Welcome to the my Web site, v. XII. The blog is typically published Monday - Saturday. My primary topics tend to be the Nats, Penn State (esp. football), BeltwayLand, transportation, media, photos and more. The rest of the site gets updated as warranted and is noted on the blog.
The last game should have been scheduled for the day, not at 8:05 p.m. Of course, I'll get to see some of it this way since I am going to the Nats game this afternoon.
The opponent should have been the Red Sox or at least a team that had been around in 1923. Baltimore were not in the majors then.
This game should have been on the last day of the season, not today.
I am in no hurry to see the new Yankee Stadium. I don't want to go up there until after the current one has been completely removed. Seeing half a Yankee Stadium still standing sounds very depressing. -
Agreed on just about every point you make. First, this game should have been on the last day of the season. Was it scheduled this way to make sure it gets more attention versus the final day of the season and possible divisions and playoff spots being determined? Perhaps.
Second, it is a shame Bob wasn't there in person.
Third, to schedule the game at night was a travesty. ESPN games always go way too late, especially AL games. I stayed up to watch it but it was a shame to see such a historic event happen so late.
Fourth, the O's were probably scheduled to help ensure a Yankees victory. It's only fitting to have the Yankees win their last home game there.
# posted by Kevin McGuire :
Monday, September 22, 2008 9:59:00 AM
What is wrong with this picture? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, August 22, 2008
What is wrong with this picture?
Um, nothing?
THE BRONX -- Forgive me if I find the case for building a new Yankee Stadium less compelling than say, Nationals Park. The building is old and the corridors are steep, but overall it remains a perfectly viable venue. While I have little doubt that it makes more financial sense to build a new facility, I think Yankee Stadium was special enough and the fan base is strong enough that they could have stuck it out in Yankee Stadium -- four million fans a year can't be wrong. It is all a moot point now, and perhaps when I walk into the new Yankee Stadium someday, I will forget about the old one. After all the new Yankee Stadium will look more like the original Yankee Stadium (in some respects) than the current one. Perhaps I am just being sentimental because my grandfather was born and raised on 161st Street, watched the stadium get built, and could hear the crowd from home when Babe Ruth hit a home run. Also, my mom worked there for the Yankees before the renovations. At least they are staying in the Bronx.
Yesterday's NYC tabs had same frontpage headline - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Yesterday's NYC tabs had same frontpage headline
Mayor Bloomberg wanted to put wind turbines on top of buildings and bridges and that drew obvious responses. Don't worry, it is not going to happen to any of your favorite landmarks.
Tip, how could you? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Tip, how could you?
THE BRONX -- I can't help be amused to see the superintendent for the subway station next to Yankee Stadium has the same name as the long-time Speaker of the House from Massachusetts.
Or perhaps, I could turn the question around and say, MTA, how could you?
Jim Hall is a worthy successor to Bob Shepherd - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Jim Hall is a worthy successor to Bob Shepherd
THE BRONX -- Bob Shepherd has been the voice of Yankee Stadium since Joe DiMaggio's final season which was also Mickey Mantle's first. Shepherd who is not that far off from 100 years old, has been unable work this season. One of the substitute announcers is Jim Hall, who has a similar voice to Shepherd. Hall will never be Bob Shepherd, but his voice is quite good and I think he would be an upgrade over most p.a. announcers.
Music Tuesday: Theme from "New York, New York" - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Music Tuesday: Theme from "New York, New York"
Since the end of the Yankees game, I have not been able to get this out of my head. This actually wasn't originally sung by Frank Sinatra, but Liza Minelli. However, he took it and made it his own and now they play it after every Yankees game. They used to play the Liza version after losses, but she was not real happy about that for obvious reasons. By the way, what this "to the ball team that lost" stuff Ol' Blue is talking about?"
Oh and I can't help but think of this whenever I think of the Chairman of the Board.
At the Hammond Organ...Ed Alstrom - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, August 18, 2008
At the Hammond Organ...Ed Alstrom
THE BRONX -- The Yankees have had an organ since 1967 when then Yankees president Michael Burke bought a Hammond organ and brought Eddie Layton over from CBS, the Yankees owners back then. Layton retired about five years ago and died shortly thereafter. I am glad that the Yankees kept the tradition going by bringing in a new organ player instead of recordings.
A final visit to Yankee Stadium - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Sunday, August 17, 2008
A final visit to Yankee Stadium
THE BRONX -- Erica and I took her parents to their first game at Yankee Stadium. It was my fourth and final visit, the first being 20 years ago. Like that day, the Yankees played the Royals, but this time they won. It took 13 innings and heroics of CF Brett Gardner to win it after an exciting and frustrating day of Yankees baseball. Thankfully, it was a beautiful late summer day and we were sitting in shade, so the nearly five hour long game just flew by.
The Bronx Bombers stranded about ten runners, including leaving the bases loaded at least twice. Were it not for several Kansas City errors, the Yanks might have been shutout. The day also featured the awkward experience of cheering for a pitcher that lacked the character to even play for Peter Angelo$. To his credit, Sidney Ponson pitched a pretty good game.
We were not able to get in the Monument Park line before the game, so I still have not been there :(. I will have to settle for the new Monument Park across the street someday.
I will have several posts about our trip over the next few days.
It looks as if you were only a few sections over from my girlfriend and I. We sat in Tier 14. Great game! My g/f was pretty bored by the end, but she was a trooper.
# posted by A :
Monday, August 18, 2008 11:05:00 AM
My wife and her mother sat in 14 for a while, then moved over to 5 where we were.
# posted by WFY :
Monday, August 18, 2008 11:22:00 AM
Post a CommentYankee Stadium sections - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Yankee Stadium sections
I am heading up to the Bronx on Saturday for one last game at Yankee Stadium. Here are several special features on the House That Ruth Built:
Are you going to go on the tour? (Monument Park, press box, etc) Enjoy the game. Nathans Hot Dogs are excellent. I have already warned you about the use of Hunts Ketchup there--if you see Hank, please ask him to switch to Heinz in the new Stadium.
Also, take a few minutes to walk around the new ballpark. It has the look of being impressive, at least from the outside.
# posted by The Maryland Bureau Chief :
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 8:24:00 AM
There are no tours that day, but a visit to Monument Park is planned. Thanks again for the warning about the ketchup too, though I have never been a big fan of Nathan's -- I'm a Sabrett man.
# posted by WFY :
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 8:43:00 AM
Post a CommentFavre to Jets means 3 tabloids use same bad pun - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Favre to Jets means 3 tabloids use same bad pun
I really hoped I would not have to post anything about Brett Favre, but he got traded to the Jets, so I knew tabloids would all pretty much look the same today. The little twist is that the NY Post made "JET FAVRE" the top headline, but had a bigger focus on the anthrax story.
Oh why did he have to go to New York? The nightmare of Favre coverage may just be getting started.
Prediction -- Favre will have a season ending injury before October, rendering the whole ordeal pointless.
Seeing double, almost triple on NY tabs backpages - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, July 18, 2008
Seeing double, almost triple on NY tabs backpages
The Mets' ten wins in a row have vaulted them into first place. Even with that, I think the "First & 10" headline is not terribly strong and is kind of forced. It did not stop with the two city tabloids' back pages either.
Newsday, Long Island's paper of record, went with the identical sounding "First & Ten" headline, but used a different photograph than the other two.
The Ombudsman can't be too happy to see his Phillies in second place.
Friday tabs made the same New York Climbs pun - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Friday tabs made the same New York Climbs pun
Both tabloids had the same idea for the cover -- New York Climbs in a gothic typeface similar to the old gray lady's flag (not masthead, as it is mistakenly called). I appreciate the Daily News one more because it included the definite article.
Tabloids have same take on Subway Series - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, May 16, 2008
Tabloids have same take on Subway Series
The Yankees are in the odd position of last place (it is a rebuilding year, though no one told Hank Steinbrenner) right now and the Mets are not as good as they were supposed to be this season. That has the two city tabloids thinking the same thing as the regular season Subway Series resumes tonight.
The Bronx Bombers won't be in last place for long and may make the playoffs yet. The Mets on the other hand, have third place written all over them.
Get well, Bob Shepherd - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Get well, Bob Shepherd
All Is Well: The Voice Is Coming Back - The Times I just learned the voice of Yankee Stadium, Bob Shepherd, is not well and will not be back until mid-season at the earliest. I hope so. I'm supposed to go up there during the summer and I cannot imagine not hearing Shepherd over the loudspeaker. He's been there since 1951 when Joe DiMaggio played his last year and Mickey Mantle his first.
Not ever wanting to ever be introduced by anyone else other than Shepherd at Yankee Stadium, Derek Jeterarranged for a recording to be used. Who can blame him? Shepherd is on the Mount Rushmore of voices with John Facenda and James Earl Jones.
Who else should be on the great voices Mt. Rushmore?
Tabs use the same headline in slightly different ways - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, February 04, 2008
Tabs use the same headline in slightly different ways
I had expected at least one of the tabloids would have gone with "WE WIN." The Daily News cover shown was a wrap-around; there were two regular covers today too. The NY Post's back cover is shown.
The right team won and restored order to the New York vs. Boston rivalry; take note Yankees. It has been fun being on the Giants bandwagon.
Super Bowl XLII live-blogging - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Super Bowl XLII live-blogging
UPDATED 10:33 p.m.
Jimmy Johnson never got over the '87 Fiesta Bowl. Neither did Vinny Testaverde, heh.
Belichick took off his red sweatshirt. He looks devastated. Good.
I expect at least one NY tabloid to have the headline WE WIN on one of their covers tomorrow.
UPDATED 10:28 p.m.
Enjoy this moment Eli, we'll like you for a little while because you saved us from another damn Patriots/Brady Super Bowl win.
The PATRIOTS CHOKED!
UPDATED 10:23 p.m.
"Certainly knew what they were doing, apparently?" Huh.
Who dressed Howie Long tonight?
So, is the Ewing Theory now the Tiki Theory?
Somebody get Terry a cough drop.
I love having a former MVP present the trophy. Good to see Doug Williams.
Um, nice suit commissioner. Manning is MVP. Who'd of thunk it?!
UPDATED 10:06 p.m.
THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL! THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL! THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL! THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL! THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL! THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL! THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL! THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL! THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL! THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL! THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL!
New York (or NJ) triumphs over Boston (New England), things are right in the world again!
UPDATED 10:05 p.m.
The Patriots are quitting!
UPDATED 10:00 p.m.
DOWN GOES BRADY! JAY ALFORD, COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS PENN STATE REPRESENT! :25 to go. 2nd down
UPDATED 9:57 p.m.
MANNING TO BURRESS FOR SIX! HOLY FECKING SCHNIT!
Giants 17 Patriots 14
Here comes the obligatory Europe!
UPDATED 9:52
WOW. How did that happen? Manning, mobile, David Tyree somehow there?
UPDATED 9:50 p.m.
Oh, that damn Bush song.
They get the first, despite no Pilsbury Throw boy. You owe us Tom Coughlin! UPDATED 9:47 p.m. Play of the ball game, right here, fourth down. Put in LORENZEN!
Ben Rothliesburger singing that damn pina colada song. That might haunt my dreams tonight.
Oh boy, Push It.
Manning, throwing off of his back foot, great.
Great open field, special teams tackle by Ray Ventrone. There, now I've assured that I will get hits for people looking for Ray Ventrone for the rest of eternity.
UPDATED 9:40 p.m.
Brady to Moss, d'oh!
14-10 Patriots
Time for Manning to become a hero.
UPDATED 9:38 p.m.
Hey, Brady, throw it to the guys in white.
Come Giants D, you didn't even have to play for the first ten minutes of the game.
UPDATED 9:33 Uh oh, the Patriots are waking up. The bananas aren't working for the G-men.
UPDATED 9:29 p.m. The Will Ferrell Bud Light ad was great.
If I were Manning, I'd be really mad at Plaxico Burress for letting up after that great scramble. If I were Burress, I would be mad at my parents for giving me a name that sounds like a dental hygiene product. He could put the game away if he catches that throw.
UPDATED 9:21 p.m.
If the Giants can't hang on, we will live in a world where Wes Welker is Super Bowl MVP.
The e-trade baby isn't bad.
I think I could get into the show House. The character seems to be based on the Ombudsman's repressed id.
UDPATED 9:13 p.m.
Agent Zero and G-Whiz!
TOUCHDOWN GIANTS! Somewhere in Maryland, a former R.A. is having a flashback to somebody playing Temco Super Bowl at 2 a.m.
BEGINNING OF THE FOURTH QUARTER
Finally a big play! Shockey in the booth, ha!
Oh boy, Fox is doing the game so we get lots of celebrity shots!
Where the hell was Lucy? Coke blew a great gag!
How nice of Dateline NBC to let Chris Hansen punt today.
Prediction -- next team to score wins.
I think the Chester Pitts (oboe player) ad is the best of the night.
We've got almost two full quarters without a score.
Too humid? In the desert! Open the roof.
UPDATED 8:50 p.m.
Ah, throwing deep into triple coverage, always a good decision. I thought I was watching Anthony Morelli.
Going for it on 4th and 13 at Giants 30 wasn't a horrible call by New England, but they should not have gone so deep.
Shrunken heads are better than Shaq on a horse.
Does anybody still consider Carmen Electra hot?
Brady is all out of sorts. I like it.
The panda ad will anger some people.
HALFTIME SHOW
Erica "Tom Petty isn't getting any younger."
Tough start on "American Girl", by "Freefalling" he was doing okay and he finished strong with "Running Down a Dream"
HALFTIME
I think Terry Bradshaw must have taken a horse tranquilizer.
Good game so far, a few turnovers, some punishing runs and Brady is making mistakes and getting sacked.
I like the ad with Justin Timberlake getting racked.
It is time to retire the Rocky theme.
UPDATED 7:33 p.m.
Did anyone catch who the half-time show performer is today?
Hey Belichek, the guy in the red shirt always dies!
Tom Brady sacked twice in a row!
Several punts in a row, Madison Ave. rejoices.
Manning intercepted -- PUT IN JARED LORENZEN! I want a 290 lbs QB in the game.
UPDATED 7:05 p.m.
Enormus carrier pigeons should be funnier.
Nice kickoff New England.
Wanted looks like a stupid movie.
Patriots score, PAT good. I hope you enjoyed your lead Giants, it might be gone for good.
I can't recall a first quarter of a Super Bowl any game going so quickly. Thanks Giants! Two possessions it turns out.
Doritos singer -- not terrible.
UPDATE 6:46
16 plays, 9:59 time of possession, only 3 points.
UPDATE 6:41 P.M.
The Patriots defense is getting manhandled so far.
Kelvin Gilbride? I wonder if Buddy Ryan just shot the television.
Brandon Jacobs just bulldozed the Patriots for seven. Sweet.
Phoenix has a pretty unimpressive skyline, I think Tysons Corner has a better one.
UPDATED: 6:25 P.M.
How many captains do they need?
Wasn't Steve Young a backup under Walsh?
Is the spin on the coin different because Ronnie Lott is missing a finger?
The roof is closed, boo!
Jordan Sparks was fine.
NFL people reading the Declaration of Independence -- take that limeys!
Minister of Propoganda's Half Time Report. (sponsored by the dignity that comes from not surrendering to crass corporate sponsorships) -------------------------------
A quick moving, low scoring game works well for those of us watching only for the commercials. The Doritos 'big rat' spot made me laugh out loud. The Budweiser ads need new life...no cares about the horsies anymore. The Pepsi-Timberlak ad was funny only because it featured copious amounts of boy-band crotch pain.
TWH MofP of the WWN
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 8:02:00 PM
Minister of Propoganda's Half Time Report. (sponsored by the dignity that comes from not surrendering to crass corporate sponsorships) --Part II -------------------------------
Never send a well-worn folk singer to do a Rock n Roll god's job. At least he won't be joined by Britney Spears...Oh good, no new tunes. Keep the proles from fidgeting too much if they don't recognize the tunes from their local Bennigan's soundtrack.
TWH MofP of the WWN
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 8:09:00 PM
okay, i'm not even sure what the hell that challenge was...but it just doesn't feel...American.
Why do you hate our freedoms, Mr. Bellachik?
TWH MofP of the WWN
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 8:39:00 PM
Regarding the panda ad: I've seen more delicate humor scotch-taped to the inside of job-johnnies on construction sites in the South. (yes, i was there...don't ask).
Coke balloon ad fell flat. It's never been that nice in November in Manhattan. And have we forgotten the deadly Bullwinkle balloon incident?
TWH MofP of the WWN
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:08:00 PM
Was it bullwinkle that almost killed someone? I could have sworn it was Garfield.
# posted by WFY :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:20:00 PM
tonight...the E-Trade baby will haunt my dreams.
Hola! degrading Latino stereotype! Meet my friends, the Asian panda mockeries.
TWH MofP of the WWN
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:23:00 PM
The E-Trade baby eats McRibs in the pit of hades of my nightmares this eve...
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:28:00 PM
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:32:00 PM
dammit. now i wanna be in a bar, drunk and screaming.
oh wait, when don't i?
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:40:00 PM
You've got what, two nights of that left?
# posted by WFY :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:51:00 PM
Tom's Lenten sacrifices this year:
1. No chocolate.
2. No wheat.
3. Only water to drink til Easter Sunday.
TWH MofP of the WWN
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:54:00 PM
So, you'll be mainlining cheez whiz for 40 nights, no?
# posted by WFY :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:56:00 PM
YAAAAAAYYYY!!!!!
but NE has three timeouts left, no?
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:57:00 PM
Indeed
# posted by WFY :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:59:00 PM
i had to leave cheese on the table...too many meatfree days on the liturgical calendar...i can tolerate only so many cheese-less salads.
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 10:01:00 PM
It's doubly sweet.
The Giants get to win. The Pats get to lose. heh.
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 10:11:00 PM
The Belachik post-game was priceless... "but...but...but we cheated and everything! how could we lose?" *ad lib*
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 10:36:00 PMPost a Comment
A quick look at Super Bowl XLII - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
A quick look at Super Bowl XLII
QUARTERBACKS
Giants -- Eli Manning -- no personality, pulled draft day stunt
Patriots -- Tom Brady -- 3 rings, dates super-models, baby daddy and full-fledged celebrity
Neither are likable, but Brady ruined 1999 Senior Day
CITY
New York -- capital of the world
Boston -- nice in its own right, but not New York
ACTUAL STADIUM LOCATION
Giants -- East Rutherford, N.J.
Patriots -- Foxoboro/Foxborough, Mass.
Foxborough is probably a nicer place than Easter Rutherford, but I like Jersey more.
UNIFORMS
Giants -- throwbacks, stripes on the whites jerseys, black shoes, classic helmet logo
Patriots -- modern with unnecessary accents; flying Elvis logo, white shoes
Duh.
FIELD SURFACE
Giants -- rug
Patriots -- rug
They both lose.
STADIUM
Giants -- Bland, boring stadium with excellent sightlines from every seat. Jimmy Hoffa may buried in one of the end zones there.
Patriots -- Unique features
It would be a slam-dunk for the Patriots if they hadn't turned into a bunch of babies and torn up the grass.
FAMOUS FAN
Giants -- Carl Brutananadilewski
Patriots -- Bill Simmons
Not even close -- Carl!
The Giants win on almost all of the above points which will probably be the only winning they do today. Not surprisingly, I'm pulling for the G-men, a triumph of Jersey provincialism. I would really like to see them win and restore balance to the Force in the New York vs. Boston rivalry, but I don't expect it. I anticipate the Patriots winning big and running up the score.
Nobody outside of the Northeast cares? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, January 28, 2008
Nobody outside of the Northeast cares?
I've overheard or read that nobody outside of the Northeast is going to care about this Super Bowl. Riiiight. Like nobody outside of Illinois and Indiana cared about last year's Super Bowl. It is the Super Bowl, people care. Either way, about 40 million people live within the "footprint" of those two teams. That is something like 13% of the entire U.S. population. Throw in expatriates (no pun intended) and there are probably at least 50 million people who live, lived or are only a generation away from living in the Northeast. I expect higher ratings for this year's game.
By the way, memo to the NY Post -- calling the Giants "America's team" is silly, even if it is sort of true for a day.
If I were Bill Belichek, I'd put that tabloid in every player's locker this week.
I understand it isn't as good a narrative for aliens destroy Indiana because a burning Wal-Mart isn't a vivid as skyscraper, but still destroying New York is a cliche that actually happened.
MetroCard makeover? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
MetroCard makeover?
Does the MetroCard Need a Makeover? - CityRoom, nytimes.com A blogger wonders aloud if New York's now iconic (I still prefer tokens) MetroCard should be redesigned. Comparisons to D.C.'s SmarTrip and farecards, Boston's Charlie card ensue, as do calls to spend money on making the trains on time/stations nicer.
Why does Hollywood hate N.Y.? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, January 04, 2008
Why does Hollywood hate N.Y.?
When I saw a commercial for the movie Cloverfield the other day, I lamented to myself that it was yet another movie that destroys all or part of New York City. I have never really seen the appeal of these movies especially since IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. At this point, in addition to being unsettling, it is lazy storytelling since it has been done so many times.
I thought about cataloging these movies and writing up a post about the phenomenon, but a Brooklyn born Post-Gazette columnist beat me to it.
Same idea, but on opposite pages - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, November 23, 2007
Same idea, but on opposite pages
Both tabloids think Isiah Thomas is a turkey, but expressed it on different sides of the paper yesterday. Unfortunately, the Daily News didn't post a larger version of the cover though.
While I don't care about the Knickerbockers, I'm amazed the Thomas hasn't been terminated yet.
Isiah inspires boos, backpages - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Isiah inspires boos, backpages
The same photograph of Knickerbockers coach Isiah Thomas appears to have been used on both covers, but the Daily News uses quotes while the NY Post uses an exclamation point.
nydailynews.com redesigned - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, November 19, 2007
nydailynews.com redesigned
My favorite tabloid's Web site has been redesigned. nydailynews.com has a clean, modern design with more information on the front. There are thumbnails of the covers that are above the scroll and click through to larger versions. I also like that the rotating eyepiece runs "down" the three big headlines rather than left to right like just about everybody else.
Would the real "Artful Dodger" please stand up? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, November 02, 2007
Would the real "Artful Dodger" please stand up?
The two New York City tabloids both have the same backpage headline this morning, but they each referring to a different person. Too funny!
By the way, I think Joe Girardi was a better choice for the Yankees than Don Mattingly. Experience as the Marlins manager for a year and as a catcher as a player makes more sense for the Yankees. It would not surprise me to see Mattingly will get his chance.
Also, despite being from Brooklyn, Joe Torre was a Giants fan for some reason. It will be odd seeing him in Dodger blue, but even weirder seeing Mattingly not wearing pinstripes.
The Dodgers will be the third team from New York (originally at least) that Torre has managed. He skippered the Mets in the 1970s too, so only the Giants are left. I think Daryl Strawberry is the only other person to have been a member of all of those franchises.
Casey Stengel played for the Giants and Dodgers and managed the Yankees and Mets
# posted by Anonymous :
Friday, November 02, 2007 10:28:00 AM
Stengel managed in Brooklyn too.
# posted by WFY :
Friday, November 02, 2007 11:05:00 AM
Post a CommentSHOVE IT! NYC tabs have same Torre frontpage headline - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, October 19, 2007
SHOVE IT! NYC tabs have same Torre frontpage headline
I pretty much expected the tabs to have the same headline again. I wonder how long until Torre's #6 is retired. The Steinbrenners have egg on their faces for the way they did this and I don't expect Torre to accept any ceremony for a couple of seasons.
Selena Roberts of The Times has a good column about the way this was botched.
Brooklyn and the Dodgers parted ways 50 years ago today - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, October 08, 2007
Brooklyn and the Dodgers parted ways 50 years ago today
In view of the action of the Los Angeles City Council yesterday and in accordance with resolution of the National League made Oct. 1, the stockholders and directors of the Brooklyn Baseball Club have today met and unanimously agreed that necessary steps be taken to draft the Los Angeles territory.
-- press release, October 8, 1957
Much has been written about the fabled Brooklyn Dodgers and their move to Los Angeles. Despite having no connection to the borough of Brooklyn (one of my grandfathers was from 161st in the Bronx though1), I've found the legend of the Dodgers to be fascinating. I've read Roger Kahn'sBoys of Summer and countless articles on the subject. I've heard the jokes about hated Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley like "who were the three worst men of the 20th century, Hitler, Stalin and Walter O'Malley" and "if Stalin, Hitler and O'Malley were in the same room and you had two bullets what would you do?" ... "Shoot O'Malley twice" and laughed.
So after processing all of this information about how great it was that Brooklyn had a team and how tragic it was that they left, I have come to the conclusion that despite intense New York provincialism2 on the subject, the Dodgers move was that big a deal. The transfer to Los Angeles reflected the decline of urbanism and the rise of suburbanism as well as anything else.
O'Malley wasn't the villain he was made out to be either. I am convinced he acted in good faith for several years to build a new stadium with his own money in Brooklyn and the politicians and especially Robert Moses wouldn't let it happen. He may not have been a "pure" baseball man, but in his relentless pursuit of profits he invested in his team in such a way that brought championships. He was smart enough to realize that a well-run team was good business.
It is an interesting coincidence that O'Malley's plan to build a domed stadium in the center of Brooklyn's mass transit hub appears to becoming reality with the Barclays Center. One can only wonder how Brooklyn, Los Angeles and America had been if it had been the Dodgers setting up shop there.
Moses was probably the principal villain in the Dodgers exodus, but ultimately, a changing America was probably the biggest reason.
1Grandpa used to always refer to Tommy Lasorda as "the Brooklyn manager." I found it interesting that he still thought of the Dodgers as Brookyln's team so long after they left. He rooted for the team that played down the street from him though and his daughter (my mother) even worked for those Yankees in the 1960s.
2New York is the one American city that has earned the right to be so full of itself because its New York.
Two consecutive days of back pages being the same - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, August 06, 2007
Two consecutive days of back pages being the same
The last two days, both NYC tabs have had the same back cover headline. On Sunday, it was 500 to observe Alex Rodriguez 500th career homer and today was 300 for Tom Glavine's 300th win. I didn't think they were worth getting the full WWN tabloid similarities treatment though -- these were too obvious.
Not The Old Gray Lady, too - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Not The Old Gray Lady, too
About ten days ago, when I was up visiting family down the Shore, I remarked to my uncle that I appreciated that The Times was still the traditional newspaper size.
This morning on WTOP, I heard that The Times was becoming the latest paper to shrink from 54 inches web width to 50 inches.
Seeing disaster double - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Seeing disaster double
That both NYC tabs have the same headline for the Minnesota bridge disaster is not surprising. I'll argue that the the Daily News has a slightly better cover because the text that says Minneapolis in slightly larger text. There should really be a subhead indicating where this took place so people aren't wondering if it happened in Queens, Jersey City or some other part of the tabloids coverage area.
Based on the size of the covers online, I can't decide which one has the better photograph.
Same backpage headline yet again - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, July 23, 2007
Same backpage headline yet again
You can't be shocked that both papers had the same idea for today's best page after the Yankees 21 runs yesterday.
I'm glad the Yankees are picking it up again and are five games over .500. It might be too little too late though. They are 7.5 back of the hated Red Sox and 6.5 back in the wild card.
Interestingly, the covers page on nypost.com has broken images as of 12:15 p.m. I had to do a screengrab to get something up.
<i>Daily News</i> recalls the summer of '77 - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Daily News recalls the summer of '77
My favorite New York tabloid, the Daily News, has an excellent enterprise section about the city's tumultuous summer of 1977 called The Bronx is Burning. Four topics are covered extensively
Yankees -- who won the World Series despite hating one another
The Blackout -- another blackout struck New York, this time with riotous results
The section is very extensive, so don't try to bite it off all at once unless you have a couple of hours to kill. It will be updated a few times throughout as well.
Interesting covers on today's tabs - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Interesting covers on today's tabs
I don't ever recall a pitcher being called "evil" for walking in the winning run. Then again it did mean Peter Angelo$ won, so the Daily News might be onto something.
I avoid Paris Hilton coverage as much as I can, but I have to give it up for this cover by the NY Post.
Are you taking notes, Wash. Examiner?
Oh and yesterday, both papers had "Tigers Cub" along with the same photo of Tiger Woods and family on their covers. I didn't post about it because one paper treated it with a full page, while the other was just an inset. It wasn't specific enough to fit in yesterday's newshole.
"If this is anyone but Steve Allen, you're stealing my bit" - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, June 21, 2007
"If this is anyone but Steve Allen, you're stealing my bit"
A Wall Street Journalblog (hat tip to dl004d) has also noticed that the New York tabloids looked like each other yesterday.
So, what about the Bloomberg story? Turns out the Post and News, in rare tabloid synchronicity, arrived at nearly identical covers — both with stylized treatments of the Clintons’ Sopranos-based video atop similar Bloomberg headlines.
NYC tabloids basically the same again - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
NYC tabloids basically the same again
By the way, the Clinton video is here. Pretty funny, but using a French Canadian singer for you campaign theme song? Granted, it is not as bad as adopting "Born in the U.S.A.", but a poor choice nonetheless.
The song was a jingle for an Air Canada ad campaign. But there's nothing wrong with outsourcing. Clearly, Canadians are doing the work that Americans won't do.
# posted by dl004d :
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 12:55:00 PM
Revisiting Robert Moses - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, May 11, 2007
Revisiting Robert Moses
A Tale of Two Cities - The Times There are two exhibits on the legacy of Robert Moses that take a more favorable view of New York's master builder than Robert Caro'sThe Power Broker. I have read the first part of that book and look forward to getting back to it. Had I not just moved, I would have been quite tempted to check these exhibits out.
Same back page headline again - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, May 07, 2007
Same back page headline again
The New York tabloids have just about the same back page headline again, only a couple of quotes are different. At least the photos are clearly different.
On a side note, since it was Cinco de Moving, I missed the Derby for the first time in many years. The Yurasko Derby Party will resume next year.
Subway car of the future circa 1949 - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Subway car of the future circa 1949
A Museum-Quality Car for a Subway Yet Unbuilt - The Times An interesting article about the only remaining 1949 2nd Ave. subway car. The cars got built, but the line did not. One of these centuries...
Which tabloid got the quote wrong? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Which tabloid got the quote wrong?
Once again, the New York tabloids have almost the exact same back page headline.
Now I am wondering* what Carl Pavano actually said, "I am ready" or "I'm ready." One of the papers got it wrong, unless of course Pavano said "'m ready."
This is the sort of stuff we used to talk about in my media ethics class.
*I am probably wondering why Pavano is the Opening Day starter even more though
Brooklyn! My ole stomping grounds. Next time you're going there let me know. There are some great restaurants in my old neighborhood. I miss 'em so!
# posted by Sweet :
Wednesday, January 10, 2007 4:19:00 PM
I'll keep that in mind Sweet. Our trip to Brooklyn was quite short -- we took the subway into the borough, got off and waked across the bridge. Next time, we'll actually hang around for a little while.
# posted by WFY :
Wednesday, January 10, 2007 6:45:00 PM
Counter Point: I am better than you.
Alexandria, VA Altoona, PA Annapolis, MD Arlington, VA Avalon, NJ Baltimore, MD Barneget, NJ Bedford, PA Bethesda, MD Boulder, CO Chantilly, VA Denver, CO Durham , NC Elkridge, MD Estes Park, CO Fairfax City, VA Falls Church, VA Ft. Collins, CO Galveston, TX Great Falls, VA Hagerstown, PA Herndon, VA Houston, TX Katy, TX Keswick, VA Leesburg, VA Lewes, DE Longmont, CO McLean, VA Merrifield, VA Mount Vernon, VA Newark, DE North Beach Haven, NJ Orange, VA Palmyra, VA Paris, VA Petersburg, VA Philadelphia, PA Reston, VA Richmond, VA (The City that Fun Forgot) Sky Meadows, VA Spray Beach, NJ Springfield, VA Steamboat Springs, CO Stone Harbor, NJ The Plains, VA Vienna, VA Virginia Beach, VA Washington, DC Wenonah, NJ Winter Park, CO
More on the New York trip - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, June 16, 2006
More on the New York trip
A few more thoughts on our trip to New York last weekend:
THE CITY
We parked near the theater and wound up paying about $28 for 8 hours. Not bad, but not ideal either. If we do this again the same way (staying at Cliff's) we'll drive up to his neighborhood and the car in the garage there and take the 1 train to our destination. We did not want to deal with that hassle this time though.
We had lunch at the Arts Cafe, a diner at 50th and Broadway which worked out well. We had salads at the counter.
After the show, we met up with Ombudsman near the Gershwin. On the recommendation of my colleague Elise, a Brooklyn girl now in Ithaca, we took the train over to Brooklyn and walked across the Brooklyn Bridge back to Manhattan. She was aghast when she heard I had never set foot in the borough.
Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is a lot of fun, not too mention, free. The bridge is so spectacular in itself and has lots of historical markers and signs. I took a number of photos, which you can see in this flickr stream. The bridge winds up being a lot less steep than you would think too.
After crossing the river, we had a round of drinks at Beekman's Bar, oddly enough on Beekman Street. It was an empty, local bar.
We rode the 1, 2, 3, A, & N lines of the subway during our 24 hours there.
I had forgotten just how dank MTA stations can be, though I am not complaining because the level of service is so high.
I still miss subway tokens.
I could look at a MTA map for hours. In fact, you almost have to in order to figure out where you need to go.
The Ombudsman lives WAAAAAAY up on the west side in the 150s. It is gentrifying up there.
We had dinner at a local joint Saturday night. I don't remember the name of it and neither does the Ombudsman, but they had really tasty hamburgers and fries. I think it was the caremlized onions that gave the kick, though I scraped them off because I dislike cooked onions.
For breakfast on Sunday morning we went to The Kitchenette (or something like that) at 123rd and Amsterdam. I had some very tasty four grain pancakes. Deelish! Harlem is definitely gentrifying too.
We had a brief stopover on Columbia's campus. It was quite attractive, but did not create a sense of awe in me like Yale does. I have now visited the following Ivy League schools: Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Cornell, Penn.
Not surprisingly, Sabrett hot dogs are better in Manhattan than Pentagon City. The one by me over cooks the dogs. Since we missed out on Saturday, I had to divert to midtown on Sunday to get one. Erica was kind enough to pop out and get it while I idled.
Henry Hudson Parkway is a pretty cool drive.
THE DRIVE
I think I am done with stopping at the Maryland House Service area on I-95 because it is so crowded. Maryland House is the first service area (which means restaurants and gasoline as opposed to a rest area which just has rest rooms and maybe tourist information) on I-95 NORTH so it is always crowded with buses and the like. There is an awful lot of humanity standing around in doorways and stairwells in that place. From now on I am probably going to stop at the Chesapeake House, which is essentially the Maryland House only further north. I assume that it is preferable to the Delaware Turnpike service area too, which is smaller and just as crowded (something about tax free shopping, if I recall).
Erica noticed the sign for the Decoy museum and wondered if the museum was a decoy or a celebration of decoys.
Unless I have to stop, I no longer do any of the toll dodges, since EZ-Pass makes the traffic flow much better.
I saw the bridge first both times, take that Christopher!
I had planned on taking the Turnpike from the Delaware Memorial Bridge to the Lincoln Tunnel, but as I approached EXIT 7A I noticed a backup and emergency vehicles, so I bailed on to I-195 WEST to US 130 NORTH. I got back on at Hightstown.
The big green signs for the Turnpike from I-195 include the I-95 shields.
I am so glad the Turnpike still has their neon REDUCE SPEED signs every 1 1/2 miles, despite having variable message signs. I do miss the neon speed limit signs though (long gone) and the more recently departed Howard Johnson's sign at EXIT 5.
I think all of the service areas on the Turnpike have been rebuilt. I still miss the old SNACK SHOPS though.
The approach to the Lincoln Tunnel is one of the most interesting stretches of roadway . It cuts right through the palisades and has to loop down to the toll plaza. The light towers are the plaza are art deco as well. On top of the tunnel portals is Weehawken Stadium, which has got to be one of the cooler high school fields in the country. Sadly, billboards have made the iconic Weehawken Stadium sign hard to see.
No One Mourns the Wicked - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
No One Mourns the Wicked
NEW YORK -- On Saturday, Erica and I saw a matinée of Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre on W. 51st St. I had seen The Producers on Broadway in April 2001, but this was Erica's first show on the Great White Way (or one of its side streets). I gave her the tickets this past Christmas; these were the earliest I could get.
The Gershwin appears to be relatively new as theaters go, so what it lacks in grandeur it makes up for in functionality. We had seats in the upper reaches of the theatre and they were fine. The set is several stories tall and includes an enormous mechanical dragon, which is quite impressive. The sides are exposed ironwork and gears symbolizing the dragon clock that plays a part in the show.
The plot -- an alternative view of The Wiz is a clever premise, but I think it could have worked better. The protagonist, Elphaba (EDEN ESPINOSA), a She-Hulk, is sent to Hogwarts to look after her crippled sister, Nessarose (JENNA LEIGH GREEN). Not surprisingly, being at the school proves that it is not easy being green. Through some miscommunication, she winds up rooming with the vapid blonde princess, Glinda (KATE REINDERS), who gives her a makeover and they become friends. Elphaba is also apprenticed to the headmistress (CAROL KANE’S UNDERSTUDY, I THINK) in sorcery. Then their favorite teacher, Goat-Boy (SEAN MCCOURT) gets fired a and after a scared Lion cub is brought to class in a cage, Elphaba starts a PETA chapter. Elphaba and Glinda then take a roadtrip to Emerald City where Elphaba feels at home because nobody is staring, they meet the all powerful Oz (THE GUY TED MCGINLEY REPLACED ON MARRIED WITH CHILDREN). Coincidentally, the headmistress from school is his press secretary. Elphaba is given a book of spells that Oz can't read (he is illiterate), but turns against him when he announces that it is her job to eliminate the talking Animals, like Prof. Goatboy. She flees to her parents' house, where she buys Nessa's loyalty by creating a spell to make her walk. Nessa also casts a spell to turn her boyfriend into C-3PO after he announces he doesn't love her. Meanwhile, back at Hogwarts, Glinda mutates into Eva Peron and sends "deeply shallow" boyfriend Fiyero, (played by Penn State WR DERRICK WILLIAMS) after Elphaba. Fiyero nearly captures Elphaba, but instead captures her heart. Then he gets lynched because interracial dating is taboo. Oz then has Nessa killed, which enrages Elphaba and makes her turn to the dark side of the force and become Darth Elphaba. After a little girl from Kansas shows up and steals Nessa's magic shoes, Elphaba tracks her down, but it defeated when a bucket of water is poured on her. Only she isn't! Using a mysterious green crystal, she regenerates herself and leaves for the fortress of solitude with Fiyero, who is now a brainless scarecrow.
Okay, the real review: Overall, the play underwhelms -- the idea is fantastic, but the execution should be stronger. The first act has lots of exposition which borders on tedious at times. It does pick up as intermission approaches, and the second act is pretty strong. At times, the dialogue is a little forced by trying to be too cute, especially in Act 1. The biggest disappointment is the music. It sounds like watered-down Andrew Lloyd Weber/eighties music and the lyrics are nothing really special. The only song I can remember is "No one Mourns the Wicked," which was used in the beginning and the end of the show. The plot ties together pretty nicely, though, and concludes in a satisfying and enjoying way. I'll give it 2.5 stars out of four because it did not live up to the hype.
The crowd reaction disagreed with me though, it was roaring. I guess it makes sense though, when half the shows are about 70s albums (Mama Mia, Jersey Boys, Movin' Out) I can see how this would appear to be a miracle. Hopefully, Spamalot, which we are seeing this weekend, will live up to the hype.
Gronowicz update - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Gronowicz update
TV's Grandpa Munster dies at 82 - BBC Looks like my former history professor has one less competitor for the Green Party's New York State gubernatorial nomination.
Cities we have visited and ones we would like to - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, January 09, 2006
Cities we have visited and ones we would like to
Erica and I have been to a few cities and college towns over the last five years (D.C. -- obviously, Baltimore, Philly, New York, Boston, Montréal, State College, Pittsburgh, Ithaca, Annapolis, New Haven, Charlottesville, Virginia Beach, and Ft. Lauderdale) and intend to visit more.
Key: Red - we visited together; purple - separately; blue - William; green - Erica
We decided to come up with a list (with three levels) of places we want to visit. Level 1 are cities we absolutely *have* to visit, while Level 2 is cities we really want to visit. Level 3 is more along the lines of cities we would be interested in seeing, but only if a good opportunity (like really cheap airfare) arises. Don't be offended if we did not include your town, this is just a preliminary list of cities to visit. National Parks and non-urban places are another list. Also, just assume that every Big11Ten town is on there for a PSU road trip too.
Tier 1 San FranciscoE London
Tier 2 Chicago Toronto
Tier 3 Denver/BoulderW Seattle Charleston, S.C. Savannah Niagara Falls/Buffalo San Diego
Superscript text indicates one of us has been there previously.
# posted by Anonymous :
Monday, January 09, 2006 9:36:00 PM
Madison is at the top of the Big11Ten towns to visit. September, maybe.
# posted by WFY :
Tuesday, January 10, 2006 7:48:00 AM
I'll second the call for Madison. And the early fall is a great time to see it.
# posted by dl004d :
Tuesday, January 10, 2006 9:20:00 AM
What about South Bend? And I'm not strictly talking about a visit for a PSU-ND game (the cost could be prohibitive), but just in general? Also, I've heard Austin is a must-see. I would move San Diego up the list a bit.
# posted by Sam B :
Tuesday, January 10, 2006 9:51:00 AM
South Bend??? I guess you might want to put Gary on the list too then.
ESPN's been replaying 1980s "Greatest Games:" last night featured the two most famous/infamous AFC Championships between Kosar and Elway of the three. For some reason Marty kept smiling.
# posted by Webster Slaughter :
Tuesday, January 10, 2006 11:58:00 AMPost a Comment
Q & A with Steve Anderson of dcroads.net - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Q & A with Steve Anderson of dcroads.net
Long Island native Steve Anderson has been running a site about New York area highways for almost nine years. His thorough research has set the standard among "road geek" sites and made him a media go-to guy when it comes to highways.
In the early part of the century, Anderson expanded extended his reach to Philadelphia and Boston. Now, he is heading south down I-95 with dcroads.net, completing his coverage of highways in the northeastern megalopolis.
dcroads.net is still under construction, but is scheduled to formally debut on New Year's Day 2006.
Q: What initially motivated you to get started on NYC roads?
A: In September 1996, I began my first web page on Geocities, which you could call an early blog-type site. At this time, I came across David Steinberg's Interstate highway site (at ihoz.com). I wrote an entry in his guestbook, confessing that I was a bit of a "road geek" (arguably the first documented use of that word). When I saw Scott Oglesby's site (kurumi.com) on three-digit Interstate highways and Connecticut roads, the writing was on the wall: I had to follow up with my own site.
Although I do not work in the field, I've always considered myself an expert in the area of highways, bridges, and tunnels. My interest began at a young age, and I must say I was privileged to have grown up on Long Island, where many of the works of master planner Robert Moses -- notably the state parks and the parkways leading to them -- were built. When I was ten years old, about a year and a half before he died, I received an 8"x10" autographed photo from Moses. When he finally passed away in 1981 at the age of 92, I saved every newspaper clipping from the New York Times and Newsday.
I launched my New York-area web site on a free site on June 1, 1997. As both traffic and content grew phenomenally -- at one point, I had my content on several different free web sitse -- I moved the site to its own unified domain -- nycroads.com -- in March 1999. Philadelphia (phillyroads.com) was launched in 2000, and Boston (bostonroads.com) followed in 2001.
Q: You are now adding a D.C. area highways site; given the number of sites already dedicated to D.C. area roads, what will make your site notable?
A: What I want to achieve with dcroads.net is providing a seamless research site for highways, bridges, and tunnels from Boston to Washington. I think the emphasis on history -- particularly individual histories of unbuilt roads and bridges -- has been the strong suit of nycroads.com, phillyroads.com, and bostonroads.com, and I think this will be the case for dcroads.net. Like other metropolitan areas in the Northeast, the DC area has plenty of highways (both built and unbuilt) that have picqued my interest.
Q. How long has dcroads.net been in the works?
A: Active research on dcroads.net began in July 2004. Because of personal obligations, I have not been able to come out with the site sooner. Even at launch time, I will have only a few pages completed, but many more will come during 2006.
Q. What kind of sources do you use for your highway profiles?
A: I use primarily a mix of historical planning reports and old newspaper clippings. Occasionally, engineers and planners who have worked on projects, as well as the journalists who covered them, will submit information and photos to me.
Q. How much time have you spent driving around the D.C. region?
A: I have been driving around the Washington-Baltimore-Annapolis area since 1988. Two of my brothers have lived in the DC area over the years, so I have done lots of driving. Needless to say, there have been quite a few changes since I started driving in the area.
Q: You are including Baltimore as part of dcroads.net. Will you include other parts of Maryland like the Eastern Shore, or parts of Virginia like Richmond and Hampton Roads?
A: I may cover a couple of highways on the Eastern Shore like the Ocean City Expressway (MD 90), but there isn't much to cover there.
However, I do not plan to venture further south of Northern Virginia at the present time as I admit my knowledge base in the southern part of the state is not as strong as in the DC area. But never say never...
Q. Is there a "master builder" of Washington area infrastructure comparable with New York's Robert Moses?
A: In the cities I cover, there is no single "master planner" who comes close to Robert Moses. I think the closest larger-than-life figure would be William Callahan, who oversaw the early development of Boston's expressway system, but even his power was limited compared to that of Moses.
Q. Did Moses play any role in D.C. highways?
A: Not in DC, but in Baltimore Moses played a significant role in the early development of that city's expressway system. In 1944, Moses spearheaded plans for the highway network in Baltimore.
Q. On you current sites you sometimes make suggestions for improving highways or bridges. Will you be recommending a solution for the I-66 inside-the-Beltway?
A: I think it could be done, but the HOV restrictions would need to be maintained. This siutation is similar to I-476 in Pennsylvania which is now completely congested. Both roads were on the planning maps for a long-time and ultimately built to half their initial capacity. Transportation officials up there are trying to widen it too.
Keep in mind that the interstates were designed to handle traffic loads 20-25 years in the future. It has been twenty-five years and I-66 has met it's design limits.
I would be open to HO/T if studies showed construction would support it. With an HO/T situation it could finance the construction since in theory you would have a dedicated funding source.
I'll have to study this more in depth, but I'd like to see a tolled or HO/T (tolled for single occupancy, no toll for HOV) I-66 tunnel underneath DC from its current end east to US 50/New York Avenue. However, as much as I would like to see an extended I-66 through DC into Maryland, I think the opportunity for building urban highways may have passed, especially with the added complication of building underneath Metro lines in addition to utility and sewer lines.
Q. Another hot button issue is the Whitehurst Freeway in Georgetown. What suggestions do you have for that road?
A: I think it should be kept as is. Tearing down the Whitehurst Freeway would make conditions along an already congested M Street even worse. I've even seen a recommendation that M Street be widened. You would destroy retail down that stretch during and after construction.
Q. In the 1970s, D.C. traded in most of their highway funds for mass-transit. What is your take on that decision?
A: I agree with that decision. Some of the planned freeways were not needed in my opinion, and the trade-in has reaped some wonderful dividends for the DC metro area, both in terms of transporting people and promoting economic development. Because of its city's density, Metro has been one of the few mass transit success stories.
Q. Would you like to see some of the highways which were cancelled looked at again?
A: In addition to an extended I-66 that I mentioned earlier, I would like to see I-395 extended north from its current terminus to meet the current I-95/I-495 interchange near College Park. Much of that highway could be built along the existing PEPCO right-of-way, thereby minimizing disruption.
Q. How does the condition of D.C. area highways compare with other eastern cities?
I think they probably about as congested as they are anywhere else in the Northeast. However, I think the highways in Maryland and Virginia are better maintained than those further north, if only because of the milder winters in the area.
Q. What is your favorite D.C. area road?
A: The Capital Beltway (I-495/I-95). It's the one I'm most familiar with.
Q. Least favorite?
A: The northerly (DC 295) stretch of the Anacostia Freeway. It's about as unsightly as the Cross Bronx Expressway (I-95).
Q. Does new highway capacity induce demand?
A: That point can be argued; however, I have found that demand often is induced even without the presence of highways, particularly here in the Northeast where land is scarce.
Q. What are your thoughts on toll roads being leased?
A: I think this phenomenon likely will expand. It's a common occurence overseas, and here in North America, a Spanish company (Cintra Concesiones de Infraestructuras de Transporte) operates the Chicago Skyway and Highway 407 (in the northern suburbs of Toronto).
Q. How about High Occupancy Toll lanes?
A: The toll aspect of HO/T lanes could expedite construction of a needed project that could take a decade or more to build, so I'm open to the concept.
Q. Are the sites simply a personal project or have you turned them into a company?
A: When I started the road sites back in 1997, I did it just for the love of highways, bridges, and tunnels without any idea of how big the sites would become. This endeavor only recently become a small company.
Q. You have advertising on the sites, are they profitable?
I only took on advertising in 2002 following the sustained spike in traffic following 9/11 (I had over 400,000 visitors on nycroads.com on that day alone!). The advertising helps pay for server space, bandwidth, and all other things associated with the sites. I maintain strict quality control on the advertisers who show ads on my sites, and do not allow ads that an average visitor would find objectionable.
Full disclosure: I have contributed to nycroads.com and phillyroads.com.
Thanks for posting the interview on yurasko.net and dc.metblogs.com. One correction: the link to bostonroads.com is correct, but the text is wrong (it reads "boston.com")
# posted by Steve Anderson :
Thursday, December 22, 2005 8:11:00 AM
I made the correction, my tired eyes missed that one.
# posted by WFY :
Thursday, December 22, 2005 9:23:00 AM
I have one more correction. The widening would take place on K Street (which runs beneath the existing viaduct), not M Street as I stated previously. Nevertheless, the damage done to residential and commercial development would be measurable.
One of my favorite college professors is running for mayor of New York...again. On a whim, I ran a Google News search for Gronowicz and found this candidate profile of Anthony Gronowicz, Green Party candidate for mayor (The Villager, which I assume is a weekly newspaper in the city.)
I had two of Dr. Gronowicz's American history courses at the old school in the 1995/96-class year and they were probably the most enjoyable classes ever. He was something else -- a charismatic New Yorker through and through who relished stepping on sacred cows. To say he challenged the dominant ideology on campus would be an understatement. Whenever his name would come up with other professors at Penn State, most of them got very uncomfortable, as did one of his contemporaries Eric Foner, who gave a lecture at University Park during my junior year.
His curriculum gave us Melville and Hawthorne to read in pre-Civil War history, but showed us Oliver Stone's The Doors and assigned Hunter S. Thompson in the post-Civil War course -- he was that kind of guy. The course packet is still in my library; and even looking at it now, I give him a tremendous amount of credit for the quality of the material (The Doors, notwithstanding) he gave us.
Dr. Gronowicz was (and clearly still is) incredibly opinionated, prone to semester long tangents (Malcom Forbes was one of the rankest perverts who ever lived, and now his son is running for president to clear the family name!), and overall was very stimulating. My favorite lectures were when he would get out from behind the podium and speak off the cuff -- some interesting tales and theories came from those classes.
Many memories remain (definitely offline) -- vivid ten years later. For my last reminiscence of I will note that at PSU Hazleton, professors usually had to pair up to share an office, and Dr. Santulli (a philosophy professor, and a son of the borough of Brooklyn -- there are some good stories about him too), was paired with Dr. Gronowicz. I had Dr. Santulli's class (the less said about it the better) my sophomore year, after Dr. Gronowicz was gone; so I had to stop in their office occasionally. Just about all that remained on Dr. Gronowicz's desk was a little sign:
New York Yankees, Yankee Stadium, Bronx Beltway
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