MLB returns tonight with the Marlins-Dodgers, to be carried
nationally on ESPN. Capacity at Joe Robbie Stadium is 46,238,
"but how many show up to welcome the major leaguers may be an
issue that overshadows the game," according to Larry Whiteside in
this morning's BOSTON GLOBE. Marlins Manager Rene Lachemann:
"We have to go after the young fans. And with a lot more than
signing autographs. The fans we lost we may never get back. So
we have to go out after some new ones" (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/25).
WHAT IT TAKES: In San Francisco, Tim Keown quotes an
unnamed baseball exec saying that MLB won't realize its market
potential "until they understand they are an industry and not 28
separate, warring city-states. ... How can Dave Stewart not be a
major spokesman for the game of baseball? It's amazing how
simple it is, but there's such a major rift between labor and
management that it may never happen" (SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE,
4/25).
TIME TO THROW OUT THE FIRST POLL: The CNN/USA TODAY/ Gallup
Poll surveyed 427 baseball fans from April 17-19; margin of error
+/- 5% (USA TODAY, 4/25). "Moneyline's" Lou Dobbs on the
results: "Many fans have had it" (CNN, 4/24).
ARE YOU A FAN OF (OF THOSE WHO ATTENDED AT LEAST ONE
PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL? GAME LAST YEAR): DO YOU PLAN TO
NOW FEB 26 ATTEND ANY MLB GAMES THIS YEAR?
Yes 41% 49%
No 59 51 Yes 61% No 34% Don't know 5%
WILL YOU WATCH MORE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ON TELEVISION THIS
SEASON, AS MUCH OR LESS?
Less 48% As much 43% More 7% No opinion 2%
SIGNS, SIGNS ... EVERYWHERE SIGNS: The Cardinals drew
26,033 for an exhibition game against the Mariners with the
team's promotion "built around" Ken Griffey Jr. The team's
season-ticket holders were admitted free with everyone else
paying $2.50 (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 4/25)....In Atlanta,
the Braves drew less than 8,000 for a game against the Yankees.
Temps were in the 40s. Paid attendance was announced at 25,309
due to the game's inclusion in season-ticket packages (ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION, 4/25)....An "unheard-of" 7,500 tickets remain for
the Blue Jays' home opener. Thus far, the Jays do not have one
sell-out for any of their first 15 games (TORONTO SUN,
4/25)....David Letterman: "In an effort to bring a lot of people
out to Shea Stadium this year, earlier today the Mets held a
press conference and announced that all Mets 1995 games would be
played on the road" ("Late Night," CBS, 4/24).
