The 2013 Boston Red Sox won the World Series months after the Boston Marathon bombing, uniting the city with their iconic playoff beards and “Boston Strong” rallying cry.
From Last to First
After finishing last in the AL East in 2012, the Red Sox hired manager John Farrell and added free agents Shane Victorino, Mike Napoli, and Jonny Gomes. David Ortiz delivered clutch hits throughout October, culminating in a World Series MVP performance (.688 OBP).
The team grew scraggly playoff beards, becoming the “Bearded Brothers.” They defeated the Cardinals 4-2 in the World Series, with Koji Uehara closing out Game 6 at Fenway Park.
Boston Strong
After the April 15 marathon bombing that killed 3 and injured 260+, the Red Sox became a symbol of resilience. David Ortiz’s “This is our f***ing city!” speech galvanized Boston. The championship parade drew 1 million fans.
Sources: RedSox.com History