QNE_p083

QC04042013

82 THE QUEENS COURIER • APRIL 4, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com s sports METS SHOCK SKEPTICS CRUSH PADRES IN SEASON OPENER Photo courtesy of Bob McGuire Members of the FDNY presented a $5,000 check to Building Homes for Heroes, which builds home for disabled war veterans. BATTLE IN THE RING FDNY to take on BY TERENCE M. CULLEN tcullen@queenscourier.com Ding, ding: the bell goes ring. Some of New York’s Bravest are going against London’s Finest in a Battle of the Badges at Resorts World Casino New York City on Friday, April 12. Ten blaze battlers will trade blows with bobbies on the Racino’s third fl oor to raise money for Building Homes for Heroes, which builds handicapped-accessible homes for disabled war veterans. “There’s a lot of department pride at stake,” said organizer Bob McGuire. This isn’t the fi rst time the two forces have danced in the ring, though. They squared off at the World Police/ Fire Games a few years back, McGuire said, and FDNY offi cers went to London last year. They didn’t fare well, going 6-4, against the Brits, but McGuire said he hopes this year will be different. “We hope to return the favor this year,” he said of the impending rematch. In total, McGuire said FDNY Boxing has donated about $200,000 to veteran-related charities since September 11. In the last few years, he said, the organization has donated moneys raised, after expenses are paid, to Building Homes for Heroes. FDNY Boxing donated a $5,000 check to the charity on February 27 to help build homes for veterans. Organizers got paired up with the charity after it built a home for quadruple-amputee and Staten Island native Brendan Marrocco. “That’s when we fi rst got involved,” McGuire said. “It just seemed like a great fi t.” spo YA GOTTA BELIEVE Mets mark opening day with a win BY TERENCE M. CULLEN tcullen@queenscourier.com On Opening Day at Citi Field, you could be sure they were talking baseball. Fans, known for their brutal dedication, felt cautiously optimistic about what the next six months would bring to Queens as the Mets kicked off the 2013 season. With Johan Santana possibly out for the year and what General Manager Sandy Alderson called a relatively shaky starting rotation, fans are left with a lot questions. The Amazin’s, despite poor expectations, wound up beating the San Diego Padres 11-2, upping the team’s Opening Day record to 34-18. It was the first time both the Mets and rival Yankees had home openers on the same day. The last time two New York teams started the season in the Big Apple was 1956 when the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants started. Friends Adrian and Andre had differing views on what the season would bring. Adrian, who said he wasn’t necessarily a big baseball fan, said the Mets had a shot of doing something productive if they’re able to hold a steady record. “As long as we can win, we’ve always got a shot,” he said before heading into the stadium. “Right now, we’re undefeated.” Andre, however, said he was only hoping the team could finish better than last year’s 74-88 record. Other than that, he’s not sure where the Mets will be by the end of September. “If they fi nish at .500, I’ll be happy,” he said. Ken Jones of Long Island said he’s been to more than 20 Mets opening days and did not think the Amazin’s would fare well this year. “The team is rebuilding,” Jones said. “If they win 75 of 162 games, it’ll be a lot.” Jones went on to say he’s more hopeful for opening days in the years to come because of budding prospects in the Mets’ minor-league system. But, he said, owner Fred Wilpon had to spend more money on bringing veteran players to the team. “The Wilpons gotta put out some money,” h e said. Photos courtesy Dominick Totino Photography London PD for charity nizer ed


QC04042013
To see the actual publication please follow the link above