Impeachment, Kobe, Middle East Non-Peace, And We’re All Gonna Die From A Virus

Ken AshfordBlogging, Ebola/Zika/COVID-19 Viruses, In Passing, L'Affaire Ukraine, Middle East, Personal & Other, Trump & Administration, Trump ImpeachmentLeave a Comment

I was hospitalized for a few days with colon issues. Nothing major and nothing I care to discuss. But boy did I miss a lot. It kind of seems pointless to talk about most of it. Just some small reflections. I’m not much of a basketball fan, but this Kobe Bryant death even shook me. He seemed like one of … Read More

Ortiz Shot

Ken AshfordRed Sox & Other SportsLeave a Comment

WTF? Former Boston Red Sox slugger and Dominican star David Ortiz is out of surgery and doing “fine,” according to his family, after he was shot Sunday at a club in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Ortiz’s media assistant, Leo Lopez, told ESPN’s Enrique Rojas that Ortiz is stable but still in intensive care. “Doctors say he is out of danger, but he … Read More

RIP Bill Buckner

Ken AshfordIn Passing, Red Sox & Other SportsLeave a Comment

He taught those of us in New England how to screw up with grace: Had it not been for his fateful error in that 1986 World Series, Buckner — who suffered from Lewy body dementia, a degenerative brain disease — would have been best remembered as one of the finest hitters of his generation. Instead, his legacy includes some very … Read More

Xander and Alex Boycott The White House

Ken AshfordDisasters, Red Sox & Other Sports, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

NBC: Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora will not attend the ceremony at the White House on Thursday honoring the 2018 World Series champions.Cora cited the Trump administration’s response to Hurricane Maria in his native Puerto Rico as the reason for his decision. “The government has done some things back home that are great, but we still have a long … Read More

Tough Start For The 2018 Champs

Ken AshfordRed Sox & Other SportsLeave a Comment

This 11 game, no break, West Coast opening for the Red Sox is grueling. The Boston Red Sox were outscored 34-24 in their four-game series against the Mariners, dropping three of four in the process. The starting rotation currently has an MLB-worst 13.20 ERA, while the bullpen that everyone pointed to as a glaring weakness has a 2.50 ERA and … Read More

I Never Doubted The Red Sox Would Win The World Series

Ken AshfordRed Sox & Other SportsLeave a Comment

The Boston Red Sox have done it again. The franchise once synonymous with a curse now casts spells on everybody else. Four World Series titles in 15 seasons? Behold. Boston is strong. Boston is stronger and strongest. No other franchise, not even the San Francisco Giants, has won four championships this century. Chris Sale blasted an 84 mph ninth-inning slider past … Read More

The Best Red Sox Team Of This Century?

Ken AshfordRed Sox & Other SportsLeave a Comment

Last night, the Red Sox beat the Houston Astros on Texas turf, ending the series 4-to-1, and becaming the winners of the AL Pennant for the fourth time this century.  The Astros and the Red Sox were arguably the toughest teams in both leagues, so even though the World Series starts next week (against either the LA Dodgers or the … Read More

Trump Disinvites Eagles To White House

Ken AshfordPopular Culture, Race, Red Sox & Other Sports, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

It is a sports tradition. The champion football/baseball/basketball/hockey team visits the White House. Not so, the Philadelphia Eagles.  Largely, because of Trump’s stance on NFL football players kneeling, fewer than ten of the Eagles have RSVPed that they would attend the Eagles celebration ceremony at the White House. So Trump dis-invited them to avoid the embarrassment, although of course, it … Read More

NFL Blows It

Ken AshfordConstitution, Race, Red Sox & Other SportsLeave a Comment

New NFL policy advanced today: The NFL Players Association responds: I suspect the NFL brass thought their policy was a good compromise in that it allows players to remain off the field. But this of course only means that players cannot protest. My view?  The players should stand and raise a “black power” salute. It will confuse everyone.

The 2018 Red Sox Are Amazing

Ken AshfordRed Sox & Other SportsLeave a Comment

The 2016 Red Sox are 16-2, just the seventh team since 1900 to win 16 of their first 18 games. The last two teams to start 16-2 — the 1984 Detroit Tigers and 1955 Los Angeles Dodgers — both won the World Series. Alex Cora is the only manager to go 16-2 in his first 18 games with a new team. Last … Read More