Fanned in Boston

Politicians who flub Hub sports can get the quick hook

Ignorance of sports in Boston can prove wicked costly—just ask Democratic senate candidate Martha Coakley (far right), who mistakenly called Red Sox hero Curt Schilling (right) a "Yankee fan" and then on Jan. 19 paid for it at the polls.

1984

Ronald Reagan—a former sportscaster yet—welcomes the Celtics to the White House by butchering the names Cowens ("KO-vens"), Havlicek ("Hah-VLEE-zlak") and Heinsohn ("HEIN-shone"). FALLOUT: Omnipotent elsewhere, the Gipper barely carries the state that fall.

1998

Massachusetts senator Ted Kennedy calls Bill Clinton and Al Gore "home run kings for working families," likening their efforts to those of "Mike McGwire" and "Sammy Sooser." FALLOUT: Zilch. Kennedy is reelected to a seventh term—in the seat Coakley would eventually lose—with 73% of the vote.

2004

Presidential hopeful John Kerry makes more errors than iron-gloved Sox first baseman Dick Stuart, referring to Green Bay's "Lambert Field"; to his favorite current Sox player, "Manny Ortez"; and to his alltime Sox fave, Eddie Yost, who never played in Boston. FALLOUT: George. Walker. Bush.

PHOTO

STEVEN SENNE/AP (COAKLEY)

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY SI IMAGING: ELSA/GETTY IMAGES (SCHILLING)