Free Republic

Boston Won't Ban Liquor During Series By MARTIN FINUCANE, Associated Press Writer BOSTON - The mayor backed off his threat of banning alcohol from around Fenway Park during the upcoming World Series but more police will be inside neighborhood bars to make sure fans don't get too drunk or rowdy. Mayor Thomas Menino had considered the ban after thousands of raucous fans took to the streets when the hometown Red Sox won the American League championship. One college student died after being hit in the eye by police firing pepper spray into the crowd, and more than a dozen others...

Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Senator John Kerry (news - web sites) (D-Ma) (L) and his daughter Vanessa (C) arrive for the Boston Red Sox game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts May 23, 2004. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

<p>GRADY LITTLE'S future is not the only big decision looming for the owners of the Boston Red Sox. What will they do about Fenway Park? After the soul-crushing loss to the New York Yankees, the game of baseball -- and the second-guessing of Little -- take priority in Red Sox Nation. But the business of baseball can never be far behind. Long after fans learn whether Little will be judged for a season of decisions or one decision to leave Pedro Martinez on the mound in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, the owners will be grappling with a decision about Fenway's future.</p>

Yankees (81-51) at Red Sox (76-56), 7:05 p.m. ET The stretch run officially begins Friday for the Yankees, when they play the first of three weekend games against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. New York enters the weekend with a 4 1/2-game lead over Boston in the American League East, having defeated the Chicago White Sox, 7-5, on Thursday to avoid a three-game sweep. The Yankees have won 10 of their last 14 games, though they are just 3-4 in their last seven. The Red Sox enter the series winners of six out of seven. "This is the best...

<p>Granted, there is upheaval in the world and there are battles where a great deal is at stake -- life itself. All the more precious, then, the minor skirmishes on the home front that mean a great deal in a small way and remind us of how lucky we are to feel innocent hatreds, from summer to summer, at the ballpark.</p>