December 31st, 2008
New Years Eve
The Tiburones are READY!
Thank You 2008 Season and Welcome 2009!!!
 We look back at the 2008 season and we can not help to smile at the many success' we had.  The 2008 team...a team nobody saw coming...a team many under-estimated...a team that fought through their games consistently keeping it close throughout the season...the only team who truly had their number were the ElmJack Blue Jays.  Yes, the Tiburones made alot of noise and let everyone know they were here but yet who were they and who was strong enough to lead this bunch?  James M...Ceo of the Tiburones created the team in hope of a greater tomorrow.  He believed so much in all his players and still does.  he knows the talent he had on that team was FULL of players who have the potential of Greatness...many of which achieved it.  Most notably Julian Rivera, Ryan Bohn, and Jeremy Rich who made the All Star team because of their hard work and dedication.  Also Korey Donaldson who was named MVP of the Tiburones for an awesome 2008 season.  Korey lead the team with his actions on the field...he never complained and just played the game.  Captains Carlos Feliz and Mike Pacheco...two class act gentlemen who never complained and always showed up to play.  Carlos, my shortstop, played out of position at third base because the team needed him to do it and never complained about the move and Mike never let some early mound set backs affect him as he pitched his way back into form towards the end of the year..pitching in the last week of the season and Winning a key game against rival the Storm.  There was our strike out leader Manny Alcantara pitching a NO HITTER on HIS BIRTHDAY...it could not have happened to a better guy as Manny is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet.  There was Tristan Massalay-Ellis and Kyle Donaldson joining the team midway through to help us gain some strength and make some noise.  Both Tristan and Kyle not only showed the team how talented they were but how dedicated they were to not only the team but to the game.  Class act ball players!  There was Alan Cabello...who whenever he hit the mound nobody saw coming as he was reliable and almost always seemed to get that out he needed...he always gave his all with class.  There was Luis Curatolo hitting a MOON SHOT homerun vs the Sky Line that hasn't come down yet, Abel Curiel who came on towards the end of the season to win a tough game against the Prospects (a game that truly shows why you never should ever quit or give up), there was Miguel and Will..two brothers who not only did well in the field but put the team first, there was Joshua Mensche who could play any position on the ball field, there was Jose Florimon who held down second base, came through with clutch hits, and also pitched very well, there was Ariel Ayala who also played every position and played it well..who also provided some spark, there was Willard Hunt who had a great glove and speed and who we affectionately all know as "Bubble", there was Dempsey Oquendo who never quit and who always seemed to be in the right place at the right time, there was James Mangan who not only was a cool friend, a superb pitcher, but a class act ball player, there was Allen Colon who while being a Tiburon played his heart out and always gave his best (he will always be the good guy I knew then and the good guy I know today and as I said then and as I say today all is forgiven), there was Taylor Perez and Edwin Suazo..two talented guys who can help any ball club, then there were Khalil Gauvin, Keerthi Bala, Joaquin Esquillin and Tim Ryan who had either very short stints with our ball club or hurt for most of the year but provide us with some boost when they played.
But as the summer season drew to a close I saw a new beginning.  I saw a Tiburones Organization.  I saw the 2020 Tiburones hitting the field defending their many Championships.  I saw a budget...I saw scholarship programs and scouts...I saw internship programs and jobs...I saw the future of the Tiburones and I saw myself needing the time to do it all one step at a time so I sat down with my friend Sixto Moreno before the summer season had even come to an end and I picked his brain about the season in progress as well as Managing the 2009 Tiburones.  He agreed because he knows and agrees with the way I work.  He knows the long hours it takes to get good class act ball players and he knows how tirelessly I work at achieving my goals.  So two weeks towards the end of August we started what would eventually become our 2009 club.  We went out and starting seeking coaches and ended up getting two premiere guys in player/coach Eddie Nay and player/coach Chris Morrissey...there two know the ball field and are mature, extremely punctual and professional.  Then we needed players so we focused heavily on Maturity and Communication...we wanted only players who understood our game plan and respected it.  We ended up getting some of the classiest guys you'll ever find.  Not only talented but a great crew to be around.  David Fana, Jay Bonet, Jerry Olivo, Juan Urena, Willie Urena, Maximo Polonia, Danny Rivera, Hector Moreno, Anthony Brisita, and Chino Cepeda.  Then we have returning players in Kyle Donaldson, Korey Donaldson, and Julian Rivera.  All of the 2009 guys are not only talented but outstanding gentlemen who look forward to winning games by playing team oriented ball.
So how do we send off 2008??  We send it off by thanking everyone for helping make 2008 a success!  Thanks to you the Tiburones went into the last day of the season with playoff hopes and thank you 2009 Tiburones for choosing a strong franchise that believes in you just as much as you believe in it. 
My 2009 ball club is so strong.  From the arms to the defense..the hitting to the leadership.  The Kharma has definately fallen in favor of us.  The 2009 ball club possess' a focus that I have not even seen in many years.  Could this be the indication of greater things to follow??  Only time will tell but only one thing is for sure...these guys have definately impressed me with their work ethic and maturity.  So far our 2009 season has been a HUGE Success as I couldn't have asked for a greater bunch of guys.  To all my guys on the 2009 ball club...your hungry, your strong, you possess the desire, you have a good coach in Moreno, good player coaches in Eddie and Chris, you guys are working out almost everyday, and you want to win... WOW... I'm AMP'd...2009...the Tiburones are READY!!


December 29th, 2008
NEW YEARS 2009
BENEFIT FOR THE TIBURONES BASEBALL TEAM
Horse Trade Theater Group and the Tiburones have agreed to combine their efforts in putting together a New Years Party for the Ages!  Their first annual NEW YEARS EVE BASH! at Horse Trade Theater Groups headquarters, 85. East 4th Street, Manhattan Ny 10003. The party will be jumping all night long in all Three of Horse Trades Theaters!!...The Kraine Theater, KGB Bar, and The Red Room will be ready to get it jumping along.  The itinerary for this extra special evening will include a special performance of The Flaming Lip’s CHRISTMAS ON MARS at 8pm in The Kraine followed by a dance party with DJ Joey Nova (RebelRebel, Monday Night Burlesque, Pretty in Pink), live music, a raffle to benefit the 2009 FRIGID New York Festival, and a FREE Champagne Toast at midnight to ring in the New Year. The Red Room will serve as the VIP lounge all night. Finger foods and FREE BEER will be provided.  A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit Los Tiburones de Queens!


December 24th, 2008
Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukah/Happy Kwanzaa to ALL!!!
In this Holiday Season the Tiburones would like to extend our deepest well wishes to all of you!  Does not matter what race you are or what religion you practice or even if you practice no religion...the Tiburones wish all of you well.  We remeber all of those who are here...most notably Chris, Eddie, Chino, Moreno, Hector, Willie, Juan, David, Jerry, Korey, Kyle, Anthony, Danny, Julian, Ceo James and to all of our families.  Let us remember all of those who are not here because they have passed on.  We all wish everyone who has ever played for the Tiburones well and send them well wishes to their families!  To you all...god bless and may all your dreams come true!




December 22th, 2008
Tiburones hard at work!
It is well known by the Tiburones organization that our players work hard but they have literally put this Ceo in shock when he hears that all his players are working hard in their spare time getting in shape.  Jay Bonet has been hitting the gym consistently along with Max Polonia and David Fana.  All three players reguard themselves as Gym Rats who understand how hard you have to work to have a great year.  A similiar player did the same thing for the Tiburones in 2008...Julian Rivera...Julians work-ethic brought him much deserved praise when he was selected to the 2008 NYCMBL ALL STAR TEAM.  Fana has said that he is largely motivated by having a great year which could lead to an ALL STAR selection.  Fana shares the same drive that drives ALL of the Tiburons in 2009...Success!  
Willie Urena is hard at work not only at the Gym but at his NEW job at Fresh Direct, Danny Rivera just started a NEW job, Jerry Olivo working hard during the Holidays at UPS, Juan Urena is hard at work and working hard rehabing his wrist, Chino is hard at work, the Kyle and Korey Donaldson are working during the holidays at LGA, Hector Moreno is working as well as study for his CDL license, Anthony is working hard, Eddie is working hard, Chris is working hard, James is working hard and Moreno is working hard.  So far so good...we got a team FULL of HARD WORKING PEOPLE!  


December 20th, 2008
Julian Rivera Agrees
The Tiburones and All Star Catcher/Outfielder/Pitcher Julian Rivera agree!  Julian Rivera is signed as a 2009 Tiburon!  Julian fits very well with a strong Tiburones team that includes David Fana, Jay Bonet, Jerry Olivo, Max Polonia, Willie Urena, Juan Urena, Chris Morrissey, Eddie Nay, Korey Donaldson, Kyle Donaldson, Anthony Brisita, Chino Cepeda, Hector Moreno, James M., and his brother Danny Rivera!!  All these players are quality players and the addition of Rivera makes the Tiburones that much stronger.  Rivera says that he can not wait to hit the field with his teamates in route towards a Championship!  Rivera understands the concept of total team play and looks forward to playing with team.  Welcome Aboard Julian!


December 19th, 2008
Tiburones and Rivera Agree in Principal
The Tiburones and All Star Catcher Julian Rivera agree in principal on a deal that would bring the highly talented 5 tooler to the Tiburones.  Julian would catch, play Centerfield, and Pitch for the Tiburones in 2009.  The deal is pending and could happen very soon.  The Tiburones are estatic to have the opportunity of having Mr. Rivera in their strong line-up.  He joins an already talented line-up.  Julian is obviously a great player with a fine attitude towards winning...we believe our 2009 ball club is being built to win right now and with Julian it makes our ball club that much better and ready to win now.  "Julian is a special player whos talents can not be measured on a scale" Ceo James  Stay tuned!!



December 16th, 2008
In Close Talks!
Timothy Forbes, and Julian Rivera in close Talks with The Tiburones
The Tiburones and Free Agents Tim Forbes and Julian Rivera are in close talks with the Tiburones Organization.  Tim, a catcher/first baseman, has a strong arm and bat.  He also has the leadership qualities the Tiburones love.  He is Mature and Extremely Knowledgable of the game.  For now the Renegades Manager is deciding whether or not he wants to bring back his class act ball club to the NYCMBL.  Should he decide not to bring back the Renegades, a class act ball club, he would then decide on joining the Tiburones. 
Julian Rivera, an all star catcher in 2008 for the Tiburones is a good defensive and offensive catcher/outfielder who is mulling over a deal that would bring the rough and tough player back for 2009!  Coach Moreno and Ceo James have spoken of Julian as a Five Tool player capable of changing the game single-handedly.  Julian understands he would fit perfectly playing under Morenos uptempo offense.  He would bring onfield leadership as well as great defensive ability along with his bat.  Julian would be joining his brother Danny forming probably the best brother brother tandem since the Donaldson Twins hit the scene. 
The Tiburones would benefit highly from having two both Timothy and Julian...two high caliber quality players who are both respected and admired by Moreno and The Tiburones Organization!  The Tiburones have certainly changed there persona this off-season and are dedicated to Winning because at the end of the day what else matters?  Stay tuned for more!
Stay Tuned!!

December 13th, 2008
Coach Chris Morrissey!!
Coach Morrissey is ready to hit the field at the Tiburones practice facility.  He looks ready to lead the Tiburones towards their title dreams.  His bat was LIVE and his Defense was very on point.  The 6'5" Catcher/DH is from the Country of Ireland and looks to bring the luck of the Irish to the Tiburones in 2009!  The Tiburones now have the Four Leaf Clover as they have been blessed with a pot of Morrissey!!  Chris is focused and ready to go and so are the Tiburones!!
Chris Represents




December 12th, 2008
Still looking for quality players
The Tiburones are still looking for more players for their 2009 roster!  We are primarily looking for 2 pitchers however we are open to looking at you if you play another position.  We will be holding a practice/tryout soon so get at us by clicking on the registration link above...fill out the information...and we will get right back to you.

December 7th, 2008
Player Signings!!
The Tiburones have signed Maximo Polonia, Danny Rivera, and Juan Urena.
Maximo is a Dominican Born Fire Baller who has one thing on his mind...to win!  Danny, a true switching hitting, defensive wizard playing second baseman plans on stealing his way into the record books, and Juan Urena comes with long distance Canon and is anxious to hit the field.  Below are their pictures!
Danny Represents
Juan Represents
Max Represents



December 6th, 2008
NYCMBL Managers Meeting
The First Managers meeting went extremely well and the Tiburones were properly represented by their Manager Moreno.  Ceo James was also in attendance to ensure their positive presence of their 2009 club.  Joel Marcano of the NYCMBL spoke about some new rules and ideas for the 2009 season.  All in all a nice meeting.  Ceo James shared a laugh with his friends and rivals Juan Ramos of the Rough Riders and Eric Withohn of the Brooklyn Knights.  They both have been amazed of my historic fantasy football season in which Ceo James' record is 11-1...tops in the league.  Ceo James was happy to see alot of his friends as well as shake hands with many of the leagues Managers.  Seems like every team is getting ready to "do it up" this year and the Tiburones will prepare themselves as best as possible.  2009 is shaping up to be an interesting year....the players are coming...the positivity has been flowing...the Tiburon coaches are all amp'd and the team is finally taking proper shape.  2009...Maturity + Proper Communication = Tiburones 2009!!! 

December 1st, 2008
In Loving Memory of 
Ramon Velez

Recently my family was hit hard with a loss.  I place this Column that was written about him in the Daily News on the Tiburones page as my way of honoring the life of a great man.  A man who faught hard so Puerto Rican people would have more doors opened...a man who started opening doors for Puerto Ricans and a few years later to ALL LATINOs Abroad!  He will be very much missed.

Velez larger than life, for good and for ill

Wednesday, December 3rd 2008, 12:41 PM

 

Ramon Velez Sr. at a meeting of the Bronz County Committee in 1988.

They will come by the hundreds Wednesday to St. Patrick's Cathedral - the prominent and the penniless - to mourn the death and recall the extraordinary life of Ramon Velez.

They will hear eulogy after eulogy to the South Bronx leader who built a multimillion-dollar social service empire, created the nation's gaudiest ethnic parade and reigned as the ironfisted godfather of Puerto Rican politics in New York City for nearly 50 years.

Long before anyone heard of J.Lo or Marc Anthony or Rosie Perez, this street brawler named Velez came out of the Bronx to demand respect for Puerto Ricans.

He didn't exactly fit the image of a great leader. He was balding and fat, with a broken English accent and the cunning of a Puerto Rican jibaro, a rascal who played fast and loose with government funds, provided jobs to thousands and paid himself and his relatives enormous salaries.

Velez was also the consummate politician, hobnobbing with all the powerbrokers of his era - Nelson Rockefeller, Ronald Reagan, Al D'Amato, Ed Koch, David Dinkins.

When it came to making back-room deals with party bosses like Pat Cunningham and Stanley Friedman, no one was better than Velez. Under constant investigation for corruption, he was never convicted of a crime.

After grabbing control of the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade in the 1960s, Velez secured a TV contract and turned it into a mega-event that dwarfed any other ethnic parade in the country.

He discarded the parade's stress on traditional Puerto Rican culture and turned it into a moneymaking extravaganza dominated by liquor and beer company floats, scantily dressed women and pulsating music.

Velez did more to catapult young Latinos into political office than anyone in the city's history. The list of those who owe their careers to him is truly astonishing.

They include Rep. Jose Serrano, former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer, former City Councilman Rafael Castaneira Colon, former Assemblyman Hector Diaz, Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo and former state Sen. David Rosado.

Unfortunately, except for Serrano and Ferrer, most were distinguished more by slavish devotion to their godfather than any real leadership skills.

More than 15 years ago, after I wrote a series of articles on the fortune Velez had accumulated in Puerto Rican real estate, he called me up.

"You consider yourself a Puerto Rican nationalist?" he said.

"Why don't you come up to the Bronx and see for yourself all that I've done for this community."

I took him up on the offer and headed up to his drab third-floor office in a nondescript building at 149th St. and Third Ave.

We spent several hours together. He told me he had once been a follower of Albizu Campos, the famous Puerto Rican independence leader, and insisted he was fighting for his community with the same spirit that Albizu had.

Albizu died broke, I told him, while you have become rich fighting poverty.

"I saved my money and made wise investments," Velez said.

He asked me to ride around the neighborhood to see all the senior citizen housing he had built. He jumped behind the wheel of his mint Jaguar. The number of buildings he showed me that day was impressive.

One of the places we stopped was the Maria de los Santos Senior Citizens home, which Velez named after his mother. Waiting for us in the lobby of the center were three of the city's best-known Puerto Rican politicians, a state senator, an assemblyman and a councilman - all of whom shall remain nameless.

"Don Ramon," the trio chirped in unison as we entered.

Without saying a word, Velez extended his hand in their direction.

Then right before my eyes, the senator, the assemblyman and the councilman all kissed the ring of their leader.

That was pure Ramon Velez. There will never be another like him.

?Want to Be A Tiburon?
The Tiburones are currently looking for CLASS ACT Ball Players Only!!
The Tiburones are a MATURE DRAMA FREE Squad...so if your responsible, answer emails, understand how to take direction properly, speak appropiately to yourself , others, and especially to your teammates then WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!
You might hear others talk about what they "don't want" we at the Tiburones Talk about "What We Have and What We Want."  We are extremely specific with everything we say as we believe in treating all of our player like they should be treat...with respect so long as respect is given.  All players are welcome to set up a tryout date as soon as possible.  If you Pitch and play a position thats a plus!!  Only the "Right Players" need apply!!  Simply click on the registration link above in hope of becoming a Tiburon Tomorrow...ACT FAST...ROSTER IS ALMOST COMPLETE!  Want to have Fun as well as compete at a High Level??...then the Tiburones are for you...get at us today for a better tomorrow!

News/Alert(s)/Updates:
December 1st, 2008
Los Tiburones Announces
Justin Nay as their official Bat Boy and part of the Future Tiburones!
Justin will get bats, warm-up outfielders, keep the score book, and practice with the team.  Justin is a welcome addition to our family!