I would make the argument instead of the comparison between Yaki and the Confederacy, I would make the comparison between Yaki and Boston.

If we're going to rename or take Tom Yaki's name off of this,

what are we saying about the city of Boston? What we're really saying is that we do not want

his name on this franchise anymore because we did not appreciate or we don't feel that the

contributions that he made to the Boston Red Sox were greater than this racial legacy that we can't escape.

Welcome to the Edge of sports podcast. I'm Dave Ziron. This week, we speak about the debate to change the name of a street that runs by Fenway Park named after former Red Sox owner Tom Yawke. And we speak to the only person whose opinion I wanted to hear about this.

That's ESPN's Howard Bryant, author of The Great Book, Shut Out, a story of race and baseball in Boston.

Also, a new segment on the show called State of the Art, where I speak about an area of culture with someone who knows more than I do.

This week, it's talking pro wrestling with Damien Smith.

Then I've got some choice words about Chris Long, Malcolm Jenkins,

and the politics of solidarity in the wake of Charlottesville.

Of course, I got Kaepernick watch this week. We also have Just Stand Up and Just Sit Your Ass Down this week on the show.

And we end the program with some very, very special, and I would argue, sacred words.

But first, let's talk to Howard Bryant.

Howard Bryant. Howard Bryant, thanks so much for coming on the program.

My pleasure, Dave.

Why would somebody who maybe has just a very superficial knowledge, basic knowledge of baseball

history, someone who is anti-racist, why would they want

Yawki Way to be renamed?

Well, I think the biggest reason why you would want this street to be renamed is because

as John Henry said, I think he used an appropriate term.

I think he said he was haunted by this.

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