Brewers Owner Mark Attanasio believes that his team has made "tangible progress in its rebuilding process and fans will respond by increasing attendance," according to Rich Kirchen of the MILWAUKEE BUSINESS JOURNAL. Attanasio believes that attendance this season will increase beyond what Brewers COO Rick Schlesinger called a "low-water mark" of 2.3 million in '16. That number is compared with 2.54 million in '15 and nearly 2.8 million in '14. Attanasio on Monday said that ticket sales at this point are "running ahead of the same time a year ago." Schlesigner said that the figure is up about 5% for "all categories combined -- season, group and single-game." The Brewers front office, including Attanasio, predict that the team-funded $20M concession-stand makeover project will "drive more fan interest." However, Attanasio said that they know the team’s performance is where the "rubber meets the road." Attanasio: "There are only nine teams in all of baseball that have drawn 2.3 million or more nine years in a row. That‘s a wonderful outpouring from our fans. It’s a terrific number. So we don’t take it for granted" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 4/3).
HOMECOMING: In Milwaukee, Haudricourt & Rosiak noted MLB Commissioner Emeritus Bud Selig, who owned the Brewers prior to Attanasio, "threw out a ceremonial first pitch" at Monday's game against the Rockies while Attanasio acted as his catcher. The Brewers "gave Selig that honor in tribute" of being selected for induction into the Baseball HOF. Selig was asked about being selected and said, "I didn’t think anything could overwhelm me anymore, but this is overwhelming. It’s hard to believe. You can talk about it, but when it happens with you … I’m really looking forward to it." Selig said that he "had not started working on his acceptance speech." It was "suggested he might get some help" from Brewers announcer Bob Uecker. Selig: "Yeah, but I can’t deliver it like Ueck can." Meanwhile, Attanasio confirmed that his ownership group is "still trying to purchase" its affiliate, the Single-A Carolina League Carolina Mudcats. But he said that the sides are "still working through all of the red tape associated with such a transaction" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 4/4).
