Obama discovers Bill Buckner jokes are still too soon
They say tragedy plus time equals comedy, but President Obama discovered that equation doesn’t quite work out in Red Sox country.
In a speech in Boston on Monday, Obama excoriated Republicans threatening to shut down the government by not passing a budget. He then likened that decision to an error on par with the most excruciating and infamous in Red Sox history.
“So a shutdown would be completely irresponsible. It’d be an unforced error. A fumble on the goal line,’’ Obama said. He then paused for a few moments. “It’d be like a ground ball slipping through somebody’s legs.’’
That was a clear reference to Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, when Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner flubbed a Mookie Wilson ground ball with the game tied in the bottom of the 10th inning. The winning run scored from second, and the Mets would clinch the series with a win in Game 7. It would be another 18 years before the Sox broke their title-less curse.
The Red Sox have since won three titles since the turn of the millennium, but the Buckner reference still drew groans and jeers from the local audience. Obama then tried to assuage the offended.
“You guys have won a couple since that time, so I can make that joke,’’ Obama said. “If you hadn’t had so many World Series wins, I wouldn’t make that joke. Point is: It doesn’t have to happen.’’
Point taken.
Photos: The Green Monster through the years.
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