We’re one-third through the season and the Marlins are on pace for their best record since the World Series team in 2003, yet their solid play after an offseason full of big spending and moving into a new ballpark haven’t boosted the team’s attendance nearly as much as hoped.
Through 29 home games the Marlins have averaged 28,019 fans at their new $515 million ballpark. That represents a solid 47 percent increase compared to last season, but the Marlins still rank just 16th among MLB teams in average attendance, behind sub-.500 teams like the Rockies, Twins, Tigers, and Cubs and even trailing the rival Braves whose fans are often maligned for not showing up in droves.
Good team, exciting players, new manager, huge payroll increase, $515 million supposedly state-of-the-art new ballpark ... and 16th in attendance. Maybe the Home Run Sculpture is just scaring people away?
