This afternoon's tragedy hit American citizens hard everywhere. This afternoon, at least two bombs exploded near the finish line at the 2012 Boston Marathon. Two were killed and hundreds more are injured. In what is viewed as a terrorist attack on our country, it has affected many lives – including Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Papelbon, who played seven seasons with the Red Sox, resided in the city of Boston throughout the season. His former residence was located right above the famous Abe and Louie’s steakhouse, where one of the explosions occurred. Papelbon sat with a blank stare on his face and shared his thoughts with reporters.
“It’s sad, man,” he said. “Patriot’s Day is a big thing in Boston. Sox play at 11 o’clock. It’s all ruined. Families are ruined, lives are ruined. For what? It’s just sad."
“I’m looking at it right now and I’m like, damn, I used to live right there.”
According to Todd Zolecki, Papelbon tried to contact people he knows in Boston, but had no luck.
“It’s kind of surreal,” he said. “I don’t know man, it’s crazy. It’s hard to even think about. … Hopefully the city can rally and make things better, but it’s going to be tough.”
He's right. The city of Boston will rally and make things better. It will be tough, but as a nation united together in a moment of darkness, we can grow stronger together.
All of us at Philliedelphia send our thoughts and prayers to those affected by today's tragedy.
Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter.
