Boston Red Sox play first game after Marathon Bombings

On April 20, 2013- The Red Sox play their first home game since the tragic events at the Boston Marathon, defeating Kansas City, 4 – 3. David Ortiz, playing his first game of the year, gives a rousing speech thanking municipal authorities and police before the game. Ortiz sums up the mood of the city when he tells the capacity crowd, “This jersey that we wear today, it doesn’t say Red Sox. It says Boston. This is our f’***ng city, and nobody’s going to dictate our freedom. Stay Strong.” Neil Diamond comes in person to sing “Sweet Caroline” in the 8th inning. Daniel Nava has the key blow, a three-run homer in the bottom of the 8th. The Red Sox would hang a uniform in the club house for the remainder of the season “617” was the number and Boston Strong was the name. They used this energy and theme to propel them to the 2013 World title.