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Limey
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« on: April 10, 2012, 10:07:57 AM » |
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Astros set a new franchise low for MMPUS on Sunday: 14,195. Previous low was 18k against the Reds in 2003 - they got less than that last night. I've said it before: by the time 2013 and the AL rolls around, $70mm will be nowhere near enough. ETA: That's paid attendance. I'm guessing AISes was way lower than that. |
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« Last Edit: April 10, 2012, 10:13:20 AM by Limey »
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Gizzmonic
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« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2012, 10:25:42 AM » |
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Yup, is it too late to go back on that one? The money they're gonna lose in TV deals alone (playing most road games on the west coast vs. the likes of Seattle and Anaheim) seems like it should be more than $70 mil.
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« Last Edit: April 10, 2012, 10:37:22 AM by Gizzmonic »
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Limey
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« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2012, 10:31:32 AM » |
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Yup, is it too late to go back on that one? The money they're gonna lose in TV deals alone (playing most road games on the west coast vs. the likes of Seattle and Anaheim) seems like it should be more than $70.
To win back "fans", they're going to have to put a consistent winner on the field. That will cost multiples of $70mm, which will have to be committed while still hemorrhaging money, which will never happen. The road back to popularity for this franchise, unfortunately, is to follow the Oilers' blueprint, leave town and start afresh. |
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Reuben
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« Reply #3 on: April 10, 2012, 10:32:54 AM » |
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Astros set a new franchise low for MMPUS on Sunday: 14,195. Previous low was 18k against the Reds in 2003 - they got less than that last night. I've said it before: by the time 2013 and the AL rolls around, $70mm will be nowhere near enough. ETA: That's paid attendance. I'm guessing AISes was way lower than that. Brownie said on the TV last night that the 14k Sunday was actual attendance, not just paid. Whether that's true or not, I can't say. The park certainly looked very empty Sun and Mon, but who can tell for sure what 14,000 looks like spread out across a 40,000+ capacity park, as opposed to, say 8 or 10,000? The previous MMP low was 18,500 (paid) for a game in 2003. It would be pretty drastic for the new low to suddenly be over 4,000 less. |
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Clark in Denver
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« Reply #4 on: April 10, 2012, 10:34:39 AM » |
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To win back "fans", they're going to have to put a consistent winner on the field. That will cost multiples of $70mm, which will have to be committed while still hemorrhaging money, which will never happen.
The road back to popularity for this franchise, unfortunately, is to follow the Oilers' blueprint, leave town and start afresh.
All they have to do to win me back is announce they are staying in the National League. I'm not sure what that will run them. |
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ValpoCory
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« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2012, 10:37:55 AM » |
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To win back "fans", they're going to have to put a consistent winner on the field. That will cost multiples of $70mm, which will have to be committed while still hemorrhaging money, which will never happen.
The road back to popularity for this franchise, unfortunately, is to follow the Oilers' blueprint, leave town and start afresh.
Maybe you were being hyperbolic, and maybe it's the optimist in me, but I think the Astros will be popular again without leaving town. |
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JimR
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« Reply #6 on: April 10, 2012, 10:38:04 AM » |
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To win back "fans", they're going to have to put a consistent winner on the field. That will cost multiples of $70mm, which will have to be committed while still hemorrhaging money, which will never happen.
The road back to popularity for this franchise, unfortunately, is to follow the Oilers' blueprint, leave town and start afresh.
good grief. |
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BizidyDizidy
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« Reply #7 on: April 10, 2012, 10:39:31 AM » |
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I think you are all grossly overestimating the financial harm of the AL move. That is not why the stands are empty - people just don't care. The 70MM could easily be 100% gravy.
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roadrunner
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« Reply #8 on: April 10, 2012, 10:40:09 AM » |
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Brownie said on the TV last night that the 14k Sunday was actual attendance, not just paid. Whether that's true or not, I can't say. The park certainly looked very empty Sun and Mon, but who can tell for sure what 14,000 looks like spread out across a 40,000+ capacity park, as opposed to, say 8 or 10,000?
The previous MMP low was 18,500 (paid) for a game in 2003. It would be pretty drastic for the new low to suddenly be over 4,000 less.
Yeah they are reporting asses in seats this year, not paid attendance which has been reported in the past. JD said there were 20k paid for Sunday's game. |
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Ron Brand
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« Reply #9 on: April 10, 2012, 10:41:49 AM » |
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The road back to popularity for this franchise, unfortunately, is to follow the Oilers' blueprint, leave town and start afresh.
Thanks, Mr. Sunshine. |
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Gizzmonic
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« Reply #10 on: April 10, 2012, 10:43:01 AM » |
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I think you are all grossly overestimating the financial harm of the AL move. That is not why the stands are empty - people just don't care. The 70MM could easily be 100% gravy.
You don't think moving out of a division and a league where fans actually show up (Cubs, Cards, Brewers, Braves, Mets, etc) to the 2-team Yankee/Red Sox league is gonna make a difference in gate receipts? If you think it's bad this year, wait till next. I guarantee they will feel the pain at the box office. |
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EasTexAstro
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« Reply #11 on: April 10, 2012, 10:43:59 AM » |
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The road back to popularity for this franchise, unfortunately, is to follow the Oilers' blueprint, leave town and start afresh.
So, we would have a Texas team in the AL West to root for? |
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roadrunner
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« Reply #12 on: April 10, 2012, 10:44:11 AM » |
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I think you are all grossly overestimating the financial harm of the AL move. That is not why the stands are empty - people just don't care. The 70MM could easily be 100% gravy.
I'm pretty sure the Yankees and Red Sox will bring in more than the Braves did last night, and the Braves have historically been the best draw in Houston (other than the Cubs). My guess is that the AL move won't affect attendance much. Winning is the only thing that will do that. Levine's Q&A with Crane was interesting when he asked where the extra $70M went with the move. Crane said the ownership group used that money to wash away much of the debt. |
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roadrunner
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« Reply #13 on: April 10, 2012, 10:47:06 AM » |
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You don't think moving out of a division and a league where fans actually show up (Cubs, Cards, Brewers, Braves, Mets, etc) to the 2-team Yankee/Red Sox league is gonna make a difference in gate receipts? If you think it's bad this year, wait till next. I guarantee they will feel the pain at the box office.
I think that gets made up with the "new" AL teams coming in. Houston is full of transplants, many of whom I know personally are excited to see their team play in Minute Maid every year. Plus we'll get bandwagon Strangers fans more next year. God, this is going to suck. |
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Limey
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« Reply #14 on: April 10, 2012, 10:56:13 AM » |
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I'm pretty sure the Yankees and Red Sox will bring in more than the Braves did last night, and the Braves have historically been the best draw in Houston (other than the Cubs).
My guess is that the AL move won't affect attendance much. Winning is the only thing that will do that. Levine's Q&A with Crane was interesting when he asked where the extra $70M went with the move. Crane said the ownership group used that money to wash away much of the debt.
The debt washed away wasn't the club's debt prior to the purchase, it was the debt run up by Crane's syndicate in order to acquire the club. I.e., the $70mm is already gone and now they're operating on much-reduced revenues - not just in gate receipts but in merchandise and concession sales. Servicing the remaining debt will swallow up an unknown portion of the operating revenues, and the club has been clear about its need to slash player payroll. Some of you think my earlier statement was hyperbolic. That's fine. I do hope I'm wrong. But businesses don't come back from downward spirals like this without a major injection of capital, which isn't coming, and/or a change in ownership, which has already happened. |
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Limey
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« Reply #15 on: April 10, 2012, 10:59:04 AM » |
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I think that gets made up with the "new" AL teams coming in. Houston is full of transplants, many of whom I know personally are excited to see their team play in Minute Maid every year. Plus we'll get bandwagon Strangers fans more next year. God, this is going to suck.
So you think that a few games a year against the Yankees and Red Sox, plus a secret army of Seattle, Oakland and LA transplants, are going to offset the games against the Jakes, FTCs and Bravos? The games against the Rangers will be well attended...by Rangers fans. |
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BudGirl
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« Reply #16 on: April 10, 2012, 11:03:18 AM » |
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So you think that a few games a year against the Yankees and Red Sox, plus a secret army of Seattle, Oakland and LA transplants, are going to offset the games against the Jakes, FTCs and Bravos? The games against the Rangers will be well attended...by Rangers fans.
The Bravos aren't exactly raking fans in this week. I agree that the loss of playing the Cards and Cubs will hurt more than MLB would admit. And opposing fans at MMP is something some of us are already numb to. |
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Gizzmonic
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« Reply #17 on: April 10, 2012, 11:06:45 AM » |
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So you think that a few games a year against the Yankees and Red Sox, plus a secret army of Seattle, Oakland and LA transplants, are going to offset the games against the Jakes, FTCs and Bravos? The games against the Rangers will be well attended...by Rangers fans.
Yup. Someone posted a list of the worst road draws in MLB here not too long ago. Most of 'em are in the AL, and I believe Anaheim, Seattle and Oakland are all in the bottom five. I'll repeat it: the AL has 2 teams that draw well on the road, and they are not in the Astros' division. On the same token, the Astros are not likely to help attendance for AL West teams except for the Rangers. Colorado or Arizona would have been a much better fit. |
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« Last Edit: April 10, 2012, 11:15:05 AM by Gizzmonic »
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roadrunner
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« Reply #18 on: April 10, 2012, 11:09:54 AM » |
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The debt washed away wasn't the club's debt prior to the purchase, it was the debt run up by Crane's syndicate in order to acquire the club. I.e., the $70mm is already gone and now they're operating on much-reduced revenues - not just in gate receipts but in merchandise and concession sales. Servicing the remaining debt will swallow up an unknown portion of the operating revenues, and the club has been clear about its need to slash player payroll.
Some of you think my earlier statement was hyperbolic. That's fine. I do hope I'm wrong. But businesses don't come back from downward spirals like this without a major injection of capital, which isn't coming, and/or a change in ownership, which has already happened.
What about the big TV deal about to kick in? |
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Limey
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« Reply #19 on: April 10, 2012, 11:09:54 AM » |
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Yup. Someone posted a list of the worst road draws in MLB here not too long ago. Most of 'em are in the AL, and I believe Anaheim, Seattle and Oakland are all in the bottom five. I'll repeat it: the AL has 2 teams that draw well on the road, and they are not in the Astros' division. On the same token, the Astros are not likely help attendance for AL West teams except for the Rangers. Colorado or Arizona would have been a much better fit.
The Astros will join the west coast AL West teams at the bottom of that list. |
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Limey
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« Reply #20 on: April 10, 2012, 11:12:09 AM » |
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What about the big TV deal about to kick in?
Do we know it's a "big deal". I'm sure that it's more lucrative than the current deal like-for-like, but the viewership drop due to the current fan-malaise (of which I may be "Patient Zero") and the late-night west coast roadies will impact ad revenue. What is unknown is whether the bigger slice of a smaller pie is going to be bigger overall. |
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roadrunner
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« Reply #21 on: April 10, 2012, 11:12:13 AM » |
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Yup. Someone posted a list of the worst road draws in MLB here not too long ago. Most of 'em are in the AL, and I believe Anaheim, Seattle and Oakland are all in the bottom five. I'll repeat it: the AL has 2 teams that draw well on the road, and they are not in the Astros' division. On the same token, the Astros are not likely help attendance for AL West teams except for the Rangers. Colorado or Arizona would have been a much better fit.
I would guess the White Sox, Tigers, and Angels all draw pretty well. Once you net it all out the NL might draw better but I don't think it's enough to sink the franchise. Decades of losing could do that, but it hasn't in Pittsburgh. |
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Clark in Denver
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« Reply #22 on: April 10, 2012, 11:13:47 AM » |
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Do we know it's a "big deal". I'm sure that it's more lucrative than the current deal like-for-like, but the viewership drop due to the current fan-malaise (of which I may be "Patient Zero") and the late-night west coast roadies will impact ad revenue. What is unknown is whether the bigger slice of a smaller pie is going to be bigger overall.
I can't imagine that it will be in the neighborhood of what the Angels will be able to get in LA. For that matter, it probably won't be as large as the Rangers. (Speculation on my part.) |
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Waldo
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« Reply #23 on: April 10, 2012, 11:13:57 AM » |
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What about the big TV deal about to kick in?
Merchandise sales will also go up next year with the new unis/logo/colors as long as they are not horrible. |
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EasTexAstro
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« Reply #24 on: April 10, 2012, 11:14:55 AM » |
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So you think that a few games a year against the Yankees and Red Sox, plus a secret army of Seattle, Oakland and LA transplants, are going to offset the games against the Jakes, FTCs and Bravos? The games against the Rangers will be well attended...by Rangers fans.
There has been a large migration of California people to Texas over the last 4-5 years. Maybe 1 or 2 of them will be baseball fans. |
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It's my estimation that every man ever got a statue made of 'em was one kinda sombitch or another.
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MusicMan
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They're still shitty.
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« Reply #25 on: April 10, 2012, 11:17:59 AM » |
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To win back "fans", they're going to have to put a consistent winner on the field. That will cost multiples of $70mm, which will have to be committed while still hemorrhaging money, which will never happen.
The road back to popularity for this franchise, unfortunately, is to follow the Oilers' blueprint, leave town and start afresh.
Private, get the President on the line, tell him we're surrendering our position in Cuba. |
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hostros7
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« Reply #26 on: April 10, 2012, 11:19:53 AM » |
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Low payroll + revenue sharing = profit. See Pirates, Pittsburgh.
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Reuben
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« Reply #27 on: April 10, 2012, 11:20:09 AM » |
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Colorado or Arizona would have been a much better fit.
1,000 times this. I know Bud probably just felt like the Astros were the team fans would care the least about moving, but really, who the fuck would've cared if AZ or CO moved to the AL West? As far as "appropriateness", which I'm sure Selig never once cared about, I can't think of an NL that, historically, has more resembled an AL team than Colorado (except Milwaukee, of course), nor a team that has more embodied the NL style than the Astros. |
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EasTexAstro
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« Reply #28 on: April 10, 2012, 11:23:41 AM » |
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1,000 times this. I know Bud probably just felt like the Astros were the team fans would care the least about moving, but really, who the fuck would've cared if AZ or CO moved to the AL West? As far as "appropriateness", which I'm sure Selig never once cared about, I can't think of an NL that, historically, has more resembled an AL team than Colorado (except Milwaukee, of course), nor a team that has more embodied the NL style than the Astros.
+1 |
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It's my estimation that every man ever got a statue made of 'em was one kinda sombitch or another.
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Mr. Happy
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« Reply #29 on: April 10, 2012, 11:25:11 AM » |
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1,000 times this. I know Bud probably just felt like the Astros were the team fans would care the least about moving, but really, who the fuck would've cared if AZ or CO moved to the AL West? As far as "appropriateness", which I'm sure Selig never once cared about, I can't think of an NL that, historically, has more resembled an AL team than Colorado (except Milwaukee, of course), nor a team that has more embodied the NL style than the Astros.
You said a mouthful and got it all absolutely right. |
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Gizzmonic
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« Reply #30 on: April 10, 2012, 11:27:47 AM » |
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1,000 times this. I know Bud probably just felt like the Astros were the team fans would care the least about moving, but really, who the fuck would've cared if AZ or CO moved to the AL West? As far as "appropriateness", which I'm sure Selig never once cared about, I can't think of an NL that, historically, has more resembled an AL team than Colorado (except Milwaukee, of course), nor a team that has more embodied the NL style than the Astros.
The Astros were the only team for sale. They've been shitty for a few years, and they're out of the national spotlight. Bud Selig preyed upon the Astros and their fans while they were weak, just another victim of his slash-and-burn style of "leadership." 50 years as an NL franchise (and 41 more as an NL farm team) means shit to the smarmy used-car dealer with the bad haircut. |
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jbm
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« Reply #31 on: April 10, 2012, 11:38:49 AM » |
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Attendence would have sucked this bad even if there was no imminent move. Winning will cure all of this, and make the TV deal more lucrative (since they are part owners). I do think the downward spiral argument has merit, but they are not even close to that point, IMO.
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GreatBagwellsBeard
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« Reply #32 on: April 10, 2012, 11:39:04 AM » |
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The Astros were the only team for sale. They've been shitty for a few years, and they're out of the national spotlight. Bud Selig preyed upon the Astros and their fans while they were weak, just another victim of his slash-and-burn style of "leadership." 50 years as an NL franchise (and 41 more as an NL farm team) means shit to the smarmy used-car dealer with the bad haircut.
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Limey
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« Reply #33 on: April 10, 2012, 11:49:48 AM » |
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coughDodgersMetscough
Seriously. I was about to type exactly this. |
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Gizzmonic
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« Reply #34 on: April 10, 2012, 11:52:41 AM » |
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coughDodgersMetscough
Point taken, but I don't think they were done sorting out the Dodgers mess while they were doing this dirty backroom deal. Something tells me this was in the works for a long time. PS Speaking of appropriate teams for the AL West...the Dodgers would be perfect. They actually would help attendance dramatically for the other clubs! Hey Bud, so long as you're destroying tradition, you may as well aim high. |
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Limey
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« Reply #35 on: April 10, 2012, 12:00:35 PM » |
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Point taken, but I don't think they were done sorting out the Dodgers mess while they were doing this dirty backroom deal. Something tells me this was in the works for a long time. They knew the Dodgers were going to change ownership long before they could have been certain of the Astros changing ownership. They could have left the Astros alone and waited on the Dodgers mess to get sorted out. PS Speaking of appropriate teams for the AL West...the Dodgers would be perfect. They actually would help attendance dramatically for the other clubs! Hey Bud, so long as you're destroying tradition, you may as well aim high.
They would get to play in the same league as the Yankees... The only issue I could see would be having two LA(A) teams in the same league. |
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ValpoCory
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« Reply #36 on: April 10, 2012, 12:04:33 PM » |
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If you think it's bad this year, wait till next. I guarantee they will feel the pain at the box office.
So are you saying that next season, the 14K and 18K crowds of the last two nights will seem like good crowds, by comparison? |
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ValpoCory
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« Reply #37 on: April 10, 2012, 12:06:09 PM » |
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They knew the Dodgers were going to change ownership long before they could have been certain of the Astros changing ownership. They could have left the Astros alone and waited on the Dodgers mess to get sorted out.
They would get to play in the same league as the Yankees... The only issue I could see would be having two LA(A) teams in the same league.
And that is why the Dodgers didn't change leagues. Had the Houston area already had a 2nd team, which played in the AL, then the Astros would not have been a candidate to switch leagues. |
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Limey
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« Reply #38 on: April 10, 2012, 12:18:46 PM » |
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And that is why the Dodgers didn't change leagues. Had the Houston area already had a 2nd team, which played in the AL, then the Astros would not have been a candidate to switch leagues.
I think the D-Backs were still on the hook to be moved to the AL at the league's whim. Ignoring the Brewers for obvious reasons, moving Arizona to the AL West was the easiest and infinitely more geographically sensible option. FYB's track record with the Astros really makes be think that he has a deep-seated grudge against the club. |
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"It's hard to argue against cynics; they always sound smarter than optimists because they have so much evidence on their side” - Molly Ivins
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Ty in Tampa
Contributor
Pope
Posts: 6580
You just gotta keep livin' man, L-I-V-I-N
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« Reply #39 on: April 10, 2012, 12:22:13 PM » |
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FYB's track record with the Astros really makes be think that he has a deep-seated grudge against the club.
Naw, he hates this site. He's done all this to fuck SnS over. |
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"You want me broken. You want me dead.
I'm living rent-free in the back of your head."
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moriartp
Should Have Quit 500 Posts Ago
Posts: 2101
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« Reply #40 on: April 10, 2012, 12:30:29 PM » |
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FYB's track record with the Astros really makes be think that he has a deep-seated grudge against the club.
You'd think he'd be more grateful for all the years the owner spent sucking his dick. |
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Limey
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« Reply #41 on: April 10, 2012, 12:39:04 PM » |
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You'd think he'd be more grateful for all the years the owner spent sucking his dick.
That doesn't necessarily gain you respect. Am I right ladies? |
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"It's hard to argue against cynics; they always sound smarter than optimists because they have so much evidence on their side” - Molly Ivins
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Gizzmonic
Key Member of the Conspiracy
Posts: 4450
Space City Carbohydrate
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« Reply #42 on: April 10, 2012, 12:39:09 PM » |
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You'd think he'd be more grateful for all the years the owner spent sucking his dick.
Funny how that works out. Years of spinelessness gave Bud the (correct) impression that ownership would be Bud's bitch no matter what. |
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Welcome to Space
The Space between my ears
It's cold and empty
and nothin' lives too long up here
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Bench
Double Super Secret Pope
Posts: 12293
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« Reply #43 on: April 10, 2012, 12:50:37 PM » |
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That doesn't necessarily gain you respect. Am I right ladies?
It certainly does if they're doing it right. |
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"Holy shit, Mozart. Get me off this fucking thing."
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Noe in Austin
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« Reply #44 on: April 10, 2012, 01:13:13 PM » |
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Ahem... strange turn for this thread, but that is the SnS for you. Any way, what will bring AIS to MMPUS (IMHO) is pitching. Not hitting or high scoring games... I see enough of that with Ranger's baseball (of which I'm going to be exposed to more and more here in Austin). Last night is a good example. Yu Darvish sucked big time in his debut. And the Rangers still won, exploding for a large amount of runs.
I like games that feature pitching, pitching, and pitching because with that, you'll always be in every game. The key to bringing back folks is give them a team that features pitching. And, oh yeah, do what Mills did after the first game... take players to task when they aren't playing smart baseball (re: errors based on daydreaming and not because you're trying hard to make a play).
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"It's like lawn mower repairmen questioning an auto mechanic's ability to fix his own car." - Brad Ausmus (on the media questioning players)
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Clark in Denver
Veteran Role Player
Posts: 276
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« Reply #45 on: April 10, 2012, 03:12:28 PM » |
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Nonsense. Here is what you need to put AIS.
Loud music
The wave
Kiss Cam
Train full of pumpkins
Giant rabbits that have nothing to do with the Astros or their history
Home runs, lots and lots of home runs
Sheriff Blaylock
People dancing on the jumbotron
Any item given away with the Gallery Furniture logo on it.
I'm sure we can think of more, but we have a meeting with the Miami Marlins marketing department later this afternoon.
Thank you,
The Houston Astros Marketing Department
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Astros Fan: 1978-2011
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Noe in Austin
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« Reply #46 on: April 10, 2012, 03:30:32 PM » |
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I bow to the wisdom of marketing departments. Silly me!
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"It's like lawn mower repairmen questioning an auto mechanic's ability to fix his own car." - Brad Ausmus (on the media questioning players)
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Limey
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« Reply #47 on: April 10, 2012, 03:35:32 PM » |
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Nonsense. Here is what you need to put AIS.
Loud music
The wave
Kiss Cam
Train full of pumpkins
Giant rabbits that have nothing to do with the Astros or their history
Home runs, lots and lots of home runs
Sheriff Blaylock
People dancing on the jumbotron
Any item given away with the Gallery Furniture logo on it.
I'm sure we can think of more, but we have a meeting with the Miami Marlins marketing department later this afternoon.
Thank you,
The Houston Astros Marketing Department
Goya bean smuggling in hats. |
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"It's hard to argue against cynics; they always sound smarter than optimists because they have so much evidence on their side” - Molly Ivins
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OregonStrosFan
Double Super Secret Pope
Posts: 11241
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« Reply #48 on: April 10, 2012, 03:37:00 PM » |
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Goya bean smuggling in hats.
Can't forget the Fowl Poles! |
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In the end, my dissolution with the game of baseball will not be a result of any loss of love for the game, rather from the realization that I can no longer bear the anger its supposed stewards cause to be built up in my soul. -Lee (01/08/2013)
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Bench
Double Super Secret Pope
Posts: 12293
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« Reply #49 on: April 10, 2012, 04:05:22 PM » |
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I've been to two games and haven't noticed the taco bell hot sauce packet races. Granted, I usually divert my attention in disgust when the hot sauce comes out. Did they finally do away with that travesty or have my mental blinders developed to automatically ignore the inanity?
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"Holy shit, Mozart. Get me off this fucking thing."
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ValpoCory
Should Have Quit 500 Posts Ago
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« Reply #50 on: April 10, 2012, 04:08:20 PM » |
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Brownie said on the TV last night that the 14k Sunday was actual attendance, not just paid. Are the Astros reporting attendance in tickets sold or turnstile count? The LA Times today reported, "MLB attendance figures are for tickets sold, not fans in attendance". I would guess the Sunday attendance of 14,195 was tickets sold, not turnstile count. |
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GreatBagwellsBeard
Contributor
Should Have Quit 500 Posts Ago
Posts: 2141
A small room at the front of the plane
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« Reply #51 on: April 10, 2012, 04:26:52 PM » |
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I've been to two games and haven't noticed the taco bell hot sauce packet races. Granted, I usually divert my attention in disgust when the hot sauce comes out. Did they finally do away with that travesty or have my mental blinders developed to automatically ignore the inanity?
Wasn't happening on OD. Don't know about since then. |
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Drinking for two.
“I want to paint a mural of Houston for the kids, but I’m terrible at drawing swamp humidity"
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BUWebguy
Should Have Quit 500 Posts Ago
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« Reply #52 on: April 10, 2012, 04:49:05 PM » |
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Are the Astros reporting attendance in tickets sold or turnstile count? The LA Times today reported, "MLB attendance figures are for tickets sold, not fans in attendance". I would guess the Sunday attendance of 14,195 was tickets sold, not turnstile count. I think I read a couple of days ago that the change this year was that they were counting only tickets sold, not comps, which had become numerous. |
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"If you can't figure out that Astros doesn't have an apostrophe, you shouldn't be able to comment." - Ron Brand, June 9, 2010
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BudGirl
Contributor
Double Super Secret Pope
Posts: 12850
Brad Ausmus' Slave
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« Reply #53 on: April 10, 2012, 05:16:59 PM » |
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I think I read a couple of days ago that the change this year was that they were counting only tickets sold, not comps, which had become numerous.
This is what Crane & Co. said at the Astros Luncheon on Monday. |
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''I just did an interview with someone I like more than you. I used a lot of big words on him. I don't have anything left for you.'' --Brad Ausmus
Well behaved women rarely make history.
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austro
Fantasy Team Owner
Double Super Secret Pope
Posts: 10534
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« Reply #54 on: April 10, 2012, 08:49:36 PM » |
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Can't forget the Fowl Poles!
You guys are all missing it. Attendance is down because Hunter's Lodge got the axe. |
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I remember all the good times me 'n Miller enjoyed
Up and down the M1 in some luminous yo-yo toy
But the future has to change - and to change I've got to destroy
Oh look out Lennon here I come - land ahoy-hoy-hoy
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Reuben
Key Member of the Conspiracy
Posts: 4684
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« Reply #55 on: April 11, 2012, 10:36:54 AM » |
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You guys are all missing it. Attendance is down because Hunter's Lodge got the axe.
Not to mention the Mini-Maybellenes Little Pumas. That has to be 3 or 4,000 a night right there. |
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"Come check us out in the Game Zone. We don’t bite. Unless you say something idiotic." -Mr. Happy
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Texifornia
Prime Time Player
Posts: 711
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« Reply #56 on: April 11, 2012, 11:45:06 AM » |
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FYB's track record with the Astros really makes be think that he has a deep-seated grudge against the club.
I think contempt is a better word. Grudge implies there is somehow reciprocity involved. If the Astros, as a franchise, were ever to stand up for itself against the Commissioner, them maybe the relationship could be elevated to a grudge. Remember FYB's invocation of Baseball's hallowed history as he announced the forced league change. That's not a grudge, that's pure contempt. |
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You can lead a whore to culture but you can't make her think. -D. Parker
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Limey
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« Reply #57 on: August 09, 2012, 11:32:03 AM » |
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So are you saying that next season, the 14K and 18K crowds of the last two nights will seem like good crowds, by comparison?
Remember when we were all freaking out over a new franchise low attendance - back on April 9 - of 14,195? First three nights of the Nationals series: Monday: 13,843 Tuesday: 14,273 Wednesday: 16,038 Take another look at Monday night. That was a new franchise low attendance but, because no one's watching, no one's watching. If you see what I mean. To be fair, the Pirates drew, in the preceding home series, crowds of 20k or better. But the division-leading Reds before them posted over 16k only once, and then only just. You can get the full run down here. There's some weirdness in there, including the fact that the Royals (over 30k for a mid-week game) were a bigger draw than the Cubs, Cards, Brewers, Red and Mets. Maybe people thought that was a team the Astros might actually beat... |
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"It's hard to argue against cynics; they always sound smarter than optimists because they have so much evidence on their side” - Molly Ivins
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pots
Should Have Quit 500 Posts Ago
Posts: 2495
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« Reply #58 on: August 09, 2012, 11:55:56 AM » |
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There's some weirdness in there, including the fact that the Royals (over 30k for a mid-week game) were a bigger draw than the Cubs, Cards, Brewers, Red and Mets. Maybe people thought that was a team the Astros might actually beat...
It was an afternoon game. Correct me if I'm wrong but were they not trying to do less afternoon games for attendance purposes? |
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