The Braves are in a playoff race, but does anybody care?
See? Some folks were in the house Monday. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
The announced crowd at Turner Field on Monday was 25,046. I’d guessed the actual attendance as 15,000 and thought I was being kind. But no matter the number, the image was clear.
Another big baseball game in the A-T-L.
Another unpacked house.
And here I’m supposed to get all righteously indignant and say something like, “It just goes to show what a lousy sports town this is. If this game had been in Boston or Chicago or New York, you couldn’t have gotten a ticket.”
But you know what? I’m not going to say anything like that. Because I don’t really care about the folks in Boston and Chicago and New York. (And anyway, I just came from a Patriots game in Foxborough, where Gillette Stadium was officially sold out but empty seats were apparent.) Besides, this time I feel no call for indignation, righteous or otherwise.
As I tried to note last night, this is a weird sort of stretch drive. It crept up on all of us, the Braves included. It wasn’t until last week that things got interesting, and when the Braves returned home only 2 1/2 games behind Colorado they were facing some powerful mitigating circumstances.
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 the month for more than a months 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.
But now the Braves are in a race we never saw coming, and we’re only just catching on. I’d imagine the crowds will increase as the week unfolds, and if the Braves keep winning I’d expect 40,000 on Friday night and that many again on Saturday afternoon. And Sunday afternoon, if the game is meaningful, could well be sold out. (The Falcons are off this week, FYI.)
And I’ve long since stopped associating raw attendance numbers with depth of fan interest. We didn’t ever tune the Braves out; we just followed them a bit less closely. These hadn’t become the dark days of the ’80s, when, as the joke went, you could leave two Braves tickets on your windshield and come back and find four. Most of us will have no trouble finding our way to the ballpark this weekend. We’ve all been there before, many times.
And even if there were only 25,000 (or 15,000) on hand Monday, it wasn’t a bored corporate gathering. These were folks who knew what was going on and who’d come to see baseball. “The crowd was into it,” Bobby Cox said afterward, and it was. It didn’t feel like just another night at the ballyard. It felt like a night at the races.
And, on another Braves-related matter: Getting way ahead of ourselves, we wonder how the playoff rotation might look. Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz? Vazquez, Jurrjens, Hanson? And what happens to Derek Lowe?
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310 comments Add your comment
The Lemmer
September 29th, 2009
10:55 am
Agree with the comments on LaRoche. I don’t care who the team has in the minors and how good he might be. LaRoche is in the majors and playing extremely well now…get him a contract.
Shane Dial
September 29th, 2009
10:56 am
Enter your comments here
Atlanta is my hometown of 24 yrs, though I haven’t lived there in 18. Atlanta fans have been indifferent for most of that time except for a few key time periods, of which we all can recall.
The transient element of ATL does not help. Everybody here is from somewhere else, with existing allegiances. But, Still…there HAS to be local Atlantans who love the Braves the way I do (I live in Nashville, now) or have a kid who only knows the Braves as his local team, despite what dad/mom grew up with, who could get behind this team…?
Seeing the Braves in the playoffs on TV and thousands of empty seats is pathetic. Prove the rest of the country wrong! Go see the Braves!!
Trey
September 29th, 2009
10:57 am
That would be nice if the Braves won the rest of their games and the Phillies won two or less.
DirtyDawg
September 29th, 2009
10:58 am
It always tickles me to have a sportswriter-type criticize fans for not attending games. These a people that not only haven’t had to pay for a ticket to a sporting event in their professional lives, they get paid to go and make crap up about it. Face it, most Atlantans go out to games when they have a reasonable expectation of having fun – I mean winning. This team spent the majority of the season fiddle-fa*tin’ around…to the point that the cost, and trouble, of going to games finally got the best of us. And don’t forget that a lot of Atlanta sports franchise ticket sales are from businesses – at least the season ticket folks – wanting to use them to entertain clients. If clients don’t have good time then just how smart is it to keep asking ‘em…and don’t even get me started about the economy.
Regardless, we make the playoffs and folks will turn out, and Mr. Bradley will have to find something else to use to get the fight started.
BravesfanNC
September 29th, 2009
10:58 am
I live in North Carolina, and what is sad is that there are more of an following of the Braves outside of Atlanta than there is in Atlanta. We will be watching and hoping and believing. GO BRAVES!!!
dap01
September 29th, 2009
10:58 am
eric the elder: ????, Why bother when you have nothing to contribute.
Go Braves, the crowds are small because the odds have been so against the Braves. Keep winning and the crowds will return.
raindawg722
September 29th, 2009
10:58 am
Eric the elder, the Reds are not that bad. Some of their best players have been bitten by the injury bug this season but they are a talented team.
And yes, seeing as how the Braves have a winning records against the Phillies this season, and recently swept the Dodgers and the Cardinals while on the road, I do think that they will be competitive with any of those teams. The Braves are hot right now, have solid starting pitching, and I’ll bet you that any of those division winners would rather see the Rockies than the Braves make the playoffs.
sad brotha
September 29th, 2009
10:58 am
The ownership is not serious. Hell, with McGuirk at the helm… I’ll stay at home as well. Why are the good seats always empty for the most part? They represents the corporate ownership (read Liberty Colorado: keeping inept butt kissers who are incompetent and talk a good game McGuirk) that America Hates. I hope they lose their shirts on their tax write-offs! They write off the fans as well with their scheming. Get gone… ALL OF THEM!
Ross
September 29th, 2009
10:59 am
The catch that wasn’t
http://blogs.denverpost.com/rockies/2009/09/28/barmes-amazing-catch-or-was-it/
I said as much to my buddies right after the play. That was a game up right there. I think the baseball god will not look kindly on this.
-drl
Skeezix
September 29th, 2009
11:01 am
Mark: Bobby Cox, the “Chess Master” deserves a lot of credit here for keeping the guys from giving up – after some really bad losses and a host of injuries – and finally piecing together a line up that works offensively. This offense has learned some patience at the plate and it is helping- TP should get some credit here. Wetill need a power hitter, but with this stingy pitching staff, this bunch of singles/doubles hitters may be enough.
Mike S
September 29th, 2009
11:01 am
I am excited for the rest of the week. Make it or not, the Braves have finally made September fun again.
If they do make it – Vasquez, JJ, Hanson, Huddy — Lowe to the Pen.
Angus
September 29th, 2009
11:02 am
“And even if there were only 25,000 (or 15,000) on hand Monday, it wasn’t a bored corporate gathering.”
Good call Mark. I was pleasantly surprised with the crowd last night. You could tell that they (we) were there for the game.
WCJ
September 29th, 2009
11:04 am
What if the braves, phillies, and rockies have the same record after sunday. Would the braves want to play at home for the wildcard or play the phillies on the road for the east title. Make this easy, try to win out if you braves.
Alex
September 29th, 2009
11:04 am
There is ALWAYS an excuse as to why Braves fans don’t come to the park. Now, its the recession/floods. Ten years ago, it was 9/11. Before that, the internet bubble burst. Before that, the excuse was Monica Lewinski. And before that, Aliens were waiting for you at the park.
Face it…Atlanta is THE WORST sports town in the entire country. The country knows it. The sooner the Braves know that, they can move to an actual city who gives a dookey.
LAdawg
September 29th, 2009
11:05 am
What is compelling about this team that should make me want to do anything more than watch a few innings on tv out of curiosity. Other than the Hanson story, every 5th day, there is no one that puts butts in the seats. If you want to talk about something compelling concerning playoffs, let’s talk about college football!
josh
September 29th, 2009
11:07 am
Me and some friends bought $1 tickets to the game last night and had great seats in the upper deck down the right field line. $1 for tickets!!!!! it’s hard to bitch about the price when it’s a buck. head down to the stadium and support the team!!!
Skeezix
September 29th, 2009
11:10 am
Re: Rockies “miracle” catch.
I was buying that Barmes caught that ball cleanly the other night. Neither was Pujols obviously.
Hillbilly Deluxe
September 29th, 2009
11:14 am
Some of us don’t go to MLB games because, frankly, it just costs too damn much. As long as they have the corporate seasin ticket buyers (who can write off the costs), they don’t care about the average working class fan.
ppaddy123
September 29th, 2009
11:17 am
Bradley, it’s been the perception of many (me included) The Braves will find a way to dash our hopes in the end like so many times in the past. I personally thought The Braves were out when it seemed Bobby Cox blew game 3 against The Marlins the last time we played them (I still think he left Vasquez in too long and cost us the series) And that “idea” we have all collectively formed is hard to change. We loved the idea of our Braves winning in the early 90’s. But with 1 World Series Championship in 14 (a .071 winning percentage) I think we’ve earned the right to be disillusioned!
Dawn Baker
September 29th, 2009
11:19 am
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU …. this is what I keep telling stupid people who keep saying “The Braves have crummy fans”. No, they don’t. They just don’t have as many fans who come to the ballpark. They have lots of fans, and a lot of great fans. I love the people who whine when the park’s not full, then whine about “bandwagon” fans when it is. We do baseball different in Atlanta. That doesn’t make it bad.
pstlparks
September 29th, 2009
11:21 am
My son’s tuition is due along with books. Water leak caused an increased water bill. Still have another payment to the lawyer for my divorce. This is the first month of the “teacher furlough” so I will have a $300 hit on my pay check. I watch the Braves faithfully almost every night and have for years. Use to go to Atlanta Stadium and sit in outfield for 50 cents and watch a doubleheader. Parked on side streets cause we didn’t have enough money for stadium parking. Brought food in also. Always wondered what the concession stand food tasted like. Smelled good though. Don’t dish the fans. You don’t have to drive 35 miles into Atlanta traffic and borrow money to pay for parking and tickets to be a fan. If attendance made us fans then stop radio and television broadcasts. When I can, I will attend games. Wish I could attend all of them. But until I no longer have bills I will sit at home and jump and yell as though I was there. Go BRAVES!!
smitty
September 29th, 2009
11:24 am
You guys who complain about ticket costs are deluding yourselves. Cheap tickets are available to every game and also season ticket holders sell of their tickets cheap on stubhub.
P. W. Hjort
September 29th, 2009
11:24 am
Some of us don’t go to MLB games because, frankly, it just costs too damn much. As long as they have the corporate seasin ticket buyers (who can write off the costs), they don’t care about the average working class fan.
A family of 4 can go to a Braves game for less than $30. $5 for parking and $6 per ticket. You’re allowed to take any food or non-alcoholic beverage into the stadium. The cost thing is a weak excuse.
Mike Mc.
September 29th, 2009
11:24 am
Are you all ready for the world’s biggest stretch!? Here it is, but hear me out. I think there is a correlation between the lack of interest in the Braves and the negative political climate in the country, particularly in the conservative South. It’s almost in Vogue to tear people down these days. Most of the comments on this blog are about how the team will just let us down, so why come out to support them? Have we all given up on Hope? Yes, I’m referring to the Braves and Obama. If Limbaugh, Hannity or Beck were a baseball fans, they too would give up on this team, throw in the towel and say the Braves administration is evil and needs to be overthrown. I say we give these Braves a chance. I think Wren has built a pretty good ball club, and if we are patient we will see some great things happen. Maybe they won’t make the playoffs this year, but I can’t wait for next year. I still have hope, do you? GO BRAVES!
PMC
September 29th, 2009
11:27 am
It would be interesting to see where our actual numbers are relative to everyone else as we get dumped on… oh and our ball park… resides in an absolutely terrible part of town. There is nothing pleasant around the park. If it were built in an area people actually wanted to be in in the first place…they’d probably have more walk up. Add that to the morons in our city government who decided a ball park didn’t need a mass transit train stop….it’s pretty much one of the worst laid out cities in history.
Irwin M. Fletcher
September 29th, 2009
11:28 am
First, the point about the Rockies’ 2007 run and the attendance comparison. I lived in Denver back then, and assure you that attendance did not spike until the final few days of the season. Their run began and blossomed first in front of empty seats at home, then on the road. Only when they came home for the final weekend — when fans finally started believing that it wasn’t just some meaningless late-season run, that there was a legitimate playoff chance — did attendance reflect a team in a pennant race. If the Braves are within a game of the wild-card spot by Thursday or Friday, then we’ll see a truer comparison.
Bigger picture: I have lived in Seattle, Miami, Denver, St. Louis, Tampa and Charlotte. I’ve spent extensive time in Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston and Dallas. And I can say without question that Atlanta is a harder city to navigate between 4 and 7 p.m. than all but Miami. Going to Turner Field on a weeknight after a day of work isn’t something that can be done on a whim; it must be planned — get out of work early, fight traffic or take unwieldy public transportation, which, to get to the ballpark, relies on a transfer to a shuttle bus. Getting to the stadium on a weeknight isn’t an outing; it feels more like an undertaking. Getting to the park for millions of New Yorkers or Bostonians isn’t nearly as rough; the cities have tighter urban/suburban cores, and for much of the fan base, it requires getting on a train, making a quick transfer to another train, and being dropped at the ballpark. It could scarcely be easier. These are also populations that are accustomed to public transportation; much of the Braves’ fanbase is suburban, averse to non-SUV transportation and wouldn’t know a light rail from a light fixture. This, too, hurts the attendance.
I mentioned Miami as the only city worse than Atlanta. It is not a coincidence that their attendance problems make the Braves look like the perpetually sold-out Red Sox by comparison. Getting to Land Shark Stadium by first pitch from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale is next to impossible after a day at the office.
Jeff R
September 29th, 2009
11:28 am
Well, you know, showing up at the park is really how fans show loyalty and support. But I agree with Mark. This post season chase snuck up on all of us. The Braves are prcisely are doing what they need to do but what most of us fans didn’t think likely: playing red hot baseball.
I also agree with Mark that if the Braves keep winning, as the week goes on, attendance figures will rise.
john
September 29th, 2009
11:28 am
@ LAdawg uhhh a playoff race? what more do you want?
Tami
September 29th, 2009
11:31 am
Nice…apparently my post of a nearly an hour ago didn’t make it on, so here it is in a nutshell once again:
My thought is that I’m tired of defending myself as a Braves’ fan. Mondays are horrible days to go into Atlanta. If you already live in Atlanta, you should try to go to the game. Also, I’m coming down with a cold or something. Felt like crap yesterday; only slightly better today. At any rate, I do have a life and can’t always do what I’d like to do when I want to do it. Either time or money always factors in and changes the plan.
If I can’t be at the game, I’m watching the games faithfully if I can be at home and at a TV. If not, I’m listening on the radio or following via my cell if and whenever possible. I’ve not jumped off and on the bandwagon this season — I’m part of what makes up the bandwagon. I can’t always make it to a game or afford it.
That being said, even though this week is rent week, once I get paid, I plan to try to come this weekend. That is assuming I have the money. Whether I’m there or not, I’m extremely proud of this team for not caving in and giving up. True…the Rockies have to keep losing and the Braves have to keep winning. No room for error is left. But, I love the fact that they are officially the hottest team in MLB. No one, and I mean NO ONE wants to play them right now. The Rockies & the Phillies are very nervous — they have to be. The Braves are putting a lot of pressure on both teams. Hopefully, that’s making them up their game. And, no one wants to face the “hottest team in MLB” in a short series. I LOVE IT…keep going guys. And, whether I can be there at Turner Field or not — GO, BRAVES!
PMC
September 29th, 2009
11:32 am
Seats are available for 1 dollar and 10 to 15 easily every single night. You don’t have to eat or drink at the ball park. Expense is not an issue. You can get a shuttle from 5 pts if you do take marta even though it takes forever to get to the game. Expense… not really a good argument. People go when they are interested or they go to have something fun to do… generally that happens on the weekends.
Technically a family of 4 can go for lets say 12 to park. You could technically go for 16 bucks. Eat at home, get skyline seats… that family of 4 is just unmotivated because it’s easier to stay home and watch it on TV.
JMar
September 29th, 2009
11:32 am
I’m paying very close attention, and rushing home to watch the games on television after work, for the first time in months. Can only go to so many Braves games, and I’m saving my visits to Turner for the weekend series against the Nats.
Tami
September 29th, 2009
11:34 am
Nice…apparently my post of nearly an hour ago didn’t make it on, so here it is in a nutshell once again:
My thought is that I’m tired of defending myself as a Braves’ fan. Mondays are horrible days to go into Atlanta. If you already live in Atlanta, you should try to go to the game. Also, I’m coming down with a cold or something. Felt like crap yesterday; only slightly better today. At any rate, I do have a life and can’t always do what I’d like to do when I want to do it. Either time or money always factors in and changes the plan.
If I can’t be at the game, I’m watching the games faithfully if I can be at home and at a TV. If not, I’m listening on the radio or following via my cell if and whenever possible. I’ve not jumped off and on the bandwagon this season — I’m part of what makes up the bandwagon. I can’t always make it to a game or afford it.
That being said, even though this week is rent week, once I get paid, I plan to try to come this weekend. That is assuming I have the money. Whether I’m there or not, I’m extremely proud of this team for not caving in and giving up. True…the Rockies have to keep losing and the Braves have to keep winning. No room for error is left. But, I love the fact that they are officially the hottest team in MLB. No one, and I mean NO ONE wants to play them right now. The Rockies & the Phillies are very nervous — they have to be. The Braves are putting a lot of pressure on both teams. Hopefully, that’s making them up their game. And, no one wants to face the “hottest team in MLB” in a short series. I LOVE IT…keep going guys. And, whether I can be there at Turner Field or not — GO, BRAVES!
JEZ
September 29th, 2009
11:34 am
It’s hard for me to get excited because IF..and still an IF we get into the playoffs, our relievers or at least the only ones worth using are tired and worn out..their arms are about to fall off because Cox keeps throwing them out there. Our starting pitching has been the best in baseball..even above the cardinals because right now all they have is Wainright and Carpenter and we roughed up Carpenter last time we played him so…
Michael B
September 29th, 2009
11:35 am
I’m an out of town fan. If I could be there I would. I will be there this weekend. But yes, the Braves are playing great and yes I do care.
siskel_god
September 29th, 2009
11:36 am
I am scared to believe in this team again, everytime we’ve had any run this year my hearts been broke the next week. I live in the flood zone and am still without cable and internet so I listened to the game on the radio last night and the crowd was certainly into the game. I think the floods are playing a bigger role than anything and the fact that this team doesn’t play an exciting brand of baseball, not alot of homers or stolen bases on offense and unless Hanson or Vasquez is pitching you get alot of groundball outs on defense and not many k’s. Everyone kinda wrote these guys off a couple weeks ago but if we sweep the fish, and are within 1 of the rox with the nats in town to end the year for a weekend set, the ted will be soldout all weekend long. MB what if the Braves end in a tie with the rox, is it a one game playoff? I think we split the season series, right?
Hasslehoff
September 29th, 2009
11:36 am
I’d say people are still fans but don’t want to fool with battling downtown traffic, beggars, expensive parking and surly police.
JEZ
September 29th, 2009
11:37 am
Wow, Tami not trying to be mean but TMI babe..TMI…this blog isn’t the place to air out all the dirty laundry.
Guthro
September 29th, 2009
11:38 am
The first post (Todd) says “Every time I get interested in this stupid team they let me down”. The team’s not stupid. The reply is.
Unfortunately many other posts echo the same stupid idea. Four of five teams in the division will let their fans down. Thirteen of fourteen teams in the league will let their fans down.
If the Rockies win 14 of 16, do you think only 15,000 fans show up at their next game?
There’s something seriously wrong with a lot of Atlanta’s baseball fans.
scott
September 29th, 2009
11:38 am
SEC Football is king and always will be here. I go to Braves games and usually the visiting team has more fans. In 1989 and last year Mets fans tried to kick my butt for rooting for my home town fans.
This year at the Red Sox game there were more Red Sox fans than Braves fan. Atlanta does not deserve the team they have. In most major cities it is easy to get to the park. It sucks hard here to get to it. Then when you leave you sit in a traffic jam for an hour. Move the stadium to gwinnett or north fulton and it will be packed. I watch on TV but I will not go and be around the fickle fans.
Kennesaw Dad
September 29th, 2009
11:39 am
I went last night and though the crowd was embarrasingly small, the ones that showed up were really in to it. And at the right times if that makes any sense.
Hopefully all the bandwagon fans will hop on this weekend and give the Braves what they deserve.
Loud support
smitty
September 29th, 2009
11:39 am
Yeah those $250 season tickets just break the bank
DR
September 29th, 2009
11:41 am
We just bought tickets for Wednesday. Usually, we only go to games for Bark in the Park and watch the rest on TV, but this run is kind of exciting – Let give them some support!
Don
September 29th, 2009
11:42 am
Have you considered that fans have seen Bobby Cox blow game after game previously this season and in past seasons with his actions and lack of actions – to the point that they do not care – or they think – what’s the use???
heartofdarkness
September 29th, 2009
11:46 am
Tough to beat the vantage you get on TV, where you see the expected location of the pitch, movement on the pitch and can feel the pitcher’s confidence rise and fall. Rarely will I find a companion who knows baseball as well as Joe and Boog, who have developed an interesting rapport in the booth over the last year and one half. I love being able to see the facial expressions on the players as they step out of the box, and the team reaction to hits, sacrifices and teammates scoring. The psychology of this team has been steadily improving all year and is presently at its highest level of the year. Whether it works out or not, this has actually been one of the best ever for the Atlanta Braves and the genius of Bobby Cox has been on display each night, as he has allowed this team to come together and believe in itself.
Hockey and football should be seen live, baseball — I’m not so sure.
BuzztheKiller
September 29th, 2009
11:47 am
As a fan since 82′ I have seen the lows and the highs with this team and if I can’t watch a few innings always check the boxscores. I have been to one game this year with my son’s t-ball team. I average one game a year with small kids and a busy job. I still put my level of fan support with anyone in terms of interest and passion. I just can’t make it to the field as often as I used to. I imagine I am not alone. So, really don’t care how many people go to the games in Boston or Philly or Denver. Maybe those folks have less to do in life? Maybe there is not as many choices in those cities (I have been to all of them, so that is possible). Who cares what other cities are doing? Go Braves- win the next six and you are in. Either the Phils or the Rocks slip up and we slide in….
Tomas
September 29th, 2009
11:49 am
The problem with the Atlanta Attendance is much of the Good seat are Corporate owned…Also remember the Stadium seat almost 50,096…they have to reduce this to about 43,000 and bring the Fence back little big and reduce the Cost of the Ticket.
Don
September 29th, 2009
11:51 am
Bobby Cox’s incompetence (blunders, actions, lack of actions) has cost (conservatively speaking) at least 10 games this season — and that is not even talking about the overall devastating effect that his (like always) failure to teach/emphasize/demand working the count, being selective, making the opposing pitcher throw a lot of pitches – has had on run production. With our pitching, his obvious incompetence has cost the Braves the Division and probably the Wild Card spot – Yet the Braves reward him with another Contract. The only possible chance we even have for next year is if our pitching is so far far superior to all other teams that it overcomes the management and like thereof by Bobby Cox. This is same story as always. – So why should the fans care.
David
September 29th, 2009
11:53 am
To be truthful, I’m afraid to watch the games, because when I watch — like I did in that dooming, three game stretch against the Reds — they lose. So I’m keeping up with them on ESPN and following this chase closely. That said, I’m much too nervous to tune in. Once we get in the playoffs, I’m there; but I’ll wait to jinx them until then.
brent a.
September 29th, 2009
11:54 am
I’m still waiting to use my ticket for Game 5 of the 2005 NLDS.
I’ve left Atlanta; otherwise, I’d be in attendance at least a couple of times this week.
Northside Native
September 29th, 2009
11:54 am
So, explain to me why I should blow $100 (tickets, parking, food, beer, gasoline) to go to Turner field and get home at midnight when I can sit at home and watch the game on TV. The Braves give it away for free; why should I buy it?