A Great American

Ted Kennedy is being buried from the Mission Church in Roxbury (Mission Hill). My Aunt Kay used to go to pray for the boys at the Mission Church when they were sick. She used to drive over, go to Mass and then come back with holy water, which she sprinkled on them. I guess her faith paid off.

And Kennedy's mother, Rose Kennedy, grew up around the corner (as they say in Dorchester) on Ashmont Hill from where we lived on Regan Road. It was a mile away and but in reality a world away in terms of the neighborhood.

This may be why Jim Rice had to wait so long for the HOF

For those who were around when Jim Rice was in his prime, his words to Little Leaguers last week are not surprising. When he spoke - which wasn't often - he said what was on his mind. And he wasn't always pleasant in either the substance or the delivery. Many people attribute the 15-year delay to his deserved entry to the Hall of Fame to his outspoken, blunt and sometimes under-thought-out comments.

So you'd think he would have learned. But apparently not. His inspirational speech to Little Leaguers in Williamsport was a bit short on humbleness and inclusiveness.

I understand why he might go after Manny ["We didn't have the baggy uniforms. We didn't have the dreadlocks," Rice said.]. But Jeter? ["You see a Manny Ramirez, you see an A-Rod (Alex Rodriguez),  you see (Derek) Jeter ... Guys that I played against and with, these guys you're talking about cannot compare," Rice said].

He better hope they don't take a re-count in Cooperstown.

Brett Farve is Tempting Fate

Brett. Say it ain't so.  You must know that quarterbacks never die, they just get hurt. Ask Drew Bledsoe or Tom Brady or Tim Tebow. You have a chance to get out before you suffer a permanent injury.

I hope your "Obamacare" is paid in full before some blitzing linebacker has you on your knees. Like YA Tittle.