MLB attendance continues to slip, AL East two sep worlds

[dagger]

http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/mlb-att ... #more-3806

Teams with improved attendance: AL (3), NL (7)
Teams with worse attendance: AL (11), NL (9)
Top 8 Teams (1-8): Yankees, Phillies, Dodgers, Cardinals, Angels, Twins, Cubs, Red Sox
Bottom 8 Teams (23-30): Nationals, Orioles, Royals, Blue Jays, Pirates, Marlins, A’s, Indians

A look at the following numbers indicates that these phrases are about as meaningful as the records of the Pirates, Royals, and Blue Jays ever year: In 2008, the New York Yankees, famously dubbed the “Evil Empire”, took on more than $400 million dollars in long-term contracts to CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira. No other team in all of sports has the ability to set and dominate the free-agent market like the Yankees. Included in the Yankees lineup during the 2010 season was the highest paid first baseman, shortstop, third baseman, designated hitter, starting pitcher and closer in all of baseball....Billy Beane, the star of Moneyball and general manager of the Oakland A’s, offered his assistance to Bud Selig during a game between the Blue Jays and Royals last season: “Toronto is playing good ball, and it’s an interesting team to watch. But if you know the end of the story, why start reading the book?” Beane went on to add, “My concern is that of the [fan’s] perception of how the season will play out. People may be afraid to get emotionally involved with teams like that.”

[J-Roc]

Nice quote by Beane. I have no idea why anyone is a "fan" of the KC Royals or Pittsburgh Pirates. Why even waste time following them in Spring Training?

And if this latest rebuild by the Jays doesn't lead to a playoff spot, I may jump ship, too. Although there is more chatter lately of expanded playoffs. But that just means one other rich team will jump ahead of us.

[jnfviet]

we're never ever going to make the playoffs look at our division
enough said

[Schad]

And if this latest rebuild by the Jays doesn't lead to a playoff spot, I may jump ship, too.

You won't be missed.

[LittleOzzy]

And if this latest rebuild by the Jays doesn't lead to a playoff spot, I may jump ship, too.

Fans like that suck... How can you say you like a team when you are so willing to move on?

[dillio]

Considering the decreasing popularity of baseball in north america, the MLB isn't sustainable without some degree of a salary cap. I'm not an expert on the cap situation in baseball, but I don't believe there are any restrictions on who a team can sign - just luxury tax implications. It's win-win for the league really, it'll bring down the total money committed to players (saving the owners money) and it'll actually increase revenue by increasing attendance.

[distracted]

And if this latest rebuild by the Jays doesn't lead to a playoff spot, I may jump ship, too.

Fans like that suck... How can you say you like a team when you are so willing to move on?

So basically, even though a team hasn't made the playoffs in two decades, and is part of a playoff format that makes it much harder for them to make the playoffs compared to the vast majority of teams, it's not reason enough to become disenfranchised?

Or are you trying to assert that any person who follows a team less than they used to was never really a fan?

[J-Roc]

And if this latest rebuild by the Jays doesn't lead to a playoff spot, I may jump ship, too.

You won't be missed.

You have a laugh, but I've been a passionate baseball fan my whole life (#1 sport). If the Jays won't miss fans like me, they deserve to fold.

[J-Roc]

And if this latest rebuild by the Jays doesn't lead to a playoff spot, I may jump ship, too.

Fans like that suck... How can you say you like a team when you are so willing to move on?

"So willing"?? I've been following this losing for over a decade now. Even the Leafs gave us some excitement with playoff runs. The Toronto Blue Jays started to lose me when I realized they were happier selling out games vs Boston and NY rather than DEMANDING a change to the system to allow them to actually compete to win. In fact, I'm not even sure I consider you a fan if you're not hoping and cheering for wins.

[LittleOzzy]

And if this latest rebuild by the Jays doesn't lead to a playoff spot, I may jump ship, too.

Fans like that suck... How can you say you like a team when you are so willing to move on?

So basically, even though a team hasn't made the playoffs in two decades, and is part of a playoff format that makes it much harder for them to make the playoffs compared to the vast majority of teams, it's not reason enough to become disenfranchised?

Or are you trying to assert that any person who follows a team less than they used to was never really a fan?

Losing interest happens with so many losing seasons but by "Jump Ship" I took it as finding another team to follow that does better.

If that's the case J-Roc can go follow the Yankees or whatever bandwagon looks like it has room. He won't be missed as a Jays fan if that's the case.

[J-Roc]

Losing interest happens with so many losing seasons but by "Jump Ship" I took it as finding another team to follow that does better.

If that's the case J-Roc can go follow the Yankees or whatever bandwagon looks like it has room. He won't be missed as a Jays fan if that's the case.

For me "jump ship" would mean I'd follow the team like I do with the Argos or Bills. Very much on the periphery. I don't know all the players. If they do something, I'll jump on the bandwagon.

It's not the losing that bothers me with the Jays. It's the system which sets them up to lose, and the ownership that up until now doesn't seem to mind. And fans like you blow me away because you come across like what Royals and Pirates fans must be like. Just want to follow young ball players. Want to go to the park and eat a hotdog on a nice day. You want to cheer if your guy makes the all star team or any other individual award. I don't get it.

[Back2back2back]

I think a lot of fans are frustrated and tired of it. I'm in the same boat. Sorry.

[J-Roc]

Btw, I guess the Sports Business Digest is not exactly the Sports Business Journal. lol

[CrookedJ]

I used to love the Jays back in the day. I was 14/15 during their championship seasons, and up to that point had watched or listened to almost every game of the season from as young as I can remember.

Then the strike happened, and I broke my baseball habit. I found all kinds of other things to do with my time in the summer, and when it came back I simply didn't care anymore. I really can't say why I used to love it, and two years later I didn't care at all. I have probably watched less than 5 games since, only 1 in person. Recently it has to do with the AL East BS, but I stopped caring in the mid 90's well before that was the issue that it is today.

[NateHuffman]

I used to love the Jays back in the day. I was 14/15 during their championship seasons, and up to that point had watched or listened to almost every game of the season from as young as I can remember.

Then the strike happened, and I broke my baseball habit. I found all kinds of other things to do with my time in the summer, and when it came back I simply didn't care anymore. I really can't say why I used to love it, and two years later I didn't care at all. I have probably watched less than 5 games since, only 1 in person. Recently it has to do with the AL East BS, but I stopped caring in the mid 90's well before that was the issue that it is today.

I've never been a huge of the jays especially when i was younger so i'm just wanting some clarification on this part. Why was it not an issue before? because the jays were a stronger team? or cuz the sox weren't the spenders they are now? or is it a playoff format change or something? anyway if anyone can fill me in it'd be greatly appreciated.

[J-Roc]

I used to love the Jays back in the day. I was 14/15 during their championship seasons, and up to that point had watched or listened to almost every game of the season from as young as I can remember.

Then the strike happened, and I broke my baseball habit. I found all kinds of other things to do with my time in the summer, and when it came back I simply didn't care anymore. I really can't say why I used to love it, and two years later I didn't care at all. I have probably watched less than 5 games since, only 1 in person. Recently it has to do with the AL East BS, but I stopped caring in the mid 90's well before that was the issue that it is today.

I've never been a huge of the jays especially when i was younger so i'm just wanting some clarification on this part. Why was it not an issue before? because the jays were a stronger team? or cuz the sox weren't the spenders they are now? or is it a playoff format change or something? anyway if anyone can fill me in it'd be greatly appreciated.

New stadium. A decade of winning seasons. We were able to have the highest payroll in baseball for those World Series wins. We were setting attendance records by selling out 50K per game, for every game. There were actually fewer playoff spots back then, too. After the lockout, the Yankess started spending. The Jays went through a typical rebuilding process. I don't think anyone faulted them for that. But over time, we came to realize we had no shot at winning. When the wildcard came in, it just meant some other richer teams would have a better shot. That's why I'm dubious of adding just another playoff spot. We'd just have to compete with some other team like the White Sox or Orioles.

[Parataxis]

I used to love the Jays back in the day. I was 14/15 during their championship seasons, and up to that point had watched or listened to almost every game of the season from as young as I can remember.

Then the strike happened, and I broke my baseball habit. I found all kinds of other things to do with my time in the summer, and when it came back I simply didn't care anymore. I really can't say why I used to love it, and two years later I didn't care at all. I have probably watched less than 5 games since, only 1 in person. Recently it has to do with the AL East BS, but I stopped caring in the mid 90's well before that was the issue that it is today.

I've never been a huge of the jays especially when i was younger so i'm just wanting some clarification on this part. Why was it not an issue before? because the jays were a stronger team? or cuz the sox weren't the spenders they are now? or is it a playoff format change or something? anyway if anyone can fill me in it'd be greatly appreciated.

There was, if I recall correctly, about a seven year stretch when the AL East finished in the exact same order, 1 through 5, for every single season.

Edit: six seasons. 1998-2003. Yankees, Sox, Jays, Orioles, Rays.

[OlFlashy]

And if this latest rebuild by the Jays doesn't lead to a playoff spot, I may jump ship, too.

Fans like that suck... How can you say you like a team when you are so willing to move on?

a person can hold two opinions at the same time.

The current structure in mlb sucks and IS a big waste of time (or at least a bad gamble if you follow the blue jays). I'm pulling for the jays and will watch 70% of the games on TV, and maybe go to 3 or 4 games a year; but my investment in the team is going to remain fairly casual until MLB does something to level the field for fair competition. I live 2 minutes from the dome and would gladly go to 20+ games if the team was ever in a position to build something meaningful and lasting.

[s e n s i]

I've never been a huge of the jays especially when i was younger so i'm just wanting some clarification on this part. Why was it not an issue before? because the jays were a stronger team? or cuz the sox weren't the spenders they are now? or is it a playoff format change or something? anyway if anyone can fill me in it'd be greatly appreciated.

New stadium. A decade of winning seasons. We were able to have the highest payroll in baseball for those World Series wins. We were setting attendance records by selling out 50K per game, for every game. There were actually fewer playoff spots back then, too. After the lockout, the Yankess started spending. The Jays went through a typical rebuilding process. I don't think anyone faulted them for that. But over time, we came to realize we had no shot at winning. When the wildcard came in, it just meant some other richer teams would have a better shot. That's why I'm dubious of adding just another playoff spot. We'd just have to compete with some other team like the White Sox or Orioles.

Let's close up shop and move to Vegas or Indianapolis or something.

[JN]

In a way of defence of J'Roc's comments, we had several similar discussion on the FanHome Expos website in the early part of this decade. It was a very vibrant board that I belieived all the remaining Expos were on.

The type of comment was heard from a few "I can't see myself staying a fan. I am not giving up on the Expos, I am giving up on major league baseball and its system" The rest of diehards stuck around because we like being tortured.