PAPELBON

BOSTON — It was only fitting that during a pregame rain delay last night a rainbow appeared over Fenway Park. As the spectacle graced the city skyline, standing at the bottom of the colorful arc were the Boston Celtics.

The recently crowned NBA champions were honored in a ceremony that included a Duck Boat tour around the warning track, featuring the players, staff and trophy. It was also fitting that a shamrock was cut into the center-field grass and signs around the ballpark read: “Welcome to the sports capital of America.” The Red Sox wore green uniform tops to honor their fellow champions.

Prior to the first pitch — after the one-hour-and-14-minute delay — the Celtics once again took the field, this time emerging from the garage door in the center-field wall and sprinting to the pitcher’s mound. Celtics captain Paul Pierce decided to slide into second base. The grounds crew quickly manicured his mess.

Pierce, the Celtics captain, then threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Red Sox captain Jason Varitek. The pitch sailed over the catcher’s head and hit the screen behind home plate.

The Red Sox players stood on the top step of the dugout in a show of support for the Celtics.

Earlier in the day, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein met with the media to discuss Curt Schilling’s season-ending surgery. The GM was sporting a Celtics hat.

“I don’t get to dress in uniform, so this is a front-office tribute to the Celtics,” said Epstein. “We are really proud of what they did and happy for. We thought we would take this occasion tonight and celebrate it a little bit.”

Epstein attended Game Six at the Garden.

“We just want to pay tribute to the Celtics and everything they’ve accomplished,” Epstein said. “It was a remarkable turnaround and restoration of a great tradition.”

Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon didn’t know that the Celtics were being honored before the game, but said their title is quite an accomplishment.

“It’s pretty cool, man,” he said. We’re the “city of champions. It’s status quo in Boston.”

Papelbon was asked who has more intensity, Kevin Garnett or Jonathan Papelbon?

“Garnett by far,” Papelbon answered. “That guy brings it every night, so it’s no question — Garnett.

Ortiz making progress

For all the talk of Schilling, the Red Sox were quick to put the situation behind them and concentrate on baseball. Manager Terry Francona discussed other items concerning the club.

In particular: David Ortiz. The slugger, recovering from a wrist injury, is about 10 days away from picking up a bat, according to the manager.

“David is doing real well,” said Francona. “He’s doing his strength and conditioning and has mobility with his wrist. He has very limited pain and he’s doing OK. He still knows it’s there, but he seems to be getting better every day.”

Ortiz hasn’t been sitting around doing nothing. He’s been pushing it really hard, according to the manager. Still, the training staff doesn’t want to push him too hard and suffer a setback.

“It needs to heal and we’re going to let it heal,” said Francona, “so when he does come back, he can come back and be David and not limping through his at-bats; we don’t need that.”

Crisp back in center

After being removed from Wednesday’s game in Philadelphia with a left-hand injury, Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp was back in the lineup last night. He hit seventh and played center. Francona said Crisp is doing OK and that the training staff talked to him on the off day on Thursday. Francona said Crisp thought the injury was a lot worse when he came out of the game on Wednesday, but after icing it and receiving treatment, Crisp is fine.

Draft picks sign

The Red Sox yesterday signed four players that they selected in the 2008 draft. Right-handed pitchers Stephen Fife (85th overall) and Michael Lee (eighth round) agreed to terms, along with outfielders Bryan Peterson (11th round) and Tyler Yockey (14th round). Fife and Lee have been assigned to Single-A Lowell and Peterson and Yockey are going to Rookie League for the Gulf Coast Red Sox. Boston has signed 15 players from the June draft.

Rhode Island native and Portsmouth High School standout Ryan Westmoreland, who was selected by the Sox as their seventh overall pick (fifth round), has not yet decided if he wants to sign with the club or go to Vanderbilt for his collegiate career.

Old friend returns

Former Red Sox first baseman Brian Daubach attended last night’s game. The St. Louis native brought a few of his friends, who have never been to Fenway Park, to the game. He signed a few autographs and talked to players from both clubs.

“It’s good to be back,” he said.

He played for the Red Sox from 1999 to 2002 and again in 2004 when he split his time between Boston and Pawtucket.

jmcdonal@projo.com