clinical trial sites after regulators gave the go-ahead following the pause on Sunday.
“The independent review process has concluded and following the recommendations of both the independent safety review committee and the U.K. regulator, the MHRA, the trials will recommence in the U.K.,” it said.
The vaccine being developed by Oxford and AstraZeneca is widely perceived to be one of the strongest contenders among the dozens of coronavirus vaccines in various stages of testing around the world.
British Health Secretary Matt Hancock welcomed the restart, saying in a tweet that it was “good news for everyone” that the trial is “back up and running.”
The university said in large trials such as this “it is expected that some participants will become unwell and every case must be carefully evaluated to ensure careful assessment of safety.”
It said globally some 18,000 people have received its vaccine so far. Volunteers from some of the worst affected countries — Britain, Brazil, South Africa and the U.S. — are taking part in the trial.
Brazil’s health regulator Anvisa on Saturday said it had approved the resumption of tests of the “Oxford vaccine” in the South American country after receiving official information from AstraZeneca.
Although Oxford would not disclose information about the patient’s illness due to participant confidentiality, an AstraZeneca spokesman said earlier this week that a woman had developed severe neurological symptoms that prompted the pause. Specifically, the woman is said to have developed symptoms consistent with transverse myelitis, a rare inflammation of the spinal cord.
The university insisted that it is “committed to the safety of our participants and the highest standards of conduct in our studies and will continue to monitor safety closely.”
Pauses in drug trials are commonplace and the temporary hold led to a sharp fall in AstraZeneca’s share price following the announcement Tuesday.
The Oxford-AstraZeneca study had been previously stopped in July for several days after a participant developed neurological symptoms that turned out to be an undiagnosed case of multiple sclerosis that researchers said was unrelated to the vaccine.
During the third and final stage of testing, researchers look for any signs of possible side effects that may have gone undetected in earlier patient research. Because of their large size, the studies are considered the most important study phase for picking up less common side effects and establishing safety. The trials also assess effectiveness by tracking who gets sick and who doesn’t between patients getting the vaccine and those receiving a dummy shot.
Dr. Charlotte Summers, a lecturer in intensive care medicine at the University of Cambridge, said the pause was a sign that the Oxford team was putting safety issues first, but that it led to “much unhelpful speculation.”
“To tackle the global COVID-19 pandemic, we need to develop vaccines and therapies that people feel comfortable using, therefore it is vital to maintaining public trust that we stick to the evidence and do not draw conclusions before information is available,” she said.
Scientists and others around the world, including experts at the World Health Organization, have sought to keep a lid on expectations of an imminent breakthrough for coronavirus vaccines, stressing that vaccine trials are rarely straightforward.
Italy’s health minister, Roberto Speranza, welcomed the resumption of the vaccine trial, but warned that prudence was still necessary.
“Science is at work to give the world efficient and secure treatments and vaccines,” he said. “In the meantime, the key continues to be our behavior.”
Italy, which was ground zero for Europe’s outbreak, is one of the main countries investing in the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Two other vaccines are in huge, final-stage tests in the United States, one made by Moderna Inc. and the other by Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech.


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--Bail reform, social justice helped free career criminal linked to NYC burglary spree

He could n't kick himself out of this cage .

A toxic mix of bail reform and latte liberals has given one of the Big Apple’s most prolific burglars plenty of time to ply her trade — helping her to stroll out of jail nearly a half-dozen times in the past six months.
Aliana Lambert has been arrested at least five times since April in connection to 17 burglaries in some of Manhattan’s priciest ZIP codes, police said.
Lambert, a 38-year-old transgender woman who has at least 60 arrests on her rap sheet, allegedly targeted lobby mailboxes in buildings from Gramercy Park to the West Village, with an eye for laptops and other pricey devices, police said.
And she was a one-woman crime wave, with more burglary charges than anyone else in the city since April, according to NYPD stats obtained by The Post.
Any time she got in trouble with the law, Lambert got out with help from her left-leaning “friends.”
Among them was Molly Crabapple, a writer and artist regularly featured in The New York Times who posted a $10,000 check for Lambert’s bail on May 27.
Crabapple, 36, a bail-reform advocate, illustrated a 2018 anti-bail campaign video narrated by John Legend.
She told The Post that she posted bail for Lambert on behalf of the Emergency Release Fund, which describes its mission as “getting LGBTQ+ and medically vulnerable individuals out of Rikers Island and ICE detention.” The fund did not return messages from The Post.
Lambert is HIV-positive and at higher risk of severe illness from the coronavirus.
“Ms. Lambert doesn’t need to be in Rikers. She needs to be in treatment” for drug and mental-health issues, said a source familiar with her case.
Crabapple said she didn’t know much about the person she was bailing out and was unaware one of Lambert’s alleged crimes once released was socking an old man in the face.
“The reason that they have individuals post bail is that generally they don’t allow bail funds to post bail for everyone . . . at once,” she said. “But it’s not something that I have any capacity in choosing or knowing about . . . It’s just a volunteer job.”
Crabapple said, “I think anyone who lays a hand on an old person is disgusting,” but added, “I . . . strongly oppose cash bail, and I strongly support bail funds.”
Lambert’s freedom was short-lived.
She was pinched again on June 10 and charged with multiple counts of burglary, grand larceny and drug possession. A judge sent her to Rikers, but it was determined that they had to set bail, a court spokesman said. Judge Joanne Watters set it at $35,000 cash on June 17.
This time, Kealohi Wean, a 22-year-old Brooklyn artist, came to the rescue.
The source familiar with the case said Wean was also working with the Emergency Release Fund. Wean declined to comment to The Post.
Lambert had the state’s new bail-reform law to thank on two earlier arrests, on April 24 and May 4. The reforms allow accused burglars to be automatically cut loose.
On May 19, Lambert was charged with multiple counts of burglary and drug possession after allegedly stealing packages and envelopes from four buildings in Gramercy and Chelsea.
Cops say they found her carrying “several screwdrivers, a wrench and a corkscrew” along with meth and heroin wrapped in dollar bills. A judge set bail at $10,000 under a provision that allows a suspect to be held if they are charged with a crime after being released without bail.
Lambert is now in jail on Rikers Island — but only because her latest alleged crime was also her most bloody.
On July 9, she allegedly slugged a 67-year-old man in the face as he entered a building on West 21st Street, police said.
The alleged aggression triggered a provision for bail, which Judge Lumarie Maldonado-Cruz set at $35,000. Lambert, with no one to bail her out, remains behind bars.


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--Starz Orders ‘Blindspotting’ Spinoff Series from Rafael Casal and Daveed Diggs

The world of Blindspotting is headed to the small screen : Starz has greenlit a spinoff series based on the 2018 film , following Jasmine Cephas Jones ’ character .
Per Starz , the series will center on Ashley , who was nipping at the heels of a middle-class life in Oakland until Miles , her partner of 12 years and father of their son , is suddenly incarcerated , leaving her to navigate a chaotic and humorous existential crisis when she ’ s forced to move in with Miles ’ mother and half-sister .
The half-hour series will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Daveed Diggs , who starred , wrote , and produced the original film .
Casal will serve as the series ’ showrunner and will have a recurring role .
Jess Wu Calder and Keith Calder will also executive produce the film alongside Emily Gerson Saines , Ken Lee , and Tim Palen .
The series is produced for Starz by Lionsgate Television .
An episode count and prospective release date were not provided .
“ Rafael , Daveed and Jasmine created a beautiful film that we believe will translate perfectly into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Davis , Starz ’ s president of original programming , said in a statement .
“ This provocative and powerful narrative couldn ’ t be more timely , and in picking up the story from Ashley ’ s perspective , we will be able to shine a light on so many of the important social issues that the characters and the audience continue to grapple with.
” The original Blindspotting film was well-received by critics , including IndieWire ’ s Eric Kohn , who offered particular praise for Diggs ’ performance in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the film ’ s “ bumpier moments.
” “ ‘ Blindspotting ’ offers up a handful of such astonishing moments throughout an otherwise straightforward look at two lower-class Oakland pals struggling to find their place in a sea of gentrification , ” Kohn said in his review .
“ Ultimately , the movie belongs to Diggs , a Tony winner for ‘ Hamilton ’ who comes into his own as a genuine movie star with a fully realized performance that easily outshines the bumpier moments .
He ’ s complemented by his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pair bring a fascinating chemistry to the uncertainty that defines their lives.
” Blindspotting will join a growing slate of Starz original series , including Outlander , American Gods , and the recently premiered Power Book II : Ghost .
Starz has been a home to indie movie adaptations and genre-bending half-hour originals .
A new installment of The Girlfriend Experience , which was inspired by Steven Soderbergh ’ s independent film of the same name , is also on the way , as is the John Wick spinoff series , The Continental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the efficient and well-reviewed steps of Starz ’ s dramatic Girlfriend Experience , horror-comedy Ash vs .
Evil Dead , and family drama Vida .

The world of Blindspotting is headed to the small screen: Starz has greenlit a spinoff series based on the 2018 film, following Jasmine Cephas Jones’ character.
Per Starz, the series will center on Ashley, who was nipping at the heels of a middle-class life in Oakland until Miles, her partner of 12 years and father of their son, is suddenly incarcerated, leaving her to navigate a chaotic and humorous existential crisis when she’s forced to move in with Miles’ mother and half-sister.
The half-hour series will be written and executive produced by Rafael Casal and Daveed Diggs, who starred, wrote, and produced the original film. Casal will serve as the series’ showrunner and will have a recurring role. Jess Wu Calder and Keith Calder will also executive produce the film alongside Emily Gerson Saines, Ken Lee, and Tim Palen. The series is produced for Starz by Lionsgate Television.
An episode count and prospective release date were not provided.
“Rafael, Daveed and Jasmine created a beautiful film that we believe will translate perfectly into a compelling series for Starz,” Christina Davis, Starz’s president of original programming, said in a statement. “This provocative and powerful narrative couldn’t be more timely, and in picking up the story from Ashley’s perspective, we will be able to shine a light on so many of the important social issues that the characters and the audience continue to grapple with.”
The original Blindspotting film was well-received by critics, including IndieWire’s Eric Kohn, who offered particular praise for Diggs’ performance in his review and argued that it offset some of the film’s “bumpier moments.”
“‘Blindspotting’ offers up a handful of such astonishing moments throughout an otherwise straightforward look at two lower-class Oakland pals struggling to find their place in a sea of gentrification,” Kohn said in his review. “Ultimately, the movie belongs to Diggs, a Tony winner for ‘Hamilton’ who comes into his own as a genuine movie star with a fully realized performance that easily outshines the bumpier moments. He’s complemented by his creative partner, Casal, as the pair bring a fascinating chemistry to the uncertainty that defines their lives.”
Blindspotting will join a growing slate of Starz original series, including Outlander, American Gods, and the recently premiered Power Book II: Ghost. Starz has been a home to indie movie adaptations and genre-bending half-hour originals. A new installment of The Girlfriend Experience, which was inspired by Steven Soderbergh’s independent film of the same name, is also on the way, as is the John Wick spinoff series, The Continental. Meanwhile, Blindspotting will follow in the efficient and well-reviewed steps of Starz’s dramatic Girlfriend Experience, horror-comedy Ash vs. Evil Dead, and family drama Vida.
Stream Blindspotting on Starz


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--Nils Lundkvist dilemma pushing Rangers to trade Tony DeAngelo

Henrik Lundqvist is returning to New York .
“ We ’ re coming back ...

Here is another reason, perhaps the most significant one, that the Rangers won’t be signing impending restricted free agent Tony DeAngelo to a multi-year contract and instead are seeking to trade the 24-year-old righty defenseman:
That is because a contract of longer than one year for DeAngelo would all but ensure losing 20-year-old righty defenseman Nils Lundkvist to unrestricted free agency on June 2, 2022, without ever getting the Swede to Broadway.
Teams hold exclusive rights to European-born draft picks through the fourth June 1 following their selection, per the CBA. Lundkvist was selected 28th overall in 2018 with the first-rounder obtained from Tampa Bay in the package for Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller. So, the Rangers hold his rights through June 1, 2022.
What do you think the odds would be of the highly regarded Swede signing in New York next summer, or the summer after that, knowing the Blueshirts have Jacob Trouba, Adam Fox and DeAngelo lined up long term on the right side of the blue line with free agency and a clearer path elsewhere to the NHL available on the open market?
Exactly.
Lundkvist chose to sign a contract to play in the SHL for 2020-21 rather than sign an entry-level deal with the Blueshirts that would have included a European assignment clause. The uniqueness and uncertainties surrounding next season and the state of COVID-19 in the U.S. may have been factors in the decision, but regardless, the Rangers have not yet gotten the offensively gifted athlete’s name on the dotted line.
The Rangers are going to need a steady flow of impact players on entry-level contracts over the next few years, at least, in order to support and counterbalance the pricey contracts at the top of the depth chart. Lundkvist would seem to fit that definition and fill that need.
DeAngelo had a dynamic 2019-20 with the puck. He flashed the ability to change games both at even-strength and on the power play. But the Rangers envision Fox taking command of the first unit. And, though DeAngelo’s deficiencies in his own end might be corrected playing within a tighter structure, No. 77 would still slot as the team’s third-pair righty.
In a no cap world, certainly not the flat one in which the NHL will live for the foreseeable future, can a team thrive by paying a third-pair defenseman the $5.5-to-$6 million to which DeAngelo would likely be entitled on a long-term deal. There seems no inclination to move DeAngelo to the left, where the Rangers do have an abundance of prospects beginning with K’Andre Miller, who has spent the summer in Connecticut training with the renowned Ben Prentiss.
No, the hierarchy will seek/is seeking to use DeAngelo in order to address a long-term solution to their second center spot. It is not as if the Rangers would be unable to live next season with Ryan Strome doing a reprise of his role, but the impending restricted free agent center with arbitration rights is just a year away from being eligible to hit the open market. A long-term arrangement is not likely. Hence, the Rangers are open for business.
Before identifying an individual target, management needs to identify the type of second-line center they’re seeking. Are they in the market for another high-end skill guy to fit among a passel of top-six options on the wing — including Artemi Panarin, Kaapo Kakko, Chris Kreider, Pavel Buchnevich and, presumably, Alexis Lafreniere? Or are they seeking a sturdier, physically imposing, two-way center in the mold of a Jordan Staal? This year’s postseason tournament has only reinforced the fact that you can’t prance down the yellow brick road and expect to make it all the way to Oz.
And, because of future considerations regarding the pending negotiations with Mika Zibanejad next offseason in advance of potential 2022 free agency, the Blueshirts will need to acquire a center who is either on his entry-level deal or early on a controllable second deal. That’s a fine needle to thread.
If they can’t do it, there should be no rush. Upper-echelon players will become unexpectedly available over the offseason (and into next season) because of the cash crunch every team will experience. It would make sense for the Rangers, who are going to be in a stress position because of the significant amount of dead space on the ledger, to be in position to pick them off.
They should use as much time as necessary. Because while a team literally will win the Stanley Cup in (this) September, no one is going to win the 2021 Cup in (this) November or December.
The Lightning are two victories from the Stanley Cup finals with a defense including Kevin Shattenkirk, Zach Bogosian, Luke Schenn and Braydon Coburn. Yes, of course, Victor Hedman, Mikhail Sergachev and Ryan McDonagh, but the Rangers would be endlessly ridiculed for owning a blue line corps with the initial quartet that hardly fits the mobile mold.
That goes to structure, but structure with the puck every bit as much as without it. The hiring of Jacques Martin to replace Lindy Ruff as the assistant coach in charge of the defense was a slam dunk. But until the Rangers play more of a puck-possession game and at least limit the high-risk, high-reward style that has been in vogue on Broadway since John Tortorella’s departure following 2012-13, no assistant coach is going to be able to improve the team’s gap control and rush read defense.
If DeAngelo goes, the Rangers will need a righty for the third pair. There should be a multitude of veterans available on modest, one-year deals. Maybe Schenn, maybe Bogosian, maybe Michael Del Zotto, maybe Korbinian Holzer. There will be players flooding the market. The Blueshirts need to find only one of them.


newyorkpost--2020-09-12--Fantasy baseball: Reds’ Tyler Mahle can provide playoff boost

Usually when the calendar flips to September , fantasy baseball owners ...

Though it feels like this strange 60-game season just started yesterday, the fantasy playoffs begin Monday. That’s not a typo: Fantasy playoffs begin Monday!
Your push for shortened fantasy season glory begins now, and you don’t have time to be picky about who helps you get there. Help can come in all shapes and sizes, and will not always come from the expected places (though, not much has this season).
It is time to get creative, especially with your rotation, dig deep and win a title.
Though Cincinnati’s Tyler Mahle entered 2020 with a career 4.88 ERA and though he hasn’t been racking up wins, he hasn’t allowed opponents to do much damage either. The 25-year-old has not allowed more than three earned runs in any of his first seven starts.
Among starters with a minimum of 30 innings pitched, he ranks 19th in strikeouts per nine (10.95), and that is partly because he is piling up swinging strikes.
Mahle, who is available in 75 percent or more of ESPN leagues, has had double-digit swings and misses in five of his seven starts, including 22 on Tuesday against the Cubs (he also struck out 10 in that game while taking the loss). This has led to a career-high 14.0 percent swing-and-miss rate, which ranks 13th in the majors (wedged between reliable aces Aaron Nola and Dinelson Lamet).
Though Mahle has an 11.5 percent swing-and-miss rate with his fastball, the damage is being done with his secondary pitches. Batters are swinging and missing 20 percent of the time against his cutter/slider.
Batters are hitting .185 with 20 strikeouts against Mahle’s fastball, which has an average velocity of 94.2 mph. But it is a pitch he is no longer dependent on. In fact, though he used the pitch more than 60 percent of the time in 2017 and 2018, and 56.7 percent in 2019, he is using it just 53.5 percent this year. His cutter/slider usage is up from around 20 percent to 33.3 percent, and opponents are hitting .114 against it while striking out 46 percent of the time.
Yes, Mahle has a 3.89 ERA, .217 BABIP, as well as a FIP (4.15) and xFIP (4.48), all of which indicate he has gotten lucky. He also has walked his fair share of batters (8.7 percent). However, with just three or four starts left, Roto Rage is willing to bet luck will continue to be on Mahle’s side.
Here’s a look at some other arms who can provide assistance in the playoffs:
Miami’s 21-year-old rookie Sixto Sanchez is 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA, 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings and a .231 opponent average over his first four starts. He has walked just 0.72 per nine innings, which ranks third in the majors among pitchers with a minimum of 20 innings pitched. He has not allowed more than three earned runs in any of his starts, and had two starts when he threw a total of 13 shutout innings while striking out 16 and walking two.
Since returning from his PED suspension, Michael Pineda is 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA, 12 strikeouts, three walks and a .191 opponent average. He will face the Indians on Sunday, who are hitting .225 as a team, and lines up to face the Cubs and Reds over his final two starts. (FYI: The Cubs are hitting .229 as a team, and Cincinnati entered Friday hitting a league-worst .210.)
Though Taijuan Walker has walked nine in his first three starts since being dealt to the Blue Jays (and 3.6 per nine over all his starts), he also is 1-0 with a 1.15 ERA, 11 strikeouts and a .211 opponent average in those appearances. Over his first eight starts this season, including his time with Seattle, he is 3-2 with a 2.95 ERA, 36 strikeouts and a .210 opponent average.
Pittsburgh’s Joe Musgrove is 0-4 with a 5.40 ERA while pitching for the team with the worst record in the majors. Though he is still building his arm back up after a bout with shoulder inflammation, he has a 2.57 ERA, nine strikeouts, a .231 opponent average and 15 percent swinging strike rate over his past two starts (seven innings).
Big Hits
Sean Manaea SP, Athletics
Lowered his ERA from 9.00 to 4.46 over his past five starts by going 4-0 with a 1.98 ERA, 21 strikeouts, just two walks and a .204 opponent average. Has won his past four starts.
Freddie Freeman 1B, Braves
In his first 11 games this month, he is 17-for-43 (.395) with five homers, 22 RBIs and a 1.347 OPS. He has hit .394 with 31 RBIs over his past 25 games.
Ryan Mountcastle SS/ OF, Orioles
The rookie has at least one hit in 12 of his first 19 big league games — going 23-for-65 (.354) with four homers, 14 RBIs and a 1.004 OPS.
Marco Gonzales SP, Mariners
Won three straight decisions while maintaining a 2.57 ERA with 20 strikeouts, one walk and a .218 opponent average. He is 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA in his past four starts, and 5-1 with a 2.72 ERA in his past seven.
Big Whiffs
Pablo Lopez SP, Marlins
Allowed 14 earned runs over his past three starts, while going 0-3 with a 9.95 ERA, 13 strikeouts, six walks and a .288 opponent average.
Sonny Gray SP, Reds
Lost his past two starts while allowing 11 earned runs over just four innings (24.75 ERA) and a .478 opponent average. Has seen his ERA rise from 0.96 on Aug. 3 to 3.94 over his past six starts (2-3, 6.00 ERA).
Adrian Houser SP/RP, Brewers
Has not won since Aug. 5 — going 0-4 with a 7.34 ERA, 23 strikeouts, nine walks and a .326 opponent average over his past six starts.
Austin Meadows OF, Rays
Entered Saturday with two hits in his previous five games (23 at-bats) while striking out 13 times. He was 4-for-34 (.118) with 16 strikeouts and a .426 OPS in his first nine games this month.
Check Swings
Over his past five starts, Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes is 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA, 40 strikeouts (over 29 ¹/₃ innings), eight walks and a .137 opponent average.
As bad as it gets: Matthew Boyd has allowed 23 runs (22 earned) over his past six starts (1-5, 6.83 ERA), including 10 home runs. He has allowed the most homers in the majors (13), and entered Friday with the highest opponent average (.306) and second-worst WHIP (1.60) in the majors. One positive for the Tigers lefty: He did rank 17th in strikeouts per nine (10.10). Yay!
Pop quiz: Which pitcher entered Saturday tied for the major league lead in wins with AL Cy Young lock Shane Bieber and Yu Darvish? If you guessed San Diego’s Zach Davies, you probably cheated. Davies is 5-0 with a 2.27 ERA, 32 strikeouts and a .186 opponent average over his past five starts. He is 6-1 with a 2.03 ERA and .179 opponent average over his past seven. Add that to the oddity we call 2020.
Team Name Of The Week
Bye Bye Berti
Submitted by Joseph Carolla