August 18, 20168 yr Nothing better and more tense than playoff baseball. Playoff hockey. False. Playoff baseball > Nope, it's not even close. :-D Very Stable Genius
August 18, 20168 yr Just 14,371 attended Progressive Field for the Indians' (Cody Allen) 9th inning grand-slammed collapse last night. The team is still 6 full games in 1st place over the Motor City Kitties and, yet, is still drawing paltry attendance; 2nd worst in the MLB behind the sorry Tampa Bay Rays... Indians' fans' disinterest in going to games, especially given the great season the team has which, barring a major collapse, will result in a playoff berth, remains a mystery. Not saying this is the definitive reason, but a lot of people still don't like the Dolans. Perhaps the rift with the fans is still too wide. Larry Dolan said some very idiotic things early on, and he came off like an ivory tower jerk. On the contrary I've heard from several people that he is a good guy. I believe the difference between Dolan, Gilbert and Haslem is that of the three, Dolan seems by far to be the most isolated from the fans. And that's saying a lot since Haslem is basically in hiding. I'd encourage Dolan to avail himself to the fans. Get on the radio, shake hands at the stadium and somehow become more visible and more likable.
August 18, 20168 yr Just 14,371 attended Progressive Field for the Indians' (Cody Allen) 9th inning grand-slammed collapse last night. The team is still 6 full games in 1st place over the Motor City Kitties and, yet, is still drawing paltry attendance; 2nd worst in the MLB behind the sorry Tampa Bay Rays... Indians' fans' disinterest in going to games, especially given the great season the team has which, barring a major collapse, will result in a playoff berth, remains a mystery. Not that it makes a big difference, but the Indians are 3rd last in attendance ahead of Oakland and Tampa Bay. It's a long way to go to jump up a spot though. They're over 2,000 behind the next closest, Miami. Cleveland is almost 2,000 up from last years average attendance, so it is improving. And most stadiums aren't selling out on Wednesday nights in August. Especially on a week when a lot of schools started back up. It's natural to see a dip in weekday attendance after school starts. For comparison here are some other attendance figures for Wednesday's games. Tampa Bay - 10,251 Baltimore - 26,160 Detroit - 28,790 Texas - 26,743 Houston - 27,508 Atlanta - 19,304 Philly - 21,137 Cincinnati - 13,973 Arizona - 18,469 Source: http://www.crowdhitter.com/mlb-attendance-2016/
August 18, 20168 yr ^ Are we still talking about this? How many times do I have to ask this. Why do you care? There is absolutely nothing you can do about it. The team isn't leaving. Tribe fans are still good fans, loo at the TV ratings. . It is what it is. this topic is exhausting and everyone is running in circles about it and there are no real solutions. Just be happy it is UP from the previous year. All you can ask for is growth as a telling indicator.
August 18, 20168 yr The biggest issue with attendance is the lack of a solid base of season ticket holders. Until the last couple years the Indians had gone over a decade without having back to back .500+ seasons. I think we're about to go on a nice multi-year run here and you'll see those season ticket numbers increase, as well as overall attendance. Plus, we rank in the top 10 for TV ratings, so it's not like people don't care. It'll feel like the 90s again at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario come October.
August 18, 20168 yr Miami Heat fans don't show up either even when the team was clearly the best. This isn't even close to being a fact. http://www.espn.com/nba/attendance/_/year/2013 2014 - 4th highest attendance in the league and 101% of their arena capacity. 2013 - 3rd highest attendance in the league and 102% of their arena capacity. 2012 - 4th highest attendance in the league and 102% of their arena capacity. 2011 - 5th highest attendance in the league and 101% of their arena capacity. Even without LeBron the Heat finished at #6 in the league (both 2015 and 2016) and above 100% of their arena capacity. Very Stable Genius
August 18, 20168 yr Miami Heat fans don't show up either even when the team was clearly the best. This isn't even close to being a fact. http://www.espn.com/nba/attendance/_/year/2013 2014 - 4th highest attendance in the league and 101% of their arena capacity. 2013 - 3rd highest attendance in the league and 102% of their arena capacity. 2012 - 4th highest attendance in the league and 102% of their arena capacity. 2011 - 5th highest attendance in the league and 101% of their arena capacity. Even without LeBron the Heat finished at #6 in the league (both 2015 and 2016) and above 100% of their arena capacity. Everyone counts tickets sold as attendance. Just because the tickets are sold doesn't mean there's a body in the seat.
August 19, 20168 yr Kansas City entrepreneur John Sherman joins Indians as minority investor\ http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20160819/NEWS/160819785/kansas-city-entrepreneur-john-sherman-joins-indians-as-minority "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 19, 20168 yr The biggest issue with attendance is the lack of a solid base of season ticket holders. Until the last couple years the Indians had gone over a decade without having back to back .500+ seasons. I think we're about to go on a nice multi-year run here and you'll see those season ticket numbers increase, as well as overall attendance. Plus, we rank in the top 10 for TV ratings, so it's not like people don't care. It'll feel like the 90s again at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario come October. Hope you're right. I've never cared for the Dolans but refuse to let them dull my interest in baseball or the Indians. I think the team has been making some nice moves in recent years, especially in signing guys like Mike Napoli, and the farm has been producing solid to great players like Naquin and Lindor... I've been sold on the team since they hired Tito Francona, the most qualified hire at head coach any Cleveland team has made in a long while (obviously Tyronn Lue hasn't turned out too bad, and Hue Jackson seems like a catch, as well)... The Indians seem to be a part of the recent renaissance in Cleveland sports; I just want the Tribe fans to start showing they are All In and voting with their feet.
August 19, 20168 yr Miami Heat fans don't show up either even when the team was clearly the best. This isn't even close to being a fact. http://www.espn.com/nba/attendance/_/year/2013 2014 - 4th highest attendance in the league and 101% of their arena capacity. 2013 - 3rd highest attendance in the league and 102% of their arena capacity. 2012 - 4th highest attendance in the league and 102% of their arena capacity. 2011 - 5th highest attendance in the league and 101% of their arena capacity. Even without LeBron the Heat finished at #6 in the league (both 2015 and 2016) and above 100% of their arena capacity. Everyone counts tickets sold as attendance. Just because the tickets are sold doesn't mean there's a body in the seat. By that logic the Indians "actual" attendance is even worse than what's being reported... Very Stable Genius
August 20, 20168 yr Loving this. Historical night.... Elias also reports that the Indians are the first team to have a tying home run (this one by Jose Ramirez) and a walk-off inside-the-park run in the same inning. And... The home run increased Naquin's slugging percentage this season to .603. That's third-highest in the majors among players with at least 200 at-bats, trailing only David Ortiz (.628) and Daniel Murphy (.604). Baseball is so unpredictable!!
August 20, 20168 yr First time that has happened in 100 years? I was supposed to go last night. Dang it
August 20, 20168 yr wow that was the most exciting finale i have ever seen or even heard of. it was fitting too after bauer had been mowing down the bluejays for the whole game (13so's). how 'bout that tribe?
August 20, 20168 yr Nights like these will get butts off couches and into seats at Ontario & Carnegie! Looking forward to September!
August 22, 20168 yr http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2016/08/cleveland_indians_a_celebratio.html#incart_2box
August 31, 20168 yr This is just one of two amazing plays by the Tribe tonight. http://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2016/08/31/1115417583/1472607089266/asset_2500K.mp4
August 31, 20168 yr People can get mad all they want, but for this team to be drawing under 12,000/game for a first place team (and has been so for 3+ straight months) 2 days before September is bizarre. Any objective person would have to question the long-term viability of the Indians remaining in Cleveland with such a paltry gate under these circumstances.
August 31, 20168 yr People can get mad all they want, but for this team to be drawing under 12,000/game for a first place team (and has been so for 3+ straight months) 2 days before September is bizarre. Any objective person would have to question the long-term viability of the Indians remaining in Cleveland with such a paltry gate under these circumstances. And sadly these attendance woes have been nothing new. I remember going to games in Muni stadium when I was kid in the 80's, and there might be 7 or 8 thousand there. This was in that huge cavernous stadium which made it look even more ridiculous, and that was when you could get a bleacher seat for 4 dollars. It was just about the same price or cheaper than seeing a non-matinee first run film. At least the Indians have high ratings for their broadcasts.
August 31, 20168 yr Anyone complaining about attendance better by going to games somewhat regularly. If you're not, download the Stubhub app and put your money where your mouth is.
August 31, 20168 yr People can get mad all they want, but for this team to be drawing under 12,000/game for a first place team (and has been so for 3+ straight months) 2 days before September is bizarre. Any objective person would have to question the long-term viability of the Indians remaining in Cleveland with such a paltry gate under these circumstances. And sadly these attendance woes have been nothing new. I remember going to games in Muni stadium when I was kid in the 80's, and there might be 7 or 8 thousand there. This was in that huge cavernous stadium which made it look even more ridiculous, and that was when you could get a bleacher seat for 4 dollars. It was just about the same price or cheaper than seeing a non-matinee first run film. At least the Indians have high ratings for their broadcasts. In fairness, the Indians were in almost three decade slump where they could barely sniff .500 at times in the empty Muni days. That was also in an era where a team had to win a division with eight teams and no wild card. The season was over before it began every year back in the 70s and 80s. I got why nobody went. There's no excuse for the low attendance this year. Makes me think that Indians will only be part of Cleveland for the short term. Plenty of cities could outdraw Cleveland that have no MLB team at this point. People need to get over the Dolans. Yet when the 2-14 Clown show starts at the other end of downtown in a few weeks, First Energy will be packed. RGIII will save us! Same old, same old.
August 31, 20168 yr Are we still talking about this? I mean, it's pretty embarrassing when a 1st-place team is struggling to outdraw their AAA team in late August. Very Stable Genius
August 31, 20168 yr The same damn conversation every year, and it goes nowhere each time. If the Indians get rid of dynamic pricing bullshit, then watch the sales skyrocket. If the team goes deep into the playoffs, then hello 2017 attendance. If companies start buying season tickets again, then boom goes the attendance. If the Browns go away again, then huzzah, hello better numbers. If the season is drastically shortened, then here come the sellouts. Over and over again the same complaints about attendance with the same answers always applying.
August 31, 20168 yr HUH??? The Columbus Clippers are averaging 8,757 per game. The Tribe's average is 19,617
August 31, 20168 yr Just give it time, guys. Again, if attendance is up from last year, that's a good thing. Rome isn't built over night. the 90's Indians teams excelled in 1994 and halfway through 1995 before getting sell outs, and that was with the browns leaving and everyone beig sad about that and wanting to feel good about something. And that team was just about as great as they get. Franconas teams aren't going to score 8 per game and be must see baseball. They are streaky and there will be times the non true baseball fans will just say im done ( until the next win streak). Just be patient. If they make the playoff this year, they will get more fans next year, and the next. its a process. the fact that they are selling out weekends is a good thing. Again, I have a 1 year old at home and cant make games often...but listen to every pitch on the radio. I still consider myself a great fan
August 31, 20168 yr Welcome back Coco Crisp! "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 31, 20168 yr Anyone complaining about attendance better by going to games somewhat regularly. If you're not, download the Stubhub app and put your money where your mouth is. Similar statement: If you want to burn the flag then you should be kicked out of "my" country. What's the point of having an Indians thread without about talking about a very real issue with the organization? The national sports media notices how pitiful the Indians attendance is. Cleveland is not being shown is a positive light. The same damn conversation every year, and it goes nowhere each time. If the Indians get rid of dynamic pricing bullshit, then watch the sales skyrocket. If the team goes deep into the playoffs, then hello 2017 attendance. If companies start buying season tickets again, then boom goes the attendance. If the Browns go away again, then huzzah, hello better numbers. If the season is drastically shortened, then here come the sellouts. Over and over again the same complaints about attendance with the same answers always applying. I'll believe what you say when I see it. The argument used to be just make the playoffs and attendance will rise. Now they need to go to the WS? Indians dropping attendance had nothing to do with the Browns. Indians were still selling out in 2000. It had to do with the change in ownership. Once the Indians are released from their obligations to the current lease, there's no reason why they should stay with these attendance figures.
August 31, 20168 yr "No reason they should stay?" Um, how about being the 18th largest media market in the country?
August 31, 20168 yr "No reason they should stay?" Um, how about being the 18th largest media market in the country? And the Indians having excellent TV ratings. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 31, 20168 yr I'm thrilled to have Coco back. He's got serious pop in his bat and is a good teammate.
August 31, 20168 yr People can get mad all they want, but for this team to be drawing under 12,000/game for a first place team (and has been so for 3+ straight months) 2 days before September is bizarre. Any objective person would have to question the long-term viability of the Indians remaining in Cleveland with such a paltry gate under these circumstances. This has been discussed countless times upthread including: 1. Attendance at MLB overall is down. 2. The Indians do well in television ratings. 3. Where would they actually move that can do better? A Sunbelt town with lots of new population (like Tampa)?
August 31, 20168 yr Anyone complaining about attendance better by going to games somewhat regularly. If you're not, download the Stubhub app and put your money where your mouth is. Been to 2 games at the Pro and I don't even live FT in the CLE anymore --- also caught a Tribe game in Camden Yards during that 4-game sweep debacle at the hands of the Orioles. If I lived in Cleveland I'd go to a ton of games (love baseball, the Indians and downtown + live right along the Rapid) if not season tics based on my work (and other) schedule.
August 31, 20168 yr "No reason they should stay?" Um, how about being the 18th largest media market in the country? So play in an empty stadium in a TV market that has shrunk from 11th to 18th in the last 20 years. Cleveland-Akron-Canton may be out of the top 20 by the time the lease expires. Not being negative but there are other cities with a growing TV markets without an MLB team. One argument for the team to stay would be butts in the seats.
August 31, 20168 yr Butts in seats is irrelevant. I'm sure the Browns had pretty decent attendance and they still left. There are far more important factors with relocating teams.
August 31, 20168 yr ^ Like who? Baseball just doesn't show up in cities in succeed. For example,. the South does not care about baseball at all. You cant go to a place like CHarlotte or Nashville and kill it. Baseball is just not popular there...that's why they don't have teams. Heck, Florida cant pull fans and they are predominantly transplanted Northerners. Baseball is an older game and does best in older cities. I really don't see where the Tirbe could go, other than maybe Vegas, where people would want to go to a game and bet on every pitch. ANd for that, the CLEVELAND based owners would have to stab their city in the back and pretty much be money grubbing slimeballs. And don't confuse lack of attendance with not making money, they are making money.
August 31, 20168 yr Butts in seats is irrelevant. I'm sure the Browns had pretty decent attendance and they still left. There are far more important factors with relocating teams. I had a front row seat in DC when Washington poached Montreal. Believe what you want. The Dolans have no real ties to Cleveland, even if they are based here. If they wanted to jump ship to say, Portland, nothing is stopping them and they will use the attendance card as exhibit A as to why they should leave, fair or not. It think it's a possibility.
August 31, 20168 yr yeah, id say the likelihood is they stay over move to Portland. Id put the likelihood of the Dolan moving to Portland at about .5%. you are just throwing stuff against the wall to see if it sticks
August 31, 20168 yr Been to 2 games at the Pro and I don't even live FT in the CLE anymore -- First time I've heard it called that, seems like most people still say Jacobs or the Jake.
August 31, 20168 yr Been to 2 games at the Pro and I don't even live FT in the CLE anymore -- First time I've heard it called that, seems like most people still say Jacobs or the Jake. FWIW, I call it The Prog. Not sure I've heard anybody else call it that, though.
September 4, 20168 yr Marlins' Dietrich gets healthy in time to face Indians in homecoming series Tough they meet infrequently, the Marlins and Indians will always be linked by the memorable seven-game struggle in the 1997 World Series. All of the participants have moved on to different stages in life, but one current Marlin remembers it well, though he was 8 at the time. Derek Dietrich grew up about 10 minutes from Progressive Field (then Jacobs Field) and later played there several times for St. Ignatius High. In October of '97, he was one deeply disappointed young Indians fan when the Marlins came from behind to force extra innings in Game 7 and walk off in the 11th inning with their first championship. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-marlins/fl-marlins-news-0903-20160902-story.html
September 4, 20168 yr Butts in seats is irrelevant. I'm sure the Browns had pretty decent attendance and they still left. There are far more important factors with relocating teams. I had a front row seat in DC when Washington poached Montreal. Believe what you want. The Dolans have no real ties to Cleveland, even if they are based here. If they wanted to jump ship to say, Portland, nothing is stopping them and they will use the attendance card as exhibit A as to why they should leave, fair or not. It think it's a possibility. I really have to know what your definition of "no real ties to Cleveland" is before I jump all over you for that statement...it is one of the more ludicrous quotes I have seen on the board in a while.
September 5, 20168 yr It is a real treat to see the Indians on TV in South Florida. What a game! Fox sports Florida did a nice job on showing live shots of Cleveland including the air show. They were very complementary when discussing the city.
September 5, 20168 yr It is a real treat to see the Indians on TV in South Florida. What a game! Fox sports Florida did a nice job on showing live shots of Cleveland including the air show. They were very complementary when discussing the city. CLE is trending up :-)
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