In San Jose, Michael Martinez notes although some teams are
seeing a return a gradual return to their fan base since the
strike, the Giants' and A's lack of tradition, new stadiums and
consistency have "made their recovery from the strike slow and
tedious." If patterns hold, both teams will "endure a fourth
consecutive drop in total attendance." Giants Exec VP Larry
Baer: "No team was hurt more by the strike than the Giants. We
had new ownership that had just paid $100 million for the
franchise, including some debt, and for two years we worked hard,
sunk a lot of investment capital into rebuilding and creating
goodwill. Then the air came out of the balloon" (SAN JOSE
MERCURY NEWS, 6/23). In Florida, Susan Miller Degnan writes the
Marlins hope with no pro sport competition and school out,
attendance will rebound from a 6.8% drop. Marlins President Don
Smiley: "I don't want to get into reasons because they're all
over the map and I'd be speculating" (MIAMI HERALD, 6/21). In
Houston, Carlton Thompson writes, post-strike, "fans have been
slow to come back" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/21).
DROWN YOUR SORROWS: The White Sox will open a Bullpen
Sports Bar under the right field bleachers at Comiskey for all
fans of legal age (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 6/24).
