Flowers For Herc

This past Friday evening, as the sun sank below the grandstand at Yankee Stadium, an unlikely figure stood on a stage in center field: Senator Chuck Schumer. The majority leader told the crowd of thousands how he spearheaded the effort to save a nearby apartment complex and its “beautiful rec room” from being torn down by greedy developers.

“We stopped ‘em dead in their tracks,” Schumer roared. “I introduced a resolution, which has passed, declaring today—on the 50th anniversary of hip-hop—nation...