In what should come as no surprise to any of us, the Red Sox will not be raising ticket prices for the 2012 season.

So, hey, the collapse was good for something I guess.

While some may argue that the Sox should be compensating their fans for their tribulations in the form of free tickets and perhaps grief counseling, for now it seems like Larry Lucchino and co. feel that this is good enough:

The decision to hold ticket prices next season is just one of many ways we hope to show our gratitude to Red Sox Nation in 2012 for the unfailing support they have shown at the ballpark, and for their faith in the Red Sox. It is also part of an effort we've made over the last few years to slow the growth of season ticket and individual game tickets to ensure the Fenway Park experience is a viable option for as many citizens of Red Sox Nation as possible. We are constantly impressed by our fans' love of the game and our franchise, and we hope to see them fill up Fenway Park next year as we celebrate the ballpark's special 100th anniversary season.

If nothing else, it's a bit of a conciliatory gesture. But it's not going to feel much better shelling out big money for tickets until the team is back on top for a while.