Jimmy Fund Chorus, Lonborg share pregame spotlight

BOSTON -- Boston continued to use its postseason as a platform to help spotlight and strengthen the community with the Jimmy Fund Chorus singing the national anthem on Saturday afternoon prior to Game 2 of the American League Division Series.

The Red Sox have enjoyed a partnership with the Jimmy Fund for 60 years, and as part of the celebration of that anniversary this season, the organization helped establish a singing group to perform at Fenway Park and in the community. The singers comprised Dana-Farber Cancer Institute doctors, nurses, families, friends, and patients, including those benefitting from care at the Zakim Center for integrative therapies.

Former Red Sox pitcher Jim Lonborg tossed out the ceremonial first pitch, representing the 1967 "Impossible Dream" team. Lonborg won the Cy Young Award that year as Boston turned in its first winning season since '58 and advanced to the World Series, donating a share of its postseason proceeds to the Jimmy Fund.

The Jimmy Fund solely supports Boston's Dana-Farber Institute, raising funds for adult and pediatric cancer care and research to improve the chances of survival for cancer patients around the world.

The Boston Fire Department served as honor guard, bringing out the flags, with the area's police and other rescue workers honored in a pregame ceremony as a tribute to April's Boston Marathon bombing victims, runners and volunteers.