The Red Sox and COO Sam Kennedy have long said their practice of counting a sellout is accepted in the industry, and despite the mild uproar the Sox streak created, the team is not going to change that practice, Kennedy said Wednesday.
BOSTON — The 794-game Red Sox sellout streak that ended Wednesday night at Fenway Park was controversial because of the way it was defined, incorporating tickets distributed — i.e., also given out free — as part of the sellout.
Red Sox executives, including chief operating officer Sam Kennedy, have long said their practice of counting a sellout that way is accepted in the industry, and despite the mild uproar the Sox streak created, the team is not going to change that practice, Kennedy said Wednesday during an 8-5 loss to the Orioles.
The game had an announced attendance of 30,862.
"No. We inherited that definition when we got here," Kennedy said. "I think it dates back to the early 1990s, so we’ll keep the definition the Red Sox have had, that several other pro sports teams have had and other baseball teams as well."
Kennedy in March said the Red Sox didn't give away all that many tickets to begin with: "We have actually the lowest complimentary ticket number, 600-700 a game, in all of baseball."
Asked Wednesday why the streak, which began May 15, 2003, came to an end, Kennedy said, "I think it's pretty obvious."
"The team performance was disappointing last year and there was a collapse the year before that," Kennedy said. "We thought this would likely be the time period when the streak would come to an end. So it did and now we’re moving forward."
Kennedy said he was grateful for the streak, and for the level of fan support it showed.
"I really appreciate the fans. It’s remarkable. I think it’s a reflection of an amazing era in Red Sox history. It’s been a privilege to be a part of it and now we’re looking forward.
"I don’t think the fans have gone anywhere. I think there’s a wait-and-see attitude out there now in terms of ticket-buying the but the fans are ready to support us as they have in the base. We’re off to a good start but it’s certainly early."
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