Sports

The BAA is inviting 5,633 runners who were unable to cross the finish line at this year's marathon back to run in the 2014 Boston Marathon next year.

In a press release today, they listed the eligibility as having at least crossed the half-marathon checkpoint when the race was stopped at 2:50 PM. They do not yet know what the total size of next year's field will be set at, but those invited back will be given the chance to be a part of that field automatically by using a non-transferable unique code that will be given out in August.

Those affected by this decision should already have received an e-mail letting them know that they were included.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace notes somebody made sure Red Auerbach was ready for today's opening Bruins/Rangers playoff game.

Big Papi is selling memorial bats with net proceeds going to the One Fund. The blue bats feature the phrase "This is our f-ing city" (yes, written just like that).

Bring on New York.

I was photographing the scene at Heartbreak Hill for Running Times and later moved downtown. I photographed runners a half mile from the finish line for the last 25 minutes before the explosions went off. I decided to put them into a video as a tribute to all of them. (Pretty good song, too). If you know anyone who was at or close to the finish line at 2:50 share it with them.

Specifically, in not finding the nearest dumpster and tossing a certain Globe columnist into it headfirst after said columnist (one guess which one) accused him of taking steroids because, after all, he's old and Dominican (yes, he went there). Not linking to the column because I don't feel like giving him my two cents worth of Web traffic, but it should be easy enough to find for anybody who can log into bostonglobe.com.

Seems a group of Leafs fans got jumped after Saturday's game at the Garden - and one of them was punched into unconsciousness.

"I had a cat scan done, I got three staples in the back of my head, swollen cheek, cut the inside my mouth, and concussed. I don't remember the end of the game because of it."

Via Stephanie.

R.S.Y. Buchanan took in the fights at Harvard last night. Yes, Harvard.

The Crimson reports the 11 fights on the card made up the fifth Kenneth Moskow Memorial Fight Night, this time held in a tent on the Science Center plaza:

Blood splattered across the shoulders of boxer Robert Z. Cai ’14 on Wednesday night as he continued throwing punches despite a bleeding nose.

Photo copyright R.S.Y. Buchanan. Posted in the Universal Hub pool on Flickr.

In 1939 during his retirement speech to Yankee Fans at Yankee Stadium, Lou Gehrig famously said "Today is the Greatest Day of my life." On April 20, 2013, David "Big Papi" Ortiz famously said with patriotism, "This is our fu_king city!

Click here to watch Big Papi's speech the Fenway Faithful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPvDwb4eZaE

Click here to watch Big Papi's first hit of the 2013 Red Sox Season:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVLPu1yAqgY

Later, Neil Diamond took the field to lead the singing of "Sweet Caroline."

Don't even think of complaining to the FCC. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski tweeted after the game:

David Ortiz spoke from the heart at today's Red Sox game. I stand with Big Papi and the people of Boston.

Boston Police report the Big Apple Circus performance for tonight has also been postponed.

Specmotors posted this from the Garden tonight.

Some local Boston running groups are getting together to remember those that were hurt or lost their lives in yesterday's tragedy. The Kier Byrnes Freedom Runners have weekly Tuesday night runs from Courtside Karaoke in Cambridge. They decided to gather and raise money for the victims and their families, and to show that Boston is a strong city, and will keep running.

Donations will be taken to give to the Boston Marathon Relief fund, Courtside will also donate a portion of the nights profits.

The run will begin at 7:15pm in front of Courtside Karaoke, 291 Cambridge St, Cambridge, Massachusetts. There will be a guided 3 or 4 mile run around the river, followed by socializing and donation collection.

The Yankees tweet:

Our thoughts are with the Boston community. Tonight there will be a special moment of silence & Fenway favorite Sweet Caroline @ end of 3rd.

Boston Sports Media Watch reports on how Pete Sheppard ended his career at WEEI this evening.

Eater Boston reports some guy is setting up our very first sports bar dedicated to cricket. OK, in Inman Square, but that's right across the river.

Opening Day, 1937: Gov. Charles Hurley throws out the first pitch, flanked by managers Joe Cronin of the Red Sox (l.) and Joe McCarthy of the Yankees.

Over the decades, news photographer Leslie Jones spent quite a bit of time at Fenway, including on Opening Day.

In 1963, the Red Sox opened the home season while the Prudential tower was still under construction (see it larger):

Leslie Jones captured wrestler Yukon Eric cooling off on July 30, 1950 during a stay at the Hotel Touraine, at Boylston and Tremont streets (the building still stands, it's directly across Boylston from the Masonic building).

During the same visit, a promoter let Brockton's own Rocky Marciano and wrestler Don Eagle get a peek at his pecs:

The Patriots abstained in the vote.

Welker to sign with Broncos, Albert Breer tweets.

As for the day's other big selection news, no Duck Boat rolling papacy rally for us.

Sure, why not?

David Wade at WBZ, meanwhile, wondered what a real Boston Olympics might include:

Boston Sports Media Watch reports on Glenn Ordway's departure from WEEI.

He might have something like this to say about Truck Day.

Meet Fenway Parks.

Torn ACL, out for rest of the season.