The Battery

The Daily Plant : Wednesday, October 23, 2002

NEW YORK’S LAST DYNASTY

The Yankees are sitting at home for this year’s Fall Classic. The injury bug is biting the Giants and Knicks, and the Jets are in total disarray. There isn’t much winning going on in New York sports these days – except for one last remaining dynasty.

On October 17, 2002, the Manhattan Parks softball team preserved the last true dynasty in New York by capturing its 3rd consecutive Parks Softball championship. The Manhattan squad continued a tradition of excellence by winning its fourth championship in the past five years, by defeating the Bronx team 7 – 5 at Shea Stadium.

Chris Davis was named MVP (Most Valuable Parkie) by going 4-4, including a home run and a triple, with 2 RBI. In a game that wasn’t decided until the final out, Joe Reyes, Danny Mercado and Scott McAuliffe combined for 5 RBI to help secure the win.

The game was close throughout with the Bronx rallying from 6 – 0 to pull within two, but were never able to get any closer as Jack Rohan was able to contain the Bronx bats with a solid performance on the mound. "The game was a classic thriller. Everyone, on both teams, gave their all and left it all on the field," said Manhattan Manager Al Vinetti.

The Manhattan Parks team was comprised of Chris Davis, Joe Reyes, Scott McAuliffe, Danny Mercado, Al Vinetti, Tom Vinetti, Frank "Cheech" Mazzuca, Chris Caropolo, Jack Rohan, Marc Rogers, Ray Henderson, Angelo Figueroa, Hal Sekzer, Aaron Greenberg and Armond Laboy.

Professor Ginkgo—man of letters, member of countless learned and tree societies, and preeminent scholar of All Things Parks—has left reclusion after nearly a century to help shed light on the puzzling questions that brush the news desks at the Daily Plant. His name honors the Ginkgo Biloba tree, which is considered to be the oldest species of tree in the world and whose leaves are believed to promote strong memory and mental sharpness. If you have a fun or unusual Parks trivia question, please email him at professor.ginkgo@parks.nyc.gov.

(Wednesday, November 1, 1989)

Commissioner Stern today announced the publication of Parks’ 1988 Annual Report. The 64-page report, first to be printed in full color, tells how New York’s green spaces flourished and grew in the winter, spring, summer, and fall of 1988.

The report opens with an essay describing flora, fauna and people in the parks throughout the circle of seasons. Illustrating the text are 50 striking photos featuring native bird species, idyllic scenes of meadows and marshes, major Parks events and children at play. The cover photo is of the Hope Garden in Battery Park, Manhattan, a 10,000 square-foot garden with 50,000 tulips and daffodils planted in memory of people who died of AIDS.

"To dry one's eyes and laugh at a fall, And baffled, get up and begin again."

Robert Browning

(1812-1889)

Know Before You Go

The Battery