The Bronx welcomes 'The Big 4' with 'Anthrax Day'

The Big 4 will be in
the Bronx next week.

The Bronx is known for hip hop and salsa, but the borough has also produced a good amount of head banging and heavy metal.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. is rolling out the welcome mat for fans coming to town to see iconic heavy metal bands Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth and Slayer, “The Big 4,” all performing live right here in the Bronx on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at Yankee Stadium.

A bonus in this mega concert is Anthrax has a handful of members born and bred in the Bronx - Charlie Benante, Frank Bello and Rob Caggiano. Both Benante and Bello grew up in Throggs Neck, while Caggiano is a native of Pelham Parkway. In honor of the band’s return home, Diaz has officially declared Sept. 14 as “Anthrax Day in the Bronx." 

Diaz, whose love of hip hop is well known and who initiated the first-ever “Bronx SalsaFest” this past summer, is “moshing” to a much heavier beat this month, hoping the event will spur some economic activity in the area. 

“This mega concert, one of the most anticipated events in recent memory, will bring thousands of new visitors to the Bronx,” said Diaz. “We’re inviting concert goers to come early and count down to the start of the show at our great neighborhood restaurants and bars, and take in a little of what the Bronx has to offer. 

“The Bronx may be known as the home of hip-hop and salsa, but make no mistake, our musical contributions are much more expansive. These heavy metal legends grew up right here in our borough, and I am proud to welcome Anthrax back to their Bronx home."

However, not everyone may be excited for the metal heads to invade the Bronx. As Candice Giove at the New York Post (formerly at the Riverdale Review) pointed out two weeks ago, 161st Street BID executive director Dr. Cary Goodman is worried that what happened at other concerts may happen here. "Heavy-metal devotees shut out of sold-out performance venues rioted last year in Colombia and Chile, leading to hundreds of arrests and damaged property," Giove wrote Goodman told her.

Jump below to see what the Bronx Tourism Council has in store for the event and a video of Bronx bred Anthrax.

Countdown to 602 (UPDATE with pictures)

The 'Jeter Meter' is now the 'Mariano Meter,'
counting down Rivera's last ten
saves to the all time record.

OK, so 602 isn't as catchy as 3,000, but it's even more impressive. Now that Derek Jeter has surpassed the famed hit milestone, the 161st Business Improvement District has found another milestone their LCD sign can track.

The BID has installed a 'Mariano Meter' in front of his portrait between 161st Street and 162nd Street on River Avenue, which will count the last ten saves Mariano Rivera needs to capture the major league all-time saves record.

The meter, which originally counted up to 3,000 hits for Jeter, now counts up to 602 for Rivera as he chases the record.

The Mariano Meter currently sits at 592.

The four-foot LED screen carries 'good luck' wishes from local merchants, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and fans. The Jeter Meter was in place in front of the Yankee Captain’s image from May through July. The Mariano Meter will run through the end of the season in front of Rivera's image.

Billy’s, Yankee Tavern, Molino Rojo, Stan’s, KJY Fruit, S & A Collectibles and Valencia Bakery are the initial sponsors of the Mariano Meter.

Fans will have a chance to wish Mo 'good luck' by stopping at the Mariano Meter and adding their names to the electronic scroll.

The meter is on River Avenue,
between 161st and 162nd streets.

Trevor Hoffman, a former San Diego Padre, holds the MLB record with 601. After Rivera, the next closest active pitcher to Hoffman is Francisco Cordero with 316.

Jeter closing in on 3k

New York Yankee captain Derek Jeter is four hits away from 3,000. Not only would he become the first Yankee to ever do so, there's a very good chance it's going to happen at the Stadium. The Bronx Bombers begin a four-game homestand against the Rays Thursday, and ticket prices are starting to skyrocket.

The 'Jeter Meter' has been counting down Jeter's quest for 3,000.

As a big Yankee fan myself, I have season tickets on Fridays (so we all know when I want it to happen). I also know that the average ticket price for a bleacher or 400 level seat on a regular Thursday goes for around $15, and they drop as low as $5 the day of. Tickets for this Thursday's game are already at least $40 for the same area--up over %100 from just two days ago.

Jump below for more information--and a possible tip on where to score free cake!