They line the rails for autographs during batting practice, and some wait near the players' gate when the Sox drive in and out of the ballpark lot. On the final Sunday in July, the stands were still almost full when the Red Sox came up, trailing, 5-3, in the bottom of the ninth. The blind faith was rewarded when six consecutive batters reached base. This is Boston. This is Fenway.
Fans come for the ballpark and the baseball.
Strikes, losing teams, and off-field transgressions don't matter much here.