#BLOCKED
Ken Hoffman calls out disgraced celebrity who blocked him on Twitter
Jun 24, 2019, 4:46 pm
Photo by Getty Images
Well, that was #unexpected
This article originally appeared on CultureMap.
You're serious? Bill Cosby went on Twitter to wish dads a happy Father's Day? How's that possible — he's in prison?
That was my reaction when I heard about Cosby taking to social media to issue a Father's Day message. Naturally, I went on Twitter, clicked on @BillCosby, to see for myself. Here's what I saw:
"You are blocked from following @BillCosby and viewing @BillCosby's tweets."
Whoa. Cosby is sitting in prison, convicted last year of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in 2004, with 60 more women on record accusing him of raping them over the past 50 years … and he's blocking me on Twitter?
Was it something I said? Clicking back, I may have called him "disgusting" and a "lowlife" in a column in 2014. He's still holding a grudge over that? To show you how long ago that was, at the time, only 20 women had come forward to accuse him of raping them.
I borrowed someone else's iPhone to see what Cosby posted on Twitter:
"Hey, Hey, Hey, it's America's Dad … I know it's late, but to all of the Dads … it's an honor to be called a Father, so let's make today a renewed oath to fulfill our purpose – strengthening our families and communities. #AmericasFavoriteDad"
Oh, the irony
Never has anybody been so out of touch with reality and tone deaf than Bill Cosby behind bars on Father's Day in 2019 — and his social media team. (Wait, perhaps O.J. Simpson going on Twitter last week and announcing "I got some getting even to do" is equally nuts. Simpson is free after spending nearly a decade in prison for robbery and kidnapping, or as Saturday Night Live put it, "really for murder." Less than a week after joining Twitter, Simpson has 772,000 followers.)
Obviously, Cosby does not have access to social media in prison but asked his spokesman to post his message on Cosby's Twitter account, which has 3.5 million followers.
"America's Favorite Dad?" That's crazy talk. I'm a dad, and many times I'm not even the favorite dad in my own house. I remember having a rare serious conversation about the Cosby case with my son when he was about 16 years old. I gave him advice about girls. I told him, the first step to get a girl to like you is easy … just be nice to her.
After that, I can't help you. I got nothing.
Cosby took a different route: knocking them unconscious with Quaaludes and raping them. He still calls himself "America's Favorite Dad?" No! That's how you end up disgraced, scorned, and in prison.
The (many) Twitter battles
I do not block anybody...
Continue reading on CultureMap to learn about Ken's testy exchange with ESPN sportscaster Scott Van Pelt.
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After riding high from a statement sweep of the Dodgers, the Astros limped into the All-Star break, having lost five of their last six games, including two of three to the rival Rangers. They still hold a five-game lead in the American League West, but the momentum they carried into July has cooled considerably.
While it’s tempting to point to the battered lineup as the reason for Houston’s recent struggles, the more pressing issue has been on the mound. For much of the season, elite pitching has masked an offense operating in the league’s bottom third. But during this six-game slide, the script flipped. Over the last seven days, Houston ranks 24th in team ERA at 5.37. The offense hasn’t been great either, 20th in runs, 22nd in OPS, 23rd in batting average, but those numbers aren’t that far off their season-long identity. The difference is that the pitching has stopped bailing them out.
The good news? Help may be (somewhat) on the way.
Astros GM Dana Brown recently provided updates on three key contributors. Shortstop Jeremy Peña isn’t expected back immediately after the break, but Brown said it shouldn’t be long before he returns from a fractured rib. Yordan Alvarez, meanwhile, is progressing well from his hand injury. According to Brown, Alvarez has “absolutely no pain” and will be re-evaluated Thursday. If cleared to swing, the Astros plan to expedite his return. Center fielder Jake Meyers, however, remains at least three weeks away as he recovers from a calf injury.
On the pitching front, expectations for late-season contributions from Cristian Javier and Luis Garcia remain uncertain. Both pitchers have thrown rehab starts recently in the Florida Complex League. Garcia has now been out for over two years following Tommy John surgery. If he’s not able to return this season, serious questions will need to be asked about his long-term outlook. Javier, also rehabbing from Tommy John, may be an option in August, but expectations should be tempered. As Brown himself has admitted, he tends to be optimistic. Fans would be wise to stay grounded.
Another arm to watch is Spencer Arrighetti. With no major injury (thumb) holding him back, Arrighetti may be Houston’s most viable rotation boost in the second half.
Fortunately, the schedule sets up favorably after the break. Over the next seven series, the Astros face four sub-.500 teams. But that doesn’t mean anything is guaranteed, especially if current trends continue.
Lance McCullers remains an enigma. When he’s locked in, he gives Houston a legitimate No. 3-caliber arm. When he’s off, he’s out of the game early and the bullpen pays the price. Manager Joe Espada faces one of his toughest managing challenges every time McCullers takes the hill.
Cam Smith has cooled off at the plate, hitless in his last 11 at-bats. He’s also been bounced all over the batting order. A simple solution? Plant him in the cleanup spot and let him adjust without the added mental shuffle.
And then there’s Josh Hader. The All-Star closer has surrendered home runs in three of his last four outings. If Houston is going to continue winning tight games with a low-margin offense, Hader has to be lights-out. His dominance alongside a top-tier setup man (Bryan Abreu) has been a pillar of the Astros’ success model this season. They need that foundation to hold.
The Astros aren’t panicking — nor should they. But after a hot run turned lukewarm, the margin for error is shrinking. The second half opens with an opportunity to bank wins and regain rhythm. Whether Houston capitalizes depends on health, consistency, and maybe a little creativity from the front office.
There's so much more to discuss! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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