The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox may be chief rivals, but the Yankees put aside that rivalry Tuesday to show their support for those affected by the bombing near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.
The Yankees held a moment of silence and then encouraged fans to sing along to “Sweet Caroline,” which was played at the end of the third inning during Tuesday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. “Sweet Caroline” is played during every Red Sox home game at Fenway Park.
Join #Yankees fans as they send their love to Boston with the singing of ‘Sweet Caroline’ after the 3rd inning: atmlb.com/10cP71k
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 17, 2013
They also showed their support outside the stadium, with banners that read “United We Stand” with both the Rex Sox and the Yankees logos. “United We Stand” was also projected inside the stadium.
We stand united with the @redsox: twitter.com/Yankees/status…
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 16, 2013
Fans also showed their support.
#Yankees fans show their support for Boston. #BostonStrong twitter.com/Yankees/status…
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 17, 2013
The Red Sox noticed the gesture.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the outpouring of support & the playing of “Sweet Caroline” across @mlb #BostonStrong
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) April 17, 2013
This isn’t the first time the rival teams have reached out to support one another during a crisis. After the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the Red Sox played Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York,” which is played during every Yankees game, notes The Bleacher Report.
The gesture of support from the Yankees was just one of many, as various vigils Tuesday night remembered the victims of the Boston bombing.