On the ‘Trump Bump’ lookout

July 9, 2019

Can you imagine President Donald Trump visiting and playing golf at Marietta Country Club or Parkersburg Country Club? Never gonna happen. Well...maybe I shouldn't say never, because since 1980 two former Presidents were on the campaign trail in the Mid-Ohio Valley -- Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. But Trump? Air Force One would probably have to make an emergency landing at Wood County Airport, north of Parkersburg, for that to happen. If Trump did grace the good people of the MOV with his presence, he more than likely would want to tee it up at one of the local private ...

Reds’ Votto an enigma

July 6, 2019

Ask any Cincinnati Reds fan you know for their thoughts on first baseman Joey Votto and you are likely to get a variety of answers. “He is a sure-fire hall-of-famer,” one might say. “He has seen his better days and not worth the money he is being paid,” is another reply you might hear. The usually cash conscious, small-market Redlegs rewarded Votto back in 2012 with a mega 10-year, 218-million contract extension that they hoped would keep the Canadian-born slugger in a Cincinnati uniform for his entire career. After injuries cost him the bulk of the 2014 season, Votto ...

Soccer stars, President could help each other

June 29, 2019

Many years ago, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Los Angeles Lakers were invited to the White House. And, according to Jeff Pearlman, the author of “Showtime,” the 7-foot-2 Laker center before leaving shook hands with President Ronald Reagan and informed the Leader of the Free World that he disagreed with “his policies and positions.” Apparently, all Reagan did was smile at Jabbar. Fast-forward to today, and President Donald Trump has extended an invitation to the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, win or lose, to be his guests at the White House at the conclusion of the World ...

Heartbreak at Reds Legends camp

June 21, 2019

A.J. Jones had a Semper Fi plan. The 2019 Warren High School and Washington County Career Center grad wanted to serve his country, and was scheduled to join the U.S. Marine Corps. “He was supposed to leave in October for boot camp, but I believe he was leaving two months early in August,” said Mike Wagner, the Cincinnati Reds Legends camp director. “He was all pumped up about it.” During the school year at the Career Center, where he studied Electrical Trades, Jones approached a Marine recruiter and declared his intentions. According to Wagner, the recruiter was somewhat ...

Life in the fast lane with Meadow Benton

May 18, 2019

Give me an M-E-A-D-O-W. What’s that spell? Meadow! Again. Meadow! One more time. Meadow, as in Meadow Benton! Yea! The Marietta High senior was a Tigers’ cheerleading co-captain. So, she might get a kick out of that little cheer for her. Thing is, Benton’s also a track standout, who has put herself in a good position in next week’s OHSAA Division I regional at Pickerington North. There, she’ll have an opportunity to qualify for early-June’s state meet in Columbus in three events — the 100 dash, and the 4 by 1 and 4 by 2 relays. She’ll have to place in the top 4 in ...

Fort Frye runner Justin Anderson goes by ‘Beddy’

May 10, 2019

BEVERLY — “It’s a dumb story.” Justin Anderson smiled as he explained why he was addressed the moniker “Beddy” by his Cadet track and field teammates Wednesday evening at the final Pioneer Valley Conference Championship at Fort Frye Cadet Stadium. The senior long distance running standout had just finished first in the 800 in a clocking of 2 minutes and 3.18 seconds. Catching his breath, Anderson continued, “When we lived in Columbus during the week I was born, my brother Jeremy was walking to the gas station, and there was this drunk guy, and he said, ‘What’s up, ...