The Red Sox' home sellout streak of 793 games is "in jeopardy" as season-ticket renewals are "down 10 percent from this time last year," according to a front-page piece by Nick Cafardo of the BOSTON GLOBE. Although the team's "coveted tickets will eventually go to fans on the waiting list, the renewal lapse is seen as a signal that even hardcore fans are cooling in their enthusiasm." Red Sox VP & COO Sam Kennedy said, "It will come as no surprise if, on the heels of a 69-win season, our fans don’t sell out the park some nights this year. We know it takes time to reconnect, to restore faith, and to believe again." Kennedy added that while there are "no tallies yet on single-ticket sales, he expects those to be down, too." Cafardo notes uncertainty about the streak "began last season," when at some home games "empty seats around the venerable park were there for everyone to see, even as another sellout was announced." Yet Red Sox management’s "definition of a sellout -- in which they count the total number of tickets distributed, including 800 complimentary tickets to each game, plus standing-room tickets -- allowed the team to keep the streak alive." The streak is "second only" to the Trail Blazers' mark of 814 games from '77-95 among major U.S. pro leagues. A source said, "Actually, being 10 percent down after a year they had last year isn’t that bad. I think only in Boston could you see that minimal of a dropoff." The Red Sox have "about 20,000" season-ticket holders (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/1).
