All the necessary improvements will cost the Red Sox money, possibly upwards of 25 million over and above their current payroll--which, by the way, was third highest in the majors last year.

That is where the fans come in. For us, it is time to shut up and pay up. The days of bleacher seats for a nickel are gone forever. It is time to recognize that and move on.

For those serious about bringing a championship to Boston, the window of opportunity for this team is closing fast. Pedro Martinez cannot be expected to continue to perform at his present peak level forever, and too many people take for granted that Nomar Garciaparra will be in Boston for his entire career. If the Red Sox cannot pull off a World Series title now--when they have arguably the best hitter in baseball and unquestionably the best pitcher--God help us, because we will never win.

The moral of the story is that, given the urgency of the situation, none of us can afford to consider anything sacred anymore. Even Fenway is fair game these days. Fiscal demands have forced the Red Sox to install giant Coke bottles on the light towers above the Green Monster. And just this past September, the once-hallowed right field faade, which displays the team's five retired numbers, was forced to make way for a gigantically hideous Hood milk bottle.

So it is, and so it must be.

Until the Red Sox can build a new ballpark, if they feel the need to raise ticket prices or even sell off ad space on the left field wall to the highest corporate bidder, they can be my guest, so long as they bring in the talent to field a competitive team. Thankfully, most Red Sox fans will agree on that point, and thus, while this latest price hike may spark a temporary hue and cry, all will be forgiven by opening day.

Lastly, to those holdouts inclined to sew up their purse strings once and for all, get over yourselves and quit holding back your tithe. There are free agents to be signed, and it's time to ante up.