‘Sweet Caroline’ Plays at Ballparks Nationwide in Boston Tribute
Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” played at Major League Baseball parks coast-to-coast last night in a tribute to the city of Boston, which is continuing to recover after bombings Monday afternoon killed three people and injured 176 near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.
Diamond’s 1969 song has been playing before the bottom of the eighth inning at Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox, at every game since 2002: As much as the Red Sox are historically a symbol of pride and unity in Boston, “Sweet Caroline” has become an unbreakable ritual at Fenway Park.
Musicians Respond to Boston Bombings
As further tribute at Miller Park in Milwaukee, the theme song from classic Boston TV show Cheers rang out during the Brewers game. The New York Yankees, longtime archrivals to the Red Sox, had a moment of silence at last night’s game for those affected by the tragedy in Boston, and a “We Stand United” banner has been hung at Yankee Stadium.
Diamond has reacted to the Boston bombings and the countrywide tribute on Twitter, giving individual thanks to those franchises that partipated in playing “Sweet Caroline” in support of Boston. Read on for his personalized shout out to the Yankess and his retweets thanking the others:
Thank you LA Dodgers for your salute to Boston. RT “@dodgers: “Sweet Caroline” takes us into the 8th inning. #BostonStrong“
— Neil Diamond (@NeilDiamond) April 17, 2013
Thank you Miami. RT “@marlinspark: Sweet Caroline at @marlinspark. Our hearts and thoughts are with those in Boston.” #OneBoston
— Neil Diamond (@NeilDiamond) April 17, 2013
Atlanta! RT “@braves: Braves fans erupted in #sweetcaroline to honor the city Boston.By the end of the 8th we erupted in HRs.”
— Neil Diamond (@NeilDiamond) April 17, 2013
RT “@cubs: #Cubs fans, help us show support for #Boston tonight by singing along to “Sweet Caroline” in the middle of the 8th inning.”
— Neil Diamond (@NeilDiamond) April 17, 2013
Thank you Oakland RT “@athletics: As a tribute to Boston, the #Athletics will play “Sweet Caroline” in the mid 8th during tonight’s game.”
— Neil Diamond (@NeilDiamond) April 17, 2013
Thank you NY Yankees for playing ‘Sweet Caroline’ for the people of Boston. You scored a home run in my heart. With respect, Neil #OneBoston
— Neil Diamond (@NeilDiamond) April 17, 2013
#Boston I love you and I’m thinking of you.
— Neil Diamond (@NeilDiamond) April 16, 2013