Boston Red Sox honor Boston Marathon victims before Sunday's game

The Red Sox honored the Boston Marathon bombing victims on the eve of this year's marathon. (Photo credit: @RedSox on Twitter)

On the eve of Monday's 118th Boston Marathon, the Red Sox held a ceremony before a sold-out crowd to honor the victims of last year's tragedy.

Fenway Park was lined with artwork from all 50 states with expressions of support and sympathy for the victims of the marathon bombing, their families and the entire city of Boston. From ESPN's report:

"With their work as our backdrop, we'll now take a moment to remember those who lost their lives and salute those who saved our lives and to thank those who helped us heal," said Henry Mahegan, the Charlestown High School history teacher who also serves as the Red Sox public address announcer.

Mahegan also noted "the outpouring of support" from the 92 countries who were represented at the starting line in last year's race.

"We will embrace those who are walking again," Mahegan said, "and those who are running again."

The ceremony was also the first public appearance in the United States for the family of Lingzi Lu, a 23-year-old Boston University graduate student, since her death last year at the race.

Those who lost their lives -- Martin Richard, Krystle Campbell, Lu and officer Sean Collier -- were honored on the videoboard.

David Ortiz served as catcher when Jim Gallagher, the president of One Fund Boston, which has raised $80 million for the bombing victims and their families, threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

We thank those who keep us safe every day. pic.twitter.com/y1t0zRL9Cz