Fans Treated to Something Special Throughout Fenway's Sellout Streak
Wednesday night, the Red Sox celebrated the 500th straight sellout at Fenway Park. They were only the fourth U.S. pro sports team in history to reach that plateau, and the first not in the NBA. The Sox honored the 38,196 on hand with thanks and gifts.
“This is really a compliment to our fans,” said Red Sox chairman Tom Werner last night. “Our respect for them has no limit and we really just want to thank them.”
They did that through souvenirs handed out to each fan in attendance, and giveaways throughout the night. On the field, the team found an even better way to thank the fans.
They won.
It was Boston’s 23rd home win of the season, a .742 home winning percentage that is the best in all of baseball. Over the course of the 500 straight sold out games at home, the Sox have gone 327-173, also the best home record in baseball.
The streak began with a 12-3 win over the Texas Rangers. Pedro Martinez struck out eight, winning his fourth game of the year on the way to a 14-4 season (and a 2.22 ERA). The top three hitters in the order — Johnny Damon, Todd Walker and Nomar Garciaparra — combined for six hits. David Ortiz, batting fifth behind Manny Ramirez, went 3-for-5 and Jason Varitek (batting ninth) also went 2-for-4.
Big Papi was still finding his way in Boston. May 15 was just his eighth start of the month and his 22nd of the year (out of 40 games). Jeremy Giambi was still getting plenty of time at first base. Of course, by the end of that month, Ortiz was playing every day — Giambi was battling injuries and Shea Hillenbrand was traded to Arizona. It cleared the way for Papi to become one of the most feared hitters in baseball, hitting 31 homers that year and 177 over the next four seasons. Not coincidentally, the Red Sox would win two World Series in that stretch.
So it was only fitting that Ortiz was a huge part of the win on a night the Sox celebrated a sellout milestone, and the fans took a moment to appreciate all that has happened in Updike’s lyric little bandbox over the course of the streak. Papi scored a season-high three runs in the game, and has hit .326 with four homers and 10 RBIs in his last 13 games. He has raised his average 28 points in that stretch.
The Red Sox have lost three of those games, going 12-3 in their last 15. They sit atop the AL East by three games, matching their longest lead of the season.
Red Sox ownership (and, y
es,
in the interest of full disclosure that ownership group holds an 80
percent stake in my employer, the New England Sports Network) has done
many great things to the ballpark over the past six years. The place
has never looked better, never been cleaner, never felt friendlier.
Much attention has been paid to the little things that make a night at
the ballpark a memorable experience.
More importantly, much attention has been paid to the product on the field. We have seen the self-proclaimed “Idiots” of 2004 give way to a new breed of young stars brought up through the “Red Sox Way.” Only three players – Ortiz, Varitek, and Tim Wakefield – have been here for the entire streak. The biggest of them all has found his groove at the plate once again.
As Don Orsillo might say, “Big Papi’s back. And he’s back big.” That was the biggest news of all for the sellout crowd in attendance Wednesday night — and for all the fans who have been part of this unparalleled baseball love story.
