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Warning: Spoilers Ahead for “Boston Blue” Season 1, Episode 2 — “Teammates”
John Medland/CBS
Beloved “Blue Bloods” character Danny Reagan, portrayed by Donnie Wahlberg, has decided to settle in Boston, embracing the city’s iconic traditions with enthusiasm. In a heartwarming scene, Danny shares the news with his son Sean, played by Mika Amonsen, while they enjoy a Boston Red Sox game at the historic Fenway Park. As part of his initiation into the local culture, Danny joins the crowd in singing Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” a quintessential Fenway experience.
Since 1997, the Boston Red Sox have adopted “Sweet Caroline” as their unofficial anthem, thanks to Fenway employee Amy Tobey, who first played it as a tribute to a colleague’s newborn daughter. The song became a staple in 2002 when Fenway’s entertainment director, Charles Steinberg, incorporated it into the eighth inning to energize fans for the final stretch of the game. “Sweet Caroline” is now inseparable from the Fenway Park experience, with Neil Diamond himself making appearances to perform the song in 2010, 2013, and 2022. Although originally a nod to Caroline Kennedy, the song’s appeal has transcended Boston, becoming a beloved anthem for various sports teams.
Beyond the Red Sox, “Sweet Caroline” has found a place in the hearts of numerous sports fans. The Carolina Panthers play it after every home victory, having adopted it in 1996, a year before the Red Sox did. Iowa State Cyclones fans have been singing along since 2006, and Penn State’s Nittany Lions football enthusiasts have also embraced the tune, although it was temporarily removed from their playlist during the 2012-2013 season.
What makes Neil Diamond’s iconic ballad so universally loved at sports events? Mary Pink, who served as the associate athletics director for marketing at Iowa State, believes the song’s power lies in its ability to unite people across generations. In an interview with the Des Moines Register, she explained that the song transcends age barriers, bringing people together in joyful harmony. It’s a sentiment Danny Reagan, who knows a thing or two about teamwork, would surely appreciate.
The Boston Red Sox aren’t the only sports team that uses Sweet Caroline as a rallying cry
John Medland/CBS
Multiple sports teams use “Sweet Caroline” as their signature tune. The Carolina Panthers play it after every home game win, and actually began blasting the song in 1996, a year before the Red Sox picked it up. Iowa State Cyclones lovers have been dancing to Diamond’s ditty since 2006. The feel-good tune has also been a reliable mood lifter for fans of Penn State’s Nittany Lions football team, though they briefly excised it from the stadium’s playlist for the 2012-2013 season.
Why is Diamond’s signature love story so popular at sporting events? Mary Pink, then associate athletics director for marketing for the Iowa State Cyclones, has a theory. She told the Des Moines Register that it’s got the power to make all kinds of people join together in harmony, ignoring their differences to shout out those catchy verses. “It’s that one song that you can get into whether you’re older or younger. It’s unifying.” Danny Reagan — no stranger to teamwork — would definitely approve.
