Boston native Nate Freiman hits first career home run, calls it ‘bittersweet’

Monday should have been one of the greatest days of Oakland A’s first baseman Nate Freiman’s life. Very few moments of a professional baseball player’s career are more rewarding than blasting your first big league home run. As a Boston native, however, Freiman was feeling the sting of the tragedy that took place at the Boston Marathon earlier in the day.

Freiman grew up near the route of the Boston Marathon and still has family living in the city. He blasted the first home run of his career — a three-run shot in the first inning against the Houston Astros — on Monday night, but he later said the moment was difficult to enjoy.

“It was bittersweet,” the 26-year-old told The Oakland Tribune. “I grew up about the halfway point of the marathon. Every Patriot’s Day we used to go out there and watch the runners.

“It was a great night here. But Boston is in our prayers.”

Having grown up 15 minutes north of Boston and been to the annual 11 a.m. Red Sox game on Patriot’s Day in the past, I know how much the day means to the city of Boston. The Boston Marathon is one of the greatest races in the world and Patriot’s Day is one of the best celebrations of the year for Bostonians and people living in the surrounding area. The fact that the event has been scarred by such a disgusting act makes me legitimately sick to my stomach. I’m sure that’s something similar to what Freiman and countless others are feeling.

H/T Big League Stew