456

The streak began on May 15th, 2003. For almost 5 straight seasons and 456 consecutive games, Boston Red Sox fans have flooded Fenway Park to stadium capacity. Now, on September 8th, 2008, the Boston Red Sox will hold the Major League record for consecutive sellouts, beating the Cleveland Indians previous mark of 455 consecutive games, which ended in 2001.

For a fan, going to Fenway Park is an addiction. Once you go, you need to go back as soon as possible. It's a must-see for any baseball fan, but tickets are almost impossible to come by because of the loyalty of Red Sox Nation. The park fills up fast because of the quirks that make it the best stadium in baseball. The 96 year old ballpark features the Green Monster, Pesky Pole, Fisk's Pole, the red seat in the right field bleachers, and many more sights for fans who want to really get a picture about baseball history. If Fenway was not such a great ballpark, it would have been replaced a long, long time ago.

One thing Fenway Park gives is extreme home-field advantage. The Red Sox already have a major advantage with their knowledge of how to handle balls hit off the Green Monster, or balls hit into the Fenway Triangle 421 feet away in center field. Also, the team gathers hitters like Mike Lowell for instance, whose swings are tailor-made for Fenway Park. However, the greatest advantage Fenway Park allows if utilized, are the fans. It is a small ballpark, but the fans are right on top of the action, and they make themselves heard. After 456 consecutive sellouts at Fenway, Red Sox Nation has given its team the most loyal fanbase in possibly the world, one of the most knowledgable fan bases in baseball, and finally, the best home-field advantage in all of baseball. Sox fans make it as tough as possible on the visiting team, all while putting all of their support into their hometown Red Sox.

It is important to point out, that during the streak, the Red Sox have had arguably the best five-year run in franchise history. In 2003, the Sox had not won a World Series in 85 years and had not been to the ALCS since 1986. Although they lost a heartbreaker in Game 7 to the hated New York Yankees, the Sox still managed to get to that point. The next year, the Red Sox made their remarkable comeback, winning the ALCS despite being down 3-0 to the Yankees in the series. Even though the Sox were down in the series, the atmosphere at Fenway was as spirited as ever. It allowed the Red Sox players to feed off of the fans and gain the confidence to complete the greatest comeback in the history of sports.

In 2007, the Boston Red Sox won their second World Series Championship in four years, another Championship run that received major contribution from Red Sox Nation. Fan support has grown even more, making Fenway has spirited as ever this season. The Red Sox have no doubt benefitted from all the support. They sit just .5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the American League East, with a chance to take over the lead if they beat Tampa Bay tomorrow night at Fenway. There is no doubt that Fenway Park will enjoy consecutive sellout number 457 tomorrow night, as the streak of Red Sox Nation continues. Only the best fans in the world could pack a ballpark for 456 consecutive games, and Red Sox fans have done it. No matter what, there is always something to play for at Fenway Park.