THE NEW YORK YANKEES AND THE 4-5 CURSE

ARTICLE BY:

Vincent Spada

New England author & poet

vinspada@yahoo.com

Copyright 2015-2024

Despite their 27 World Championships, the Bronx Bombers may be plagued by an unusual hex. I'm speaking, of course, about...

THE NEW YORK YANKEES AND THE 4-5 CURSE

Explanation: The New York Yankees have never won a World Series title in a year ending in a 4 or 5. What follows is a list detailing what occurred and why there may be a curse...

First thing's first: The Yankees were not the Yankees until 1913. Before that, they played as the New York Highlanders and, briefly, as the Baltimore Orioles (sort of). In both 1914 and 1915 they had losing records, struggling to establish themselves in the younger circuit known as the American League. It was not until 1920, when they traded for Babe Ruth, that they became a relative force in baseball. 

They posted a winning record in 1924, finishing second to the Washington Senators, but a losing one in 1925 (This was the year of Babe Ruth's so-called "stomach ache"). In 1934 and 1935 they were again runner's-up, being trumped by the Detroit Tigers both times. But 1936 may be the year the curse really began, with the emergence of a young center fielder...

It was 21-year old Joe DiMaggio, fresh from the minors, who burst onto the scene that season. Swatting 29 homers, along with 125 RBI, he was a mainstay in the Yankees line-up. The Bronx Bombers won 4 World Series titles in a row from 1936-1939, but in that time frame suffered a major loss of enormous significance, in more ways than one. 

I'm speaking of first baseman Lou Gehrig, the gentleman ballplayer and pride of the Yankees. Famous for his great hitting and iron-man consecutive games played streak, he set the precedent for Pinstripe greatness. However, early in the 1939 season, Gehrig had to remove himself from the game due to his terrible and unfortunate illness. Only two years later The Iron Horse was gone, taken too soon at the tender age of just 37. 

Now why does the curse begin here? It has to do with the numbers both Gehrig and DiMaggio wore. Gehrig 4, DiMaggio 5. 4 and 5...

Gehrig was a living legend and face of the franchise, and that was removed from him by Joe DiMaggio. Not that Joe D. did anything wrong, but it's just hard to say goodbye to a hero. This same incident occurred when Tino Martinez had to replace first baseman Don Mattingly in 1996. Fans were not so quick to welcome in Tino, still clinging to memories of Donnie Baseball. This symbolic passing of the torch may have also carried over these negative feelings from older fans, who were very loyal to Lou Gehrig and did not want his position usurped by a young newcomer. If such is the case perhaps those same "bad vibes" inadvertently led to the curse. Anyone who watches baseball usually believes in superstitions, jinxes and plain old bad luck. 

Hence, we might assume that if there was and is a curse, it began right then and there. If so, let us examine the evidence that follows, season by season and event by event:

1. 1944 and 1945: The Yankees finish in third and fourth during these two campaigns, lacking their star power due to World War 2. Incidentally, 1945 was the last year the Chicago Cubs appeared in a World Series (Their "Billy Goat" curse began that season).

2. 1954 and 1955: Despite winning 103 regular season games in 1954, the Yankees pace a distant second to the Cleveland Indians 111 victories. In 1955 they make it to Game 7 of the World Series, only to lose to Johnny Podres and the Brooklyn Dodgers. 

3. 1964 and 1965: Yet again, the Yankees make it to Game 7 in the '64 Classic, only to fall this time to Bob Gibson and the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1965 they post a record of 77-85, their first losing season since 1925 (That "stomach ache" year!). At this point the dynasty of the New York Yankees, that featured Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio and Mantle, ceases to exist, as the Bronx Bombers sink into a decade of obscurity, failing to make the playoffs again until 1976 (During that period of dominance, stretching from 1920-1964, the Yankees won the World Series a staggering 20 times. That golden age lasted 45 years. Once more, those two numbers, 4 and 5...).

4. 1974 and 1975: New York is starting to reemerge again as a potential postseason squad, having winning records in both '74 and '75. However, the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox still claim the AL East titles, and the Yankees will have to wait until 1977 for their first world championship in 15 years (Note: It was during this period, in 1973, that George Steinbrenner purchased the team).

5. 1984 and 1985: Despite Don Mattingly's AL batting title in '84 and MVP performance in '85, both he and Hall of Famer Dave Winfield cannot lead the Pinstripers back to glory. New York came close to a division title in '85, chasing the Toronto Blue Jays all season, but suffered a devastating 8-game losing streak in late September and could not recover (To this day, that one still hurts). 

6. 1994 and 1995: With the Yankees finally poised to take the AL East crown in '94, the unthinkable happens: MLB players go on strike in August and the playoffs are cancelled when a labor agreement can't be reached. There will be no World Series that year for the first time since 1904, and it single-handedly destroys baseball in smaller markets (The Montreal Expos never bounce back and move to Washington in 2005). The next year, in a strike-shortened season, New York finally makes the postseason for the first time since 1981, but are beaten by the Seattle Mariners in the first round of one of the most exciting ALDS contests of all-time (That one still hurts, too. 1994, as well).

7. 2004 and 2005: After 101 regular season wins and a first round victory over the Minnesota Twins in the ALDS, the Yankees take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Boston Red Sox in the 2004 ALCS. Yet, the BoSox have their own curse to break, and they stun the world with 4 straight victories. They then defeat the St. Louis Cardinals in the Fall Classic and end the "Curse of the Bambino" (Will never get over that one). In 2005 the Bombers return to the ALDS, but are beaten by the Los Angeles Angels in 5 games. The White Sox take the flag that year, ending their own "Black Sox" curse of 1919. 

8. 2014 and 2015: The Yankees failed to make the playoffs for the second straight year in 2014, saying goodbye to legendary SS and Captain Derek Jeter. 2015 began slowly for New York, but hot hitting by Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira help earn several victories. Combined with great bullpen work and some good starts from the rotation, it led to a wild card playoff spot. However, Dallas Keuchel and the Houston Astros were too much for the Pinstripers, and now the hex has continued up to the present season. 2024. Will Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole and Juan Soto finally end this unusual streak?...

You may ask, is any of this real? I can't say for certain. Time will tell the tale in its own time. We'll just have to wait and see.

And that, my fellow baseball fans, is the history of the New York Yankees 4-5 curse. Believe it or disbelieve it. The facts are there. You decide for yourself...

Thank you,

Vincent Spada

Lifelong Yankees fan

*Many thanks to Baseball Reference for its accurate facts and fine online format.*

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Opinion: Strategies to Protect Your Goals from Consistent Inflation

 

If you’re like most investors, you’ve noticed the impact of higher inflation in recent years – whether at the gas pump or the grocery store. American investors are experiencing the effects of prolonged inflation for the first time since the early 1980s. As a result, many are concerned about how inflation levels will impact their ability to reach their long-term financial goals. While it may not be possible to avoid the effects of inflation altogether, there are several strategies investors can utilize to mitigate the impact of inflation on their financial plan. Here are three investment considerations that may help address inflation concerns and better prepare your goals for long-term success.

1 – Keep your money invested

When the inflation rate soared in 2022, stock and bond markets declined. Some investors responded by pulling money out of the market. This can be counterproductive as investors too often miss much of a market’s recovery gain before they put their money back to work. For example, the U.S. stock market (as measured by the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index, an unmanaged index of stocks often used as a benchmark of market performance), declined 25% between January and October 2022. But by the end of 2023, the S&P 500 regained nearly all of the ground lost in the bear market.1 It is normal for markets to go through ups and downs. Investors that stay the course and keep their money invested commonly see their investments make up gains that were lost in a sudden downturn. While it may be tempting to remove yourself from the market during volatile periods, it could be helpful to stay invested at a level that reflects your risk tolerance. 

 

2 – If time is on your side, take advantage of stocks

Over time, stocks have historically outpaced inflation, an important consideration as you try to build wealth to achieve your ultimate financial goals with more confidence. This doesn’t mean that year-in, year-out, stocks will keep you ahead of inflation. 2022 is a good example of a year when stocks declined as inflation rose. But if you have time to let your money work for you, stocks have historically outpaced the rise in living costs. According to data collected since 1871, stocks have grown faster than inflation for holding periods of 20 years or more.2  Investors who can ride the highs and lows of markets are often better suited to keep up, if not pass, the rate of inflation.

 

3 – For short-term money, seek higher yields

You may have money set aside for short-term needs, such as your emergency fund or to cover upcoming expenses. In these times of elevated inflation, you’ll want to find ways to earn more competitive yields on your short-term savings. Search out options such as money market funds, CDs, short-term U.S. Treasury securities and other savings vehicles that offer yields that may keep pace with inflation. Utilizing these tools may allow you to stay more liquid with your investments while hedging against the impacts of inflation. 

 

Whether an economic cycle brings conventional or elevated inflation it should be considered as a factor of your long-term financial plan. A financial advisor can help develop a comprehensive strategy that addresses the inflation environment today and over the long term. 

###

1 S&P Dow Jones Indices.

2 NBER, Bloomberg, American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.

Michael D. Lanuto, CRPC®, AWMA® is a Financial Advisor with S.M. Miller & Associates, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. in Albany, NY.  He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 8 years. To contact him: 518-949-2039; 4 Atrium Drive, Ste 200, Albany, NY, 12205; Michael.Lanuto@ampf.com; https://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/michael.lanuto/lp/request-contact/3/. 

This information is being provided only as a general source of information and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any securities, accounts or strategies mentioned.  The information is not intended to be used as the primary basis for investment decisions, nor should it be construed as a recommendation or advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual investor. Please consult with your financial advisor regarding your specific financial situation.

 

Ameriprise Financial Planning Services are optional, offered separately, and priced according to the complexity of your case and your financial advisor’s practice fee schedule. Your fees and financial advisor may be subject to change.

 

Financial planning is generally appropriate if you have financial goals, sufficient assets and income to address your financial goals, and are willing to pay an investment advisory fee for recommendations to help you achieve those goals. Please review the Ameriprise Financial Planning Client Disclosure Brochure or, for a consolidated advisory relationship, the Ameriprise Managed Accounts and Financial Planning Service Disclosure Brochure, for a full description of services offered, including fees and expenses.

Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results.

Stock investments involve risk, including loss of principal. High-quality stocks may be appropriate for some investment strategies. Ensure that your investment objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance are aligned with investing in stocks, as they can lose value.

The S&P 500 Index is a basket of 500 stocks that are considered to be widely held. The S&P 500 index is weighted by market value (shares outstanding times share price), and its performance is thought to be representative of the stock market as a whole. The S&P 500 index was created in 1957 although it has been extrapolated backwards to several decades earlier for performance comparison purposes. This index provides a broad snapshot of the overall US equity market. Over 70% of all US equity value is tracked by the S&P 500. Inclusion in the index is determined by Standard & Poor’s and is based upon their market size, liquidity, and sector.

Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value.   

Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser.   

Securities offered by Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC.   

© 2024 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.   

File # 6212132.1 (Approved until 02/28/2026)

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Notice of Complete Application

_________________________________________________ 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation  

Notice of Complete Application 

Date: 04/01/2024 

Applicant: HUNTER MOUNTAIN SKI BOWL INC. 

 PO BOX 295 

 HUNTER, NY 12442-0295 

Facility: HUNTER MOUNTAIN SKI BOWL 

 64 Klein Ave 

 Hunter, NY 12450 

Application ID: 4-1936-00001/02013 

 Permits(s) Applied for: 1 - Article 17 Titles 7 & 8 Industrial SPDES - Surface Discharge 

Project is located: in HUNTER in GREENE COUNTY 

Project Description: 

The Department has prepared a draft permit and has made a tentative determination, subject to public comment or other information, to approve an individual State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) Permit for stormwater discharges to surface waters of the State from a chairlift replacement project at the Hunter Mountain Resort that will disturb approximately 10 acres of land. The project will involve the removal and replacement of the existing Lifts B and E, and the modified alignment of the new lifts will require approximately 3.5 acres of tree clearing on the site located off Klein Avenue in the Town of Hunter, Greene County. The work is ineligible for coverage under the statewide SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activity because it will disturb over an acre of land that is located within a Class AA watershed, with no existing impervious cover, and a USDA Soil Slope Phase that includes slopes of 25% or greater. 

The receiving waters that may potentially receive stormwater discharges from this project include the Class AA(TS) Schoharie Reservoir, Class B(T/TS) and C(T/TS) Schoharie Creek, and the Class A and C Shanty Hollow Brook. 

The draft SPDES permit with fact sheet is available online at https://dec.ny.gov/fs/projects/draftpermits. The draft permit files are contained within regional folders and named by the SPDES number contained in this notice. 

Requests for a legislative (public statement) hearing must be sent in writing to the DEC contact person below by the comment deadline. The Department assesses such requests pursuant to 6 NYCRR Section 621.8. 

Refer to this application by the application number listed above and SPDES Number NY0305073. Availability of Application Documents:

Filed application documents, and Department draft permits where applicable, are available for inspection during normal business hours at the address of the contact person. To ensure timely service at the time of inspection, it is recommended that an appointment be made with the contact person. 

State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) Determination 

 Project is an Unlisted Action and will not have a significant impact on the environment. A Negative Declaration is on file. A coordinated review was performed. 

SEQR Lead Agency Hunter Town Planning Board 

State Historic Preservation Act (SHPA) Determination 

 A cultural resources survey has been completed and cultural resources were identified. Based on information provided in the survey report, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) has determined that the proposed activity will have no adverse impact on registered or eligible archaeological sites or historic structures. No further review in accordance with SHPA is required. 

DEC Commissioner Policy 29, Environmental Justice and Permitting (CP-29) 

 It has been determined that the proposed action is not subject to CP-29. 

Availability For Public Comment Contact Person 

Comments on this project must be EVAN H HOGAN 

submitted in writing to the Contact NYSDEC 

Person no later than 05/03/2024 1130 N Westcott Rd 

or 30 days after the publication date Schenectady, NY 12306 

of this notice, whichever is later. (518) 357-2454 

__________________________________________________

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Board of Supervisors on Renewable Energy: ‘Pay Us’

By Leila Crockett

MARCH — At the previous Schoharie County Board of Supervisors meeting, concerns were expressed regarding the County’s relationship with NYSAC (New York State Association of Counties) after a heated discussion regarding problems resulting from the Sharon NextEra Energy solar project. 

Ultimately, a motion was passed to discontinue paying dues to NYSAC. Supervisors felt there was a lack of support from NYSAC around the negotiation of energy contracts.  Specifically, as they relate to advocacy for host sites. This prompted a visit from the Director of NYSAC, Steven Aquario who was introduced by County Administrator Korsah Akumfi. Aquario was joined by NYSAC colleagues Deputy Mark Levine, Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire, and Attorney Pat Cummings.  

Aquario began his presentation with the pitch, “The Association, is your association. I work here for you on your behalf and for 64 counties in the state of New York.  It’s a beautiful organization. We’re the best in the United States by far.” Aquario encouraged supervisors to call him any time if the state of New York is not being responsive to them. 

Gilboa Town Supervisor Alicia Terry immediately asked, “You sure you got time for that?” which was met by muffled laughter until Aquario exclaimed, “Yes I do.  I will make time for you. You shouldn’t have to wait 6 weeks to hear from ESD(Empire State Department). “

The first slide in Aquario’s presentation lists the components of the organization's mission. Not least of which is, “To foster excellence in county government and unite the voice of New York’s county leaders.” Aquario brought up the increasing complexity of cyber security and pointed out that Delaware and Chenango counties both fell victim to recent cyber attacks to which he explained that rural counties are the most susceptible.  A topic that has been discussed by town supervisors countywide recently. 

Aquario explained his position as a “home rule guy” and that his goal is to not let state involvement take away power from the counties. He cited New York as a “Home Rule State” where county independence is written into the constitution. He went on to pull up a slide titled “Advocating for Your County", which listed a host of issues that NYSAC had worked on with the state. Among them were the Assigned Counsel Program, Raise the Age, CHIPS money, Cyber Security, and many more cases brought up by NYSAC for counties over the last five years totaling more than 14 Billion dollars toward NY County Government advocacy.  Aquario made a compelling case regarding the benefit of the County’s NYSAC membership. 

NYSAC continued its presentation with a short talk by Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire who went over an outline titled County Tools for Effective Advocacy: Keep Informed with NYSAC.  He talks about a weekly publication they produce called “The County Perspective” which is written by staff at NYSAC and highlights what is going on in Albany or Washington that could impact Counties. This is in addition to the NYSAC News Magazine which includes news articles from counties, best practices and innovations and the annual “NYSAC Legislative Program”. Gregoire encouraged Supervisors to use this roadmap or to join the NYSAC standing committee if they wanted to be more involved. 

At the conclusion of the NYSAC presentation, County Supervisor Bill Federice opted to begin the Q&A session immediately. Blenheim Supervisor Don Airey spoke first and was able to lay out a list of growing concerns about renewable energy contracts in the county, thanking NYSAC for information on available resources that “perhaps we’ve underutilized”. 

Airey began by pointing out that he was willing to share his position on the matter of Renewable Energy at the risk of being called a “climate denier and all the things that go along with that.” Initially, Airey cited the Blenheim Gilboa Pump Storage Projects, 12,000 MW of clean hydropower, “For 50 years we didn’t get one penny in taxation. Across this state right now, as you know, ETF has adopted a policy that is an absolute insult when it comes to proper assessment of renewable energy projects. Let’s face it, they’re getting a boatload of free money.  Host communities are being denied a fair and equitable tax rate on these projects.” 

Airey reiterated his concern about “host community benefits” and encouraged NYSAC to check out the NextEra work sites in Sharon to observe a litany of bad practices being engaged in by the developer. Airey claims that companies like NextEra are given a pass by agencies like the DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation). 

Airey postulated that “home rule” is at the essence of concerns held by towns and that while these are renewable energy projects, they are also industrial energy projects which most towns are not eager to accommodate.  Especially when there is little to no benefit or monetary compensation even while the loss of prime farmland is permanent. Airey explained that any land designated for renewable energy projects is removed from potential County developmental options. He also touched on the loss of tourism revenue due to the aesthetic impact as well as the negative effects on property values. 

In closing, Airey said, we’re not going to get into the debate about whether they are good or bad, the debate should be “Give us a fair tax return.” 

After listening to Airey, Aquario maintained that NYSAC was steadfast in its commitment to the needs of the county and that he would be able to work within NYSAC to help address concerns.

County Supervisor Federice suggested a potential gathering of the counties to discuss the issues and come back to the state with talks.  

New York has long pushed to rely on 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030. It’s clear now the state is no longer on track, derailed by growing costs, canceled projects and regulators’ refusal to provide more ratepayer-funded subsidies.

Part of the problem is there are simply not enough existing, awarded and contracted projects in the pipeline to hit the 2030 target.  As a result, it seems that companies and attorneys are incentivized to streamline processes around SEQRA as the county has seen hasty solar project designs and FEAF filings that fail to identify potential impacts on communities and the environment accurately. 

A statement from NYSERDA president and CEO Doreen Harris seems to coincide with what Schoharie County Towns are reporting while damage to the environment and eroding public trust from hastily executed solar projects becomes apparent.  “We are working to accelerate not only the procurement of renewables but designing [them] to minimize delays and ensure projects are built on time for 2030.” 

This statement, which sheds light on the State’s push for expedience, came after a January that saw two offshore wind contracts with the state’s energy authority terminated, diminishing state’s inventory of investments set to be operational before the statutory deadline to reach 70 percent renewable electricity.

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CV-S Seeks to Close Deficit

By Morgan Nichols

CHERRY VALLEY — Weeks of deliberation lie ahead for the CV-S Board of Education as they seek a solution to resolve a $400,000 deficit. 

At the BoE meeting on Tuesday, March 19th board members were once again apprised of the situation looming over their heads: resolving a sudden shortage of funds.

School Business Official Denise Wist presented a series of slides showcasing the 2024-2025 budget, which featured the school’s current revenue and a breakdown of the costs of each component of school operations. 

Governor Kathy Hochul’s radically different restructuring of how state aid is distributed statewide has left a void that is just shy of $430,000 in the CV-S budget. Hochul’s new aid plans have removed over $800,000 in available funding from the foundation aid for the district, which can be restored if the new plan is reversed. 

The state currently receives $8.3 million in aid. The projected figure is now $7.5 million. 

Members of the board were quick to identify the “Huge impact on the budget,” as one member put it. Discussions began on how to combat the new deficit. There are multiple options to choose from. Funds can be withdrawn or transferred from several sources to pay for the loss. Some options include the use of funds from the ERS/TRS (Teacher Retirement System), money from the fund balance (total assets minus liabilities), or, most controversially, increasing the tax levy from 2% to 2.8%.

“The impact of a 2.8% (tax levy) is a couple of dollars,” said Ms. Wist. The levy has to pass through a vote that is a 60%, or supermajority vote. The levy will not pay off the entirety of the deficit. Instead, it will cover $45,000 which will lessen the impact elsewhere in the budget. Some members of the board leaned toward exploring a potential increase, but no concrete decision was made. “Some years we’ve been at zero (percent), some at one, we went out last year at 2%,” the board acknowledged. 

“This wasn’t a concern two months ago, or even two years ago,” Ms. Wist said.

Up to $1.6 million is available between the Special Education and BOCES programs. The board is adamant on as little disruption of funding as possible to any academic programs. 

The district is scheduled to hear from the state by April 8th on whether the planned cut remains in place or not. Further discussion of the alternatives is subject to an executive session. A budget hearing presentation is scheduled for May 9th and a vote on May 21st. 

Discussions during the meeting were not limited to the budget. Five students were in attendance to introduce themselves and the community service they had completed. All of the students completed at least one tenure of community service and stated any life lessons they learned from the experience. 

Superintendent Ms. Snyder was happy to announce that a new chemistry teacher had been hired for the school. The incoming chemistry teacher has prior experience teaching middle school chemistry. He wanted to teach high school chemistry, and CV-S will provide him with the opportunity to do so. A physics teacher fresh out of college is also under consideration for a position. 

A short presentation was delivered on the upcoming Senior class trip. Currently, 25 students are signed up for a three-day, two-night excursion to Lake Placid. Plans include exploring the town and Olympic grounds. The trip will then stay in Lake George to spend some time at Six Flags. Transportation has not yet been secured as the quote for a bus currently stands at $8,000 for the entire trip. The cost for students to participate in the trip is $500. 

The CV-S Drama Club is proud to present Disney’s High School Musical JR. March 22-23 at 7:00 pm and a Sunday matinee on the 24th at 2:00 pm. The cost is $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for students and senior citizens. 

Three emergency days have been scheduled to be used: April 8th, April 26th and May 10th. If the emergency days need to be used the 26th will be used first, followed by May 10th and April 8th respectively. 

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