Marathon Survivors On Hand For Red Sox World Series Ring Presentation
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Red Sox' home opener on Friday afternoon had some very special significance, as they celebrated the city of Boston and its resilience as part of their pregame ceremonies.
Before the players received their World Series rings prior to first pitch against the Brewers, the rings were brought out by Boston Marathon bombing survivors. Included on the field were 8-year-old Jane Richard and her family, Heather Abbott and Adrianne Haslet-Davis, members of the Collier family, and Carlos Arredondo, known as the Man in the Cowboy Hat.
Each came out with their own custom Red Sox jersey, with their last name and 617 on the back.
The ballpark will also held a moment of silence to honor Edward Walsh and Michael Kennedy, the two fallen firefighters who lost their lives in Boston on March 26. Their families were also on the field for the pregame ceremonies, and received hugs and handshakes from the players and team representatives.
The Boston Fire Department Quartet is scheduled to sing "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch.
The United States Coast Guard also flew a MH-60T helicopter over Fenway at the conclusion of the national anthem, which was performed by The Dropkick Murphies, who also played their popular "Shipping Up To Boston" prior to the game.
As for the first pitch, it was a bit of a passing of the torch moment, with former Boston Mayor Tom Menino brought the ball out to current Mayor Marty Walsh.
Menino was brought out on a golf cart, driven by former Bruins champion Mark Recchi, and surrounded by other champions of New England. Pedro Martinez, Jason Varitek and Mike Lowell represented past Red Sox champs, while Ty Law, Tedy Bruschi and Troy Brown represented the Patriots, and Leon Powe had the honors for the 2008 Celtics.
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