Sox Win--Help Ease the Grief

Well, last night's game was a difficult one, to say the least. It was the first sporting event involving a Boston pro sports team since the horror of Patriots Day. Even though it was being played in Cleveland, it still was important. It was the Sox best way to show that they could set an example for the grieving city to move forward no matter what the situation or circumstances. They did so in an inspiring way.
Facing former manager Terry Francona, who'll always be a Beantown favorite for his mostly wonderful 8 years in town, the Hose put up seven in the 3d inning and rode that to a final of 7-2. The individual performances that I/we usually dwell on in this site are not important this time. No, there was something bigger at hand here--the idea of showing whoever is responsible for Monday's atrocity that it will take more than the killing of three innocents and the maiming, some for life, of nearly 200 others to stop a great city like Boston from going about its business, from living life in its chosen way. They don't call it the Hub for nothing. What is striking is that, like the aftermath of 9-11, the whole country came together. It was not surprising to see a Sox uniform with the local Area Code, 617, as its number and the slogan Boston Strong replacing a player's name prominently hanging in the dugout for the game. What was striking was hearing Sweet Caroline played and sung at--Yankee Stadium and a scoreboard display of both teams' logos with the note that New York stands with Boston. What was striking was hearing that same song played and sung at a number of other ball yards as well. Surprising? Not really when you think about it. The other teams were confirming their intent to show that some nut case with explosives was not going to stop people in this country, Boston this time, from living their lives the way they want. Not now; not EVER! The Sox-Yankee rivalry will continue, but, for today, we're all Bostonians! Thanks to everyone for making that point eminently clear.