Yankees Make Another Break From The Past

 

Yankee Stadium's trademark facade. Photo by Jason Schott.

In recent years, the Yankees have adapted to current trends in baseball, as they allowed the Nike swoosh and an ad for Starr insurance on their once-clean pinstripe uniforms, as well as wearing the endless special caps Major League Baseball trots out each year.

NYCFC Sign Pair Of Draftees Ahead Of Opener

 

NYCFC plays some of their games at Citi Field. Photo by Jason Schott.

New York City Football Club announced on Friday that they signed a pair of players they selected in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, defenders Max Murray and Nico Cavallo.

Yankees Extend Boone’s Contract, Set For Decade At Helm

 

Aaron Boone at the batting cage. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Yankees announced on Thursday morning that they have signed Manager Aaron Boone to a two-year extension that will extend to the 2027 season.

St. John’s Downs DePaul In Romp On Road

 

Zuby Ejiofor slams one home. @StJohnsBball.

The St. John's Red Storm hit the road on Wednesday night, and put together a dominating performance to down DePaul, 82-58.

Books: New Novels From Preslaysa Williams & Shara Moon

 

A Wedding in the Lowcountry

By Preslaysa Williams

Avon; paperback, 304 pages; $18.99; available today, Tuesday, February 18th

Preslaysa Williams is an award-winning author known for writing heartwarming romance and women's fiction with an Afro-Filipina twist. Her first  Avon book, A Lowcountry Bride, received praise from Oprah Daily, which called it an "emotionally stirring debut," Buzzfeed, and Pop Sugar. A graduate of Columbia University, Williams is a professional actress who has appeared in Nickelodeon's The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo, a planner nerd, an avid bookworm, and a busy mom.

In her new novel, A Wedding in the Lowcountry, Avila's mother passes away, and she must return to Charleston to get her mother's house ready to put on the market. Returning home means that she'll have to face relationships that were best left behind. 

Avila's feelings are complicated, and they get even more so when she runs into her childhood friend, Terence, who's now a professor at the local college. Years ago, Avila felt abandoned when Terence left Charleston to attend Hampton University, but it's clear their connection is still strong, possibly something more than their longtime friendship.

Terence is very supportive of Avila in the wake of her mother's passing, and they have to deal with the feelings they have for one another. Avila, who's used to taking care of herself and her daughter, is wary of trusting others, but Terence could be the one with the key that opens her heart.

Let Us March On

By Shara Moon

William Morrow Paperbacks; paperback, 336 pages; $18.99

Shara Moon is a first-generation Haitian American and amateur historian who enjoys investigating Black world history. She is a former college writing instructor with degrees from the City College of New York and the University of Central Florida.

Let Us March On is Moon's debut historical fiction novel, and it explores the life and story of Elizabeth McDuffie, FDR's maid, who was an influential but widely known Black female figure in history. In addition to the work she did for the Roosevelts, in which she became indispensable, she served as a liaison between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Civil Rights activists.

McDuffie boldly proclaimed that she was FDR's "Secretary-On-Colored-People's-Affairs," as she became the President's eyes and ears into the Black community. She was never shy about pointing out injustices, and advocated for the needs and rights of her fellow African Americans, when those in the White House blocked access to the President.

This is a window into a piece of history that is not widely taught, and sheds light on what went on behind-the-scenes of one of the most significant presidential terms. This pulls the curtain back on how the White House is run, and in reading it, mirrors the movie The Butler, which starred Forest Whitaker. The other link to films is that McDuffie had a surprising connection to the classic Gone With the Wind.

McDuffie's was college educated, and while she had to settle for the "official" role of maid, it was her unofficial leadership in Washington that laid the groundwork for the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and '60s. She also paved the way for Congresswomen such as Shirley Chisholm, who represented Brooklyn and ran for President in 1972, up to this era, with newly elected Senators Angela Alsobrooks and Lisa Blunt Rochester.

St. John's Still In Top 10 Nationally

 

RJ Luis Jr. leads St. John's up the court early in Sunday's win over Marquette. Photo by Jason Schott.

The St. John's Red Storm took a tick down in the Top 25 rankings on Monday, as they came in at No. 10 in the Associated Press poll, and No. 9 in the USA Today Coaches' poll.

St. John’s Crushes Creighton, In Prime Position To Win Big East

 

Zuby Ejiofor putting up a layup that gave St. John's a 56-53 edge with 11:16 remaining. Photos by Jason Schott.

This came amidst a game-defining run by St. John's. 

One of many moments the crowd went wild. Photo by Jason Schott.

The St. John's Red Storm continue to make "some basketball history," as Head Coach Rick Pitino put it, with their latest win, a 79-73 triumph over the Creighton Bluejays, 79-73, in front of a sellout crowd of 19,812 on Sunday afternoon at Madison Square Garden.