MLB Projected To Suffer 6.5% Attendance Drop, Worst Since '52

MLB is "projected to suffer a 6.5% attendance drop, its biggest single-season loss" since '52, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY. Twenty teams "have had an attendance decline entering the season's final week -- including five teams by more than 20%." The Nationals are posting the largest decrease at 22.8%, while the Royals and Rangers are the "only teams boasting 10% or greater increases." However, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said that he is "elated that MLB was projected to attract about 75.2 million fans -- the fourth most in baseball history." Selig: "Given that we are in the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, it is stunning" (USA TODAY, 9/30).

WHAT PENNANT RACE? In Detroit, Drew Sharp writes last night's Twins-Tigers game, the second half of a day-night doubleheader, was the "most important night of baseball Detroit has seen in three years, but you wouldn't know it from the vast swaths of empty seats at Comerica Park." The Tigers drew an announced attendance of 30,240 at 41,255-seat Comerica Park for the contest, which the Tigers entered with a one game lead over the Twins in the AL Central. Sharp writes it is "embarrassing for a city that showcases its sports passion" that the Tigers "couldn't come even remotely close to filling up the ballpark on what was truly an electric day." Sharp: "It's inexcusable they're not getting 40,000 a night considering the heightened drama" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 9/30). 

BRAVE NEW WORLD: The Braves officially drew 28,669 fans to last night's 5-4 loss against the Marlins, putting them three games behind the Rockies in the NL Wild Card race, after drawing 25,046 for Monday's game. In Atlanta, Mark Bradley estimated the actual attendance Monday was 15,000, which is "being kind." Bradley: "School's in session. The economy's adrift. Lots of locals are still bailing out basements after last week's rain. And let's be honest: The Braves haven't been flavor [of] the month for more than a month of Sundays. Lately we'd gotten in the habit of keeping one eye -- one only -- on the Braves and saving our real enthusiasm for the Falcons or the Dawgs or Tech or even the Hawks." Bradley wrote he would "imagine the crowds will increase as the week unfolds, and if the Braves keep winning," he would "expect 40,000 on Friday night and that many again on Saturday afternoon." Bradley: "Sunday afternoon, if the game is meaningful, could well be sold out" (AJC.com, 9/29).

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