Boston Red Sox: Mike Napoli on Triumph, Tragedy and One Boston Day
It’s difficult for anyone to forget the tragedy that struck Boston April 15th, 2013, and the pain that ensued throughout the city.
It’s easy, however, for anyone to remember how one team was able to rally a city in wake of the devastation that was thrust upon its community.
It means a great deal to fans in times like that to have an outlet, to know that for a few hours they can have an escape, to know that they can have hope.
And when the duck boats made a pit stop on their parade route, that hope was instilled in the city one last time.
A symbolic gesture at the finish line of the Boston Marathon by Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Jonny Gomes by placing the World Series trophy and a jersey reading “617 Strong” was the final touch needed for a season that carried the weight of more than just baseball.
"“It was something that we wanted to give them, you know? With everything that happened earlier in the year with the bombing, it was a special moment being able to put the jersey on the trophy, the fans rallied around us too and it was just a thank you to them.”- Mike Napoli on the ceremony at the finish line"
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After just one season with the Boston Red Sox, Mike Napoli had done it. He signed there to be remembered, he played there to be remembered, and he will always be remembered as one of the starting nine who aided in elevating a city’s spirits by taking part in one of the most improbable championships in the history of the Boston.