**“Boston Blue” Season 1, Episode 2 “Teammates” Spoilers: Danny Reagan Embraces Boston Baseball Traditions**
Former *Blue Bloods* fan favorite Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg) is officially staying in Boston, and he’s already diving headfirst into one of the city’s most cherished cultural traditions. In Season 1, Episode 2 of *Boston Blue*, titled “Teammates,” Danny shares the exciting news with his son Sean (Mika Amonsen) while they enjoy a Boston Red Sox game at the iconic Fenway Park.
During the game, Danny experiences a real-life Boston baseball ritual: joining the crowd in belting out the chorus of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.” This tradition is so central to the Fenway experience that it’s considered a rite of passage for any true Boston sports fan.
### The Origin of “Sweet Caroline” at Fenway Park
The Boston Red Sox began using “Sweet Caroline” as a rally song back in 1997. The story goes that Fenway employee Amy Tobey spontaneously played the tune as a tribute to an acquaintance’s newborn daughter named Caroline. The song was played sporadically until 2002, when Fenway’s entertainment director, Charles Steinberg, decided to include it regularly in the game-time playlist.
Steinberg placed “Sweet Caroline” in the middle of the eighth inning with the intention of keeping fans energized and engaged—whether the Red Sox were winning or losing. Over time, the anthem has become inseparable from the Fenway Park experience. Its popularity is so enduring that Neil Diamond himself has made special appearances to perform the hit live during Red Sox games in 2010, 2013, and as recently as 2022.
### Beyond Boston: A Favorite Across Sports Teams
While Neil Diamond originally wrote “Sweet Caroline” as a tribute to Caroline Kennedy, the song has taken on a life of its own in the sports world. It’s become an anthem for other teams as well. For example:
– The Carolina Panthers have played “Sweet Caroline” after every home game win since 1996—actually a year before the Red Sox adopted it.
– Fans of the Iowa State Cyclones have been dancing along to the tune since 2006.
– Penn State’s Nittany Lions football team also uses the song to boost spirits, although it was briefly removed from their stadium playlist during the 2012-2013 season.
### Why Is “Sweet Caroline” So Popular at Sporting Events?
Mary Pink, former associate athletics director for marketing at Iowa State, offers an insightful explanation. Speaking to the *Des Moines Register*, she said the song has a unique ability to unify diverse groups of people.
“It’s that one song that you can get into whether you’re older or younger. It’s unifying,” Pink explained. The catchy verses encourage fans to come together, leaving differences aside to sing in harmony.
Given that Danny Reagan is no stranger to teamwork, it’s easy to imagine he would wholeheartedly approve of this feel-good tradition—as a perfect way to bond with both family and fellow fans in his new Boston home.
https://www.looper.com/1995338/boston-blue-tradition-song-sweet-caroline-boston-red-sox-games/
