L.D.C. Fitzgerald, JFK Novelist

At the 100 anniversary celebration at Boston’s Fenway Park in April, Caroline “Sweet Caroline” Kennedy threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Caroline Kennedy is, of course, the daughter of 35th president, John Fitzgerald Kennedy. As mayor of Boston, Caroline’s great-grandfather, John “Honey Fitz” Fitzgerald, had thrown the first pitch at the stadium’s opening ceremony 100 years ago.

JFK’s daughter was Neil Diamond’s inspiration for “Sweet Caroline,” which has become the staple of the late-inning Fenway experience.

On December 21st, 2011 in an interview on the CBS Early Show, Diamond attributed the name Caroline to Caroline Kennedy. He said that a magazine cover photo of her as a young child on a horse with her parents in the background created an image in his mind, and that the rest of the song came together about five years after seeing the picture.

Lyrics to bar-band staple, “Sweet Caroline:” Don’t forget the “bah-bah-bah’s!

Where it began
I can’t begin to knowing
But then I know it’s growing strong
Was in the spring
And spring became a summer
Who’d believe you’d come along

Hands
Touching hands
Reaching out
Touching me
Touching you

Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I’ve been inclined
To believe they never would
But now I

Look at the night
And it don’t seem so lonely
We fill it up with only two

And when I hurt
Hurting runs off my shoulders
How can I hurt when holding you?

One
Touching one
Reaching out
Touching me
Touching you

Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I’ve been inclined
To believe they never would
Oh no no

Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
Sweet Caroline
I’ve believed they never could
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good

What if JFK had lived? Check it out in blockbuster novel, DESTINATION DEALEY: Countdown to the Kennedy Conspiracy.

Tags: JFK, Kennedy, Kennedy Family, Music, Popular Culture, Sports