By ,
Published January 13, 2015
Boston, MA (SportsNetwork.com) - The Boston Red Sox celebrated their 2013 World Series title Saturday with a rolling rally that began at Fenway Park and continued through the city streets before ending in the Charles River.
Festivities began at Fenway Park, where the Red Sox wrapped up their third World Series title in 10 seasons with a 6-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 6 of the Fall Classic on Wednesday night.
Fans heard from local politicians, Red Sox management and a host of players on a sunshine-filled fall day.
"It's a magical day for us, the end of a remarkable season," said Red Sox owner Tom Werner. "It's been a fantastic year."
The Red Sox weren't considered contenders in spring training after finishing last in the American League East a year ago, but new manager John Farrell guided the club to the top of the division. Boston then became the first team since Minnesota in 1991 to go from last place to a World Series title in one year.
"When we assembled in Fort Myers in February, it was clear that we had a special group of guys," Farrell told the crowd. "To see it come to light last Wednesday ... this is a group that was very special."
Jon Lester, Dustin Pedroia and World Series MVP David Ortiz were among the players that addressed the fans during the ceremony.
"We have to do this every year, right?" Pedroia asked. "Everyone counted us out in spring training. When we got together, we all believed that we could do this."
The biggest cheers went to Ortiz, who has been part of each of the team's three World Series titles since 2004.
"We stayed together as a family," Ortiz said. "This might be one of the teams I'm most proud of all. We may not have the talent of the teams in 2004 and 2007, but we had guys who cared and guys that wanted to get it done."
Players and team officials then boarded the city's famous duck boats for a parade through the city. It began on Boylston Street near Fenway Park and traveled toward Copley Square, near where the Boston Marathon bombings took place in April.
At the spot of the marathon finish line, Jonny Gomes and Jarrod Saltalamacchia placed the World Series trophy and a pair of Red Sox jerseys with the 617 area code that read "Boston Strong" on the back. A rendition of "God Bless America" was also sung.
The amphibious duck boats then continued toward the Boston Common, past City Hall through downtown and eventually into the Charles River between the city of Boston and Cambridge.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/red-sox-celebrate-world-series-title