It has been a tough few days in Red Sox nation. We lost Youk. This hard-nosed, ass-kicking, Jewish infielder and killer batsman who helped secure the first and second championships for my Boston Red Sox in eons was traded. His age, diminished speed, injuries, and the presence of a new guy hitting about .375, all mean that this super star is off the Chicago White Sox. It was sad. He will be forever loved in Boston and throughout the Red Sox nation.
Then to make matters worse, the President of the United States made a joke about this trade. The President, an ardent White Sox fan, is excited about having Youkilis on his team. Obama struck a cord when he joked about it at a fundraiser in Boston. It was a bit too soon to make a joke at the expense of a team, my team, so soon after loosing a hero. You could say, his joke stung just a bit.
You know, reading back over that last paragraph I note the excessive use of the word JOKE. It was pretty funny, a bit mean, but pretty funny.
But not to the Romney camp:
“Last night in Boston, President Obama went to the heart of Red Sox nation and committed an error by taunting fans over the Kevin Youkilis trade to the Chicago White Sox,” [Romney campaign spokeswoman Andrea] Saul wrote in an email. “And he was booed for it. . . at his own event! The Red Sox have suffered many setbacks over the years – the Babe Ruth trade, the ball through Buckner’s legs, the Bucky Dent home run. Maybe the President should have congratulated the team for winning the World Series in 2004 and 2007. Instead, he chose to mock them for trading away one of its favorite players at a time when the team is struggling.”Oh, for sake of something people! There has been an entire news cycle dominated by this silly comment. The President is a White Sox fan. He was digging at Red Sox fans. That is what sports fans do. And when politicos pretend to care about the team for votes, nothing good happens. I remind you of an interview with former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson in which he said on Meet the Press that he liked the Red Sox and Yankees.
This non-issue should have been left for the sports guys on ESPN to talk about not the Romney camp or the Obama guys. Sports are fun and totally meaningless, and that is what makes them fun.
Come on now. I will forever distrust this front office for canning the best (with his own set of problems) manager the Red Sox ever had for this blowhard and for showing Theo the door but I know my life will go on after the Red Sox don't make it to the play-offs. Also I hate the Yankees (had to get it in). But that is for Sports Center debates and bar room conversation with like-minded fans. Just a thought, the presidential campaigns could talk about the economy or healthcare or foreign policy or seniors or education or anything else...
SPORTS ARE FUN. Making fun of an opposing team, when done for fun, is fine. Now. SHUT UP and try to make the country better.
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