After David Ortiz smacked a game-tying grand slam Sunday night, setting the stage for the Boston Red Sox to even the American League championship series with the Detroit Tigers, Boston police officer Steve Horgan was the first on the scene to respond.
A 27-year veteran of the Boston Police Department, Horgan can be seen in a photo that has gone viral in which he raises his arms in triumph in the bullpen following Ortiz's home run. As Horgan celebrates, Detroit Tigers outfielder Torii Hunter tumbles over the fence right in front of him as he attempts in vain to catch the ball.
Ortiz's grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning tied the game at 5-5 before the Red Sox pulled out a 6-5 comeback win in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series.
“I couldn’t even hear myself it was so loud,” Horgan told ESPN Boston. “I can’t believe it. I don’t know what to think. I can’t believe it. It was an awesome feeling.”
Immediately after celebrating the home run, Horgan went over to Hunter to make sure he was all right after falling over the wall into the bullpen. The 50-year-old Boston cop is in his first year of working in the Red Sox bullpen, and like many of the team's players and fans, he has grown a beard for the playoffs.
Following the game, Horgan met with Red Sox owner John Henry and took a picture with him in which Horgan raises his arms in triumph.
Horgan's celebration also drew plenty of reaction on social media, and of course became a meme. We joined in the fun with the TODAY version.
