newyorkpost--2020-04-21--Chris Cuomo makes ‘official re-entry’ from basement after coronavirus quarantine

Cuomo was known by fellow players to be a “ tool , ” ...

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Over a week after he was spotted out and about in the Hamptons, coronavirus-stricken CNN anchor Chris Cuomo has released a video of his “official re-entry” from his quarantine.
“All right, here it is … the official re-entry from the basement, cleared by the CDC,” the 49-year-old says in the roughly one-minute video shot by his 17-year-old daughter, Bella, and posted on Instagram.
“This is what I’ve been dreaming of literally for weeks. This is the dream, just to be back here, doing normal things,” he adds in the living room of his $2.9 million home as he joins his wife, Cristina, and two other kids, Carolina and Mario.
“My wife. She was cleared by the CDC,” the newsman adds. “She doesn’t have fever. She doesn’t have the symptoms anymore.”
Over Easter weekend, Cuomo got into a heated altercation with a 65-year-old East Hampton resident named David who was riding his bike when he saw who he thought was the anchor with a couple of women and three kids.
“I said to him, ‘Your brother is the coronavirus czar, and you’re not even following his rules — unnecessary travel,’ ” David told The Post, referring to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
According to David, Chris Cuomo snarled back: “Who the hell are you?! I can do what I want!”
During Monday night’s “Cuomo Prime Time,” the governor’s brother said his wife “has proven again that she is the stronger part of the couple” after she “powered through” her battle with the illness herself.
“She’s out of quarantine, and she dealt with it in a fraction of the time. So we are among the blessed,” Cuomo said on his show.
Despite his emergence from household purgatory, Cuomo told CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta that his illness put him into a “depression.”
“I have never had anything like this in my life. It humbled me,” Cuomo said. “I know people are dealing with so much worse, but for me, personally, I’m not that strong, and it really tore me up inside and out in terms of making me reassess things about myself and my life.
“It scared me, like some people, when they get a heart attack. I know this is nothing like a heart attack, but for me it was,” he added.


newyorkpost--2020-04-21--The Giants’ best NFL Draft steals

The Giants’ best NFL Draft steals

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The single best draft pick made by the New York Football Giants has to be tackle Roosevelt Brown, a 27th-round selection out of Morgan State in 1953, when there were 30 rounds.
All Brown did was become a nine-time Pro Bowler, Hall of Famer and earn a place on the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Anyone can draft a Lawrence Taylor — except for Bum Phillips and the Saints, who opted for running back George Rogers with the first pick of the 1981 draft, leaving LT for George Young and the Giants with the second pick.
The NFL draft dwindled to 20 rounds in 1960, to 17 rounds in 1967, to 12 rounds in 1977, to eight rounds in 1993, and has been seven rounds since 1994.
So naturally there have been no other grand slams akin to a Rosey Brown. But you can become a playoff contender and/or win a Super Bowl if you are able supplement yours stars with afterthoughts and/or overachievers.
Who are the draft choices over the Super Bowl era who defied the odds and the experts and gave the Giants more bang for their bucks than expected?
1. Harry Carson, MLB, South Carolina State
A fourth-round pick in 1976 who converted from defensive end and dominated the point of attack on his way to the Hall of Fame.
2. David Diehl, OT, Illinois
A fifth-round pick in 2003. A hulking tough, smart, two-time Super Bowl champion who started 160 games at four different positions who played 11 years before retiring a Giant.
3. George Martin, DE, Oregon
An 11th-round pick in 1975 who played 14 years before retiring as a Giant with a Super Bowl ring. A Parcells locker-room lieutenant and voice of wisdom and reason.
4. Jessie Armstead, ILB, Miami
An undersized eighth-round pick in 1993. A tackling machine who played nine years for the Giants and became co-captain with Michael Strahan. “I don’t like people who just talk and don’t back it up,” Armstead said once. “I’m an old-school-type football player. On the field I’m going to show you first, then I will talk.”
5. Mark Bavaro, TE, Notre Dame
A fourth-round pick in 1985. Didn’t like the Rambo nickname but he was as tough as anyone. Only his barking knees prevented him from playing more than six years for the Bill Parcells Giants. Caught 28 TD passes and demolished any defender(s) in his path.
6. Howard Cross, TE, Alabama
A sixth-round pick in 1989 known as a fierce blocker. Caught 201 passes and 17 TDs over 13 years as a Giant, and only a Giant.
7. Keith Hamilton, DT Pittsburgh
A fourth-round pick in 1992 who slipped because of character questions. An interior enforcer who registered 60 sacks in 173 games over 12 years as a Giant, and only a Giant.
8. Brian Kelly, LB, Cal-Lutheran
A 14th-round pick in 1973 with 15 INTs and 11 fumble recoveries in 143 games and 11 seasons as a Giant, and only a Giant.
9. Brandon Jacobs, RB, Southern Illinois
A fourth-round pick in 2005. The bruising intimidator and Super Bowl champion scored 60 TDs and rushed for 5,087 yards over eight seasons as a Giant.
10. Doug Riesenberg, OT, Cal
A sixth-round pick in 1987. Started 122 consecutive games after filling in for Karl Nelson and was a Super Bowl XXV champion during his nine-year Giants career.
11. Bill Ard, OG, Wake Forest
An eighth-round draft choice in 1981 who started 123 games and was the LG on the Super Bowl XXI Giants.
12. Zak DeOssie, LB/LS, Brown
Long-snappers are people too. A fourth-round pick in 2007. A 13-year Giant, and only a Giant.
13. Perry Williams, CB, N.C. State
A seventh-round pick in 1973. 18 INTs in 146 games over 10 seasons as a Giant, and only a Giant.
14. Dave Meggett, RB, Towson
A fifth-round pick in 1989 who averaged more than 10 yards per punt return in five of his six Giants seasons. Dual threat who excelled in the passing game (233 receptions, 10 TDs).
15. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Marshall
A seventh-round pick in 2007 who scored 32 TDs in his six seasons as a Giant and was respected as one of the toughest pound-for-pound Giants.
16. Gary Reasons, ILB, Northwestern State
A fourth-round pick in 1984. 10 INTs, eight fumble recoveries and a Super Bowl XXV ring in eight seasons as a Giant.
17. Lionel Manuel, WR, Pacific
A seventh-round pick in 1984. Super Bowl XXV champion who caught 232 passes for 3,941 yards and 23 TDs in seven years as a Giant, and only a Giant.
18. Terry Jackson, CB, San Diego State
A fifth-round pick in 1978. 24 INTs in 75 games over six seasons as a Giant.
19. Andy Headen, OLB, Clemson
An eighth-round pick in 1984. 19.5 sacks and 6 INTs in six seasons as a Giant, and only a Giant.
20. Pat Hughes, LB, Boston University
A ninth-round pick in 1970. 8 INTs in 54 starts over seven seasons as a Giant.
The Giants have 10 picks in the virtual 2020 NFL draft — seven of them in rounds 4-7. GM Dave Gettleman needs another WR Darius Slayton, a fifth-round steal last season, or two.


newyorkpost--2020-04-21--Lil’ girl’s ‘balloon slippers’ dream comes true

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This balloon slippers trend is “blowing up.” Watch how parents Nina and Suman Pileva in Cohasset, Minnesota, gave their 4-year daughter, Mena, a pair of slippers made from two inflated pink balloons.
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newyorkpost--2020-04-21--Harry and Meghan need to read the room

Harry and Meghan need to read the room

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Talk about a royal mess .
Harry and Meghan picked a strange time to go after the British press .
Bethenny Frankel isn ’ t happy about ‘ RHONY , ’ and Andy Cohen thinks five weeks of celibacy constitutes a dry spell .
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle broke ties with UK tabloids on Sunday by issuing a scathing letter that said they would no longer engage with the newspapers .
The former royals laid out their new policy of “ zero engagement ” and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four major British publications after years of “ distorted ” and “ false ” coverage , according to The Guardian .
“ It is gravely concerning that an influential slice of the media , over many years , has sought to insulate themselves from taking accountability for what they say or print — even when they know it to be distorted , false , or invasive beyond reason , ” the couple wrote in the letter to The Daily Mail , The Sun , Daily Mirror , and Daily Express .
“ When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust we all place in this much-needed industry is degraded.
” Harry and Meghan excoriated the tabs for years of what they describe as relentless false coverage .
“ The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have watched people they know — as well as complete strangers — have their lives completely pulled apart for no good reason , other than the fact that salacious gossip boosts advertising revenue , ” the letter said .
The four tabloids will not receive media updates from the couple and may possibly be barred from attending their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harry and Meghan explained that the policy was “ not about avoiding criticism.
” “ It ’ s not about shutting down public conversation or censoring accurate reporting , ” it read .
“ Media have every right to report on and indeed have an opinion on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex , good or bad .
But it can ’ t be based on a lie.
” Bethenny Frankel ‘ threw a fit ’ after ‘ RHONY ’ producer said show doesn ’ t need her Bethenny Frankel is so horrified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Housewives of New York ” will be just fine without her , we ’ re told , that she threw a fit after a top producer said the cast “ don ’ t need ” her .
After Frankel — who quit the show last August after eight seasons on and off as a member of the cast — slammed the show in a TV interview by saying that the ratings for the first episodes without her were weak , a production source told Page Six , “ She ’ s jealous [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still .
She made a rash decision [ to leave ] and she misses the limelight of it all.
” They added , “ And she can ’ t believe it will be as successful without her and may be better.
” The same source said that all the way back in November at BravoCon — the network ’ s new reality TV fest held in New York — Frankel was already so preoccupied with the thought that she wasn ’ t an essential part of the show that she flew off the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on a panel that the cast “ don ’ t need Bethenny.
” Asked how her absence would affect the show , Bernstein said of Frankel , who sat out Seasons 4 through 6 , “ Bethenny of course is Bethenny .
We did three seasons without her in the middle , it was successful , a lot of fun , some of the best trips.
” Bernstein added , “ And the ladies , they ’ ve done this for a while , and they don ’ t need Bethenny .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ really excited to shine that.
” The source told us , “ Bethenny got wind of it , got very angry and blocked [ Bernstein ] from her phone.
” Reps for Bravo , Bernstein and Frankel declined to comment .
Andy Cohen hasn ’ t had sex in weeks — his longest dry spell since college The Bravo executive and personality revealed on SiriusXM Radio that the coronavirus has put a damper on his sex life and he ’ s been forced into — gasp — celibacy .
Cohen , 51 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sex in five weeks — the longest he ’ s gone without doing the deed since he was a college student .
In March , the “ Watch What Happens Live ” host announced on Instagram that he had tested positive for coronavirus .
Cohen described his symptoms as including a fever , chills , cough , chest tightness and a loss of taste and appetite , accompanied by “ a lot of aches and pains in the body.
” Catch up on all episodes of “ We Hear ” by subscribing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or wherever you get your podcasts .
New episodes come out every Tuesday , Wednesday and Thursday .

Talk about a royal mess. Harry and Meghan picked a strange time to go after the British press. Bethenny Frankel isn’t happy about ‘RHONY,’ and Andy Cohen thinks five weeks of celibacy constitutes a dry spell.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sever ties with UK tabloids
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle broke ties with UK tabloids on Sunday by issuing a scathing letter that said they would no longer engage with the newspapers.
The former royals laid out their new policy of “zero engagement” and “no corroboration” to the editors of four major British publications after years of “distorted” and “false” coverage, according to The Guardian.
“It is gravely concerning that an influential slice of the media, over many years, has sought to insulate themselves from taking accountability for what they say or print — even when they know it to be distorted, false, or invasive beyond reason,” the couple wrote in the letter to The Daily Mail, The Sun, Daily Mirror, and Daily Express.
“When power is enjoyed without responsibility, the trust we all place in this much-needed industry is degraded.”
Harry and Meghan excoriated the tabs for years of what they describe as relentless false coverage.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have watched people they know — as well as complete strangers — have their lives completely pulled apart for no good reason, other than the fact that salacious gossip boosts advertising revenue,” the letter said.
The four tabloids will not receive media updates from the couple and may possibly be barred from attending their future events, the letter said.
Harry and Meghan explained that the policy was “not about avoiding criticism.”
“It’s not about shutting down public conversation or censoring accurate reporting,” it read. “Media have every right to report on and indeed have an opinion on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, good or bad. But it can’t be based on a lie.”
READ MORE
Bethenny Frankel ‘threw a fit’ after ‘RHONY’ producer said show doesn’t need her
Bethenny Frankel is so horrified by the idea that “The Real Housewives of New York” will be just fine without her, we’re told, that she threw a fit after a top producer said the cast “don’t need” her.
After Frankel — who quit the show last August after eight seasons on and off as a member of the cast — slammed the show in a TV interview by saying that the ratings for the first episodes without her were weak, a production source told Page Six, “She’s jealous [because] she’s not on still. She made a rash decision [to leave] and she misses the limelight of it all.” They added, “And she can’t believe it will be as successful without her and may be better.”
Related Video Bethenny Frankel ‘threw a fit’ after ‘RHONY’ producer said show doesn’t need her
The same source said that all the way back in November at BravoCon — the network’s new reality TV fest held in New York — Frankel was already so preoccupied with the thought that she wasn’t an essential part of the show that she flew off the handle when its longtime producer Barrie Bernstein said on a panel that the cast “don’t need Bethenny.”
Asked how her absence would affect the show, Bernstein said of Frankel, who sat out Seasons 4 through 6, “Bethenny of course is Bethenny. We did three seasons without her in the middle, it was successful, a lot of fun, some of the best trips.” Bernstein added, “And the ladies, they’ve done this for a while, and they don’t need Bethenny. I think this season we’re really excited to shine that.”
The source told us, “Bethenny got wind of it, got very angry and blocked [Bernstein] from her phone.”
Reps for Bravo, Bernstein and Frankel declined to comment.
READ MORE
Andy Cohen hasn’t had sex in weeks — his longest dry spell since college
Andy Cohen is weathering a dry spell.
The Bravo executive and personality revealed on SiriusXM Radio that the coronavirus has put a damper on his sex life and he’s been forced into — gasp — celibacy.
Cohen, 51, added that he hasn’t had sex in five weeks — the longest he’s gone without doing the deed since he was a college student.
In March, the “Watch What Happens Live” host announced on Instagram that he had tested positive for coronavirus. Cohen described his symptoms as including a fever, chills, cough, chest tightness and a loss of taste and appetite, accompanied by “a lot of aches and pains in the body.”
READ MORE
Catch up on all episodes of “We Hear” by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes come out every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.


newyorkpost--2020-04-21--Mexican president tells cartels to focus on ending crime, not handing out coronavirus aid

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Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Monday that cartels should focus on ending violence — not handing out coronavirus care packages to the needy .
“ These criminal organizations that have been seen distributing the packages , this isn ’ t helpful , ” López Obrador told reporters at a news conference .
“ What helps is them stopping their bad deeds , ” the president said , explaining how the drug gangs should stop harming others .
In 2019 , López @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , Mexico saw a record 34,582 murders .
The president ’ s remarks come after reports that Alejandrina Guzmán — the daughter of the notorious drug kingpin Joaquín “ El Chapo ” Guzmán — and Mexican cartels are distributing aid packages across the country .
The younger Guzmán is using her company , El Chapo 701 , to pack and deliver boxes full of food , masks , hand soaps and other supplies , dubbed Chapo ’ s provisions , around Guadalajara .
The parcels are labeled with El Chapo ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face masks the company ’ s employees wear as they pack and deliver the goods .
More than 8,000 people in Mexico have tested positive for the coronavirus , as of Monday , and 700 deaths were attributed to the disease .

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Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Monday that cartels should focus on ending violence — not handing out coronavirus care packages to the needy.
“These criminal organizations that have been seen distributing the packages, this isn’t helpful,” López Obrador told reporters at a news conference.
“What helps is them stopping their bad deeds,” the president said, explaining how the drug gangs should stop harming others.
In 2019, López Obrador’s first full year in office, Mexico saw a record 34,582 murders.
The president’s remarks come after reports that Alejandrina Guzmán — the daughter of the notorious drug kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán — and Mexican cartels are distributing aid packages across the country.
The younger Guzmán is using her company, El Chapo 701, to pack and deliver boxes full of food, masks, hand soaps and other supplies, dubbed Chapo’s provisions, around Guadalajara.
The parcels are labeled with El Chapo’s image — and so are the medical-style face masks the company’s employees wear as they pack and deliver the goods.
More than 8,000 people in Mexico have tested positive for the coronavirus, as of Monday, and 700 deaths were attributed to the disease.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-04-21--Florida woman charged with violating lockdown after Airbnb party led to shooting

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A Florida homeowner has been charged with violating the state ’ s executive order linked to the coronavirus pandemic after a party at her rental property apparently led to a shooting , police say .
The Hillsborough County Sheriff ’ s Office , according to WTVT , was called to the Tampa home of Natalia Rodriguez Cuervo early Saturday morning following reports of shots being fired from a vehicle into the residence .
Police told the station that an altercation between several juveniles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was hurt and the suspects involved fled the scene before officers arrived .
However , during the investigation , police discovered the people inside the home rented it out earlier this month through Airbnb because they wanted to have a party , WTVT reports .
Investigators then confronted Cuervo , who reportedly claimed she wasn ’ t aware of Gov .
Ron DeSantis ’ executive order stating that “ vacation rentals are prohibited from making new reservations or bookings and shall not accept new guests for check-in ” during the coronavirus outbreak .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ no excuse for not following it .
Our deputies have worked for weeks to educate and encourage the public to follow the emergency orders , ” Sheriff Chad Chronister told WTVT .
“ As I ’ ve stated continuously , we will continue to enforce the emergency orders , especially when blatant disregard for them puts the lives of others in danger.
” Cuervo , 23 , was handed a copy of the executive order and charged with Violation of an Emergency Management Rule or Order – a misdemeanor of the second degree @

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
A Florida homeowner has been charged with violating the state’s executive order linked to the coronavirus pandemic after a party at her rental property apparently led to a shooting, police say.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, according to WTVT, was called to the Tampa home of Natalia Rodriguez Cuervo early Saturday morning following reports of shots being fired from a vehicle into the residence.
Police told the station that an altercation between several juveniles led to that shooting, although nobody was hurt and the suspects involved fled the scene before officers arrived.
However, during the investigation, police discovered the people inside the home rented it out earlier this month through Airbnb because they wanted to have a party, WTVT reports.
Investigators then confronted Cuervo, who reportedly claimed she wasn’t aware of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order stating that “vacation rentals are prohibited from making new reservations or bookings and shall not accept new guests for check-in” during the coronavirus outbreak.
“Alleged ignorance of the law is no excuse for not following it. Our deputies have worked for weeks to educate and encourage the public to follow the emergency orders,” Sheriff Chad Chronister told WTVT. “As I’ve stated continuously, we will continue to enforce the emergency orders, especially when blatant disregard for them puts the lives of others in danger.”
Cuervo, 23, was handed a copy of the executive order and charged with Violation of an Emergency Management Rule or Order – a misdemeanor of the second degree.


newyorkpost--2020-04-21--Amanda Nunes won’t fight at UFC’s planned coronavirus restart

UFC president Dana White is trying his hardest to have ...

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As the UFC prepares to hold fights again, it will do so without one of its biggest stars.
Double champion Amanda Nunes told CBS Sports on Monday she will not defend her women’s featherweight title against Felicia Spencer at the promotion’s planned event on May 9 – the company’s first since postponing all events because of the coronavirus pandemic. The site for the event, which was supposed to be UFC 250 in Rio de Janeiro, is still to be determined.
Nunes, also the women’s bantamweight champion, didn’t feel the timing was right under the circumstances.
“I don’t think this is the right time for me right now to fight,” Nunes said. “Let this coronavirus pass a little bit so I can at least have a full camp. We can maybe see around June, let’s see what is going to happen. But I’m not fighting [May 9].”
Nunes’ agent Dan Lambert told ESPN that she had a small injury that hasn’t fully healed when she began training and she needs more time. The 31-year-old Brazilian noted that she has been able to train at her home gym of American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fla., while practicing social distancing. But it’s led to her having far from a full camp because it is only open to fighters with upcoming bouts and limited staff.
“It’s not many people, just me and a couple guys that are going to be on the same card as me,” Nunes said. “We all have separate training with just me and my coach, one on one.”
UFC postponed UFC 249 after pressure from California governor Gavin Newsom and top executives from broadcast partners Disney and ESPN.


newyorkpost--2020-04-21--Yankees fan, Mets fan team up to sue MLB over coronavirus-canceled games

LOS ANGELES — A pair of fans in New York sued Major League Baseball , Commissioner Rob Manfred and the 30 teams , asking for their money back for tickets and for certification of class-action status .
The lawsuit was filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles by Matthew Ajzenman , who said he bought a partial season plan for more than 20 Mets games ; and Susan Terry-Bazer , who said she purchased six tickets for a May 9 game at Yankee Stadium against Boston .
“ Baseball fans are stuck with expensive and unusable tickets for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic crisis , ” the lawsuit said .
“ Under the pretext of ` postponing ’ games , at the directive of MLB , teams and ticket merchants are refusing to issue refunds for games which are not going to be played as scheduled — if ever.
” Ajzenman said his Mets plan cost $ 1,730 and he made a first payment to the team of about $ 317 last year .
Terry-Bazer said she paid $ 926 to Ticketmaster and planned to take her grandson to the Red Sox-Yankees game .
Ticketmaster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minute Transactions are among the defendants .
The caption on the first page included Tampa Bay Devil Rays Ltd. — “ Devil ” was dropped from the team ’ s nickname after the 2007 season .
“ The defendants continue to retain enormous profits from tickets sold for the 2020 MLB season at the expense of fans ’ financial hardship , ” the suit said .
Fans asked for “ full restitution , an accounting of all MLB tickets sold for the 2020 season ( including season tickets , single game purchases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declaratory judgment that defendants ’ conduct of continuing to sell tickets for the 2020 MLB regular season violates California law , as well as a disgorgement of profits from tickets sold during the 2020 MLB season.
” They allege violations of California ’ s Consumer Legal Remedies Act and Unfair Competition Law and of civil conspiracy .
Opening day on March 26 was pushed back until mid-May at the earliest after a national emergency was declared due to the new coronavirus pandemic .
MLB said it is awaiting government and medical direction , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season can begin .
The league and the players ’ union have discussed the possibility of playing at neutral sites or in empty ballparks , but no decisions have been made .
MLB , the Mets and Yankees did not immediately respond to requests for comment .

LOS ANGELES — A pair of fans in New York sued Major League Baseball, Commissioner Rob Manfred and the 30 teams, asking for their money back for tickets and for certification of class-action status.
The lawsuit was filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles by Matthew Ajzenman, who said he bought a partial season plan for more than 20 Mets games; and Susan Terry-Bazer, who said she purchased six tickets for a May 9 game at Yankee Stadium against Boston.
“Baseball fans are stuck with expensive and unusable tickets for unplayable games in the midst of this economic crisis,” the lawsuit said. “Under the pretext of `postponing’ games, at the directive of MLB, teams and ticket merchants are refusing to issue refunds for games which are not going to be played as scheduled — if ever.”
Ajzenman said his Mets plan cost $1,730 and he made a first payment to the team of about $317 last year. Terry-Bazer said she paid $926 to Ticketmaster and planned to take her grandson to the Red Sox-Yankees game.
Ticketmaster, Stubhub, Live Nation and Last Minute Transactions are among the defendants. The caption on the first page included Tampa Bay Devil Rays Ltd. — “Devil” was dropped from the team’s nickname after the 2007 season.
“The defendants continue to retain enormous profits from tickets sold for the 2020 MLB season at the expense of fans’ financial hardship,” the suit said.
Fans asked for “full restitution, an accounting of all MLB tickets sold for the 2020 season (including season tickets, single game purchases, and public seat licenses), a declaratory judgment that defendants’ conduct of continuing to sell tickets for the 2020 MLB regular season violates California law, as well as a disgorgement of profits from tickets sold during the 2020 MLB season.”
They allege violations of California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act and Unfair Competition Law and of civil conspiracy.
Opening day on March 26 was pushed back until mid-May at the earliest after a national emergency was declared due to the new coronavirus pandemic.
MLB said it is awaiting government and medical direction, and it does not know when the season can begin. The league and the players’ union have discussed the possibility of playing at neutral sites or in empty ballparks, but no decisions have been made.
MLB, the Mets and Yankees did not immediately respond to requests for comment.


newyorkpost--2020-04-21--Auto theft charge dropped against late Brooklyn rapper Pop Smoke

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) An auto theft charge was dropped Monday against late Brooklyn-born rapper Pop Smoke , who was gunned down inside a Los Angeles mansion in February , the feds announced in a court filing .
Pop Smoke , whose real name is Bashar Jackson , was charged last January with stealing a $ 375,000 black Rolls Royce that he used in a video shoot and transporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared a home with his parents .
While out on a $ 250,000 bond , the “ Welcome to the Party ” rapper was shot dead February 19 at a sprawling Hollywood Hills home in what police believe was a targeted hit by a group of four masked suspects .
Investigators theorized that Pop Smoke ’ s murder may have been gang-related , with the rapper shot dead over his ties to the Crips , according to a report .
Detectives leaned toward that motive after learning the four suspects fled the $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jewelry , sources have told the Los Angeles Times .

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An auto theft charge was dropped Monday against late Brooklyn-born rapper Pop Smoke, who was gunned down inside a Los Angeles mansion in February, the feds announced in a court filing.
Pop Smoke, whose real name is Bashar Jackson, was charged last January with stealing a $375,000 black Rolls Royce that he used in a video shoot and transporting it back to Brooklyn, where he shared a home with his parents.
While out on a $250,000 bond, the “Welcome to the Party” rapper was shot dead February 19 at a sprawling Hollywood Hills home in what police believe was a targeted hit by a group of four masked suspects.
Investigators theorized that Pop Smoke’s murder may have been gang-related, with the rapper shot dead over his ties to the Crips, according to a report.
Detectives leaned toward that motive after learning the four suspects fled the $2.5 million mansion with no cash or jewelry, sources have told the Los Angeles Times.


newyorkpost--2020-04-21--Pork producers could euthanize hogs to offset financial losses from coronavirus

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DES MOINES , Iowa – From exports to wholesaling and grocery stores , pork farmers across the country have profited over $ 20 billion per year from pigs – but they ’ ve needed to make tough decisions recently , like many industries that have fallen victim to the coronavirus .
“ All of us in agriculture have been asked to keep working despite everything that ’ s going on with the coronavirus , ” Mike Paustian , the president of the Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Everyone recognizes that we need to keep food moving.
” Pork farmers , numbering over 60,000 across the U.S. , have been working despite the fact that mandatory shutdown orders have closed some of the pork industry ’ s largest consumers including restaurants and schools .
The National Pork Producers Council estimated that pork farmers will lose roughly $ 37 for every market-ready hog , which equates to $ 5 billion in revenue by the end of the year due to these disruptions .
“ One of the reasons that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now is because there ’ s been this disruption in how food moves to consumers , ” Paustian said .
“ With restaurants being shut down we have a lot less business .
About 70 percent of bacon is consumed in restaurants and food service.
” Another looming issue : The supply of pigs has exceeded the demand and as the animals grow larger , they become too large for processing plants .
“ When a pig is born , it ’ s about two pounds , and in about six months it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Paustian said .
“ That ’ s generally the size that a lot of pigs go to the market and so that becomes a challenge.
” Paustian added , “ When we have a disruption like this , things start to back up and producers have to start to make accommodations because the welfare of our pigs [ becomes ] impacted .
We have to do things like adjusting what we ’ re feeding them to try to slow them down and not get them to grow so fast.
” Making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggle of helping to feed America while keeping their employees safe .
A Smithfield Foods plant , one of the nation ’ s largest pork-processing facilities in Sioux Falls , S.D.
, closed after more than 600 confirmed coronavirus cases were tied to the plant .
Companies such as Christiansen Farms , which operates more than 400 farms and processing plants across the country , have announced that even with mitigation processes , including social distancing and temperature checks for employees , they were preparing to make tough decisions .
“ Some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty disturbing , ” Christensen Farms CEO Glenn Stolt said .
“ If plants go down and we ’ re not able to take full-grown animals to the plants , we have to look at alternative measures , including potential euthanasia , which is not something that any one of us in agriculture even thinks about doing.
” The U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) has announced a COVID-19 relief package that would include $ 3 billion in planned agricultural product purchases and $ 1.6 billion in direct payments to hog farmers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council argued it wouldn ’ t be enough to keep family farms from going bankrupt .
The council asked the USDA to extend that support to other key players in the industry to avoid consolidation and farm bankruptcies .
“ We fear the lifeline so desperately needed will fall short of what is truly needed , ” Howard “ A.V.
” Roth , the president of the National Pork Producers Council , said in a statement .
“ While the direct payments to hog farmers will offset some losses for some farmers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ varied market participants , including those who own hogs as well as thousands of contract growers who care for pigs .
All of these participants have made sizable investments in a U.S. pork production system that is the envy of the world .
Many generational family farms will go bankrupt without immediate financial aid .
”

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DES MOINES, Iowa – From exports to wholesaling and grocery stores, pork farmers across the country have profited over $20 billion per year from pigs – but they’ve needed to make tough decisions recently, like many industries that have fallen victim to the coronavirus.
“All of us in agriculture have been asked to keep working despite everything that’s going on with the coronavirus,” Mike Paustian, the president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, told Fox News. “Everyone recognizes that we need to keep food moving.”
Pork farmers, numbering over 60,000 across the U.S., have been working despite the fact that mandatory shutdown orders have closed some of the pork industry’s largest consumers including restaurants and schools.
The National Pork Producers Council estimated that pork farmers will lose roughly $37 for every market-ready hog, which equates to $5 billion in revenue by the end of the year due to these disruptions.
“One of the reasons that the price for pigs is so low right now is because there’s been this disruption in how food moves to consumers,” Paustian said. “With restaurants being shut down we have a lot less business. About 70 percent of bacon is consumed in restaurants and food service.”
Another looming issue: The supply of pigs has exceeded the demand and as the animals grow larger, they become too large for processing plants.
“When a pig is born, it’s about two pounds, and in about six months it will grow to be about 280 pounds,” Paustian said. “That’s generally the size that a lot of pigs go to the market and so that becomes a challenge.”
Paustian added, “When we have a disruption like this, things start to back up and producers have to start to make accommodations because the welfare of our pigs [becomes] impacted. We have to do things like adjusting what we’re feeding them to try to slow them down and not get them to grow so fast.”
Making matters worse for pork producers: the struggle of helping to feed America while keeping their employees safe.
A Smithfield Foods plant, one of the nation’s largest pork-processing facilities in Sioux Falls, S.D., closed after more than 600 confirmed coronavirus cases were tied to the plant.
Companies such as Christiansen Farms, which operates more than 400 farms and processing plants across the country, have announced that even with mitigation processes, including social distancing and temperature checks for employees, they were preparing to make tough decisions.
“Some of the worst-case scenarios are quite honestly, pretty disturbing,” Christensen Farms CEO Glenn Stolt said. “If plants go down and we’re not able to take full-grown animals to the plants, we have to look at alternative measures, including potential euthanasia, which is not something that any one of us in agriculture even thinks about doing.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a COVID-19 relief package that would include $3 billion in planned agricultural product purchases and $1.6 billion in direct payments to hog farmers.
But, the National Pork Producers Council argued it wouldn’t be enough to keep family farms from going bankrupt. The council asked the USDA to extend that support to other key players in the industry to avoid consolidation and farm bankruptcies.
“We fear the lifeline so desperately needed will fall short of what is truly needed,” Howard “A.V.” Roth, the president of the National Pork Producers Council, said in a statement. “While the direct payments to hog farmers will offset some losses for some farmers, they are not sufficient to sustain the varied market participants, including those who own hogs as well as thousands of contract growers who care for pigs. All of these participants have made sizable investments in a U.S. pork production system that is the envy of the world. Many generational family farms will go bankrupt without immediate financial aid.”


newyorkpost--2020-04-21--Florida man sells face masks made of Burmese python and alligators

WELLINGTON , New Zealand — While most countries are working on ...

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A Florida shop owner is selling face masks made out of the skin of a Burmese python, an invasive species in the Everglades, to create a “fashion statement” and stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Brian Wood, the owner of All American Gator Products in Dania Beach, is crafting different leather masks from the skin of various animals like pythons, crocodiles and alligators, according to the Miami Herald.
“People are going to have to cover their faces, and unfortunately the situation may last longer than we imagined,” Wood told the newspaper.
“Some people want to make a fashion statement even during this pandemic, so I want to give them options.”
Python skin itself doesn’t provide protection from COVID-19 like the M95 masks, which blocks small and large airborne particles.
Wood is in the process of designing a mask that allows a filter to be added or removed and he talks with suppliers of filters and may use cloth because surgical gear material is in high demand and running scarce.
Florida city officials in Miami mandated residents earlier in the week to wear masks in grocery stores, pharmacies and convenience stores wear face coverings.
The measure also requires all delivery workers to wear masks, as well as all construction workers on job sites.


newyorkpost--2020-04-21--New Zealand could pull off ambitious goal of wiping out coronavirus

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WELLINGTON , New Zealand — While most countries are working on ways to contain the coronavirus , New Zealand has set itself a much more ambitious goal : eliminating it altogether .
And experts believe the country could pull it off .
The virus “ doesn ’ t have superpowers , ” said Helen Petousis-Harris , a vaccine expert at the University of Auckland .
“ Once transmission is stopped , it ’ s gone.
” Geography has helped .
If any place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be New Zealand , surrounded by stormy seas , with Antarctica to the south .
With 5 million people spread across an area the size of Britain , even the cities aren ’ t overly crowded .
And Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has taken bold steps , putting the country under a strict lockdown in late March , when only about 100 people had tested positive for the new virus .
Her motto : “ Go hard and go early.
” New Zealand has so far avoided a widespread outbreak , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of about 90 per day in early April to just five on Tuesday , leaving the goal tantalizingly close .
Only 13 people have died so far , and Ardern has been personally briefed on each death .
“ We have the opportunity to do something no other country has achieved : elimination of the virus , ” Ardern told reporters last week .
“ But it will continue to need a team of 5 million behind it.
” Petousis-Harris said the country had managed to avoid the confusion and half-measures that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ New Zealand got everything right , ” she said .
“ Decisive action , with strong leadership and very clear communications to everybody.
” Ardern on Monday announced the country would stay in lockdown for another week before slightly easing some work restrictions to help restart the economy .
Most of the social restrictions will remain in place .
She also tried to temper expectations of her goal , saying elimination didn ’ t mean that new cases wouldn ’ t arise in the future but they would be stamped out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Zealand eventually reopens its borders , but questions remain about how well prepared the health system is to implement effective contact tracing should a widespread outbreak occur .
Petousis-Harris pointed to problems last year when the country failed to contain a measles outbreak .
Even if New Zealand does purge itself of the virus , the effects will linger .
Before the outbreak , tourism was booming .
About 4 million people visited each year , drawn by stunning scenery and the lure of adventure sports .
The industry employed more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent of New Zealand ’ s entire economy .
“ It ’ s been devastating .
No question at all , ” said Stephen England-Hall , the chief executive of Tourism New Zealand , a promotional agency .
“ No one can really plan to go from 100 percent to zero in three days.
” A study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development found that because of its reliance on tourism , New Zealand ’ s economy could initially be one of the hardest-hit by the coronavirus among developed nations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis with its books in relatively good shape , has been handing out billions of dollars in temporary wage subsidies to try and prevent mass unemployment .
More than half the nation ’ s workforce has suddenly become reliant on government handouts .
Still , most people appear to support Ardern ’ s strict lockdown , under which schools are closed and people working nonessential jobs can leave home only for groceries or exercise .
Google mobility data indicates there has been high compliance .
Many have found creative ways to cope , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead of meeting her clients in gyms or at their homes , she ’ s been leading virtual sessions over Zoom and FaceTime .
Some of her clients are using cans of beans instead of dumbbells , or laundry baskets instead of sandbags .
Many want to talk more about their feelings , like the business owner who needed to lay off employees or the client with emotional issues who needs encouragement .
“ Normally they would just talk to the people around them , ” James said .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most symbolic casualties of the outbreak has been Air New Zealand .
The airline had been a source of pride for many as it expanded internationally and won industry awards .
In a series of frank updates , Chief Executive Greg Foran described how the carrier had reduced flights by 95 % and would need to cut its workforce by at least 3,750 .
One person who doesn ’ t yet know if he will retain his job with the airline is 27-year-old pilot Scott Beatson .
He and partner Bella Ashworth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a house earlier this year , and they ’ re both now worried about their futures .
“ It ’ s quite sad , ” Beatson said .
“ Just before the lockdown , I was talking with a baggage loader and a check-in person , and everyone took such pride in the company.
” An eager fisherman and hiker , Beatson has taken to camping in his backyard while stuck at home .
Like many around the country , he ’ s been tuning into some of the daily briefings given by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of health .
An unassuming official who spent a year working at the World Health Organization in Geneva , Bloomfield ’ s calm and reassuring presence has turned him into an unlikely heartthrob .
Singer Maxwell Apse wrote a song about Bloomfield that has been viewed more than 75,000 times on YouTube .
“ If I had one wish , I would make it this : I ’ d be in your bubble , ” go the lyrics .
When New Zealand does come out of its bubble , the path forward remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relying on its traditional strength in farming to sell things abroad like dairy products , kiwifruit and wine .
Some have suggested the country could first reopen its borders to Australia , which has also been successful in flattening its virus curve .
England-Hall , the tourism executive , said New Zealand will look to first rebuild the domestic tourism market .
He said being virus-free could eventually become a selling point abroad for the country .
The conundrum is that to stay virus-free , New Zealand may need to continue its current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in quarantine .
Given that the average tourist in the past has stayed for about 11 days , it seems an insurmountable obstacle .
Ever the optimist , England-Hall foresees a new type of tourism product in which wealthy people could be pampered during a quarantine period — a kind of isolation spa .
But with travel curtailed , some worry that New Zealand could revert to a more insular version of itself , before cheap flights allowed its citizens to roam the world , and foreigners to visit .
A place where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a curse .

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WELLINGTON, New Zealand — While most countries are working on ways to contain the coronavirus, New Zealand has set itself a much more ambitious goal: eliminating it altogether.
And experts believe the country could pull it off.
The virus “doesn’t have superpowers,” said Helen Petousis-Harris, a vaccine expert at the University of Auckland. “Once transmission is stopped, it’s gone.”
Geography has helped. If any place could be described as socially distant, it would be New Zealand, surrounded by stormy seas, with Antarctica to the south. With 5 million people spread across an area the size of Britain, even the cities aren’t overly crowded.
And Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has taken bold steps, putting the country under a strict lockdown in late March, when only about 100 people had tested positive for the new virus. Her motto: “Go hard and go early.”
New Zealand has so far avoided a widespread outbreak, and new cases have dwindled from a peak of about 90 per day in early April to just five on Tuesday, leaving the goal tantalizingly close. Only 13 people have died so far, and Ardern has been personally briefed on each death.
“We have the opportunity to do something no other country has achieved: elimination of the virus,” Ardern told reporters last week. “But it will continue to need a team of 5 million behind it.”
Petousis-Harris said the country had managed to avoid the confusion and half-measures that have hampered the response in many other places.
“New Zealand got everything right,” she said. “Decisive action, with strong leadership and very clear communications to everybody.”
Ardern on Monday announced the country would stay in lockdown for another week before slightly easing some work restrictions to help restart the economy. Most of the social restrictions will remain in place.
She also tried to temper expectations of her goal, saying elimination didn’t mean that new cases wouldn’t arise in the future but they would be stamped out immediately.
New cases are likely when New Zealand eventually reopens its borders, but questions remain about how well prepared the health system is to implement effective contact tracing should a widespread outbreak occur. Petousis-Harris pointed to problems last year when the country failed to contain a measles outbreak.
Even if New Zealand does purge itself of the virus, the effects will linger. Before the outbreak, tourism was booming. About 4 million people visited each year, drawn by stunning scenery and the lure of adventure sports. The industry employed more than 300,000 people and accounted for about 10 percent of New Zealand’s entire economy.
“It’s been devastating. No question at all,” said Stephen England-Hall, chief executive of Tourism New Zealand, a promotional agency. “No one can really plan to go from 100 percent to zero in three days.”
A study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development found that because of its reliance on tourism, New Zealand’s economy could initially be one of the hardest-hit by the coronavirus among developed nations.
The government, which came into the crisis with its books in relatively good shape, has been handing out billions of dollars in temporary wage subsidies to try to prevent mass unemployment. More than half the nation’s workforce has suddenly become reliant on government handouts.
Still, most people appear to support Ardern’s strict lockdown, under which schools are closed and people working non-essential jobs can leave home only for groceries or exercise. Google mobility data indicates there has been high compliance.
Many have found creative ways to cope, like 28-year-old personal trainer Jessee James. Instead of meeting her clients in gyms or at their homes, she’s been leading virtual sessions over Zoom and FaceTime.
Some of her clients are using cans of beans instead of dumbbells, or laundry baskets instead of sandbags. Many want to talk more about their feelings, like the business owner who needed to lay off employees or the client with emotional issues who needs encouragement.
“Normally they would just talk to the people around them,” James said. “It’s been quite different.”
One of the most symbolic casualties of the outbreak has been Air New Zealand. The airline had been a source of pride for many as it expanded internationally and won industry awards. In a series of frank updates, chief executive Greg Foran described how the carrier had reduced flights by 95% and would need to cut its workforce by at least 3,750. The airline reportedly employed about 10,500 four years ago.
One person who doesn’t yet know if he will retain his job with the airline is 27-year-old pilot Scott Beatson. He and partner Bella Ashworth, who just finished law school, bought a house earlier this year, and they’re both now worried about their futures.
“It’s quite sad,” Beatson said. “Just before the lockdown, I was talking with a baggage loader and a check-in person, and everyone took such pride in the company.”
An eager fisherman and hiker, Beatson has taken to camping in his backyard while stuck at home. Like many around the country, he’s been tuning in to some of the daily briefings given by Ardern and Ashley Bloomfield, the director-general of health.
An unassuming official who spent a year working at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Bloomfield’s calm and reassuring presence has turned him into an unlikely heartthrob.
Singer Maxwell Apse wrote a song about Bloomfield that has been viewed more than 75,000 times on YouTube. “If I had one wish, I would make it this: I’d be in your bubble,” go the lyrics.
When New Zealand does come out of its bubble, the path forward remains unclear. It will need to continue relying on its traditional strength in farming to sell things abroad like dairy products, kiwifruit and wine.
Some have suggested the country could first reopen its borders to Australia, which has also been successful in flattening its virus curve.
England-Hall, the tourism executive, said New Zealand will look to first rebuild the domestic tourism market. He said being virus-free could eventually become a selling point abroad for the country.
The conundrum is that to stay virus-free, New Zealand may need to continue its current requirement that new arrivals spend two weeks in quarantine. Given that the average tourist in the past has stayed for about 11 days, it seems an insurmountable obstacle.
Ever the optimist, England-Hall foresees a new type of tourism product in which wealthy people could be pampered during a quarantine period — a kind of isolation spa.
But with travel curtailed, some worry that New Zealand could revert to a more insular version of itself, before cheap flights allowed its citizens to roam the world, and foreigners to visit. A place where isolation can be both a blessing and a curse.


newyorkpost--2020-04-21--Feel the full weight of the O.J. Simpson saga with this all-time documentary

During the coronavirus shutdown , each day we will bring you ...

During the coronavirus shutdown, each day we will bring you a recommendation from The Post’s Peter Botte for a sports movie, TV show or book that perhaps was before your time or somehow slipped between the cracks of your viewing/reading history.
O.J.: MADE IN AMERICA (2016)
Rated: TV-MA
Streaming: ESPN+, Amazon (Buy/rent)
Every now and then a subject is so layered, so weighty, and so significant, even ESPN’s acclaimed “30 for 30” documentary series can’t possibly tell the entire story in a single episode.
The 10-part event that debuted Sunday night about Michael Jordan, “The Last Dance,” was not the first to get such expanded treatment by the network and its vast array of stellar reporters and storytellers.
Four years earlier, ESPN offered a five-part, 7 ¹/₂-hour breakdown of former NFL running back O.J. Simpson’s rise from superstar athlete to beloved crossover pitchman and actor to his polarizing crash as a double-murder suspect (and his controversial acquittal) in the death of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman in 1994-95.
The film was brilliantly reported and presented, earning director Ezra Edelman and his co-producer Caroline Waterlow an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
Edelman eventually signed on to the project after the 30 for 30 honchos wanted to greatly expand on the excellent “June 17, 1994” entry in the 30 for 30 series — featuring Simpson’s infamous Ford Bronco car chase, as well as the Rangers’ Stanley Cup parade and the Knicks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, all on that date.
Through dozens of interviews with lawyers from both sides and people from various facets of Simpson’s life, however, Edelman doesn’t miss anything involving the explosive double-murder trial — covering his abusive relationship with Nicole, racial tensions in Los Angeles involving the LAPD and the multitude of mistakes made by the prosecution, resulting in his acquittal.
Tremendous detail also is provided about O.J.’s early and post-acquittal life, the wrongful-death civil suit brought by the Brown and Goldman families, and his eventual incarceration in 2007 on unrelated robbery and kidnapping charges involving sports memorabilia in a Las Vegas hotel room.
Simpson, now 72, was paroled by the state of Nevada in 2017, the year after the documentary was released, after serving nine years of a 33-year sentence.
Quote to Note: “O.J. killed her. I’m not on board.” — African-American LAPD officer and longtime Simpson acquaintance Ron Shipp, on what he told Simpson’s legal Dream Team when asked to be a defense witness.
Botte Blows: 4.75 of 5


newyorkpost--2020-04-21--Dave Gettleman puts lofty standard on Giants’ top NFL Draft 2020 pick

When he was considering his options with the No .
2 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft , Dave Gettleman said the player he selected had to live up to a “ gold jacket ’ ’ standard .
Meaning : The guy he picked , Saquon Barkley , needed to have Hall of Fame potential and , eventually , production .
Earlier in this year ’ s draft preparation , the Giants ’ general manager hedged when asked if that same lofty standard applies to the No .
4 pick the Giants own Thursday night .
After further review , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Not only do you have to ask yourself if you picture this guy in a gold jacket , ” Gettleman said Monday night to season-ticket holders during the Giants NFL draft preview show .
“ You also have to ask , ‘ Is this guy I ’ m thinking of taking at four worthy of being the fourth pick of ANY draft ?
’ ” That is a key distinction .
If the pick at No .
4 is Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons , is he worthy of holding that spot in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offensive linemen — Jedrick Wills , Tristan Wirfs , Andrew Thomas and Mekhi Becton ?
They are the best of this bunch , but do they stand the test of time in any draft ?
For Simmons , the answer might be “ Yes ’ ’ more decisively than any of the offensive tackles .
This could be why Gettleman would be more than willing to trade down a few spots to take an offensive lineman .
Gettleman , in seven previous drafts ( five with the Panthers , two with the Giants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said he is open to do so this time around .
This does not mean he will .
“ I haven ’ t traded back , because I have seen teams trade their way out of really good players , ’ ’ Gettleman said .
Submit questions on your favorite New York teams to be answered in an upcoming mailbag Quarterback Daniel Jones , entering his second year with the Giants , also spoke to the season-ticket holders .
He is back home in Charlotte , N.C. , living with his parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jones said he is able to do some weight training in the garage .
As for staying in touch remotely with his teammates , there was a recent Zoom chat with his offensive linemen .
Jones has also been keeping up with his receivers .

When he was considering his options with the No. 2 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Dave Gettleman said the player he selected had to live up to a “gold jacket’’ standard. Meaning: The guy he picked, Saquon Barkley, needed to have Hall of Fame potential and, eventually, production.
Earlier in this year’s draft preparation, the Giants’ general manager hedged when asked if that same lofty standard applies to the No. 4 pick the Giants own Thursday night. After further review, Gettleman indicated the same rules apply.
“Not only do you have to ask yourself if you picture this guy in a gold jacket,” Gettleman said Monday night to season-ticket holders during the Giants NFL draft preview show. “You also have to ask, ‘Is this guy I’m thinking of taking at four worthy of being the fourth pick of ANY draft?’”
That is a key distinction. If the pick at No. 4 is Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons, is he worthy of holding that spot in any draft? What about the top offensive linemen — Jedrick Wills, Tristan Wirfs, Andrew Thomas and Mekhi Becton? They are the best of this bunch, but do they stand the test of time in any draft?
For Simmons, the answer might be “Yes’’ more decisively than any of the offensive tackles. This could be why Gettleman would be more than willing to trade down a few spots to take an offensive lineman. Gettleman, in seven previous drafts (five with the Panthers, two with the Giants), has never traded back.
He said he is open to do so this time around. This does not mean he will.
“I haven’t traded back, because I have seen teams trade their way out of really good players,’’ Gettleman said.
Submit questions on your favorite New York teams to be answered in an upcoming mailbag
Quarterback Daniel Jones, entering his second year with the Giants, also spoke to the season-ticket holders. He is back home in Charlotte, N.C., living with his parents, two sisters and one brother. Jones said he is able to do some weight training in the garage. As for staying in touch remotely with his teammates, there was a recent Zoom chat with his offensive linemen. Jones has also been keeping up with his receivers.


newyorkpost--2020-04-21--NFL virtual mock draft overcame awful start to give execs hope

It was 30 minutes before the NFL was to conduct a dry run of the draft Monday , and first-year Jets general manager Joe Douglas was speaking to reporters on a pre-draft conference call .
This is Douglas ’ first draft as a GM , as the boss , as the person with the keys to the kingdom in hand .
Combine that with the fact that the coronavirus crisis has forced the draft — which begins Thursday night and continues through Saturday — to take place remotely , with GMs , coaches , scouts and league officials all working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stress level a tick or two .
So , Douglas was asked if he thought the dry run would ease any concerns he might have about the operation .
“ It ’ s either going to allay them or create anxiety , ’ ’ Douglas said jokingly .
“ I feel like this has been a really smooth process .
We have backup plans in case something crazy were to happen with power or internet going out .
I ’ m looking forward to getting into the draft room and seeing how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Right now , I have no concerns .
I ’ m excited about joining this mock draft in 30 minutes.
’ ’ The NFL ’ s dry run , according to people who participated in it — including Broncos president John Elway , who used the word “ hiccup when we first started ’ ’ — got off to a dodgy start with the Bengals ’ first overall pick taking about 20 minutes to get in because of some phone glitches .
But after that , it ran like clockwork , with Ken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of player personnel acting the part of commissioner Roger Goodell , conducting two rounds with teams using names of players who are expected to be selected in the lower rounds .
Each team even consummated a fake trade so everyone knew how to execute that function in the process .
“ Yeah , there was a [ glitch ] in the beginning , but that ’ s why you go through it , ’ ’ one league head coach who was on the call told The Post .
“ No doubt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m sure the anxiety rose at first .
Then , all of a sudden after that first pick stuff went on everyone knew how to do it and everything went smooth .
“ It was smart of them to do this .
They did a good job of scripting everything out — every possible scenario that could happen , like trades .
Every team made a mock trade so everyone knows how to make a trade and call it in , how it ’ s going to go .
We did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mock list of names , lower-round players , to use as our picks .
Submit questions on your favorite New York teams to be answered in an upcoming mailbag “ I think they did a good job , ’ ’ the coach , requesting his name not be used because the league was adamant about keeping the process confidential , continued .
“ You ’ ve got all this stuff going on — everyone is alone , so how do you coordinate all that stuff ?
I ’ m glad they did it.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coach , is similar to the way the draft usually operates , but everyone is communicating via Webex from their respective remote locations at home .
“ Your pick comes up , you have a Webex call and you just call the pick in , and it ’ s the same with trades , ’ ’ the coach said .
“ We have the GM , our scouts , medical people , the owner all on the line — all the people that are normally in the draft room.
’ ’ Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college scouting , said last week that “ everything is going to be done and treated the same way ’ ’ that the team has conducted the past two drafts together .
“ Really , nothing is different — we ’ re not in the same room , ’ ’ he said .
Douglas will be working from what he called “ a makeshift office ’ ’ on the first floor of his New Jersey home .
“ I tried to create an environment that ’ s almost identical to the office I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Douglas said , referring to the Jets training facility .
“ I ’ ve had a lot of help from a lot of people doing that .
My wife ’ s upset because we moved into our house during the season , so I haven ’ t spent much time in the house and we don ’ t have the proper decorations up .
The last two days she ’ s made sure to get some pictures on the wall so it looks good for the camera .
She ’ s been on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the only problem Douglas encounters with this unprecedented virtual draft , it will have been a good one for him and the Jets .

It was 30 minutes before the NFL was to conduct a dry run of the draft Monday, and first-year Jets general manager Joe Douglas was speaking to reporters on a pre-draft conference call.
This is Douglas’ first draft as a GM, as the boss, as the person with the keys to the kingdom in hand.
Combine that with the fact that the coronavirus crisis has forced the draft — which begins Thursday night and continues through Saturday — to take place remotely, with GMs, coaches, scouts and league officials all working from home and that figures to raise the stress level a tick or two.
So, Douglas was asked if he thought the dry run would ease any concerns he might have about the operation.
“It’s either going to allay them or create anxiety,’’ Douglas said jokingly. “I feel like this has been a really smooth process. We have backup plans in case something crazy were to happen with power or internet going out. I’m looking forward to getting into the draft room and seeing how it’s going to work. Right now, I have no concerns. I’m excited about joining this mock draft in 30 minutes.’’
The NFL’s dry run, according to people who participated in it — including Broncos president John Elway, who used the word “hiccup when we first started’’ — got off to a dodgy start with the Bengals’ first overall pick taking about 20 minutes to get in because of some phone glitches.
But after that, it ran like clockwork, with Ken Fiore, the NFL’s vice president of player personnel acting the part of commissioner Roger Goodell, conducting two rounds with teams using names of players who are expected to be selected in the lower rounds. Each team even consummated a fake trade so everyone knew how to execute that function in the process.
“Yeah, there was a [glitch] in the beginning, but that’s why you go through it,’’ one league head coach who was on the call told The Post. “No doubt, there’s always anxiety, and I’m sure the anxiety rose at first. Then, all of a sudden after that first pick stuff went on everyone knew how to do it and everything went smooth.
“It was smart of them to do this. They did a good job of scripting everything out — every possible scenario that could happen, like trades. Every team made a mock trade so everyone knows how to make a trade and call it in, how it’s going to go. We did two rounds. They gave us a mock list of names, lower-round players, to use as our picks.
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“I think they did a good job,’’ the coach, requesting his name not be used because the league was adamant about keeping the process confidential, continued. “You’ve got all this stuff going on — everyone is alone, so how do you coordinate all that stuff? I’m glad they did it.’’
The setup, according to the coach, is similar to the way the draft usually operates, but everyone is communicating via Webex from their respective remote locations at home.
“Your pick comes up, you have a Webex call and you just call the pick in, and it’s the same with trades,’’ the coach said. “We have the GM, our scouts, medical people, the owner all on the line — all the people that are normally in the draft room.’’
Chris Pettit, the Giants’ director of college scouting, said last week that “everything is going to be done and treated the same way’’ that the team has conducted the past two drafts together.
“Really, nothing is different — we’re not in the same room,’’ he said.
Douglas will be working from what he called “a makeshift office’’ on the first floor of his New Jersey home.
“I tried to create an environment that’s almost identical to the office I have in Florham Park,’’ Douglas said, referring to the Jets training facility. “I’ve had a lot of help from a lot of people doing that. My wife’s upset because we moved into our house during the season, so I haven’t spent much time in the house and we don’t have the proper decorations up. The last two days she’s made sure to get some pictures on the wall so it looks good for the camera. She’s been on me about that.’’
If that’s the only problem Douglas encounters with this unprecedented virtual draft, it will have been a good one for him and the Jets.


newyorkpost--2020-04-20--Babyface vs. Teddy Riley Instagram battle an epic night of ’90s nostalgia

It wasn ’ t the Saturday night jam it was supposed to be .
But still , the much-anticipated Instagram battle between ’ 90s R & B greats Babyface and Teddy Riley was an epic night of nostalgia when it all went down 48 hours later on Monday night .
The IG showdown —with Kenny “ Babyface ” Edmonds and Riley rocking their hits from home — was a Monday night getdown for fans of ’ 90s R & B , who were bumping instead of bored in the house .
The R & B Thrilla in Manila had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it went up against the all-star “ One World : Together at Home ” benefit concert — due to technical difficulties .
Babyface , in particular , wasn ’ t about to get ratchet , smooth operator that he is .
But two days later , the stay-at-home battle was on , with everyone from Michelle Obama and Missy Elliott to Diddy , Pharrell and Anthony Anderson joining the virtual house party .
Although it didn ’ t go off without a hitch — there were still some technical difficulties — the two-hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delight of isolated R & B fans everywhere .
Babyface — the picture of soul sophistication , decked out in a maroon velvet blazer — and Riley , with a towel wrapped around his neck like a boxing coach , went toe to toe with hit after hit that made you realize just how much better R & B was in the ’ 90s .
While both Babyface and Riley were artists — the former as a solo singer , the latter as a member of the R & B group Guy — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has truly stood the test of time .
Riley , the architect of the new jack swing sound in the ’ 90s , produced hits for Mary .
J. Blige , Blackstreet and even Lady Gaga .
Meanwhile , Babyface — with and without his producing partner L.A. Reid — built hits for everyone from Whitney Houston to Madonna .
So who emerged as the victor of ’ 90s R & B supremacy ?
The edge went to Babyface , whose songs are just so much more timeless than Riley ’ s .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the breakout hit by Toni Braxton — who joined in on the virtual festivities — to the Whispers ’ “ Rock Steady ” and TLC ’ s “ Red Light Special , ” his songs were more real songs than productions .
And it was great to hear Karyn White and Tevin Campbell — two Babyface protégées who seem to have fallen off the music map — get their due during this contest .
Riley , on the other hand , was a master of the moment as the new jack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s definitive NJS hit “ I Want Her ” and Johnny Kemp ’ s 1988 classic “ Just Got Paid ” were tied to a specific time .
Think Wesley Snipes as Nino Brown in “ New Jack City.
” But it was cool to also be reminded that Riley helped give the great Michael Jackson some long-lost street cred with his “ Dangerous ” album in 1991 .
When he drops the beat on “ In the Closet , ” it ’ s a reminder of the genius in both of @ @

It wasn’t the Saturday night jam it was supposed to be.
But still, the much-anticipated Instagram battle between ’90s R&B greats Babyface and Teddy Riley was an epic night of nostalgia when it all went down 48 hours later on Monday night.
The IG showdown —with Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds and Riley rocking their hits from home — was a Monday night getdown for fans of ’90s R&B, who were bumping instead of bored in the house.
The R&B Thrilla in Manila had to be rescheduled from Saturday night — when it went up against the all-star “One World: Together at Home” benefit concert — due to technical difficulties. Babyface, in particular, wasn’t about to get ratchet, smooth operator that he is.
But two days later, the stay-at-home battle was on, with everyone from Michelle Obama and Missy Elliott to Diddy, Pharrell and Anthony Anderson joining the virtual house party. Although it didn’t go off without a hitch — there were still some technical difficulties — the two-hour session did happen, much to the delight of isolated R&B fans everywhere.
Babyface — the picture of soul sophistication, decked out in a maroon velvet blazer — and Riley, with a towel wrapped around his neck like a boxing coach, went toe to toe with hit after hit that made you realize just how much better R&B was in the ’90s.
While both Babyface and Riley were artists — the former as a solo singer, the latter as a member of the R&B group Guy — it is their work as producers that has truly stood the test of time.
Riley, the architect of the new jack swing sound in the ’90s, produced hits for Mary. J. Blige, Blackstreet and even Lady Gaga. Meanwhile, Babyface — with and without his producing partner L.A. Reid — built hits for everyone from Whitney Houston to Madonna.
So who emerged as the victor of ’90s R&B supremacy?
The edge went to Babyface, whose songs are just so much more timeless than Riley’s. From “Love Shoulda Brought You Home,” the breakout hit by Toni Braxton — who joined in on the virtual festivities — to the Whispers’ “Rock Steady” and TLC’s “Red Light Special,” his songs were more real songs than productions.
And it was great to hear Karyn White and Tevin Campbell — two Babyface protégées who seem to have fallen off the music map — get their due during this contest.
Riley, on the other hand, was a master of the moment as the new jack swing king. Songs like Keith Sweat’s definitive NJS hit “I Want Her” and Johnny Kemp’s 1988 classic “Just Got Paid” were tied to a specific time. Think Wesley Snipes as Nino Brown in “New Jack City.”
But it was cool to also be reminded that Riley helped give the great Michael Jackson some long-lost street cred with his “Dangerous” album in 1991. When he drops the beat on “In the Closet,” it’s a reminder of the genius in both of them.


newyorkpost--2020-04-20--Tom Brady kicked out of Tampa park for coronavirus violation

Count Peyton Manning among those surprised that Tom Brady jumped ...

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Tom Brady apparently needs to work on his coronavirus compliance.
The newly minted Buccaneers quarterback was booted for working out in a Tampa park that was closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said. She talked about the incident while on a Facebook Live session with St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman on Monday.
“You know our parks are closed down and so a lot of our parks staff, they patrol around just to make sure people aren’t doing contact sports and things and saw an individual working out in one of our downtown parks,” said Castor, who didn’t indicate exactly when it happened. “And she went over to tell him that it was closed and it was Tom Brady.”
Brady, who signed a two-year, fully guaranteed $50 million deal with the Buccaneers in March, was not cited or given a fine, according to TMZ. He was just told to leave. However, the city is using the incident to reinforce that people need to stay away from the parks.
“Sorry Tom Brady Our @tampaparksrec team can’t wait to welcome you and our entire community back with even bigger smiles — until then, stay safe and stay home as much as you can to help flatten the curve,” the Tampa Parks & Recreation account posted to Twitter on Monday.
Brady, 42, is moving his family into Derek Jeter’s 30,000-square-foot compound on Davis Islands in Tampa, but it’s unclear if they are officially in the home yet.


newyorkpost--2020-04-21--Georgia barbers should get ‘creative’ to safely cut hair, Dr. Birx says

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Small business workers in Georgia — including hair stylists — should get “ creative ” in order to safety operate when they are allowed to reopen on Friday , Dr. Deborah Birx said Tuesday .
Birx , a member of the White House ’ s coronavirus task force , was asked by a reporter at the daily press briefing how to practice proper social distancing in businesses where people are usually close together , like hair and nail salons .
“ I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are very creative , ” Birx said .
“ So if there ’ s a way that people can social distance , and do those things , then they can do those things.
” The plan in the Peach State is to be able to provide those services as early as Friday — with Gov .
Brian Kemp announcing Monday that some small businesses — including gyms , hair salons , bowling alleys and tattoo parlors could reopen by then .
But just because Kemp gave those businesses the green light , doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services right away .
Businesses must meet 20 guidelines laid out by Kemp ’ s office to start back up , including maintaining six feet between workstations , wearing gloves and masks if necessary and screening workers for the illness .
For some , meeting those standards will take some time .
“ I don ’ t think there is any way we can be open by Friday , and it is so frustrating because this just hit us out of the blue , ” Tucker Callaway , owner of Salon Next in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We can ’ t physically get the supplies in time .
Do we all have to wear masks ?
And if the health care officials can ’ t get masks , how are we going to get them ?
” Maria Smith , the owner of Shape and Shave Barbers in Woodstock , told the newspaper that her business will keep its doors closed for the time being over fears for her workers .
“ It is very irresponsible to think that a haircut or a shave is more important than doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The tone of Gov .
Kemp ’ s rollout to reopen this part of the industry shows that he may not fully comprehend what we ’ re up against here .
Executives and governors can afford what it takes to keep themselves safe , while the masses of blue-collar front-line workers suffer.
” Once the small businesses are up and running , it may certainly take some imagination to operate , as evidenced in Chinese hair salons , where barbers attached their tools to long sticks .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
Small business workers in Georgia — including hair stylists — should get “creative” in order to safety operate when they are allowed to reopen on Friday, Dr. Deborah Birx said Tuesday.
Birx, a member of the White House’s coronavirus task force, was asked by a reporter at the daily press briefing how to practice proper social distancing in businesses where people are usually close together, like hair and nail salons.
“I don’t know how, but people are very creative,” Birx said.
“So if there’s a way that people can social distance, and do those things, then they can do those things.”
The plan in the Peach State is to be able to provide those services as early as Friday — with Gov. Brian Kemp announcing Monday that some small businesses — including gyms, hair salons, bowling alleys and tattoo parlors could reopen by then.
But just because Kemp gave those businesses the green light, doesn’t mean Georgians can access those services right away.
Businesses must meet 20 guidelines laid out by Kemp’s office to start back up, including maintaining six feet between workstations, wearing gloves and masks if necessary and screening workers for the illness.
For some, meeting those standards will take some time.
“I don’t think there is any way we can be open by Friday, and it is so frustrating because this just hit us out of the blue,” Tucker Callaway, owner of Salon Next in Atlanta, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“We can’t physically get the supplies in time. Do we all have to wear masks? And if the health care officials can’t get masks, how are we going to get them?”
Maria Smith, the owner of Shape and Shave Barbers in Woodstock, told the newspaper that her business will keep its doors closed for the time being over fears for her workers.
“It is very irresponsible to think that a haircut or a shave is more important than doing the right thing,” said Smith.
“The tone of Gov. Kemp’s rollout to reopen this part of the industry shows that he may not fully comprehend what we’re up against here. Executives and governors can afford what it takes to keep themselves safe, while the masses of blue-collar front-line workers suffer.”
Once the small businesses are up and running, it may certainly take some imagination to operate, as evidenced in Chinese hair salons, where barbers attached their tools to long sticks.


newyorkpost--2020-04-21--Babyface: Madonna told Michael Jackson to dress like a girl for video

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens @ @ @ @ @ to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Madonna suggested Michael Jackson dress @ @ @ @ @ 1991 “ In the Closet ” video , according to Kenneth “ Babyface ” Edmonds @ @ @ @ @ him , “ ‘ Babyface , can you believe she wants me to dress like @ @ @ @ @ was like , ‘ I ’ d never do that.
’ He said , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ it all up .
It was crazy ’ … He was really mad about it.
@ @ @ @ @ Riley , who produced the song , during their music battle for Verzuz TV on @ @ @ @ @ up not appearing on the song , and Naomi Campbell was cast in the video @ @ @ @ @ once told him of Halle Berry , “ I want to take her out on @ @ @ @ @ was among 500,000 watching the hitmakers ’ online powwow .

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Madonna suggested Michael Jackson dress as a girl for his 1991 “In the Closet” video, according to Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds.
He said Jackson told him, “‘Babyface, can you believe she wants me to dress like a girl?’ He was like, ‘I’d never do that.’ He said, ‘She was trying to change it all up. It was crazy’ … He was really mad about it.”
Edmonds reminisced with Teddy Riley, who produced the song, during their music battle for Verzuz TV on Instagram Live. Madonna ended up not appearing on the song, and Naomi Campbell was cast in the video.
Edmonds also revealed Jackson once told him of Halle Berry, “I want to take her out on a date.”
Mariah Carey was among 500,000 watching the hitmakers’ online powwow.


newyorkpost--2020-04-21--A warning for Alex Rodriguez in his Mets ownership dream

Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez are looking to pick up ...

J-ROD as the royal couple of Flushing? Embrace the potential thrill ride, Mets fans.
Just root for some guardrails.
Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez seem to be putting together a legitimate bid to buy the Mets, baseball’s most distressed asset, with The Post’s Thornton McEnery reporting the three-time Most Valuable Player A-Rod and three-time MTV Music Video Award-winner J.Lo have found some support.
Don’t underestimate A-Rod’s skill set, the attributes he could bring to a baseball team and improve its standing. But the best test of A-Rod’s seriousness as a team owner would come in the role he gives himself.
CEO, to go mano-a-mano with his frenemy (and National League East rival!) Jeter? No. Bad fit.
No, the all-time baseball great A-Rod should find both inspiration and hesitation from an all-time basketball great: Magic Johnson. And let’s skip right ahead to the solution: If this actually goes through, A-Rod’s title should be, simply and elegantly, “owner.”
(As for the “If this actually goes through …” yes, heavy skepticism should reign for now. Because we’ve seen the Wilpons fail to reach the finish line on multiple occasions. Because, as McEnery noted, this unproven group hopes to capitalize on a coronavirus discount, which could in turn prompt other prospective suitors to do the same. Nevertheless, let’s talk out this scenario.)
Mets supporters understandably wouldn’t greet a J-Rod takeover with anything approaching the excitement they displayed upon Steve Cohen’s announced (and subsequently imploded) deal to purchase the team. What A-Rod would bring to the party are baseball love and knowledge and, of course, his celebrity.
Imagine your young players having unlimited access to A-Rod’s baseball brain and his thoughts on hitting, defense, base running, strategy, (legal) workout routines and (legal) sign-stealing. As the Yankees could attest, even when A-Rod drove them crazy during his many dramas, he knew how to put the nonsense aside — and assist his junior teammates — when he clocked in. Shoot, he also would be an asset at owners’ meetings, sharing his passion for making the game better.
His celebrity, and that of his fiancée, could be brandished to create positive vibes at Citi Field. Throw him into a luxury suite, summon him for a pitch with potential sponsors, position him out in the bleachers. He can shine in those settings. And if J.Lo wants to schedule a few more concerts at the ballpark, although the baseball schedule can be pretty limiting, that sounds fine.
Where I would have pause is letting A-Rod run the entire operation, overseeing both baseball and business, as does Jeter. As Jeter has displayed with his South Florida struggles, that’s a monumental assignment for someone who hasn’t climbed the ladder more traditionally. Furthermore, A-Rod has turned into quite the Renaissance Man, with an enthusiasm for television endeavors beyond his baseball stuff, speeches, charity and following J.Lo around. Would he really want to give up much of that to work regularly in the office?
Johnson tried to do the latter when the Lakers named him president of basketball operations, and it proved a disaster. Magic, the man of many interests, quit after just two years, acknowledging how much he missed his old life.
Magic remains an owner of the Dodgers, where he can come and go as he pleases. That would be A-Rod’s optimal role with the Mets, with the obvious caveat that he can contribute far more to them than Magic does to the Dodgers. Such a role would give A-Rod a significant voice — if someone else invested more than J-Rod, that person logically would have the final say as well as the role of control person — and few responsibilities.
If George Steinbrenner could run the Yankees after two suspensions, then A-Rod could operate the Mets in spite of his past brushes with baseball law. Should he, though? That, as long as we’re conducting this intellectual exercise, ranks as the top question. It would be fascinating to see him try. The more likely route to success, however, would be to deploy A-Rod’s known strengths. It’s so crazy that, with the proper surrounding and supporting cast, it just might work.


newyorkpost--2020-04-21--Breast friends: Woman’s implants deflect bullet, save her life

The drugs used for executions are the same used to ...

She was saved by silicon.
A woman survived a close-range gunshot thanks to her silicone breast implants, doctors have discovered.
Researchers detailed how a silicone breast implant deflected the bullet from nipping the 30-year-old woman’s vital organs in a new study published in the SAGE medical journal.
“The implant caused the change in the trajectory of the bullet,” surgeon Giancarlo McEvenue, a co-author of the study, told CNN.
“The bullet wound entry was on the left breast, but the rib fracture was on the right side. The bullet entered the skin on the left side first, and then ricocheted across her sternum into the right breast and broke her rib on the right side,” he explained.
The shooting took place in 2018 in Toronto. It was one of a handful of documented instances in medical journals where breast implants have saved a person’s life — and the first instance where a silicone implant had actually changed the trajectory of a bullet, according to the authors.
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There are two types of breast implants approved in the United States. Both have a silicone outer shell, but one is filled with saline while the other type is filled with a silicone gel.
One prior study showed how a saline implement had saved someone by slowing a bullet’s speed, while a second study details how a silicon implant stopped a shotgun pellet.
Details of the shooting are not clear, but the victim managed to walk herself to the hospital to the disbelief of caregivers.
“She was talking — the trauma team was in disbelief at how well she was,” McEvenue told the outlet.
The victim suffered broken ribs and broken implants, but, amazingly, was fine otherwise.
“On the left-hand side is the heart and lungs — if the bullet would have gone into the chest, she would have had a much more serious, possibly life-threatening injury,” McEvenue added.


newyorkpost--2020-04-21--Doctors seek execution drugs to treat coronavirus patients

Doctors believe drugs used for death penalty executions could save the lives of coronavirus patients .
A group of seven pharmacists , public health experts and intensive care unit doctors penned a letter to corrections departments this month asking states with the death penalty to send any stockpiles they might have of execution drugs to health care facilities .
The drugs used for executions are the same used to sedate and immobilize people put on ventilators and to treat their pain — sedatives , pain killers and , occasionally , paralytics .
“ Your stockpile could save the lives of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a small fraction of the total anticipated deaths , it is a central ethical directive that medicine values every life , ” according to the letter .
The drugs needed include the sedative midazolam , the paralytic vecuronium bromide and the opioid fentanyl .
Demand for the drugs skyrocketed 74 percent last month as states have had to place more and more people on ventilators .
But secrecy surrounding the death penalty in the 25 states where it is legal means it ’ s not exactly clear what drugs each state has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typically only release information about execution drug supplies through open-records requests and lawsuits .
Wyoming , the only state to reply to the letter , said it didn ’ t have the drugs .
“ I ’ m not trying to comment on the rightness or wrongness of capital punishment , ” said Dr. Joel Zivot , one of the letter ’ s signers .
“ I ’ m asking now as a bedside clinician caring for patients , please help me.
” Arkansas , Texas and Utah , told The Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question .
Tennessee wouldn ’ t confirm to the wire service whether it has the drugs and indicated it has no plans to give any medications to a hospital .
Oklahoma said it hadn ’ t received any requests for such medications from state hospitals .

Doctors believe drugs used for death penalty executions could save the lives of coronavirus patients.
A group of seven pharmacists, public health experts and intensive care unit doctors penned a letter to corrections departments this month asking states with the death penalty to send any stockpiles they might have of execution drugs to health care facilities.
The drugs used for executions are the same used to sedate and immobilize people put on ventilators and to treat their pain — sedatives, pain killers and, occasionally, paralytics.
“Your stockpile could save the lives of hundreds of people; though this may be a small fraction of the total anticipated deaths, it is a central ethical directive that medicine values every life,” according to the letter.
The drugs needed include the sedative midazolam, the paralytic vecuronium bromide and the opioid fentanyl. Demand for the drugs skyrocketed 74 percent last month as states have had to place more and more people on ventilators.
But secrecy surrounding the death penalty in the 25 states where it is legal means it’s not exactly clear what drugs each state has sitting at the ready. The states typically only release information about execution drug supplies through open-records requests and lawsuits. Wyoming, the only state to reply to the letter, said it didn’t have the drugs.
“I’m not trying to comment on the rightness or wrongness of capital punishment,” said Dr. Joel Zivot, one of the letter’s signers. “I’m asking now as a bedside clinician caring for patients, please help me.”
Arkansas, Texas and Utah, told The Associated Press they did not possess the medications in question. Tennessee wouldn’t confirm to the wire service whether it has the drugs and indicated it has no plans to give any medications to a hospital. Oklahoma said it hadn’t received any requests for such medications from state hospitals.


newyorkpost--2020-04-21--Tommy Chong working to get free medical marijuana for those in need

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens @ @ @ @ @ to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) For hemp hero Tommy Chong @ @ @ @ @ “ is just another day for me.
” From isolation , Chong , 81 , @ @ @ @ @ “ stockpile of weed.
” But “ I am slowly rationing it.
” The Cheech @ @ @ @ @ ’ s working with the medical-marijuana community to get people pot .
“ There are @ @ @ @ @ depend on it and can ’ t get to their dispensary , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ in need who can ’ t afford it .
“ I don ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ marijuana in 50 years .
People give it to me for free .
I can @ @ @ @ @ ” Chong has an app game with Cheech Marin , Bud Farm , out now @ @ @

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For hemp hero Tommy Chong, the weed holiday 4/20 “is just another day for me.”
From isolation, Chong, 81, told us he has a “stockpile of weed.” But “I am slowly rationing it.”
The Cheech & Chong star said he’s working with the medical-marijuana community to get people pot.
“There are a lot of people that depend on it and can’t get to their dispensary,” he said, adding there are those in need who can’t afford it. “I don’t think I’ve paid for marijuana in 50 years. People give it to me for free. I can afford to give it away.”
Chong has an app game with Cheech Marin, Bud Farm, out now for free.