The first two weekends of the MLB season drew 3,093,382 fans to games, the "highest figure in history," according to Mike Oz of YAHOO SPORTS. The previous record, 2,978,303, was set in '05. Both weekends "have drawn 1.5 million fans, the first time in history the first two weekends of the season have brought out that many people." Only once in MLB history "has combined attendance reached 1.5 million on two April weekends;" that was '12, and it "wasn't the first two weekends of the season" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 4/20). In K.C., Blair Kerkhoff noted the A's-Royals series last week drew a total of 109,134 fans, the first time in Royals history "in which all three games of an April series surpassed 30,000." Entering yesterday's game against the Twins, the Royals were "averaging 32,140, which would put them on pace for a club record" 2.6 million fans (KANSASCITY.com, 4/20). Meanwhile, in N.Y., Cody Derespina notes the Mets through their first seven home games this season are "averaging 35,268 fans," which is the second-best start since Citi Field opened in '09. It also is 10.9% "higher than the average crowd of 31,778 through the first seven home games in Citi Field's first six seasons." Aiding the team's "surging drawing power -- besides two Matt Harvey starts -- is a 7-0 record to start the year at home" (NEWSDAY, 4/21).
NOT EVERYONE SEEING GAINS: In Tampa, Charlie Frago notes Yankees-Rays games in past seasons "usually meant big crowds ... at Tropicana Field," but attendance over the weekend was "scant for a Yankees visit, drawing between 15,752 and 21,791 for the Friday-Sunday series." Reasons for the downturn range from some analysts picking the Yankees "to finish last" in the AL East this season to the recent retirements of SS Derek Jeter and P Mariano Rivera. However, it also begs the question as to whether the "stalemate between the city and the team" over a new ballpark play a role. St. Petersburg City Council Chair Bill Dudley: "It certainly may, but I don't think there is any way to find out" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 4/21).
