Arroyo, Hanigan express concern, hope for Boston

CINCINNATI -- As the world has its attention on Boston following Monday's bombings at the Boston Marathon and the manhunt for the two suspects, members of the Reds are also watching events unfold.

The city of Boston was in lockdown Friday, as residents were told to stay inside all day. The Red Sox's series opener vs. the Royals was postponed, as was a Bruins hockey game. While one suspect was killed in the shootout in suburban Watertown, Mass., the second suspect remained at large and was believed to be heavily armed and dangerous.

Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo was with the Red Sox from 2003-05 and lived in the city's Back Bay neighborhood, blocks from where the bombings occurred near the race's finish line, killing three and injuring over 170 people.

"It's crazy for it to be anywhere, but I am familiar with where these guys are roaming around and having shootouts," Arroyo said. "It's definitely weird to see a Google Earth image of where these guys are blowing things up and having shootouts, and that I have lived within blocks of that. I've traveled those roads a good bit. And I still have a lot friends living up there that are in lockdown at their houses. It's a strange vibe."

Arroyo's girlfriend has been in contact with their friends via text messages. Catcher Ryan Hanigan, a native of suburban Andover, Mass., also is trying to keep tabs on people he knows in the area.

"It's hard to imagine that populated of town is deserted. Everyone is inside," Hanigan said. "I've never ever seen anything but bustling on the streets. It's intense. It was my backyard. I spent a lot of time in that city and the different towns around Boston. It's unfortunate.

"I'm happy they have a lock on who these guys are and they're doing a great job to try and end the situation. That will give people peace of mind. Maybe it will give a little bit of closure to some of the families."

Both Arroyo and Hanigan agreed that Boston will rally after the week's events.

"I think the type of people that live in New England and the way they view the world, they will be as resilient as anyone in America," Arroyo said. "I think they will bounce back from this pretty quick."

"They're the type of people that can push through adversity," Hanigan said. "I'm sure they will in this case, and unite together even more."