Celtics President Rich Gotham said that the decision to cancel last night’s game at TD Garden against the Pacers “truly didn’t require much debate” following Monday's bombings at the Boston Marathon, according to Mark Murphy of the BOSTON HERALD. Gotham said that playing the game “wouldn’t have been respectful” to the victims. He said, “After learning about it, within an hour we picked up the phone and called the NBA to get their opinion on going ahead with this game. The mutual feeling was that it would be OK to cancel this game. Some things are bigger than basketball.” Gotham added Celtics Managing Partner & CEO Wyc Grousbeck was “very involved in this decision." Gotham: "We talked to all of the different elements (within the league) about what the different implications are. In this case we talked about the implications after we made the decision, not before. We wanted to make the right decision, and then worry about whatever the complications might be.” He noted last night's game was scheduled to be fan appreciation night and said, "We felt that would be a tough thing for everyone” (BOSTON HERALD, 4/17). Gotham noted that the Celtics are “working on a commemorative patch to wear for their final regular-season game” tonight against the Raptors, with plans for a "more extensive patch for the playoffs.” He also said that Celtics management has “not yet sat down with TD Garden officials to discuss increasing security for the playoffs.” But Gotham added it is “certainly something we’ll be doing along with the Garden, and along with the City of Boston and the police” (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/17). Gotham: “Our venue is going to be safe when we play our next game” (USA TODAY, 4/17).
RED SOX PLANS ON HOLD: The Red Sox are scheduled to begin a 10-game homestand Friday against the Royals, and Red Sox President & CEO Larry Lucchino said it is too soon "both in terms of enhanced security and a ballpark ceremony" to discuss how the team plans to respond to the bombings. Talks with MLB officials include “plans to wear a uniform patch honoring the bombing victims, a ceremony before the game Friday and fundraising activities.” Lucchino in a statement said, "In the coming days, we will join with others to find ways to show the victims of this heartless, cowardly act our sincere support, and to demonstrate to all, our community's unity, strength and resilience.” He added that there was “no conversation about not playing” last night’s game against the Indians. Lucchino: “Part of the urging we have received from the public has been to get back to normality as quickly as possible” (ESPNBOSTON.com, 4/16).
