The Red Sox just won their first game on the current homestand in walk-off fashion, as Carl Crawford, the man with the .168 batting average, knocked in Jed Lowrie from third with a single up the middle. Fenway was in a frenzy, Dirty Water played in the background, and for one night at least, Carl may get a good night’s sleep. That’s the good news if your last name is Henry, Warner, or Lucchino. Ready for the bad news? There’s a chance the shiny sell-out streak, which is racing towards 700 games, will be broken.
Despite the worst start in the team’s 110 year history, the park was filled to capacity in the month of April. But as we head into May, consider these factors in play that just may provide the perfect storm needed to end the sell-out streak:
1) As a drunk Joe Namath would say, the team is still strugg-a-ling. Prior to today’s win, the Sox had lost four out of five to arguably the two worst teams in the American League (Baltimore and Seattle).
2) Where are the stars? The two major acquisitions, Crawford and Gonzalez, have yet to gain the attention of the pink hat fans. Meanwhile, Youkilis, Ortiz, and even Pedroia are off to slowish starts.
3) Let’s go Bruins! Let’s go Celtics! Both teams are in the playoffs, coming off impressive first round victories over marquee opponents (Montreal and New York). Right now, the team on Yawkey Way is #3 on the sports fans mind.
4) Rain rain go away, come again some other day. Have you seen the forecast this week? Cold and rainy, just about the worst weather to sit outside and watch a baseball game in.
5) Monday. Tuesday. Wednesday. Thursday. If you’re part of the working public, need I say more?
There you have it, five reasons why the Fenway sell-out streak may be in jeopardy. (There is a silver lining to this story. If you’re looking for tickets, you will NOT pay over face value this week. In fact, I’ve received emails from local brokers who are already selling seats for under face.)
So Red Sox Nation, for one week in May, you too can see a game like a Royals fan!
