When the results of the All-Star "Final Vote" came out yesterday, I was a little surprised by the winner in the National League. Figuring that David Wright had everything on lock being a very good player in the country's biggest media market, I was almost shocked to see Corey Hart earn the spot. My brain immediately cried, "Bud Selig conspiracy!" That was until I found this article about the surge in Brewers' popularity that's happened since the CC Sabathia trade. Check it out: The results have been dramatic, Brewers' executives say. Since the trade was announced, the Brewers have sold about 70,000 tickets, about three times the normal rate. That's a testament to Sabathia's presence and the franchise's commitment to a playoff push.
In fact, the Brewers say that by the time the current 10-game home stand ends on Sunday, it will mark the most successful home stand in Milwaukee baseball history: More than 400,000 will have visited Miller Park.
The most successful home stand in Milwaukee baseball history? The Brewers' bandwagon is growing almost as fast as the Cubs' at this point. This surge is almost certainly what got Corey Hart into the All-Star game and has the Brewers on pace to pass the 3,000,000 mark in attendance this year for the first time ever. In 2003, the last full year of the Selig family's ownership of the club, they only drew in about 1.7 million.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-11-2008 @ 11:39AM
bas said...
The numbers are even more amazing when you consider that the Brewers play in one of the smallest, if not the smallest, markets in MLB. WI fans reward effort as much as winning (see their slavish devotion to Favre even when the team is losing and the weather is 30 below). Attanasio realizes that the time is now to reward the fans by making this push, even if the team ends the season in the red this year - which is something the Seligs would never do.
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7-11-2008 @ 6:03PM
Jer said...
I was there last weekend. In the past (1999-2004), myself (a Pirates fan living in Iowa) and the Brewers fans were able to share in the misery of supporting losers in half empty stadiums with dumb ass owners. I miss those days. Suddenly the Brewers got a smart owner and some money and now they're making that push to take over the NL Central while the Pirates are probably ready to fall in to their old home (Last place). Being there, I sensed a real excitement for the Brewers. It was so different than years past. In the past, it seemed people showed up because they just felt like seeing a game. This year, they're there to see them win. I wish them the best. I would rather see them on top of the NL Central when the season ends than the Cubs or Cardinals.
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7-11-2008 @ 7:18PM
bwzimmerman said...
i can't say a single positive thing about the Brewers, as i've never seen the Bucs beat them @ PNC. Their home crowd and environment, however, is gloriously and drunkenly good-humored and loyal.
Also, Bob Ueker... i *big puffy heart* Uek, but as a satellite radio listener, his play-by-play puts me to sleep. if any broadcaster needs a dedicated color-commentator sideman, it's him. :(
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