The decision by current owners to stick with Fenway dates to before Henry took over a partnership first led by Les Otten, founder of American Skiing Co. Otten, who sold his minority stake in the club in 2007, said he was committed to preserving the grounds since making a visit to Fenway around 1998 to see his friend and then-general manager Dan Duquette.

As they looked down on the largely empty field from Duquette’s box, they spotted a man on a paid tour shaking his trousers as he stood on the center-field warning track. Dust plumed from the bottom of his pant legs.

“Dan said, ‘You won’t believe the lengths people will go to spread the ashes of a loved one on the field at Fenway Park,’” Otten said in an interview.