With first place in the American League East at stake in the series that starts today between the Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, there is no question that Fenway Park will be a packed house. Of course, the same has been true in past years when games with Tampa were all but irrelevant in the standing.

For the better part of six seasons, the Red Sox have played their home games in front of sold-out crowds. The streak reaches record proportions today, when Fenway Park will be sold out for the 456th straight game.

Today, that run will establish a new Major League record, surpassing the previous mark of 455 straight sellouts by the Cleveland Indians from 1995-2001. In an interview last week, Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino reflected on the achievement of a new record, and on the future of Fenway Park as a viable source of revenue at a time when the Yankees prepare to move into a new ballpark.

Q. How would you describe the phenomenon of the sellout streak?

A. Otherworldly. It’s not something that’s in anyone’s mind or contemplation. When it began here, it began spontaneously and grew organically. It’s not something we had been focused on until relatively recently.

Q. Early in the tenure of this ownership group, there were slight dips in attendance. Were you ever concerned about decreased demand for tickets?

A. We were always concerned about Fenway Park issues in general, and revenue issues in general. We knew we wanted to fill the ballpark. Fenway Park would have to be the ‘Little Engine that could’ in order to generate revenue and the financial wherewithal to help us compete with the Yankees, who had one of the largest stadiums and the largest market in the Western world.

We were never so pessimistic as to think that we were on the verge of a radical decline (in attendance). But we did recognize that we had to provide a team that was worthy of the fans’ support, and make Fenway Park a warmer, better, more comfortable place—make the whole experience better.

Q. While the sellout streak continued when the team fell out of contention at the end of 2006, there were thousands of no-shows at almost every game. What were your thoughts at the time?

A. It was startling and eye-opening, and made us realize how vulnerable every franchise is to downturns. It made us never take for granted the success we had enjoyed and wanted to continue to enjoy.

Q. What brings fans to Fenway Park? Is it the success of the team or the ballpark experience?

A. There are multiple factors. I think you have to start with the competitive success of the team, the entertaining nature of the ballgame. That comes from the commitment the fans sense that we have for winning. But I think you have to quickly add the quality of the ballpark experience, the history, energy, and charm of Fenway Park, all this on top of a passionate fan base that has been developing for generations.

Q. You have suggested many times that you look forward to celebrating the centennial of Fenway Park in 2012. With the Yankees preparing to move into a new ballpark in 2009, have there been any internal discussions about exploring a new park. 

A. That is not on our radar screen. We are committed to Fenway Park, to the preservation, protection, expansion and enhancement of Fenway Park. We have had discussions about the impact of the new New York stadiums (for the Yankees and Mets) coming on board next year, and their implications for the Red Sox. We are mindful of what’s going on down there in the Bronx, but it’s not something that will compel us to change our course.

Q. What are the implications of the new ballparks in New York?

A. Gigantic revenue increases for the New York Yankees, who are particularly the ones that impact us. We’ve got to continue to find new revenue sources in order to keep up. We refer to Fenway Park as the ‘Little Engine That Could.’ Well, the Yankees are building a gigantic bullet train. We’ve got to remember that we are in a competitive division and part of a special rivalry. We’ve got to generate the revenues we need to keep pace, as best we can, with a Goliath.

Q. What sense of obligation do you feel to a fan base that has sold out every game since May 15, 2003?

A. We said the very first day that we were selected, in December 2001, we agreed on four or five fundamental principles of ownership. They are things we repeat to each other even these days. Number One was to field a team worthy of the fans’ support. We certainly feel that obligation has to govern us and dictate our actions. This demonstration of support—historic as it is—is further proof that obligation remains in full force.

Q. Another principle of ownership has already been fulfilled with the team having won multiple championships. Would it be important to win back-to-back championships as a new feather in the cap?

A. We said after we won one that any group of schlemiels can win one. Then we won a second time, and now we say that any group of schlemiels can win twice. We remain hungry for future World Series championships. That’s the reason so many of us are in this game.

Q. You’re setting a high bar for schlemiels.

A. We may have to change that slogan.

Alex Speier is a Senior Writer for WEEI.com.