For the third time in the span of the last decade, the Boston Red Sox have won the World Series. This is also the first time that the Red Sox have clinched a World Series victory at home since 1918. The Red Sox were able to seal the deal on the road in both 2004 and 2007. However, this year fans at Fenway Park were able to witness every fan’s dream: their team winning a World Series right before their eyes. The Red Sox victory was crucial for a city that experienced a tragic event in last spring.
One million fans lined the streets of Boston to watch the World Series Champions roll through on duck boats. The parade route began at Fenway Park, and continued all the way onto the Charles River. The parade made a special, sentimental stop halfway through its duration on Boylston Street. This was the site of the Boston Marathon finish line, where a terrorist bombing killed three people and injured hundreds more. Red Sox outfielder Jonny Gomes and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia got out of their boats in order to place the World Series trophy on the finish line. On top of it, they placed a Red Sox jersey that said, “Boston Strong” and had the number 617 on it, Boston’s area code. The jersey had been hung up in the Red Sox dugout throughout the entire season, as a tribute to the victims of the bombing. This symbol conveyed the message that the city of Boston would never be defeated.
The success of a sports team often has the power to lift the spirits of an entire city. After the bombings, the Red Sox began to wear a patch on their uniform that consisted of their logo and the word “STRONG” underneath. Put together, the logo had a simple meaning: “Boston Strong.” It signifies the unity between the players and the people of Boston. The people of Boston needed this victory to right their shaken city. The Red Sox World Series victory is just another example of how the players, and their fans, are indeed, Boston strong.
