VICTOR CRUZ DUMPED BY GIANTS

The Giants no longer want to pay Victor Cruz of the New York Giants... and so, they released him.
This is not a Yankee note, not a baseball note, but a New York note. Victor Cruz is no longer a New York Giant.

ESPN writes:

"The New York Giants released wide receiver Victor Cruz and running back Rashad Jennings on Monday, creating significant salary-cap space by parting ways with two veteran members of their offense.

Cruz, an undrafted free agent from nearby Paterson, New Jersey, described his seven-year stint with the Giants as an amazing journey.'"

Cruz said of the development:

"I pretty much grew up in front of the eyes of this entire organization... The Giants fan base, the community, my hometown, my family. I grew up there. It's very much a family atmosphere and it's very much like leaving your family. That's what it feels like. I did some great things there."

And just like that, it's the end for Cruz in New York. 

I wonder what is next for this guy? We shall see.

TO PROTECT, SERVE & GIVE BACK THE YANKEE WAY

I'm at the age where I tear up if my kid looks at me a certain way.  That's what happens as I watch my children grow.  The past week has been strange for me, a lot of emotion and a lot of thinking.  Sandy Hook Elementary is always on my mind. 

You read about Victor Cruz here on Bleeding Yankee Blue in a piece titled WHEN MEN BECOME HEROES. The story brought me to tears. Now it happens again because of our captain, Derek Jeter and from a ton of other heroes, but more on that in a moment.

(In Photo: Victoria Soto)
The Los Angeles Times (HERE) reports: "... Derek Jeter placed a phone call to the mother of Victoria Soto, a first-grade teacher who was killed in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School last week.

Jeter contacted the Soto family on the day of the teacher's funeral... In her eulogy Wednesday, Soto's love of the Yankees was mentioned...

...Soto's sister, Carlee, tweeted her appreciation for Jeter's gesture.

“Derek Jeter just called my mom!!!!! Thanks Vicki, she needs it thank you @Yankees this meant a lot to my mother and all of us...”

There are moments that you never forget as a human being. Some are tragedies and some are highlights or achievements. This story has both.  Derek Jeter is a leader and a captain for a reason.  There is nothing more sweet about a top celebrity taking a moment to reach out, not because they have to, but because they want to.  Derek Jeter did that and it was only a moment sure, but if it can help in the healing process... well, God bless the Soto family and let the healing begin.

Much like Jeter's phone call, I need to mention 1 more story about strength in numbers and the ultimate brotherhood in the United States. 

Firemen. They came from all over Connecticut and as far out as New York on Wednesday to honor little Daniel Barden.  Daniel, 7, wanted to be a firefighter when he grew up. He wanted to help others.

(In photo: Daniel Barden)
Those firefighters, police and military servicemen all showed up to Daniel's funeral, dressed in their best, to honor 7 year old Daniel, because one day he wanted to be like them.  I swear to God... if this doesn't bring a tear to your eyes... you need to get your head checked.  This is special beyond words, it truly is. 

I tip my cap to Derek Jeter and to all those servicemen who showed up to Daniel Barden's service. I wanted you all to read this, it really touched me.

Bravo ladies & gentlemen... bravo.

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WHEN MEN BECOME HEROES

I appreciate the "good deed" in life. I appreciate the drive, the passion and the belief that one can accomplish anything if they put their mind to it.  I believe in giving back when one can and I believe that when someone becomes larger than life... you never forget the little guy.

Victor Cruz of the New York Giants did something today that brought me to tears. Probably because I have children, or maybe because kindness is what makes the world go round and we need to remember that once in a while.

New details revealed that one of the children murdered in the Sandy Hook shooting was a huge Victor Cruz fan. Jack Pinto was honored today personally by Cruz, who wrote Jack's name on his cleats. Sure, the whole NFL is honoring everyone who lost their lives in this horrific tragedy, but this story touched me so much because Cruz went the extra mile. He personally reached out to the Pinto family and connected with them sending prayers their way. 

As NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal writes: "NFL.com's Kimberly Jones said Cruz also left the conversation with the family believing Jack Pinto will be buried in a Cruz jersey. Cruz wore the cleats and glove during the game, and Nichols reported that the wide receiver plans to drive to Newtown this week to personally deliver the mementos to Pinto's family." Read the piece HERE.

Look, Bleeding Yankee Blue is a Yankee site, that's apparent, but let's be clear... This move by Cruz is outstanding.  I applaud him and I am personally having a hard time with this story so reading about this makes me feel good.

On a side note... you wanted to know where Kimberly Jones went? She's with the NFL. Below she is holding a helmet of one of the New York Giants.  Every Giant write "SHES" on their helmet for "SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL"... Amazing.

But back to Cruz for a moment. I applaud you Victor Cruz. You are what today's sports needs more of... more interaction and a more personal touch. Person to person contact, not celebrity to person contact. Cruz has a heart. This moment is real...Bravo!

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WHY SEIZING THE MOMENT MAKES YOU NEW YORK'S DARLING

Poking around for a story this morning I came across something very interesting. Someone on Facebook wrote the following simple, yet brilliant statement: "Victor Cruz, Ivan Nova and J-Lin just proved you don't need to be a big name or have a big contract to succeed and grab everyone's attention...that's New York Sports for ya!" That was from Nate Maverick Linner. Give credit where credit is due, he's right.

Think about that for a second. It doesn't happen in New York too often but when it does happen, damn it's exciting. I think back to Kevin Maas a lot, even Shane Spencer once in a while. These are guys that were thrown in the Yankee lineup and needed to deliver, they saw an opening and went for it and for that moment, New York immediately fell in love with them. Why? Because we weren't expecting much, but we got more than we expected. It's always exciting when it happens that way. Special moments that New York fans never forget. Remember when Ricky Ledee hit a Grand Slam in 1999 ALCS against the Boston Red Sox? (Read HERE.) I do, he did and many of you won't forget it either... it's a shining moment, something no one ever expected.Enter Ivan Nova, Jeremy Lin and Victor Cruz. 3 guys that just needed a chance, they got a chance and they capitalized and hopefully they will for the long haul. New York fans immediately fell in love with them and what's not to love?

Ivan Nova went 16-4 last season with a 3.70 ERA. He proved to all of New York he can pitch with the big boys.Victor Cruz, a kid from Paterson New Jersey worked hard to make it to the NFL and did as a fourth receiver of the New York Giants. But when injury sidelined the Giants other receivers, he was given a chance and never looked back. Victor Cruz scored a touchdown in this years Super Bowl and is on top... a member of the World Champion New York Giants. It doesn't get much better than that.Jeremy Lin was claimed off waivers from the Houston Rockets and suddenly Lin's a superstar for the New York Knicks. The Knicks needed a pick me up and they got one. There was a door opened and Lin entered and he's been dominating all week.

It just goes to show...it's about seizing the moment and never letting go. Sometimes you capitalize and become legends, sometimes you don't, but it's a simple life lesson and everyone sees it in their lives at a certain moment. The question is, as nervous as you are when you see that opportunity... are you going to lasso it and take a chance, or are you going to take a pass and hope another one comes your way. Nova, Cruz and Lin took a chance and New York is rejoicing... I can't wait to see who's next.

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