The MLB Giants for their game last night against the Indians "announced a paid crowd of 39,538" at AT&T Park, ending the "longest sellout streak" in NL history, according to Henry Schulman of the S.F. CHRONICLE. The streak ended at 555 games -- 530 in the regular season, 25 in the postseason. Giants President & CEO Larry Baer two weeks ago "vented at the notion that the organization was obsessed with the streak and noted that when it ended, the Giants probably would have the biggest crowd in the majors that day." Only the Braves last night "reported a bigger crowd, 41,256, for a game at their new ballpark against the defending World Series-champion Cubs." Baer: "We’re very proud and appreciative of fans who did what no other National League fans have done." Schulman notes many have "questioned the streak because seats were often available at the last minute." The streak began Oct. 1, 2010 (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/18). The Giants are currently last in the NL West, and manager Bruce Bochy said, “It has been a tough go, but the one constant has been our support. We can’t thank (the fans) enough. It’s a shame we couldn’t hang in there to keep this thing going, but they certainly did their part. They hung in there with us and we appreciate it." Giants C Buster Posey: "I’m sure there’s frustration on (the fans’) end just like there is on our end, but there’s an appreciation, too. With us winning those championships, hopefully the city realizes they’ve been a big part of it" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 7/18).
THE PERFECT STORM: NBCSPORTSBAYAREA.com's Alex Pavlovic noted the organization has "tried hard to keep the streak going in a season that looks headed for 100 losses." The Giants "believed they would," but yesterday "was a perfect storm." There is "little buzz around a team that entered with a 35-58 record and it certainly didn’t help that the Giants opened the weekend with a series loss" against the Padres. On top of that, the Indians "do not have the kind of fan base that fills visiting ballparks, as so many have over the past two years, when the streak has regularly been in trouble" (NBCSPORTSBAYAREA.com, 7/17).
