Morning sports update: An American soccer player used his goal celebration to call out Congress over gun violence
"Hey Congress, do something now!"
The Yankees completed a four-game sweep of the Red Sox, defeating Boston 7-4 on Sunday. The American League wild card picture has become increasingly bleak during the team’s eight-game losing streak, as the Red Sox now trail the Rays for the final playoff spot by 6.5 games.
The Patriots are in Detroit this week for joint practices with the Lions before the two teams meet for a preseason opener on Thursday.
Alejandro Bedoya’s post-goal message: After scoring a third-minute goal for the Philadelphia Union on Sunday, 32-year-old American soccer player Alejandro Bedoya celebrated with his teammates before running over to the television microphone in the corner on field. Grabbing the mic, Bedoya yelled a message that was heard live on-air by a national audience.
“Hey Congress, do something now! End gun violence. Let’s go!”
So Ale Bedoya grabbed a field-level mic after scoring his goal and shouted, live on national television:
“HEY CONGRESS, DO SOMETHING. END GUN VIOLENCE NOW.”
My man. Need a lot more voices like his in pro sports. #DOOP #DCU pic.twitter.com/UrexCrVIx3
— Pablo Iglesias Maurer (@MLSist) August 5, 2019
The plea comes after a shooting in El Paso, Texas on Saturday that killed 20 people while leaving dozens injured, and another shooting in Dayton, Ohio on Sunday morning that left nine dead and at least 27 injured.
Bedoya, who starred at Boston College before turning professional in 2008, tweeted before the game about how “words without actions are worthless.”
After the game ended, he explained his statement.
“I’m not going to sit idly by and watch this stuff happen and not say something. They can fine me if they want.”
Alejandro Bedoya speaks about his protest celebration to end gun violence in the USA 🙌 pic.twitter.com/1rPIfTyAcb
— GOAL (@goal) August 5, 2019
“It’s absurd, man,” Bedoya said. “I’m not going to sit idly and watch this stuff happen and not say something. Before I’m an athlete, before I’m a soccer player, I’m a human being first. This stuff affects me. I got kids. I can’t be the only one here — all you guys, I’m sure feel the same way.”
Union manager Jim Curtin supported Bedoya’s choice to use his platform to make a statement.
“A lot of people will tell me now and tell Ale to stick to sports and all the stupid lines that come up, but it’s crazy,” Curtin noted. “It’s crazy in our country right now, and I think it needs to change as well.”
Trivia: As bad as the current Red Sox losing streak is, it still has a ways to go to catch a more notable Boston slide. Starting with Game 6 of the 1986 World Series and lasting through the 1995 ALDS, the Red Sox lost 13 straight postseason games (tied for an MLB record).
The run of defeats ended in Game 1 of the 1998 ALDS in an 11-3 victory over Cleveland. Pedro Martinez got the win, and a Red Sox hitter drove in seven runs. What Boston batter collected 7 RBIs in the team’s 1998 Game 1 ALDS win?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: In 2000, he was an inaugural inductee into the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame, along with a group that included Thurman Munson and Frank Thomas.
More from Boston.com:
- ESPN’s Mike Reiss on his career, covering the Patriots, and dealing with Bill Belichick
- Take your pick: Roots of this Red Sox debacle go deep, wide
- Bill Belichick received multiple shoutouts, including an unexpected one, during 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony
- Tom Brady signs 2-year, $70 million extension with Patriots
- Lions’ Danny Amendola ready for joint practices with former team
- Ty Law among those inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday
- Tom Brady’s teammates send birthday wishes
The Red Sox losing streak to the Yankees happens an average of once a decade
:
The @Yankees completed a 4-game sweep of the Red Sox.
It’s the 3rd time in the last 30 seasons that the Yankees swept the Red Sox in a series of 4+ games. pic.twitter.com/T0j7SvNelx
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 5, 2019
Kelley Johnson, the current Miss California, had a critique for Enes Kanter during her visit to his basketball foundation’s camp:
Miss California talking 💩
Troll Game 🔥😂 https://t.co/rBpJ30GR1p
— Enes FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) August 4, 2019
Pedro Martinez said the Phillies had swine flu during the 2009 World Series: In a recent story for the Philadelphia Inquirer, former Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez talked about a bizarre circumstance at the end of his career while pitching for the Phillies in the 2009 World Series.
“It wasn’t told, but most of us were sick,” Martinez said. “Some of the guys had swine flu and had to be kept away. I caught some of the virus. We would just never say it. When I got home, I realized that I was really sick.”
“In any other situation, I wouldn’t be out there,” Martinez continued. “But the team needed me. I held on as long as I could and I did that. I was really proud to have my last game with the Phillies at Yankee Stadium.”
On this day: In 1936, Jesse Owens won his third gold medal of the Berlin Summer Olympics in the 200 meter. The silver medal was won by Mack Robinsion, the oldest brother of Jackie Robinson.
Owens shattered the myths of Aryan supremacy espoused by Nazi propaganda with his dominance, setting multiple records in the process.
Yet despite the achievements of Owens and African-American members of Team USA, they faced a stark reality: While the Olympic Village was not segregated, their home nation was. It wasn’t until 1976 that Owens was honored by a U.S. president for his four gold medals.
Daily highlight: Even in yet another frustrating loss, Mookie Betts’s talent provides a highlight.
Mookie showing why he’s won the last 3 AL Gold Gloves in right field ✨ pic.twitter.com/IIHgBuvgwa
— ESPN (@espn) August 5, 2019
Trivia answer: Mo Vaughn
