Russian athletes are being locked out of just about every competition. Sports are political. Always have been, always will be. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, its men’s soccer team is banned from World Cup playoff games, Formula 1 won’t be racing as scheduled in St. Petersburg and Putin has been stripped of his honorary taekwondo black belt.
On Thursday, organizers of the Winter Paralympics expelled athletes from Russia and Belarus.
Is this fair? Better question: Under the current circumstances, should we be concerned about what is fair?
Paralympians and soccer players are pawns in the geopolitical game. Probably, a Russian sprinter on prosthetic legs has about as much in common with Vladimir Putin as a fish has with an elephant. Why should his work/dreams/ambitions suffer the same consequences?
More:Doc's Morning Line: Heroes in Ukraine are everywhere, including Klitschko brothers
We’d like to think sports should be distinct from real life. But they never are. They reflect real life, deadly to trivial, war to Colin Kaepernick.
I spoke to a Social Studies class at Loveland High School this morning. Every time I do that sort of thing at a school, I leave feeling good about the future of our country. These kids were bright, attentive and asked great questions.
One today was, “How do you feel about sports and politics mixing?’’
I answered the same way I just did in This Space. Unity shows itself any number of ways, whether it’s in something as esoteric as sports, as symbolic as a United Nations resolution or as crucial as a unified NATO response to an autocrat launching an invasion. They’re all stitches in a common fabric. They all matter.
It’s possible to despise Putin without despising the people he rules with an iron fist, including those who happen to be athletes. But banning them from taking part on the world’s stage is reasonable and necessary.
What say youse, Mobsters?
Now, then . . .
ABOUT THE GOVERNOR AND THE VODKA. . . In retrospect, I was a little too flip here Tuesday about Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s decision to ban all sales of Russian vodka. I might have been wr… wr… wr… not totally right about that.
See opinions above.
I actually like Mike DeWine. I think he’s a sensible guy. I admired early on how he handled COVID in the state. The guv’s son runs the Class A Asheville Tourists baseball team, owned by the DeWine family. He made it a point to introduce himself to me and my son last summer, when Kelly and I were in town and at the game.
I guess I thought the vodka gesture was a little too small town-ish, like Hillsboro temporarily changing its name to Hillsburrow.
More:Daugherty: MLB disrespecting fans with plodding approach to labor talks
I mean, you’re the governor. Think bigger, yeah? For example:
Russian imports to Ohio on a variety of products jumped 112% overall from 2020 to 2021, according to data from the Ohio Department of Development, fueled primarily by a big jump in Ohio imports of Russian iron and steel.
Iron and steel imports from Russia to Ohio rose to $751.2 million in 2021, up 118% from $344.5 million the year before, state data showed. Everything from fertilizer to guns and ammo.
Meanwhile, the value of Ohio exports to Russia also grew last year, albeit at a slower pace. Ohio exports to Russia reached nearly $220 million in 2021, a more-than 25% jump from 2020′s almost $175 million. (News services)
I’m not smart enough to know how much of that DeWine controls on a state level. Maybe none. But if you want to hurt Russia economically, do more than ban spirits.
MORE NEWS ABOUT the BS BASEBALL situation, this from ESPN’s Jeff Passan, a very informed guy:
The longer the league waits to give in certain areas, the more games it loses. The more games it loses, the less likely it is to pay a full 162. And the prospect of losing hundreds of millions in additional postseason revenue over the course of an agreement should provide enough motivation to listen to players when they say something.
If somehow that's not enough, consider the other, more prominent leverage point left for the players: rebates paid out to the regional sports networks that carry local broadcasts for games not played. Depending on the team, avoiding rebates necessitates between 138 and 150 games broadcast. It provides the basis for a widely shared view among players: that because of the rebate threshold and low April attendance, teams are perfectly fine missing the first month of the season.
More:MLB Opening Day canceled as Cincinnati Reds won't begin season on time
To reiterate: Baseball revenues are crushing it, excluding the farcical 2020 season. Revenues set a record in 2019. Players’ wages are down 4 percent over the last 3 years. Manfred locked out players, then waited 43 days before submitting any proposal for a new agreement. Then he bum-rushed the players with a last best proposal barely a day before his self-proclaimed deadline for avoiding a work stoppage.
Sound fair to you?
It might sound as if I’m taking a side. I’m not. The players suffer from the same lack of self awareness that infects owners and Manfred. Neither side seems interested in getting much done.
But facts are facts and what the facts suggest this time is the owners seem as interested in breaking the union as they do in playing baseball.
“I am going to Saturday's game so I can wave goodbye to Travis Steele.’’ That was a fan response to the Enquirer’s Xavier beat guy Adam Baum, in the wake of Adam’s story on XU’s loss at St. John’s.
Sorry to repeat myself. But the criticism from the X fan base is astounding. They simply don’t do that.
It has become increasingly obvious that Paul Scruggs is not a point guard. He’s a slasher and a scorer, not a facilitator. He has 35 more turnovers than any other Musketeer. His assist-to-turnover ratio – 117-87 – is not good. Perhaps Dwon Odom should have played more earlier in the season.
That’s not an indictment of Scruggs. He’s just miscast.
AND NOW. . . TML’s trio of talented bon vivants will improve your weekend.
Bon vivants, Doc?
FunMaster David says Bockin’ A’. . .
The 30th Annual Bockfest is this weekend at Findlay Playground and the OTR brewery district. Bock, a strong German beer originating in the Rhineland, has a rich history in Cincinnati, with the festival dating back to 1993. This year's festivities begin at 4:00pm Friday at Moerlein Lager House with the Bockfest Happy Hour followed by the parade at 6:00pm.
Other highlights at Bockfest include:
Bock Beer Sampling Experience: Saturday 3/5, noon
Sausage Queen Coronation: Saturday 3/5, 9:30p
Little Links Pageant: Sunday 3/6, 11:30a
Bockfest Pig Roast: Sunday 3/6, 12p-4p (must purchase in advance)
For more information and the full schedule, visit bockfest.com.
Elsewhere, it's a great weekend for tasty treats as a couple of the city's landmark seasonal eateries will be opening back up. On the west side, Zip Dip Soft Serve is back in action beginning Friday, while on the east side, The Root Beer Stand begins its season on Saturday.
Finally, the news you were all waiting for: Girl Scouts will be all over the area this weekend and next selling their famous cookies. I've heard there may even be a new flavor so make sure you stop by and support.
If you have an event you'd like to submit, please email me at [email protected].
Hey Michelle! Elaborates on the theme . . .
Bockfest is HERE and March 4-6 and the weather is going to be amazing! Bockfest is celebrating 30 years of barrel rolling and a weekend of fun, starting with the parade Friday at 6 at Arnold’s Bar & Grill, 210 E. Eighth St., and winding through OTR to Bockfest Hall (Findlay Playground) 1811 Vine. The party continues Saturday at 11 and Sunday at noon.
Saturday things kick off with a Bockfest 5K Run. Then, sip away at the Bock Beer Experience, hit up the Pig Roast, and watch the “Sausage Queen” be crowned. Sunday Funday has a little links pageant, games for the kids, petting zoo, a walking tour of Cincinnati brewing history and so much more. Check out all the scoop at Bockfest.com
FC Cincinnati is hoping for a win this weekend! Join in some fun before the game at Washington Park for “Pre-Match at the Park” Saturday, March 5th - 3:00-6:00 celebrate the home opener with live music from The Naked Karate Girls, face painting, goats, ice carving and other fun soccer activities.
Calling all foodies. Alton Brown: Live Beyond the Eats is at the Aronoff Center Friday night at 7:30 pm. The show has a little of everything from comedy, music, and “highly unusual cooking demos and promises to be totally entertaining. Get your tickets at cincinnatiarts.org
There’s an awesome new bar/distillery to check out: Knox Joseph Distillery/ OTR StillHouse located near the TQL Soccer stadium at 2017 Branch St.. This place is so flipping cool and huge! It’s also a woman-owned distillery and everything is made in-house…beer, wine & the booze. This weekend is a perfect time to check this place out because the garage doors will probably be open and the sun will be shining. There is a ton of parking in the lot behind on Branch St. or you can also enter through the Knox Joseph retail and bottle shop (I say it’s like the “speakeasy” to the bar) on 1820 Central Pkwy.
Do you want to know where to eat, drink and have fun in Cincinnati? Check out my page https://heymichelle-help.com
And what would any of it mean if we couldn’t eat, and imbibe responsibly?
Getting closer to spring time in the big city. So many places downtown have reopened, and it’s our duty to check them out.
We were bummed that Harvest Pizza closed, but after trying Kanji’s sushi we were pleasantly surprised.
When we went to La Cantina last week, we were optimistic that this new concept on Eighth Street was going to be a solid replacement for the ever reliable Cheapside. I am happy to say this new crew did not disappoint.
The guacamole with roasted veggies was a great start along with a perfectly grilled oyster appetizer. The tacos were fantastic, our favorites were the Baja Fish and Lamb Barbacoa.
Now, this may be resolved by the time of this writing, but on the night of our visit La Cantina was still awaiting their new liquor license to be officially issued. Fear not, this was easily fixed by a quick exit stage left and walk around the corner to Corkopolis for a delicious bottle of Bishop’s Creek Pinot, thanks to my clever bride.
That’s a great night, but if you’ve come this far, maybe you’re willing to follow me just a bit further. Comfort Station is a short drive up the street in East Walnut Hills, and the ideal spot for a night cap. We melted a bit as we enjoyed a high proof bourbon old fashioned and lightly smoky mezcal cocktail.
Cheers!
TUNE O’ THE DAY . . . I’m pushing it here, so just one more Best Album day. Today, the Stones. Exile on Main Street is generally considered their best work. I’d agree. It’s unusual for a double album not to contain much filler. This one’s lean all the way through. Their work gets no better than Sweet Virginia, Tumbling Dice and Soul Survivor.
Is there a close 2nd?
Maybe Let It Bleed and a darkhorse candidate, Tattoo You, vastly underrated. Here’s a cut from Exile.
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