Yankees pay tribute to Boston Marathon victims with 'Sweet Caroline' and Neil Diamond approves

The New York Yankees and its fans paid tribute to the victims of Monday's bomb explosions at the Boston Marathon with what could only be called a fair rendition of Sweet Caroline at the end of the third inning of Tuesday night's game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Bronx Bombers at Yankee Stadium.

The 1969 Neil Diamond hit song about a young Caroline Kennedy has been a tradition at Red Sox home games in Fenway Park since the late 90's and is belted out during the bottom of the eighth inning — even louder when the Sox are ahead.

A sing-along with the famous "Da-DAH-dah" chorus at Yankee Stadium would have been considered blasphemous only 30 hours before but, in the wake of the horrible act of terrorism Monday afternoon, it seemed one way to say our hearts are with the Boston community in song.

While the 30,000-strong Yankee crowd's heart was in the right place, the song came out sounding exactly like a crowd who didn't know the words to a song and were forced to mumble their way through it.

There was some singing inside the House That Jeter Built, but mostly there was was giggling, beer-chugging and ice cream licking before the song was abruptly cut off in the middle of a verse.

Outside the famous stadium, the club earlier unfurled a "United We Stand" banner with the logos of both clubs and had a moment of silence.

Maybe it was being on the short end of a 2-0 game or the chill in the air but even Yankee fans have to admit the song sounds way better reverberating off the Green Monster at Fenway.

At least Diamond tweeted his approval.

Thank you NY Yankees for playing 'Sweet Caroline' for the people of Boston. You scored a home run in my heart. With respect, Neil #OneBoston
— Neil Diamond (@NeilDiamond) April 17, 2013

Red Sox Fans Serenade Real "Sweet Caroline" at Kennedy Center Honors

Dozens of Boston Red Sox fans joined Smokey Robinson in a sing-a-long of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" at last night's taping of the 2011 Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, D.C..  The surprise guest was Sweet Caroline herself—Caroline Kennedy the daughter of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

As a chorus of Boston fans in Red Sox T-shirts and head-gear backed up Robinson and Lionel Ritchie with their Fenway Park anthem, Caroline got onstage and shyly sang the song which was written about her by Diamond in 1969 after he saw the young teen on a cover of Life magazine.

The song has become a staple at Red Sox home games and can even be heard by fearless "Sawx" fans trying to sing it through the Bronx cheers at Yankees/Red Sox games in New York too.

The "Sweet Caroline...bum, bum, bum" refrain has become as well known as the Yankees "New York, New York" anthem and has been featured in movies like "Fever Pitch."

Diamond was one of five honorees this year and sang from his featured spot in the audience.