newyorkpost--2020-02-22--Knicks must give young players more minutes the rest of the way

The Knicks reconvened following the All-Star break with clear heads ...

Interim Knicks coach Mike Miller benched starting point guard Elfrid Payton for Frank Ntilikina on Friday night against the Pacers, but not in the name of a youth movement.
Payton was injured. He twisted his ankle in practice after the Knicks’ return from the All-Star break on Wednesday.
For better or worse, despite Friday’s 106-98 Garden loss to the Pacers, this alignment is the way it should stay, even when Payton is healthy enough to return.
Either Ntilikina or Dennis Smith Jr. should finish the season as a starter. With 26 games left, it’s time to go “Full Fizdale.”
After a week to reflect, Miller still appears ready to get Payton back in there and is still justifying his minutes distribution policy that hasn’t favored the young.
Nevertheless, there was an uptick in the right direction Friday. Miller even had Kevin Knox, their 2018 lottery pick, on the court for part of the stretch run in the fourth quarter and he played 17 minutes.
In one fantasy sequence, Knox blocked a shot and Ntilikina came down the court to drain a 3-pointer. Miller also used 2017 second-rounder Damyean Dotson to close while keeping Reggie Bullock and Maurice Harkless on the bench down the stretch and veteran Wayne Ellington out of the game entirely.
Acting Knicks president Scott Perry is “in agreement’’ with Miller’s policies against a full-out tank. Miller declined to say if he’s spoken to incoming president Leon Rose, who has not been named officially.
“I talk to Scott every day,’’ Miller said. “We talk about personnel, we talk about player development, we talk about everything. Multiple times, sometimes. We are in agreement, as we go through this, that we are high level trying to develop players. And as we do that, the approach that we’re taking is that their minutes are quality minutes. They’re bringing value to the team when they’re out there. We think that’s helping them develop and moving them forward.”
Is it really though?
“We’re looking at development in a lot of different ways and not saying it’s you just need 25 minutes a game to develop,’’ Miller added. “ I think there’s more to it, there’s more ways that we can help these guys grow than doing that. They’re getting experience and they’re getting opportunities and they’re learning. We’re seeing growth.”
Last season, when David Fizdale was the Knicks’ first-year coach, it took him five games to go all-in on playing the younger guys no matter what. After the fifth game, Fizdale announced center Enes Kanter would no longer start and project rookie Mitchell Robinson would.
As such, Fizdale got a pass last season for the 17-65 record but got no leeway this year.
Miller’s case is different. Despite the damage control by public relations, the Knicks’ new branding consultant Steve Stoute essentially stated the interim coach was not returning as head coach.
Miller has supporters in the organization who want to see him back in some capacity — even if as returning to the G-League as head coach.
Coaches always ask for sacrifices from their players. Now it’s time for Miller to sacrifice by going against his nature and pumping up the minutes for Smith, Ntilikina, Knox, Dotson and Kadeem Allen, the two-way player the organization still values.
Surely, Ntilikina and Smith, 2017 lottery picks, need it. The offense looked stagnant in the first half against Indiana with the Frenchman running the show as he rarely is able to penetrate. But then he became a lively force in the second half and finished with 14 points and leading a comeback from 22 down.
Smith is the penetrator but still is too sloppy. On consecutive possessions in the third quarter as the Pacers pulled away, Smith drove the lane and blew the layup, then drove the lane the next time and lost control of the ball as he flew in the air. He was 1 of 6 in 16 minutes.
In the past month, “The Minutes Police’’ have attacked Miller’s refusal to deviate from rolling out the vets, Payton, Bullock, Ellington and even since-traded Marcus Morris at the expense of the young point guards, Dotson and Knox.
With Morris gone, it’s foolish for Bullock to be starting at small forward over Knox. Against Indiana, to begin the second half, Miller started newcomer Maurice Harkless, who likely won’t be here next season, over Knox.
I supported Miller’s minutes allotment before the break. The Knicks’ brass was still evaluating their free-agent talent. Miller was still fighting to show he deserves to return as head coach.
That ship probably has sailed with Steve Mills’ ousting as president. Rose was all-in on the Morris deal at the trade deadline 15 days ago.
The message could not be more clear — the season’s win-loss record is not as important as the future. The trade yielded the Clippers’ late first-round pick and a second-rounder.
In that vein, it is time for Miller to conform. The Knicks have now lost three straight, bereft of the momentum gained during the recent four-game winning streak.
It should begin with a new starting point guard and new starting small forward when the Knicks embark on a three-game road trip starting in Houston on Monday. Smith and Knox need a kick-start. Whatever the Knicks are doing with them has not worked.
Second-round rookie Ignas Brazdeikis and two-way player Kenny Wooten, stuck in the G-League, should get their NBA minutes next in mid-March, too.
A change in philosophy needs to start just about now.


newyorkpost--2020-02-21--Friend who bought weapon parts for Dayton shooter Connor Betts sentenced to prison

A friend who bought weaponry for Dayton mass shooter Connor Betts has been sentenced 32 months in prison , law enforcement authorities said .
Ethan Kollie , 24 , had pleaded guilty to illegally possessing firearms and lying on a federal firearms form .
He had bought weapon parts and body armor that Betts used to kill nine people — including his sister — outside a bar area in Dayton , Ohio , last summer .
None of the charges against Kollie were directly tied to the shooting .
“ Kollie will forever be connected to the tragic events of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ohio , ” said US Attorney David M. DeVillers in a statement announcing the sentencing Thursday .
“ He bought the upper receiver to the AM-15 , a 100-round double drum magazine and body armor for Betts .
“ We will chase down the origins of all weapons used in violence and hold all accountable for their crimes , ” he went on .
Kollie helped Betts assemble the AM-15 used in the mass shooting and practiced firing the rifle at a shooting range in town , authorities said .
Law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the shooting spree .
During searches of his home , they discovered a pistol and “ additional weapons ” alongside marijuana , psychedelic mushrooms , drug paraphernalia and growing equipment for the mushrooms , feds said in a news release .
Authorities said Kollie knowingly lied on a form when he bought the pistol found at his home .
An ATF form he filled out during the purchase asked if he was an unlawful user of or addict to marijuana or any other controlled substance — to which Kollie falsely answered no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by police , was one of two gunmen to commit mass shootings that weekend .
Just 13 hours before his rampage , a rifle-toting man in El Paso , Texas , opened fired in a busy Walmart , killing 20 people and injuring 26 .

A friend who bought weaponry for Dayton mass shooter Connor Betts has been sentenced 32 months in prison, law enforcement authorities said.
Ethan Kollie, 24, had pleaded guilty to illegally possessing firearms and lying on a federal firearms form. He had bought weapon parts and body armor that Betts used to kill nine people — including his sister — outside a bar area in Dayton, Ohio, last summer. None of the charges against Kollie were directly tied to the shooting.
“Kollie will forever be connected to the tragic events of August 4, 2019, in Dayton, Ohio,” said US Attorney David M. DeVillers in a statement announcing the sentencing Thursday. “He bought the upper receiver to the AM-15, a 100-round double drum magazine and body armor for Betts.
“We will chase down the origins of all weapons used in violence and hold all accountable for their crimes,” he went on.
Kollie helped Betts assemble the AM-15 used in the mass shooting and practiced firing the rifle at a shooting range in town, authorities said.
Law enforcement agents first interviewed Kolli on the day of the shooting spree. During searches of his home, they discovered a pistol and “additional weapons” alongside marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, drug paraphernalia and growing equipment for the mushrooms, feds said in a news release.
Authorities said Kollie knowingly lied on a form when he bought the pistol found at his home. An ATF form he filled out during the purchase asked if he was an unlawful user of or addict to marijuana or any other controlled substance — to which Kollie falsely answered no.
Betts, who was shot dead by police, was one of two gunmen to commit mass shootings that weekend. Just 13 hours before his rampage, a rifle-toting man in El Paso, Texas, opened fired in a busy Walmart, killing 20 people and injuring 26.


newyorkpost--2020-02-22--Clint Eastwood signals support for Mike Bloomberg

Look like he made his day .
Veteran Hollywood star Clint Eastwood appeared to back Mike Bloomberg for president of @ @ @ @ @ The best thing we could do is just get Mike Bloomberg in there , ” @ @ @ @ @ Journal Friday .
Though he supported Mitt Romney in 2012 , Eastwood had cooler thoughts @ @ @ @ @ the Oval Office .
“ The politics has gotten so ornery , ” he told @ @ @ @ @ he approved of some Trump policies he wished the president would act “ in a @ @ @ @ @ tweeting and calling people names .
I would personally like for him to not bring @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s been a banner day for aged celebrity endorsements .
Around the same @ @ @ @ @ , 94-year-old Dick Van Dyke threw in his support for Bernie Sanders .

Look like he made his day.
Veteran Hollywood star Clint Eastwood appeared to back Mike Bloomberg for president of the United States.
“The best thing we could do is just get Mike Bloomberg in there,” Eastwood told the Wall Street Journal Friday. Though he supported Mitt Romney in 2012, Eastwood had cooler thoughts on the current occupant of the Oval Office.
“The politics has gotten so ornery,” he told the paper, adding while he approved of some Trump policies he wished the president would act “in a more genteel way, without tweeting and calling people names. I would personally like for him to not bring himself to that level.”
It’s been a banner day for aged celebrity endorsements. Around the same time Clint was praising Mike, 94-year-old Dick Van Dyke threw in his support for Bernie Sanders.


newyorkpost--2020-02-22--Florida bill calls for minors to get written consent for abortion

Florida lawmakers have passed a bill that would require minors to have written parental consent to obtain an abortion .
Right now , parents or legal guardians must be notified — but don ’ t have to provide their consent .
If Gov .
Ron DeSantis signs the bill , a doctor who performs an abortion without notarized written consent and proof of a government-issued ID from parents could be charged with a third-degree felony and face up to five years in prison .
The bill provides exceptions for medical emergencies and if the minor petitions a court for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must make reasonable attempts , whenever possible , and without endangering the minor , to contact the parent or legal guardian of the minor , ” the bill reads .
DeSantis , a Republican , previously expressed his support for the bill in his Jan. 14 “ State of the State ” address .
“ I also hope that the parental consent bill will make its way to my desk during this session !
” DeSantis said .
The bill passed Thursday 75 to 43 .
Five Democrats supported the measure ; two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show .
Planned Parenthood of Southwest & Central Florida slammed the bill as “ unconstitutional.
” “ We need to call our legislators to hold them accountable for passing this unconstitutional bill !
” the abortion-rights group tweeted .

Florida lawmakers have passed a bill that would require minors to have written parental consent to obtain an abortion.
Right now, parents or legal guardians must be notified — but don’t have to provide their consent.
If Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the bill, a doctor who performs an abortion without notarized written consent and proof of a government-issued ID from parents could be charged with a third-degree felony and face up to five years in prison.
The bill provides exceptions for medical emergencies and if the minor petitions a court for a judicial waiver.
But “the physician must make reasonable attempts, whenever possible, and without endangering the minor, to contact the parent or legal guardian of the minor,” the bill reads.
DeSantis, a Republican, previously expressed his support for the bill in his Jan. 14 “State of the State” address.
“I also hope that the parental consent bill will make its way to my desk during this session!” DeSantis said.
The bill passed Thursday 75 to 43. Five Democrats supported the measure; two female Republicans cast no votes, records show.
Planned Parenthood of Southwest & Central Florida slammed the bill as “unconstitutional.”
“We need to call our legislators to hold them accountable for passing this unconstitutional bill!” the abortion-rights group tweeted.


newyorkpost--2020-02-22--RJ Barrett taking Zion Williamson hype to the next level

Already dominating the NBA , Zion Williamson is “ not even 75 percent ” of what he will become at this level , according to RJ Barrett .
The former Duke teammates faced each other in the Rising Stars game during All-Star weekend , and the Canadian-born Barrett said he believes Williamson is just getting started .
The No.1 overall draft pick regains form following a knee injury that cost him the first half of his rookie campaign with the Pelicans .
The 19-year-old Williamson , with 25 points Friday at Portland , became the youngest player in NBA history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven consecutive games , breaking Carmelo Anthony ’ s mark from 2004 .
“ He was chilling in the Rising Stars game , but you could see it [ Friday ] , I think he had 20 at halftime , ” Barret said Saturday .
“ You see the impact he can have and New Orleans is treating him great , so I ’ m happy for him.
” Barrett scoffed when asked if he believes Williamson , who is averaging 22.4 points and 7.2 rebounds over 11 appearances , is “ all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injury .
“ No .
He ’ s not what he could be .
But he ’ s getting there , ” Barrett said .
“ Around there , but I wouldn ’ t even say 75 percent , I would just say he hasn ’ t played much and he ’ s still trying to get his rhythm .
He ’ s playing well , but he ’ ll be fine.
” Barrett , also 19 , said he gained confidence after netting a game-high 27 points for the World team at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NBA ’ s top first- and second-year players .
“ Man , I had a lot of fun .
I was there kind of just taking it in .
I felt like I was spectating .
There was so much going on , I was just glad to be a part of it , ” Barrett said .
“ Especially playing against the best guys of my class and the year above , it was definitely a great feeling .
… It brings my confidence up , so [ I want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and finish out the year strong.
” Barrett , who scored 17 points in Friday ’ s loss to the Pacers , also doesn ’ t believe he ’ s facing the “ rookie wall ” since he missed time before the All-Star break with a sprained ankle .
“ Nah , I didn ’ t even hit a rookie wall because I was out for three [ weeks ] and a bit , so I ’ m fresh .
I ’ m good , ” he said .
“ [ The season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like I just got drafted .
You just learn to appreciate every day.
” Elfrid Payton ( sore right ankle ) didn ’ t practice after sitting out Friday ’ s game .
Mitchell Robinson ( sprained left ankle ) also missed practice and Wayne Ellington ( strained right ankle ) was a limited participant .

Already dominating the NBA, Zion Williamson is “not even 75 percent” of what he will become at this level, according to RJ Barrett.
The former Duke teammates faced each other in the Rising Stars game during All-Star weekend, and the Canadian-born Barrett said he believes Williamson is just getting started. The No. 1 overall draft pick is regaining his form following a knee injury that cost him the first half of his rookie campaign with the Pelicans.
The 19-year-old Williamson, with 25 points Friday at Portland, became the youngest player in NBA history to score 20 or more points in seven consecutive games, breaking Carmelo Anthony’s mark from 2004.
“He was chilling in the Rising Stars game, but you could see it [Friday], I think he had 20 at halftime,” Barrett said Saturday. “You see the impact he can have and New Orleans is treating him great, so I’m happy for him.”
Barrett scoffed when asked if he believes Williamson, who is averaging 22.4 points and 7.2 rebounds over 11 appearances, is “all the way back” from his knee injury.
“No. He’s not what he could be. But he’s getting there,” Barrett said. “Around there, but I wouldn’t even say 75 percent, I would just say he hasn’t played much and he’s still trying to get his rhythm. He’s playing well, but he’ll be fine.”
Barrett, also 19, said he gained confidence after netting a game-high 27 points for the World team at the All-Star event, featuring many of the NBA’s top first- and second-year players.
“Man, I had a lot of fun. I was there kind of just taking it in. I felt like I was spectating. There was so much going on, I was just glad to be a part of it,” Barrett said. “Especially playing against the best guys of my class and the year above, it was definitely a great feeling. … It brings my confidence up, so [I want to] just continue to play every day and finish out the year strong.”
Barrett, who scored 17 points in Friday’s loss to the Pacers, also doesn’t believe he’s facing the “rookie wall” because he missed time before the All-Star break with a sprained ankle.
“Nah, I didn’t even hit a rookie wall because I was out for three [weeks] and a bit, so I’m fresh. I’m good,” he said. “[The season] goes by quick. I feel like I just got drafted. You just learn to appreciate every day.”
Elfrid Payton (sore right ankle) didn’t practice after sitting out Friday’s game. Mitchell Robinson (sprained left ankle) also missed practice and Wayne Ellington (strained right ankle) was a limited participant.


newyorkpost--2020-02-22--Iranians desperate for cash turn to selling their organs

Dozens of notes stuck to an abandoned building opposite a hospital in Tehran tell a devastating story : Iranians who have fallen on hard times are offering to sell their organs for cash .
“ I ’ m a 37-year-old who is ready to sell my kidney because of debt and financial problems , ” read one note , which included a phone number and blood type .
The author is Asghar , a 37-year-old textile worker who lives with his wife on the outskirts of Tehran .
“ If I could avoid doing this , I would , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , explaining that his factory job stopped paying his wages because the clothes they made weren ’ t selling .
Asghar has received a few bids for his kidney , the highest being about $ 1,950 .
His plight reflects the desperation felt by many Iranians as living conditions deteriorate under US sanctions imposed after President Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal two years ago .
Trump ’ s “ maximum pressure ” strategy has weakened reformers led by Iran ’ s president , Hassan Rouhani , and dashed hopes of prosperity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economic problems have strengthened hardliners , who contend their anti-western stance has been vindicated .
“ Everyone is facing the same issues , particularly economic ones , ” Hajia Najafi , a 63-year-old housewife , told the Times .
“ These are because of the actions of the foreigners — the sanctions from the US.
” The assassination last month of Qassem Soleimani , commander of the elite Quds Force , helped generate support for the leadership .
But younger Iranians are less enthusiastic .
Many complain about the government and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There aren ’ t enough jobs , and the jobs that there are don ’ t fulfill what we ’ re looking for , ” said Nima , 21 , who is studying insurance management .
The economic restrictions are even affecting the ultra-rich , because high-end foreign brands like Gucci and Versace have disappeared from stores .
In the Tehran Grand Bazaar , shopkeepers are also struggling to get by .
“ Business has been terrible for a long time but every year the number of customers drops , ” said Vahid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoe shop where he works 60 years ago .
“ For 10 years it ’ s been bad , now it ’ s the worst it ’ s ever been.
” A few stores away , in a lace shop shining with pearl-encrusted tablecloths , Amir Hussein predicted more bad times .
“ We ’ re the canary in the coal mine , ” he said .
“ We ’ re suffering , and it ’ s getting worse .
But we try to work hard in the hope that a good day @ @ @ @

Dozens of notes stuck to an abandoned building opposite a hospital in Tehran tell a devastating story: Iranians who have fallen on hard times are offering to sell their organs for cash.
“I’m a 37-year-old who is ready to sell my kidney because of debt and financial problems,” read one note, which included a phone number and blood type.
The author is Asghar, a 37-year-old textile worker who lives with his wife on the outskirts of Tehran.
“If I could avoid doing this, I would,” he told The Sunday Times of London, explaining that his factory job stopped paying his wages because the clothes they made weren’t selling.
Asghar has received a few bids for his kidney, the highest being about $1,950.
His plight reflects the desperation felt by many Iranians as living conditions deteriorate under US sanctions imposed after President Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal two years ago.
Trump’s “maximum pressure” strategy has weakened reformers led by Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, and dashed hopes of prosperity under the nuclear accord. Instead, the economic problems have strengthened hardliners, who contend their anti-western stance has been vindicated.
“Everyone is facing the same issues, particularly economic ones, ” Hajia Najafi, a 63-year-old housewife, told the Times. “These are because of the actions of the foreigners — the sanctions from the US.”
“I’m a 37-year-old who is ready to sell my kidney because of debt and financial problems.”
The assassination last month of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the elite Quds Force, helped generate support for the leadership.
But younger Iranians are less enthusiastic. Many complain about the government and the country’s economic issues.
“There aren’t enough jobs, and the jobs that there are don’t fulfill what we’re looking for,” said Nima, 21, who is studying insurance management.
The economic restrictions are even affecting the ultra-rich, because high-end foreign brands like Gucci and Versace have disappeared from stores.
In the Tehran Grand Bazaar, shopkeepers are also struggling to get by.
“Business has been terrible for a long time but every year the number of customers drops,” said Vahid, 40, whose grandparents bought the shoe shop where he works 60 years ago. “For 10 years it’s been bad, now it’s the worst it’s ever been.”
A few stores away, in a lace shop shining with pearl-encrusted tablecloths, Amir Hussein predicted more bad times.
“We’re the canary in the coal mine,” he said. “We’re suffering, and it’s getting worse. But we try to work hard in the hope that a good day might come.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-22--Where Yankees stand with Luis Severino, James Paxton injuries

TAMPA — With the Yankees ’ fingers firmly crossed that Luis Severino ’ s upcoming battery of tests on the right forearm , which begin Monday , don ’ t uncover a serious problem , they received positive news on James Paxton ’ s progress from back surgery earlier this month .
According to Paxton , he has increased his rehab workload following the Feb. 5 procedure and could be playing catch in 10 days .
“ Ten days puts it at four weeks .
It depends how I respond to the treatments the next 10 days , ’ ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss to the Blue Jays in the exhibition season opener Saturday at Steinbrenner Field .
“ Everything has been going really well .
I am optimistic.
’ ’ When the Yankees announced Paxton could miss 3-4 months , many began doing the math from the start of the season , which is March 26 .
However , more in line with that prognosis was the rehab starting immediately after the surgery .
That means if Paxton continues to progress , he could be back as soon as early May .
When it comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be optimistic or pessimistic because after two MRI exams and a CT scan in the offseason that were clean , the soreness in the right forearm resurfaced this past week — when the right-hander threw change-ups but not when the fastball and curveball were delivered .
Severino flies to New York on Sunday and will begin three days of tests at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital .
According to manager Aaron Boone , the Yankees are in a holding pattern with Severino , who received soft tissue treatment Saturday .
“ We are kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week unfolds , ’ ’ Boone said .
Paxton has progressed to the point where his program has increased .
“ We are upping the exercises each day , ’ ’ Paxton said before Saturday ’ s game .
“ Monday we are going to add resistance to leg exercises .
I am moving along really well .
No setbacks so far.
’ ’ Depending on what three days of testing find out about Severino ’ s cranky right forearm , Paxton making it back in early May as opposed to later in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way .
If Severino ’ s problem isn ’ t serious and Paxton makes it back in early May , the Yankees are in good shape .
If Severino is forced to miss extended time , it would benefit the Yankees to get Paxton back before he was expected .
Severino missed the first five months of last season due to an inflamed rotator cuff problem and a lat injury while rehabbing the rotator cuff .
He appeared in three September games and made two starts in the ALCS against the Astros .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking forward to participating in a simple game of catch , which millions of people do every day .
“ At least the ball will be in my hand , ’ ’ said Paxton , who went 15-6 with a 3.82 ERA in 29 starts and will be a free agent at the end of the season .
Paxton described his post-surgery pain as “ pretty normal and it has gone away quickly.
’ ’ Boone knew Paxton might be able to play catch in 10 days because that was in the original @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Hearing how he was responding to the surgery the days after and to this point , I feel that is kind of the timeline , ’ ’ Boone said .
“ He should get built up .
I feel like he is doing really well .
Each day has been good .
He is moving around more .
I think the good thing with this , which kind of nagged him a little bit toward the end of the season and into the postseason and obviously into the offseason , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now .
’ ’

TAMPA — With the Yankees’ fingers firmly crossed that Luis Severino’s upcoming battery of tests on the right forearm, which begin Monday, don’t uncover a serious problem, they received positive news on James Paxton’s progress from back surgery earlier this month.
According to Paxton, he has increased his rehab workload following the Feb. 5 procedure and could be playing catch in 10 days.
“Ten days puts it at four weeks. It depends how I respond to the treatments the next 10 days,’’ Paxton said during the Yankees’ 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays in the exhibition season opener Saturday at Steinbrenner Field. “Everything has been going really well. I am optimistic.’’
When the Yankees announced Paxton could miss 3-4 months, many began doing the math from the start of the season, which is March 26. However, more in line with that prognosis was the rehab starting immediately after the surgery. That means if Paxton continues to progress, he could be back as soon as early May.
When it comes to Severino, the Yankees can’t be optimistic or pessimistic because after two MRI exams and a CT scan in the offseason that were clean, the soreness in the right forearm resurfaced this past week — when the right-hander threw change-ups but not when the fastball and curveball were delivered. Severino flies to New York on Sunday and will begin three days of tests at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.
According to manager Aaron Boone, the Yankees are in a holding pattern with Severino, who received soft tissue treatment Saturday.
“We are kind of waiting to see how the early week unfolds,’’ Boone said.
Paxton has progressed to the point where his program has increased.
“We are upping the exercises each day,’’ Paxton said before Saturday’s game. “Monday we are going to add resistance to leg exercises. I am moving along really well. No setbacks so far.’’
Depending on what three days of testing find out about Severino’s cranky right forearm, Paxton making it back in early May as opposed to later in the month would be a plus either way. If Severino’s problem isn’t serious and Paxton makes it back in early May, the Yankees are in good shape. If Severino is forced to miss extended time, it would benefit the Yankees to get Paxton back before he was expected.
Severino missed the first five months of last season due to an inflamed rotator cuff problem and a lat injury while rehabbing the rotator cuff. He appeared in three September games and made two starts in the ALCS against the Astros.
As for Paxton, he obviously is looking forward to participating in a simple game of catch, which millions of people do every day.
“At least the ball will be in my hand,’’ said Paxton, who went 15-6 with a 3.82 ERA in 29 starts and will be a free agent at the end of the season.
Paxton described his post-surgery pain as “pretty normal and it has gone away quickly.’’
Boone knew Paxton might be able to play catch in 10 days because that was in the original timeline laid out when the process started.
“Hearing how he was responding to the surgery the days after and to this point, I feel that is kind of the timeline,’’ Boone said. “He should get built up. I feel like he is doing really well. Each day has been good. He is moving around more. I think the good thing with this, which kind of nagged him a little bit toward the end of the season and into the postseason and obviously into the offseason, I feel like that is probably behind him now.’’


newyorkpost--2020-02-22--Baby Yoda busting out at Toy Fair New York

One of the female victims of the alleged cult founded ...

What’s cute, green and everywhere you look at Toy Fair?
Adorable little Baby Yoda — the breakout star of the Disney+ streamer “The Mandalorian,” has stolen the hearts of “Star Wars” fans across the galaxy and soon will bombard those fans with countless products.
Previous 1 of 11 Next Advertisement Lego designs for upcoming versions of The Child from Disney's The Mandalorian. Daniel William McKnight The Child on display at the Mattel exhibit for the New York Toy Fair. Daniel William McKnight Advertisement Animatronic design by HASBRO. Funko Toys "Baby Yoda" (The Child) design. Daniel William McKnight Pillow Pets pending design for "Baby Yoda". Daniel William McKnight Advertisement Buffalo Games puzzles and games featuring The Child. Daniel William McKnight More Lego designs for Disney's The Mandalorian. Daniel William McKnight The Child Bear from Build-A-Bear. Advertisement
The 117th annual Toy Fair New York opened its doors Saturday at the Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, playing host to thousands of industry executives, taste makers and journalists who will eye the hottest products before they hit store shelves.
Everything “Star Wars” is bound to rocket to success, but there’s no doubt that the numerous products featuring “The Child,” aka cute-as-a-button “Baby Yoda,” will be in big demand.
Baby Yoda Build-A-Bear plush toys. Baby Yoda Funko Pop! figures and Baby Yoda Pillow Pets. Baby Yoda Lego, Baby Yoda puzzles. Even a Baby Yoda backpack.
For the mere price of $60, Yoda fanatics can score an animatronic “Baby” by Hasbro that giggles and blinks and disarms you with his cooing.
Since Baby Yoda made his surprise debut in November, fans have been clamoring for any kind of products. But “The Mandalorian” producer Jon Favreau wanted the little guy to be a surprise, so he and Disney execs kept him completely under wraps, meaning that when the when Christmas season rolled around the next month, Baby Yoda was noticeably absent. And fans were not happy about it.
“The way the cat usually gets out of the bag with that stuff is merchandising and toy catalogues and things like that,” Favreau told Entertainment Tonight.
The toys are still not available, but will be rolling out during the year, with products coming out as soon as the spring, such as Mattel’s 11-inch plush doll complete with his hover crib.
At Midtown Comics in Times Square Saturday, fans were revved up about the big reveal.
“I love Baby Yoda!” gushed Harrison Womack, an actor from Brooklyn. “It’s been the voice of this generation, a re-emergence into ‘Star Wars’ as a visual medium. The dynamic between Baby Yoda and the Mandalorian ties the show together. I will definitely buy some Baby Yoda stuff,” he said.
Connecticut’s Courtney Zam, 31, said she digs Baby Yoda and will probably purchase a Build-a-Yoda because “snuggling with Yoda would be nice.”
Roy Cruz, 18, who was in town from Maryland, will fork over his hard-earned money for the Yoda Lego because he’s been a Lego fan since he was a kid and wants “to learn about Baby Yoda and his history through the merchandise.”
Upper West Side resident Nati Charney, 20, who has been watching the Disney+series “The Mandalorian” with his twin brother, called Baby Yoda “the most adorable thing in the entire universe, and he is changing the entire ‘Star Wars’ series.” Charney noted he relishes the relationship Baby Yoda has with the Mandalorian. “The bounty hunter is like a single dad trying to navigate the world. I am getting the plush toy and then cuddling with it,” Charney vowed.


newyorkpost--2020-02-22--Sarah Lawrence ‘sex cult’ victim overdosed while working for alleged leader

A New York con man and old friend of disgraced ...

One of the female victims of the alleged cult founded in a Sarah Lawrence dorm room nearly overdosed in North Carolina while under leader Larry Ray’s spell, according to a new report.
The woman, identified as “Yalitza,” was found unconscious from an apparent drug overdose in a Staples parking lot in sleepy Southern Pines, after Ray reported her missing in October 2013, according to police records obtained by The Pilot newspaper.
At the time, Yalitza, whose last name was withheld by The Pilot, was living and working at the home of Ray’s stepfather, Gordon Ray, in Pinehurst, North Carolina, along with a small group of Larry Ray’s “students.”
Ray was charged earlier this month with luring Yalitza and a group of his daughter’s college friends into a sexually and psychologically abusive cult. He coerced at least one of the women into prostitution, according to the federal indictment against him.
If Ray’s hunting ground was the Bronxville campus where his daughter Talia, now 30, attended school, his 92-year-old stepfather’s home — just steps from the famed Pinehurst golf club — was his training camp.
Ray allegedly forced the group to do endless after-hours yardwork at the house, court papers say. On several occasions, he assaulted at least one of the victims there, prosecutors claim.
Yalitza appeared to attempt an escape after her overdose, police records indicate.
In November 2013, Ray reported her missing again and said she had taken “all her belongings and left this morning to catch an Amtrak train in Southern Pines to New York,” he told police, according to The Pilot.
It’s unclear if they were ever reunited. She overdosed on at least one other occasion that year, according to New York magazine, which sparked an investigation into Ray with its 2019 expose.
Her parents told the publication she swallowed an entire bottle of Tylenol one night in 2013. When they went to visit her at Mount Sinai Hospital, they were prohibited from speaking with her doctors unless Ray was present.
Prosecutors say Ray was somehow able to convince his victims they had damaged his stepfather’s property and were indebted to him — a scheme revealed in 911 calls made from the Pinehurst home.
In September 2013, Ray told police a second victim, Isabella, whose last name was also withheld, “walked off” after damaging a garage window at the stepfather’s home, The Pilot reported.
He called back about 40 minutes later to say Isabella had returned.
According to Pinehurst 911 call logs obtained by The Post, Gordon Ray’s upscale single-family home was a hub of odd activity throughout the years. Gordon could not be reached for comment.
Police have received 21 calls for assistance to the home since 2013, according to records. The subjects of the calls vary from harassment and missing persons to property damage, loud noises and a suspicious vehicle.
Ray’s daughter Talia, now lives and works near her step-grandfather’s home and is close with the elder Ray, according to her social media profiles.


newyorkpost--2020-02-22--Mets’ grind begins after day of new beginnings

PORT ST. LUCIE — Open for business , for players and ...

PORT ST. LUCIE — New beginnings.
Jeff Wilpon was given the key to the city Saturday morning as the “new’’ improved Clover Park was opened by the Mets with a 5-3 loss to the Marlins on a windy but pleasant 69-degree day. Down in Jupiter, the split-squad Mets lost 2-0 to the Cardinals, but this is the time of year where the scores don’t matter one bit.
Now the Mets will begin to work overtime on finding the keys to a quick start out of the NL East gate, and that is about doing all the little things right.
Remember, this is a process.
It is the general, day-to-day improvement that is most important. And the Mets and Luis Rojas after his first game as manager came away pleased. Rick Porcello got his Mets debut off to a good start with a 17-pitch, one-run first inning as he tries to find the command and artistry that once made him a Cy Young winner.
His first time out of the box with catcher Wilson Ramos was a success, as Ramos is perfecting his one-knee-down stance to help give the pitchers a low target, especially Porcello and his nasty sinker.
Ramos and Porcello were essentially the only two players available to the media because by the time the clubhouse doors were opened after the game, most of the Mets regulars were long gone, beating the traffic and the 6,435 fans who seemed extremely pleased with the $57 million worth of improvements to the complex.
The wider concourses and new left field Jim Beam Bar appear to be a complete success as fans streamed though the improved areas and took pictures along the walls that featured murals of past and present Mets.
My favorite was the one that had Keith Hernandez and Pete Alonso perched side by side at first base. It’s an uplifting approach and gives fans a view of then and now.
Jeff McNeil was the leadoff hitter for the Mets and quickly slapped a single to left to show life in what was a magic bat last season as he makes the transition to full-time third baseman with Todd Frazier now in Texas.
It was also interesting to see Michael Conforto move quickly in right field on a day where it was hazardous to catch fly balls. Conforto looked completely at ease and appeared to be a bit more agile and faster.
The Mets did give up two stolen bases in the first inning as the Runnin’ Marlins busted out early, showing the kind of aggressive nature they will display. Ramos did throw out a runner attempting to steal as well.
“I have to do a better job with the running game,’’ Porcello acknowledged, saying it was a good lesson to learn about the National League after all those years in the AL. “As far as actually delivering the baseball and hitting the glove I felt really good for the first time out.’’
The Mets will have the strongest of rotations if Porcello continues to progress.
Ramos said the change to getting down on one knee to deliver a lower target is working well.
“I feel comfortable,’’ he said. “I feel like I’m resting a little bit more and that will help me to spend more time behind the plate, more games, so I’ll take that advantage. My pitchers want a low target and that helps me rest my knee a little bit more.’’
Ramos also lifted a two-run double to right in the first and that was an encouraging sign as he is trying to get more lift with his swing this season after beating the ball into the ground so much in the past.
“I am trying to keep the ball in the air and not hit too many ground balls,’’ Ramos said. “This spring during the live BP I hit the ball more in the air than on the ground so that’s a good thing.’’
Rojas managed his first major league game. Another new beginning.
“It was very exciting to watch the guys play,’’ Rojas said. “The guys grabbed some good at-bats that first inning and we played really good defense today. We turned three double plays.’’
Step 1 is done. Time to grind.


newyorkpost--2020-02-22--Democrats fear caucus chaos in Nevada as early returns show Sanders win

Democrats braced for chaos at the Nevada presidential caucuses — even as entrance polls and early returns pointed to a big win for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders .
Nearly 75,000 people cast early ballots ahead of Saturday ’ s vote , the first contest in a state where whites make up less than half of the population .
Nevada ’ s caucus process is similar to the one used in Iowa Feb. 3 , which dissolved into turmoil when a glitchy new app developed to help count the vote failed to function .
Nevada abandoned plans to use the Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uses iPads pre-loaded with a new tool to count the vote and incorporate the early-vote totals .
Party officials insisted that precinct volunteers had been thoroughly trained — but warned that final results might not be tallied Saturday .
That wasn ’ t preventing early calls .
By 6 pm , with only 3 percent of precincts reporting , Fox News was projecting Sanders the winner .
The caucus in the Bellagio ballroom on the Vegas Strip was packed with housekeepers , union members and voters of color .
Many sported T-shirts reading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Bernie in Spanish .
“ He ’ s the most authentic candidate to actually support workers , ” Bellagio bartender David Montenegro , 32 , told The Post .
“ The more people I talked to , it ’ s either Bernie or Trump , to be honest.
” The initial head count at that precinct showed strong support for both Sanders and Biden , with African-American voters sticking with the former veep and Spanish speakers in the senator ’ s camp .
Only a few voters stood in Sen. Elizabeth Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klobuchar and former South Bend , Ind .
mayor Pete Buttigieg didn ’ t rate at all , despite their strong showings in Iowa and New Hampshire .
“ Bernie ’ s way too far to the left , ” argued Douglas , 61 , a voter at the Bellagio caucus who threw his support to Biden after Warren was deemed non-viable .
The Democrats ’ contests in Iowa and New Hampshire both ended in near-ties between Buttigieg and Sanders .
But both those states are overwhelmingly white – making Nevada , whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hispanic , a major test for Buttigieg ’ s viability as the nomination battle moves on to similarly diverse states .
South Carolina is next in line with a Feb. 29 primary , and Super Tuesday – the 14-state sweepstakes on March 3 – follows just three days later .
Those contests , many of them in states whose demographics mirror Nevada ’ s , will choose more than a third of the total delegates needed to select a presidential nominee .
Super Tuesday will also mark the maiden voyage of Mike Bloomberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former mayor skipped the first four nominating states after making a late entry into the fray .
But Sanders could build up a formidable delegate lead before then , narrowing Bloomberg ’ s potential path to victory .

Democrats braced for chaos at the Nevada presidential caucuses — even as entrance polls and early returns pointed to a big win for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Nearly 75,000 people cast early ballots ahead of Saturday’s vote, the first contest in a state where whites make up less than half of the population.
Nevada’s caucus process is similar to the one used in Iowa Feb. 3, which dissolved into turmoil when a glitchy new app developed to help count the vote failed to function.
Nevada abandoned plans to use the Iowa app and cobbled together a system that uses iPads pre-loaded with a new tool to count the vote and incorporate the early-vote totals. Party officials insisted that precinct volunteers had been thoroughly trained — but warned that final results might not be tallied Saturday.
That wasn’t preventing early calls. By 6 pm, with only 3 percent of precincts reporting, Fox News was projecting Sanders the winner.
The caucus in the Bellagio ballroom on the Vegas Strip was packed with housekeepers, union members and voters of color. Many sported T-shirts reading “Unidos con Bernie” — united with Bernie in Spanish.
“He’s the most authentic candidate to actually support workers,” Bellagio bartender David Montenegro, 32, told The Post. “The more people I talked to, it’s either Bernie or Trump, to be honest.”
The initial head count at that precinct showed strong support for both Sanders and Biden, with African-American voters sticking with the former veep and Spanish speakers in the senator’s camp.
Only a few voters stood in Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s corner – and Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former South Bend, Ind. mayor Pete Buttigieg didn’t rate at all, despite their strong showings in Iowa and New Hampshire.
“Bernie’s way too far to the left,” argued Douglas, 61, a voter at the Bellagio caucus who threw his support to Biden after Warren was deemed non-viable.
The Democrats’ contests in Iowa and New Hampshire both ended in near-ties between Buttigieg and Sanders.
But both those states are overwhelmingly white – making Nevada, whose electorate is about 40 percent black and Hispanic, a major test for Buttigieg’s viability as the nomination battle moves on to similarly diverse states.
South Carolina is next in line with a Feb. 29 primary, and Super Tuesday – the 14-state sweepstakes on March 3 – follows just three days later. Those contests, many of them in states whose demographics mirror Nevada’s, will choose more than a third of the total delegates needed to select a presidential nominee.
Super Tuesday will also mark the maiden voyage of Mike Bloomberg’s campaign. Gotham’s former mayor skipped the first four nominating states after making a late entry into the fray. But Sanders could build up a formidable delegate lead before then, narrowing Bloomberg’s potential path to victory.


newyorkpost--2020-02-22--Devils overcome Alex Ovechkin’s 700th goal to clip Capitals

With power and a prodigious shot , Alex Ovechkin now stands where few in the NHL have been .
He became the eight NHL player to score 700 career goals , reaching the milestone in the third period of the ’ Capitals ’ 3-2 loss to the Devils on Saturday at Prudential Center .
“ It ’ s a special moment , ” Ovechkin said .
“ When you get closer you start thinking when it ’ s going to happen .
Finally , it ’ s over so we don ’ t have to talk about it anymore .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The 34-year-old Russian forward one-timed a slap shot from the right circle that went in off the left post 4:50 into the third period , tying the game at 2 .
It was his 42nd goal of the season , one behind Boston ’ s David Pastrnak for the league lead , and came on his second shot on goal of the game .
“ It was obviously a matter of time , but that was a huge goal for us at the time , ” said Todd Rierden , in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an assistant the previous four .
“ Amazing to be able to watch it live and in person .
To be able to go through the last six years with [ Ovechkin ] has been amazing to watch .
Certainly a superstar in my time , the best goal-scorer that I ’ ve ever seen.
” Wayne Gretzky leads the career list with 894 goals .
He is followed by Gordie Howe ( 801 ) , Jaromir Jagr ( 766 ) , Brett Hull ( 741 ) , Marcel Dionne ( 731 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Mike Gartner ( 708 ) .
Damon Severson scored the winning goal for last-place New Jersey with 1:59 left off a cross-ice pass from Nikita Gusev .

With power and a prodigious shot, Alex Ovechkin now stands where few in the NHL have been.
He became the eight NHL player to score 700 career goals, reaching the milestone in the third period of the ’ Capitals’ 3-2 loss to the Devils on Saturday at Prudential Center.
“It’s a special moment,” Ovechkin said. “When you get closer you start thinking when it’s going to happen. Finally, it’s over so we don’t have to talk about it anymore. We’re going to move on.”
The 34-year-old Russian forward one-timed a slap shot from the right circle that went in off the left post 4:50 into the third period, tying the game at 2. It was his 42nd goal of the season, one behind Boston’s David Pastrnak for the league lead, and came on his second shot on goal of the game.
“It was obviously a matter of time, but that was a huge goal for us at the time,” said Todd Rierden, in his second season as Capitals coach after serving as an assistant the previous four. “Amazing to be able to watch it live and in person. To be able to go through the last six years with [Ovechkin] has been amazing to watch. Certainly a superstar in my time, the best goal-scorer that I’ve ever seen.”
Wayne Gretzky leads the career list with 894 goals. He is followed by Gordie Howe (801), Jaromir Jagr (766), Brett Hull (741), Marcel Dionne (731), Phil Esposito (717) and Mike Gartner (708).
Damon Severson scored the winning goal for last-place New Jersey with 1:59 left off a cross-ice pass from Nikita Gusev.
As for the Devils, they may have finally found a winning formula in this poor season. Just put Mackenzie Blackwood in goal.
Blackwood made 36 saves in winning his fifth straight start.
Blackwood downplays the success, saying his teammates are playing well and he had benefited working with goaltending coach Rollie Melanson.
“He’s pretty technically great, so he’s helped me out a lot,” said Blackwood, who is 6-0-1 in his last seven starts. “Helped me with my game and I think as of late, I’ve been fortunate that we’ve been getting the results, so I don’t think anything will change.”
During his winning streak, Blackwood has allowed five goals and posted two shutouts.
“Blackie made some big saves when it was 1-0 (San Jose) to keep it tight,” Devils interim coach Alain Nasreddine said.


newyorkpost--2020-02-22--Richard Carranza’s new Tweed Courthouse office is fit for a king

The city gave schools boss Richard Carranza a new enclosed office in a beautifully ornate wing — fit for a king — on an upper floor of the old Tweed Courthouse , which serves as Department of Education headquarters .
The DOE said it cost about $ 15,000 for labor and materials to build “ partitions ” around Carranza ’ s spacious new office , saying he needed extra security .
The DOE refused to let a reporter see it .
Before erecting the barriers — which witnesses called a wall — the DOE did not seek the advice of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was unnecessary .
The commission designated the historic building ’ s interior a protected city landmark in 1984 .
Carranza ’ s private office takes up a big corner of the palatial , 2,060-square foot , third-floor mezzanine , The Post learned .
Councilman Joe Borrelli ( R-Staten Island ) , an education committee member , rapped the fancy digs : “ This is someone literally isolating himself in an ivory tower .
Just looking at the space , it seems that it ’ s finally equal to the grand opinion that Chancellor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hall cited concern over Carranza ’ s safety , saying the NYPD last September assigned its Threat Assessment and Protection Unit to conduct a security assessment on Carranza for the DOE .
The NYPD was concerned that the chancellor ’ s former office was located on the ground floor , directly inside the front door — where all visitors go through metal detectors — and visible through windows in the lobby , officials said .
“ In terms of threat mitigation , the location offered minimal ability to maintain access control for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an NYPD spokesperson told The Post by email Saturday .
Before Carranza , chancellors sat in a small Room 152 on the first floor , which had an adjacent enclosed conference room , or in the open-space third-floor “ bullpen , ” side-by-side with staffers .
Carranza moved his office several levels up this month , with aides saying the embattled educator has received “ threats.
” The chancellor and his top aides , who sit nearby , displaced staffers formerly assigned to the aborted Renewal Program to fix failing schools .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cream-and-red brick arches , sculptured columns , marble tile floors and intricate chandeliers , records and a photo provided by John G. Waite Associates , architects on the renovation .
“ Given the beauty of the room and importance of the building , it would have been appropriate to ask the LPC for guidance , ” said Peg Breen , president of the non-profit New York Landmarks Conservancy .
“ It ’ s in the interests of everybody in the city to have this building treated correctly , ” she added .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a fabulous building.
” Starting in 1999 , ex-Mayor Giuliani poured nearly $ 100 million , with hefty cost overruns , into renovating the courthouse , named for William “ Boss ” Tweed , crooked chief of Tammany Hall , the corrupt Democratic Party political machine .
In 2002 , successor Mayor Mike Bloomberg moved Chancellor Joel Klein and other educrats into the building at 52 Chambers St. , next door to City Hall .
A landmark designation means that any renovation requires an application to ensure the work does not alter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1984 document marking the landmark status says : “ The designated interior includes four floors , two mezzanines , and a fifth floor attic.
” But commission spokeswoman Zodet Negron insists the document specifies only certain parts , including the “ rotunda , the stairhalls , and the staircases leading to the fourth floor , ” not the mezzanine rooms .
Negron said the LPC has “ no jurisdiction ” over the space where the office was built , and the DOE did not need permission to erect it .
Commission staffers first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after inquiries by The Post .
Negron would not give a description .
Councilman Danny Dromm ( D-Queens ) , who sits on the education committee , said Carranza ’ s re-location doesn ’ t bother him .
“ I don ’ t know that erecting a wall is that extravagant , ” he said .
“ I think that ’ s the chancellor ’ s choice , his prerogative to do so .
”

Mr. Chancellor, tear down this wall!
The city gave schools boss Richard Carranza a new enclosed office in a beautifully ornate wing — fit for a king — on an upper floor of the old Tweed Courthouse, which serves as Department of Education headquarters.
The DOE said it cost about $15,000 for labor and materials to build “partitions” around Carranza’s spacious new office, saying he needed extra security. The DOE refused to let a reporter see it.
Before erecting the barriers — which witnesses called a wall — the DOE did not seek the advice of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, saying it was unnecessary. The commission designated the historic building’s interior a protected city landmark in 1984.
Carranza’s private office takes up a big corner of the palatial, 2,060-square foot, third-floor mezzanine, The Post learned.
Councilman Joe Borrelli (R-Staten Island), an education committee member, rapped the fancy digs: “This is someone literally isolating himself in an ivory tower. Just looking at the space, it seems that it’s finally equal to the grand opinion that Chancellor Carranza has about himself.”
But City Hall cited concern over Carranza’s safety, saying the NYPD last September assigned its Threat Assessment and Protection Unit to conduct a security assessment on Carranza for the DOE.
The NYPD was concerned that the chancellor’s former office was located on the ground floor, directly inside the front door — where all visitors go through metal detectors — and visible through windows in the lobby, officials said.
“In terms of threat mitigation, the location offered minimal ability to maintain access control for the chief executive of the DOE,” an NYPD spokesperson told The Post by email Saturday.
Before Carranza, chancellors sat in a small Room 152 on the first floor, which had an adjacent enclosed conference room, or in the open-space third-floor “bullpen,” side-by-side with staffers.
Carranza moved his office several levels up this month, with aides saying the embattled educator has received “threats.”
The chancellor and his top aides, who sit nearby, displaced staffers formerly assigned to the aborted Renewal Program to fix failing schools.
The mezzanine features a vaulted ceiling, towering cream-and-red brick arches, sculptured columns, marble tile floors and intricate chandeliers, records and a photo provided by John G. Waite Associates, architects on the renovation, show.
A veteran landmark expert frowned at the lax oversight.
“Given the beauty of the room and importance of the building, it would have been appropriate to ask the LPC for guidance,” said Peg Breen, president of the non-profit New York Landmarks Conservancy.
“It’s in the interests of everybody in the city to have this building treated correctly,” she added. “Despite its notorious past, it’s a fabulous building.”
Starting in 1999, ex-Mayor Giuliani poured nearly $100 million, with hefty cost overruns, into renovating the courthouse, named for William “Boss” Tweed, crooked chief of Tammany Hall, the corrupt Democratic Party political machine.
In 2002, successor Mayor Mike Bloomberg moved Chancellor Joel Klein and other educrats into the building at 52 Chambers St., next door to City Hall.
A landmark designation means that any renovation requires an application to ensure the work does not alter or damage the historic features.
A 1984 document marking the landmark status says: “The designated interior includes four floors, two mezzanines, and a fifth floor attic.”
But commission spokeswoman Zodet Negron insists the document specifies only certain parts, including the “rotunda, the stairhalls, and the staircases leading to the fourth floor,” not the mezzanine rooms.
Negron said the LPC has “no jurisdiction” over the space where the office was built, and the DOE did not need permission to erect it.
Commission staffers first looked at the new office on Friday after inquiries by The Post. Negron would not give a description.
Councilman Danny Dromm (D-Queens), who sits on the education committee, said Carranza’s re-location doesn’t bother him.
“I don’t know that erecting a wall is that extravagant,” he said. “I think that’s the chancellor’s choice, his prerogative to do so.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-22--The Kyrie Irving surgery question Nets still must answer

PHILADELPHIA — Kyrie Irving ’ s homecoming season with the Nets is ...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Arthroscopic shoulder surgery will sideline the Nets’ Kyrie Irving for the rest of this season. But he should be fine in time for next season as long as there is no rotator cuff damage.
Asked about the possibility of rotator cuff damage, Nets general manager Sean Marks wouldn’t answer.
“I’m not going to get into details now, because he’s still evaluating what his options may be over the next couple of days,” Marks said. “But in terms of he is having surgery, and he will be out for the remainder of the season.”
The NBA’s 2020-21 season starts in October, with training camp a month earlier and players taking part in informal workouts in August. Dr. Stephen Hunt of Tri-County Orthopedics in Morristown, N.J., told The Post that Irving should be on schedule if there’s no cartilage damage.
“Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is pretty minimally invasive in terms of skin incisions. But there’s a lot of variability in terms of what is done inside the shoulder,” Hunt, who is a consultant with the Jets and has worked with the Mets, told The Post. “I have no idea what’s going on [inside]. Most impingement issues tend to have good resolution with a less invasive approach like that.
“There are other issues in terms of rotator cuff, things like that, that can add time to recovery. … But I’d say certainly by six months from now I’d think in most situations people would be fairly recovered. Obviously he’s a high-level athlete, that’s his shooting arm, so that may take a little longer. It depends what they did at the time of the procedure.”
Impingements sometimes are dealt with by shaving down the underside of the acromion bone (called an acromioplasty) to reducing pressure on the rotator cuff and bursa. Marks wouldn’t clear up whether Irving had or will have that sort of decompression surgery.
“Again, I’m not going to get into the details. That’s far above my pay grade, and that will be up to the specialists to determine when they get in there,” Marks said. “But I think it’s a relatively straightforward procedure and once they get in there they will figure it all out.
“This is something that he should be back in plenty of time to be working out this summer and obviously be ready for next season.”
Irving first injured the shoulder Nov. 4 against the Pelicans. He kept playing for 10 more days, through a game Nov. 14 at Denver. He then missed 26 straight games.
On Dec. 4, The Post reported surgery could be an option, and Irving admitted as much exactly a month later. Now that scenario has come to pass, with his season ending after just 20 games.
“Obviously, we feel bad for [Irving],” Nets teammate Caris LeVert said. “He wants to be out here with us. That’s first and foremost. He definitely worked extremely hard to come back. It’s just a series of unfortunate things that happened with him.”
Irving and health misfortune seem to go hand-in-hand.
Once this season ends, he will have missed 194 regular-season games in his nine-year NBA career. He also missed 26 of 37 games in his only collegiate campaign at Duke. It raises the question of whether the surgery will solve the problem long-term, or if there will be a reoccurrence.
“I’m not going to speculate on long-term [or] short-term, especially when it comes to surgery and things like that,” Marks said. “More details are given once he’s had the surgery and then we’ll go from there.”
Once the surgery is complete — and the extent of the repairs known to a certainty — it will be easier to rule out the problem cropping up again.
“He’s in the hands of really great staff and it’d be safe to make the assumption that impingement issues would be solved by that kind of procedure — assuming no hiccups in recovery or rare complications,” Dr. Hunt told The Post. “You could make the logical assumption that impingement issues would be improved and not likely to reoccur. Other issues like cartilage issues could reoccur, but impingement, yes.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-22--Trump heads to India for his biggest rally yet

President Trump on Sunday teased that he ’ d like to go ...

President Trump is about to get the biggest rally of his presidency – but it won’t be in the United States.
Trump’s first state visit to India this week will be packed with pomp and parades, starting with Monday’s 14-mile motorcade through Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat, the stronghold of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has promised to cram the route with throngs of supporters.
Then the two will hold a 100,000-person rally at Motera Stadium, the city’s brand-new cricket grounds – the world’s largest.
The president and First Lady Melania Trump will visit the Taj Mahal that evening, then travel to New Delhi for a day of ceremonial meetings, capped by a state dinner at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace, administration officials said.
India, with a population of 1.3 billion, is the world’s largest democracy – and Trump has sought to establish warm ties with Modi, who shares his populist leanings. He appeared with Modi at a Texas rally in September that drew 50,000 Indian-Americans.
But the Trump administration has struggled to negotiate a new US-India trade deal, as Modi has dug into a protectionist stance that has slowed American exports into its surging consumer market.
Instead of finalizing a sweeping agreement during his two-day trip, Trump is expected to announce a deal to sell $3.5 billion worth of helicopters and other defense equipment to India’s military.
“The President is going to India as a demonstration of the strong and enduring ties between our two countries,” the White House said.


newyorkpost--2020-02-22--60 kids at JHS 189 Daniel Carter School in Queens have talked suicide, principal says

Mentally ill New Yorkers diverted by cops to two new ...

Kids aren’t talking about soccer or English class in the halls of JHS 189 in Flushing.
They’re talking about killing themselves.
Sixty students have expressed suicidal thoughts in the past year, Principal Magdalen Radovich told a recent gathering of nearly two dozen elected officials and community leaders. The Department of Education claimed Radovich “misquoted” the figure but refused to give The Post any data.
None of the children made good on their threats, and parents were called in each case. But shocked local lawmakers are calling it a crisis.
“If 60 kids on the Upper East Side talked about suicide, Mayor de Blasio would be there interjecting himself,” Assemblyman Ron Kim fumed of Hizzoner, whose wife, Chirlane McCray, has made mental health her signature cause.
“Sixty … is a staggering number, but even one is too many,” said City Councilman Peter Koo, who attended the Feb. 7 legislative breakfast at the school along with Kim and Flushing Chamber of Commerce’s John Choe.
Just the mention of the 60 cases — about 8% of Daniel Carter Beard School’s roughly 740 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders — sucked the oxygen out of the room, the men said.
The movers and shakers had even been scheduled to tour the school but ran out of time because they peppered the principal with so many questions about the suicide talk.
“It is shocking to me that central DOE has not yet communicated this data with us,” Kim said. “How could DOE have dropped the ball in addressing these issues?”
Radovich brought up the figure after she asked for the group’s buy-in for a mental health and wellness center on campus.
“She was trying to make the point that she had never seen anything like this in her years of being an educator,” Kim said.
The principal went on to lay out all the efforts that JHS 189 is taking to deal with the crisis, Koo said — from student emotional health surveys and one-on-one meetings with families to an emoji mood meter and small-group talk sessions between students and staffers.
In addition, according to the DOE, Radovich as well as the school’s assistant principals and guidance counselors have been trained in suicide prevention and students can talk with a social worker, a school psychologist or a consultant who works for ThriveNYC, the mental health program launched by McCray.
“We have made unprecedented investments … to identify and prevent risk,” DOE spokeswoman Katie O’Hanlon said in a statement.
Kim isn’t satisfied with what he described as a “whole range of short-term answers to put a Band-Aid” on the emergency.
Kim also wants a deeper discussion of what is behind the scary talk. He and Choe, the Chamber’s executive director, contend the crisis doesn’t stem from peer pressure or group think, but from Flushing’s lack of affordable housing and skyrocketing commercial rents.
Both, Choe said, are forcing parents to move their homes and their businesses, but leave their kids behind with other families so they can stay in the same school.
“Children are left to fend for themselves, causing them severe emotional trauma,” Choe said.
But psychologist Yuanxia Zhang, who practices in Flushing, thinks the suicidal thoughts are more likely a symptom of bullying or a psychiatric disorder like depression. And he stresses that kids have been known to feign suicide threats to get attention.
“They see one child get special attention or a special benefit — like time out of class to see a professional — and they want it, too.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-22--Manhattan College students report break-ins, sexual assault

Students at a Manhattan College dorm are on edge after two women reported separate incidents when a strange man was in their bedrooms , authorities said Saturday .
A 20-year-old at the Overlook Manor dorms on West 238th Street near Waldo Avenue in Kingsbridge reported she woke up in the middle of the night on Feb. 9 to a man standing over her bed , police said .
The frightened coed began screaming at the stranger to leave , and he ran off .
Two weeks earlier , another student , 21 , told cops she woke up without clothes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she ’ d been sexually assaulted by a man who broke in , authorities said .
“ We are a little tense here .
Security is more on the lookout .
I know one guard has started to carry brass knuckles , ” one student told The Post .
“ They told us to use the deadbolts on our doors .
I ’ ve been using them every night , ” said junior Laura Flores , 20 , who said the school has held town halls on security in the wake of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though is was not clear if the two crimes are connected .
“ Our students ’ safety and security are our highest priority at Manhattan College .
Our Public Safety and Residence Life staff will continue to do everything they can to support our students and ensure their well-being 24 hours a day , seven days a week , ” the school wrote in a statement , according to ABC7

Students at a Manhattan College dorm are on edge after two women reported separate incidents when a strange man was in their bedrooms, authorities said Saturday.
A 20-year-old at the Overlook Manor dorms on West 238th Street near Waldo Avenue in Kingsbridge reported she woke up in the middle of the night on Feb. 9 to a man standing over her bed, police said.
The frightened coed began screaming at the stranger to leave, and he ran off.
Two weeks earlier, another student, 21, told cops she woke up without clothes on after a night out and believed she’d been sexually assaulted by a man who broke in, authorities said.
“We are a little tense here. Security is more on the lookout. I know one guard has started to carry brass knuckles,” one student told The Post.
“They told us to use the deadbolts on our doors. I’ve been using them every night,” said junior Laura Flores, 20, who said the school has held town halls on security in the wake of the incidents.
Police are investigating both incidents, though is was not clear if the two crimes are connected.


newyorkpost--2020-02-22--How to watch Wilder-Fury 2: PPV info, fight time, odds

Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury are set to square off Feb. 22 in Las Vegas for Wilder ’ s WBC heavyweight championship , a highly anticipated rematch of their thrilling draw in December 2018 .
The megabout will be aired on pay-per-view .
Both fighters are undefeated and have a claim to the heavyweight throne .
Wilder , 34 , of Tuscaloosa , Ala. , has a career record of 42-0-1 .
The 6-foot-7 Wilder has recorded 41 of his 42 wins by knockout .
It will be his 11th defense of the title he won in January 2015 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , England , had a career record of 29-0-1 .
He became the lineal heavyweight champion — meaning he beat the man who beat the man who beat the man , going back to Muhammad Ali , Joe Louis and Jack Dempsey — when he defeated Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015 .
He was then absent from boxing for more than two years as he battled substance abuse and depression before making a comeback .
Fury , who is listed at 6-foot-9 , has 20 wins by knockout .
Here is what you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ title showdown : What time does the Wilder vs. Fury fight start ?
Wilder vs. Fury will take place on February 22 , 2020 , at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas , Nevada .
The fight card is schedule to begin at 9 p.m .
ET .
The Wilder-Fury fight should start after 11:30 p.m .
ET .
How much does the Wilder vs. Fury fight cost and how can I watch ?
The Wilder-Fury 2 fight is a pay-per-view that costs $ 79.99 .
• You can livestream the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the fight and the first month of a monthly plan for $ 84.98 .
• You can also stream the fight through the Fox Sports App or foxsports.com .
• You may be able to order the pay-per-view through your cable or satellite TV provider .
Check with your provider for details .
What are the odds for Wilder vs. Fury ?
Wilder is a slight favorite at -125 ( bet $ 125 to win $ 100 ) , according to William Hill , as of Friday afternoon .
Fury , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bet $ 100 to win $ 105 ) .
What is the purse for Wilder vs. Fury ?
Wilder and Fury are set to make at least $ 25 million apiece for the fight , per ESPN , including an official contract purse of $ 5 million each .
Their earnings could climb higher once their cuts of the pay-per-view profits are added .

It’s the biggest boxing fight in years.
Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury are set to square off Feb. 22 in Las Vegas for Wilder’s WBC heavyweight championship, a highly anticipated rematch of their thrilling draw in December 2018. The megabout will be aired on pay-per-view.
Both fighters are undefeated and have a claim to the heavyweight throne. Wilder, 34, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., has a career record of 42-0-1. The 6-foot-7 Wilder has recorded 41 of his 42 wins by knockout. It will be his 11th defense of the title he won in January 2015.
Fury, 31, out of Manchester, England, had a career record of 29-0-1. He became the lineal heavyweight champion — meaning he beat the man who beat the man who beat the man, going back to Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis and Jack Dempsey — when he defeated Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015. He was then absent from boxing for more than two years as he battled substance abuse and depression before making a comeback. Fury, who is listed at 6-foot-9, has 20 wins by knockout.
Here is what you need to know about the Wilder-Fury heavyweight title showdown:
What time does the Wilder vs. Fury fight start?
Wilder vs. Fury will take place on February 22, 2020, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight card is schedule to begin at 9 p.m. ET. The Wilder-Fury fight should start after 11:30 p.m. ET.
How much does the Wilder vs. Fury fight cost and how can I watch?
The Wilder-Fury 2 fight is a pay-per-view that costs $79.99.
You can livestream the fight through ESPN+. New subscribers can get the fight and the first month of a monthly plan for $84.98.
You can also stream the fight through the Fox Sports App or foxsports.com.
You may be able to order the pay-per-view through your cable or satellite TV provider. Check with your provider for details.
What are the odds for Wilder vs. Fury?
Wilder is a slight favorite at -125 (bet $125 to win $100), according to William Hill, as of Friday afternoon. Fury, the underdog, was listed at +105 (bet $100 to win $105).
What is the purse for Wilder vs. Fury?
Wilder and Fury are set to make at least $25 million apiece for the fight, per ESPN, including an official contract purse of $5 million each. Their earnings could climb higher once their cuts of the pay-per-view profits are added.


newyorkpost--2020-02-22--Meghan Markle’s gig as theater royal patron may be at stake after Megxit

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 ) Meghan Markle ‘ s gig as royal patron of the National Theatre is reportedly in jeopardy amid her departure from daily palace duties .
The Queen passed down her role as royal patron — a position she held for 45 years — to Markle in January 2019 , along with her patronage to the Association of Commonwealth Universities .
A year later , Markle and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would build a new life in Canada and become financially independent from the Queen and Co. Now the London theater community is reportedly questioning Markle ’ s commitment , since she moved halfway across the globe with Prince Harry and the couple ’ s young son , Archie .
“ I think we should give Meghan until Easter to say what she thinks is possible with her patronage , ” Nic Burns , owner of the Nimax Group of theaters in London ’ s West End , told The Sun .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forget who she is and give her some space .
“ If she is not going to be doing any work with the National , then she should step down .
But as she is a role model , we would rather she didn ’ t. ” Theater honchos were reportedly angered when Markle visited them hours before the couple ’ s Megxit announcement and acted as if “ everything was completely normal , ” the British tabloid reported .
Despite the cutthroat announcement from the Queen this week that Markle and Prince @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use the word “ royal ” in their titles , the couple confirmed Friday they ’ d be allowed to maintain their patronages , according to The Sun .

Meghan Markle‘s gig as royal patron of the National Theatre is reportedly in jeopardy amid her departure from daily palace duties.
The Queen passed down her role as royal patron — a position she held for 45 years — to Markle in January 2019, along with her patronage to the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
A year later, Markle and Prince Harry made the bombshell announcement they would build a new life in Canada and become financially independent from the Queen and Co.
Now the London theater community is reportedly questioning Markle’s commitment, since she moved halfway across the globe with Prince Harry and the couple’s young son, Archie.
“I think we should give Meghan until Easter to say what she thinks is possible with her patronage,” Nic Burns, owner of the Nimax Group of theaters in London’s West End, told The Sun. “We have to give her a chance, forget who she is and give her some space.
“If she is not going to be doing any work with the National, then she should step down. But as she is a role model, we would rather she didn’t.”
Theater honchos were reportedly angered when Markle visited them hours before the couple’s Megxit announcement and acted as if “everything was completely normal,” the British tabloid reported.
Despite the cutthroat announcement from the Queen this week that Markle and Prince Harry would no longer be permitted to use the word “royal” in their titles, the couple confirmed Friday they’d be allowed to maintain their patronages, according to The Sun.


newyorkpost--2020-02-22--Cambodian sisters who thought the other was dead reunite after 47 years

Two sisters in Cambodia have finally been reunited after 47 years — after thinking each other were dead .
Bun Sen , 98 , had been living near the notorious Stung Meanchey dump in Phnom Penh , since losing her husband during the Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge ’ s reign of terror in the 1970s .
Originally from the Kampong Cham province , 90 miles away , Bun Sen had been unable to visit her hometown due to financial and health reasons .
According to the BBC , “ local NGO Cambodian Children ’ s Fund — which had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped to arrange a visit ” and found out her sister Bun Chea , 101 , and Bun Sen ’ s younger brother , 92 , were still alive .
Last week the family was reunited .
“ I left my village a long time ago and never went back .
I always thought my sisters and brothers had died , ” Bun Sen told the BBC .
“ To be able to hold my older sister means so much .
And the first time my younger brother touched my hand , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband was also killed by the Khmer Rouge , also believed her sister had died .
“ We had 13 relatives killed by Pol Pot and we thought that she had been too .
It has been such a long time , ” Bun Chea told the BBC .
“ We talked about her — But I never thought we would see her again .
”

Two sisters in Cambodia have finally been reunited after 47 years — after thinking each other were dead.
Bun Sen, 98, had been living near the notorious Stung Meanchey dump in Phnom Penh, since losing her husband during the Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge’s reign of terror in the 1970s.
Originally from the Kampong Cham province, 90 miles away, Bun Sen had been unable to visit her hometown due to financial and health reasons.
According to the BBC, “local NGO Cambodian Children’s Fund — which had been supporting Bun Sen since 2004 — helped to arrange a visit” and found out her sister Bun Chea, 101, and Bun Sen’s younger brother, 92, were still alive.
Last week the family was reunited.
“I left my village a long time ago and never went back. I always thought my sisters and brothers had died,” Bun Sen told the BBC. “To be able to hold my older sister means so much. And the first time my younger brother touched my hand, I started crying.”
Bun Chea, whose husband was also killed by the Khmer Rouge, also believed her sister had died.
“We had 13 relatives killed by Pol Pot and we thought that she had been too. It has been such a long time,” Bun Chea told the BBC. “We talked about her — But I never thought we would see her again.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-22--Rapper Pop Smoke canceled Brooklyn gig over gang concerns days before murder

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 ) Rapper Pop Smoke nixed a New York show just days before his murder over concerns of gang members in the audience , according to a new report .
The rapper was slated to perform Feb. 16 at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn , but claimed the NYPD made him cancel the appearance , according to social media posts unearthed by TMZ .
“ I apologize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kings Theater [ sic ] today to see me .
Unfortunately NYPD wouldn ’ t let me perform once again but dont [ sic ] worry ima make it up , ” he wrote on Instagram .
Though Pop Smoke blamed police , he was actually the one who made the final call , according to TMZ , citing law enforcement sources .
The Brooklyn-born rapper , 20 , was gunned down Wednesday when four masked men stormed a Los Angeles house after a party or gathering was held , according to TMZ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streams of the rapper ’ s catalog zoomed 392 percent , Billboard reported .
Police indicated the “ Welcome to the Party ” rapper ’ s death could have been a targeted hit related to his ties to the LA-based Crips .
“ I am not comfortable calling it a robbery right now , ” Robbery Homicide Division Capt .
Jonathan Tippet told the Los Angeles Times last week .

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Rapper Pop Smoke nixed a New York show just days before his murder over concerns of gang members in the audience, according to a new report.
The rapper was slated to perform Feb. 16 at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, but claimed the NYPD made him cancel the appearance, according to social media posts unearthed by TMZ.
“I apologize to all my fans that went to Kings Theater [sic] today to see me. Unfortunately NYPD wouldn’t let me perform once again but dont [sic] worry ima make it up,” he wrote on Instagram.
Though Pop Smoke blamed police, he was actually the one who made the final call, according to TMZ, citing law enforcement sources.
The Brooklyn-born rapper, 20, was gunned down Wednesday when four masked men stormed a Los Angeles house after a party or gathering was held, according to TMZ. The day of his death, streams of the rapper’s catalog zoomed 392 percent, Billboard reported.
Police indicated the “Welcome to the Party” rapper’s death could have been a targeted hit related to his ties to the LA-based Crips.
“I am not comfortable calling it a robbery right now,” Robbery Homicide Division Capt. Jonathan Tippet told the Los Angeles Times last week.


newyorkpost--2020-02-22--J.A. Happ’s signature trait has never been more valuable

TAMPA — Two MRI exams and a CT scan during ...

TAMPA — J.A. Happ had a bad 2019. Let’s get that out of the way upfront.
Because Happ also had a valuable season. Not every 4.91 ERA is created equal. The ability to pitch five innings and give up three or four runs does not mean the same on every team. On a club with perhaps the best offense and bullpen in the majors, three or four runs in five innings gave the Yankees a chance to win.
Over time we have devalued a pitcher’s won-loss record because it is beholden to many factors beyond the starter’s control. So ignore that Happ went 12-8. Focus on the Yankees going 20-10 when he started. You think that happens if the Yanks had to turn to a Chance Adams or David Hale or Luis Cessa for those starts?
And do the math: 20 plus 10 equals 30. Attendance also was valuable for a Yankees team that set the record for most players placed on the injured list, with every important member of the rotation except Happ and Masahiro Tanaka serving at least one stint.
James Paxton is more talented than Happ, so is Luis Severino. But as Happ returned to his locker Saturday in the aftermath of two perfect innings in the Yankees’ spring opener against Toronto, Paxton was talking to reporters about playing catch. In 10 days. All but assuring after back surgery that he will keep his perfect record of never starting 30 games in a season. Severino was readying for a Sunday flight to New York for a battery of tests to determine what is going on with his achy forearm.
“I do take pride in it,” said Happ, whose 149 starts over the past five years is 14th in the majors.
Attendance matters. There are too many games and innings for it not to. The analytics revolution has elevated rate stats over bulk, which for the most part is more revealing about a player’s skill. But bulk still matters. A lot. Because you really have to play the 162 games and cover roughly 1,450 innings.
The opener can work. But in how many rotation spots? And to what downside, as we saw relief pitching take a far greater hit last year with more exposure, and wear and tear.
“I completely agree with the [value of a durable starter],” said Tim Naehring, the Yankees’ VP of baseball operations. “Obviously, you want performance with it.”
To that end, Happ worked on his body feverishly this offseason, threw more frequently and had the look Saturday of someone ahead. His fastball was already up at 92-93 mph. He broke out a rarely used two-seamer to freeze Cavan Biggio in the first and closed the second by deploying the two-seamer consecutively to whiff Randal Grichuk after falling behind 3-1. It is a pitch he would like to use, particularly to lefties, to better open corridors for his bread-and-butter four-seamer up in the zone.
Happ did not have that fastball for more than half the season last year. He felt his lower half was not working in sync with his top half, which led to three dreadful starts to open the season. That brought tinkering that helped and hurt in near equal parts, and mainly left Happ confused, frustrated and the Yankees’ version of Edwin Diaz — if the ball went up in the air against him, it so often went out. In the year of the homer, Happ yielded 34, seven more than any previous season.
Happ locked in late. In his last six outings (five starts), he had a .177 batting average against and a 2.23 ERA over 32¹/₃ innings — lefties managed a MLB-low .078 batting average and .098 slugging percentage from Aug. 1 on. Still, the Yankees did not use him as a postseason starter, and for a period in the offseason dangled him in trade talks, in part wanting to save his $17 million. But they learned Domingo German would miss the first two months after being suspended under MLB’s domestic abuse protocols and they were monitoring the non-improving condition of Paxton’s back.
Happ, at 37, projects to be the second-oldest starter in the majors behind St. Louis’ Adam Wainwright — with teammate CC Sabathia retiring, Minnesota’s Rich Hill not physically ready to begin the year and Jason Vargas still unsigned. Still, even at his age, Happ’s durability remained vital. So he was kept and at this moment might be the No. 3 starter behind Gerrit Cole and Tanaka. He pitched at that level in 2018, particularly after being obtained from Toronto at the trade deadline.
“He came in here ahead of the game,” Boone said of Happ. “He’s going to go out and have a very J.A. Happ-type season.”
That means taking the ball every five days, week after week and — the Yanks believe — pitching more like the late 2019 version of Happ.


newyorkpost--2020-02-23--Yankees rookie Mike King is in the mix for a rotation spot

TAMPA — With the Yankees ’ fingers firmly crossed that Luis ...

TAMPA — Right-hander Mike King is in the mix for a Yankees rotation spot with James Paxton expected to miss at least the first two months of the season because of back surgery earlier this month and Luis Severino headed to New York for three days of tests on his right forearm.
“I don’t know if I will ever feel that way,’’ King said when asked about competing for a big league rotation spot. “My whole mentality when I first came in — and that was before any type of injury — was just make it as hard of a decision as possible to send me down and I am going to keep that type of mentality. Wherever the cards fall.’’
The right-handed King replaced J.A. Happ, who started the 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays on Saturday and retired all six batters. King gave up two hits and a walk but no runs in 1²/₃ innings.
King pitched two innings of one big league game a year ago and missed spring training and four months because of an arm injury.
Kyle Holder has few minor league peers when it comes to fielding ground balls at short. His hands are as soft as former Met and Yankee Kevin Elster, who fielded balls better than most.
Holder’s sure hands were on display in Saturday’s loss in the fifth inning, when he fielded Teoscar Hernandez’s grounder toward third base and threw the runner out at first in the fifth inning. Holder was a compensation pick in the 2015 draft.
Working without their full lineup, the Yankees were limited to three hits. One of the hits was a home run by first baseman Chris Gittens in the home ninth.
Luis Cessa is a strong bet to be a member of the Yankees’ pitching staff. He can start or relieve, and Saturday the right-hander faced four batters and none reached base.
With Paxton opening the season on the injured list and the possibility that Severino will join him, the Yankees could have two rotation openings.
The Yankees travel to Port Charlotte to play the Rays on Sunday. Luke Voit and Miguel Andujar will make the trip with Jonathan Loaisiga, who will start.


newyorkpost--2020-02-23--Mets’ Seth Lugo returns to mound after fracturing his toe

PORT ST. LUCIE — It was only one inning consisting ...

PORT ST. LUCIE — Seth Lugo was back on a mound Saturday and looking forward to a normal spring training.
“All the pitches were there, executing and locating,” said the Mets right-hander, who had been limited to playing catch in recent days after fracturing his left pinky toe. Lugo threw without padding in his shoe.
“Real light and real simple right now, the further along we’ll start to do some tougher stuff.”
Lugo’s next step could be progressing to live batting practice, usually a necessary step before a pitcher is allowed to participate in a Grapefruit League game.
“I felt a little soreness when I got done, but that is to be expected” Lugo said. “Hopefully, [Sunday] that is gone.”
The Mets’ traveling squad lost 2-0 to the Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla., with Marcus Stroman allowing one run on three hits over 1 ¹/₃ innings. Brandon Nimmo departed after getting hit by a pitch in the sixth inning, but manager Luis Rojas indicated the outfielder was removed as part of a scripted plan.
Jeff McNeil singled leading off the game for the Mets and scored their first run in a 5-3 exhibition loss to the Marlins at Clover Park. McNeil is a consideration to hit leadoff during the season.
Rojas indicated it was a relief to finally manage an exhibition game. The Mets hired Rojas, their former quality control coach, only a month ago, after Carlos Beltran departed the organization for his role in the Astros’ sign-stealing scheme.
“Going out there I was really excited to watch them compete,” Rojas said. “The first-inning guys were having really good at-bats throughout our lineup and now going into the game we played real good defense today.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the opening of the refurbished Clover Park. New infrastructure, clubhouses and a left-field patio were among the $57 million in improvements, which were financed largely by the city of Port St. Lucie. Team COO Jeff Wilpon and local officials participated in the ceremony. Wilpon cited his father Fred Wilpon and real estate developer Thomas J. White for bringing the Mets to Port St. Lucie in 1988 — the team previously held spring training in St. Petersburg — but omitted late co-owner Nelson Doubleday.
Chasen Shreve allowed two runs on two hits in the second, including a homer to Harold Ramirez leading off the inning. The left-hander Shreve is a non-roster invitee to camp.
The Mets turned three double plays, with shortstop Andres Gimenez starting two of them. Gimenez also went 1-for-3 at the plate.
The Mets will face the Cardinals at Clover Park, with Steven Matz and Adam Wainwright on the mound. Jeurys Familia, Robert Gsellman and Brad Brach are scheduled to follow Matz.


newyorkpost--2020-02-23--Warren, placing fourth in Nevada, still can’t resist a Mike Bloomberg height joke

Elizabeth Warren is still looking down on Mike Bloomberg — from a vantage point of at least one inch above .
The Massachusetts Democrat , speaking in Seattle after placing fourth in the Nevada caucuses , took a glancing ‘ he ’ s short ’ pot shot Saturday night at Bloomberg , a candidate who wasn ’ t even on the state ’ s ballot .
“ I want to talk specifically for just a minute at the top about a threat that is coming our way , ” began Warren , who first came out swinging against the billionaire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debates .
“ And it ’ s a big threat — not a tall one , but a big one : Michael Bloomberg.
” Warren has found that attacking Bloomberg not only strikes at his campaign but helps fund her own .
She has raised at least $ 5 million in campaign donations since Wednesday night .
Washington Post reporter Annie Linskey meanwhile pointed out in a tweet that Warren is a mere one inch taller than Bloomberg .
Warren stands at 5′ 8″ and Bloomberg at 5 ’ 7″ according to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new Warren is [ flame emoji , flame emoji , flame emoji ] , Linskey added .
“ Especially for a press corps that spent the last three months listening to ‘ a story about a toaster . '
”

Elizabeth Warren is still looking down on Mike Bloomberg — from a vantage point of at least one inch above.
The Massachusetts Democrat, speaking in Seattle after placing fourth in the Nevada caucuses, took a glancing ‘he’s short’ pot shot Saturday night at Bloomberg, a candidate who wasn’t even on the state’s ballot.
“I want to talk specifically for just a minute at the top about a threat that is coming our way,” began Warren, who first came out swinging against the billionaire upstart candidate at Wednesday night’s debates.
“And it’s a big threat — not a tall one, but a big one: Michael Bloomberg.”
Warren has found that attacking Bloomberg not only strikes at his campaign but helps fund her own. She has raised at least $5 million in campaign donations since Wednesday night.
Washington Post reporter Annie Linskey meanwhile pointed out in a tweet that Warren is a mere one inch taller than Bloomberg.
Warren stands at 5′ 8″ and Bloomberg at 5’7″ according to their own publicly released health records.
This new Warren is [flame emoji, flame emoji, flame emoji], Linskey added.
“Especially for a press corps that spent the last three months listening to ‘a story about a toaster.'”


newyorkpost--2020-02-23--James Carville says the winners of the caucuses are Bernie Sanders and Putin

James Carville , President Clinton ’ s former adviser and campaign manager , thinks the Nevada caucuses are a big win — not just for top vote-getter Bernie Sanders , but for Vladimir Putin .
“ The happiest person right now is Vladimir Putin , ” Carville said in a Saturday interview on MSNBC , a reference to the recently-revealed consensus of US intelligence agencies that Russia is attempting to manipulate the results of the 2020 presidential election for the benefit of Sanders and President Trump .
“ I don ’ t think Sanders wants Putin to help , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I think they don ’ t like this story , ” he added of both Sanders and Trump .
“ But the story is a fact.
” Carville also said of the Nevada caucuses , “ This thing is going very well for Vladimir Putin .
I promise you .
He ’ s probably staying up watching this right now .
How you doing , Vlad ?
” The pundit said Putin sees a Sanders party nomination victory as a surefire way to get Trump elected in November .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line , ” Carville said , adding , “ I don ’ t think the Sanders campaign in any way is colluding or collaborating .
”

James Carville, President Clinton’s former adviser and campaign manager, thinks the Nevada caucuses are a big win — not just for top vote-getter Bernie Sanders, but for Vladimir Putin.
“The happiest person right now is Vladimir Putin,” Carville said in a Saturday interview on MSNBC, a reference to the recently-revealed consensus of US intelligence agencies that Russia is attempting to manipulate the results of the 2020 presidential election for the benefit of Sanders and President Trump.
“I don’t think Sanders wants Putin to help,” said Carville, an avowed anti-Sanders Democrat.
“I think they don’t like this story,” he added of both Sanders and Trump. “But the story is a fact.”
Carville also said of the Nevada caucuses, “This thing is going very well for Vladimir Putin. I promise you. He’s probably staying up watching this right now. How you doing, Vlad?”
The pundit said Putin sees a Sanders party nomination victory as a surefire way to get Trump elected in November.
“I mean, it’s a straight line,” Carville said, adding, “I don’t think the Sanders campaign in any way is colluding or collaborating.”