Don Orsillo: ‘Boston, this is for you’
Don Orsillo: ‘Boston, this is for you’
One Boston Day, we remember the victims from the horrendous attacks nine years ago
“No More Hurting People. Peace” – Martin Richard
On April 15, 2013, the city of Boston was selfishly attacked by a devastating terrorist attack. The landscape changed for us, this time it was our backyard that was affected. When two bombs exploded near the Boston Marathon finish line, hundreds were injured and three people were killed.
Sadness fell over Boston and we needed a hero, we needed something to help us move forward from this terrible day. The Boston Red Sox were those heroes we needed and the World Series championship they provided to the city will stay with us forever.
Our hometown nine would wear jersey’s that would say “Boston” versus “Red Sox”. That team felt that Boston was bigger than the Red Sox.
We’ll never forget the iconic speech from David Ortiz. It was a speech that every Red Sox fan, the people of Boston and the country needed. Ortiz iconically uttered the following line, “This is our f–ing city, and nobody gonna dictate our freedom. Stay strong!”
Daniel Nava hit a massive home run during the game following Ortiz’s iconic and memorable comments. It was the bottom of the eight inning, Royals were up 2-1 and Nava crushed a three-run homer into the bullpen. The legendary Don Orsillo with the call, “Boston this is for you.”
We’ll also never forget the memorable night from the T.D. Garden. The arena was filled with American flags and cheers for the city’s first responders, what we got next made the hair on the back of our collective necks stand up.
Bruins announcer Rene Rancourt sang the “Star-Spangled Banner” as he did before every Bruins home game. But that night it was different, that night Rancourt sang the first two lines and then the TD Garden took over.
Nine years later we are stronger. For some, normalcy has returned within a landscape that yet has dramatically changed.
Today marks nine years since that horrific tragedy. It almost seems fitting that the Red Sox would have their home opener on the anniversary of this day. This weekend, the Red Sox will wear their Nike yellow City Connect uniforms. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, those uniforms and the colors all tie into the Boston Marathon and have meaning.
The city of Boston asks that we do acts of kindness on this anniversary. Remembering the victims, their families, the first responders and more is how I’ll start.
Enjoy the home opener Red Sox fans and the hometown team start their journey to October Baseball.
Please remember to take a minute to reflect on the ones who we lost.
We honor the victims who died at the finish line on Bolyston Street, MIT Officer Sean Collier and the hundreds of others who were injured and lives changed forever.
Krystle Campbell.
Lü Lingzi.
Officer Sean Collier.
Martin Richard.
I will never forget. We are forever Boston Strong.
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