Boston Mayor Menino confuses city’s ‘ionic’ sporting moments while saluting Orr’s famous goal

Boston mayor confuses city’s ‘ionic’ sport moments

BOSTON — Boston Mayor Thomas Menino might need to brush up on his city’s sports history before he publicly saluting any more of its “ionic” moments.

The mayor made a double-barreled gaffe Monday at a ceremony to unveil a statue of Boston Bruins legend Bobby Orr.

It depicts the Hall of Fame defenseman soaring through the air after being tripped as he scored the winning goal of the 1970 Stanley Cup finals.

Menino said: “In Boston, we have an amazing set of remarkable athletes whose actions in the moment have become ionic in sports” He mentioned a few, including: “Varitek splitting the uprights.”

He meant to praise Adam Vinatieri, who kicked the winning field goal for the New England Patriots in the 2002 Super Bowl. Instead, he named Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek.