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Menino Apologizes For 'KJ' And 'Hondo' Flubs

Boston Celtics' Kevin Garnett, otherwise known as "KG" (AP)
Boston Celtics' Kevin Garnett, otherwise known as "KG" (AP)

Boston's mayor has apologized for another sports-related "Menino-ism."

Here's what transpired: On Wednesday, reporters asked Mayor Thomas Menino about the Celtics ahead of the team's highly anticipated Game 6 against the Miami Heat at the Garden Thursday night. He responded, in part, by mixing up the names of two of the Celtics' best players, Kevin Garnett ("KG") and Rajon Rondo. (Comcast SportsNet has the video.)

"There's a lot of heart in this team, let me just tell you," Menino said. "KJ is great but Hondo is really the inspiration. Hondo drives that team."

News outlets immediately wondered: Did Menino just reference former Phoenix Suns guard Kevin Johnson ("KJ") and Celtics legend John "Hondo" Havlicek?

But Menino, ever one to poke fun at himself, tweeted an apology Thursday morning:

You know it's championship season when I flub our athletes' names! Sorry KG & Rondo, it's kind of my thing- another Menino-ism! ‪#GoCeltics‬

As the mayor cited, it's not the first time he's flubbed a Boston athlete's name. There was, for instance, Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker as "Wes Wreckler" and the time Menino confused former Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek with former Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri.

This program aired on June 7, 2012. The audio for this program is not available.

Headshot of Benjamin Swasey

Benjamin Swasey Digital Manager
Ben is WBUR's digital news manager.

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