We have lost the idea that we will ever feel totally safe in this city again

IT WAS as good a Patriots Day, as good a marathon day, as any; dry and seasonably warm but not hot like last year.

The buzz was great. While the runners climbed Heartbreak Hill, the Red Sox were locked in another white-knuckle duel with the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. The only thing missing was Lou Reed crooning Perfect Day in the background.

The winners and the elite runners had long ago finished, when in the Fens, at shortly after 2pm, Mike Napoli kissed a ball off The Green Monster in the bottom of the ninth, allowing Dustin Pedroia to scamper all the way home from first base, giving the Red Sox a walk-off win.