Boston Strong: Red Sox Clinch Game 6, Win 2013 World Series
It was a heart-warming sight.
One summer removed from one of the worst tragedies in the history of American sports, Boston became, for once, the Hub of the Sports Universe. Bill Simmons could die in peace all over again. There will be a victory parade down Commonwealth Avenue, along the Charles River, all the way to Back Bay.
It seems Bostonians have not grown tired of winning. The 2013 World Series -- their third win since their mighty Red Sox finally put one over the Curse of the Bambino -- was especially significant. It was the first time the Red Sox won a World Series on their own turf since 1918 when they defeated the Chicago Cubs in six games at Fenway Park.
It was doubly sweeter because 1918 was when Babe Ruth would be traded in 1919, starting an 86-year baseball title drought for Boston.
Enter Shane Victorino, the hero of the 2013 American League Championship Series who missed out on Game 4 due to a bad back. His first hit of the World Series came at the most crucial time: in the third inning, bases loaded, Victorino hit a double off Fenway Park's Green Monster to score Jacob Ellsbury, David Ortiz and Johnny Gomes.
For Michael Wacha, St. Louis's own Pitching Phenom, it was the worst time to give up a run. Wacha had not allowed a hit with runners in a position to score so far in the post-season.
It was more of the same the following inning. Stephen Drew hit a homer off Wacha, who was relieved by Lance Lynn, who was hit again for a David Ortiz run. Seth Maness quickly took the mound and ended the inning.
By the time Carlos Beltran drove in the Cardinals' first run of the game, it was already too late, their confidence was shot, and they were merely grasping at straws. With Koji Uehara acting as the closer, the Red Sox struck out John Jay, Daniel Descalso and Matt Carpenter in quick succession. The game ended with the score 6-1 in favour of the Red Sox.
The whole season long, Gomes kept telling USA Today that it was destiny that did it.
"The story was already written. We're just playing it out."
Destiny or not, it proved that the Boston Spirit will not be taken down by bombs of any form.
In fact, the aftermath of the Boston Marathon attacks only proved that Beantown will keep on singing Sweet Caroline through even the toughest times.
The bearded Boston batters made sure of that.