MLB Franchise Notes

Nationals Attendance Down 17% From Same Point Last Season

In Orlando, Josh Robbins reports the D’Rays drew 9,635 for Thursday night’s game against the Rangers at Cracker Jack Stadium in Orlando, putting the total for the three-game series at 26,917. While D’Rays President Matt Silverman called the series “a rousing success, he reiterated that he doesn’t know whether the team will return to Central Florida in future seasons.” Silverman said, “These games have put us on the map here in Central Florida, and we need to continue to court the fans of Orlando.” Disney VP/Sports Attractions Reggie Williams that he “would welcome any talks that could bring the Rays back” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 5/18).

SUBWAY TOKEN: CNBC’s Darren Rovell noted the Yankees are “on pace to draw four million fans for a record-tying third year in a row,” while the Mets “could draw 3.5 million fans this season for the first time ever.” Mets Exec VP/Business Operations Dave Howard said, “In the history of the Mets franchise, it’s rare that both the Yankees and Mets have been as good as the teams have been the last couple of years. We’re in somewhat uncharted territory.” Citi Field is scheduled to open in ’09, and Howard said, “Shea Stadium really has never been a draw. Yankee Stadium has been.” However, Yankees President Randy Levine added, “We really don’t worry about the Mets. We believe our brand is the most recognized, most powerful brand in professional sports so we try to market the Yankees” (CNBC, 5/18).

NATIONAL PRIDE? In DC, Tim Lemke reports the Nationals have averaged around 21,300 fans through 21 home games this year, down 4,200, or 17%, from the same amount of games in ’06. The team has topped 20,000 just nine times. The club played 14 home games in April when “low temperatures, rain and snow often made for unpleasant baseball viewing,” but fans said that the “primary reason for the smaller crowds is the quality of the team’s play” (WASHINGTON TIMES, 5/18).