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| Where are Padres Fans? |
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| Voice of the Fan - Visitors Pass | |||
| Written by Friar Gully | |||
| Wednesday, 12 May 2010 20:52 | |||
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One evening earlier this week, I caught a local sports talk show. The host was making a big deal out of the Padres dip in attendance so far this year. In his typical hyped-approach, the host pounded away at the reasons why a first place team would see a dip in attendance. I wrote earlier in a column that I felt the new ownership and front office of the Padres was on the right track. I also warned that the last few disastrous years of the Moores era are still fresh in Padres fans minds. That sort of perceived dishonest and half-truths and unfillfiled promises takes time for fans to get over. Toss in an economic recession and bam - it’s pretty easy to explain. What really bugged me was the callers who chimed in on the “days hottest headlines.” As much as I love the Padres and our San Diego fans, when I listen to people like that, I get disappointed. Caller after caller complained about losing players due to big salaries. It seems the fans of San Diego have no idea or clue about economics. Before I get a bunch of flamers on the Friarhood, let me explain that I, too, have been frustrated by the Padres history of trading some of its top talent. When you’re a small market franchise, it’s part of life. That is why building the minor league system is so important. What San Diego Padres fans fail to realize is they are focusing on the wrong reasons. The Padres have not succeeded on the field due to key management mistakes made by the former front office. Long term contracts to players like Brian Giles and other misfits for Petco Park’s deep allies doomed the Padres over the past several seasons. Yes, Jake Peavy was traded away but with what he’ll get on the open market and what the Padres got in return, it was a great move. (Yes, a tip of the hat to Kevin Towers) Padres fans are staying away in larger numbers because there just hasn’t been anything exciting to root for. Adrian Gonzalez is nowhere to be found in the marketing campaign (some say because he’ll be gone by the All-Star break) and there is no real marketable personality. It’s a young team still searching for its identity and personality. Winning tends to cure all ills. But winning in April in May is much different than winning after July 15. Young teams tend to peter out after the dog days of summer arrive and the long, hard grind of a 162 game season catch up with inexperienced teams. Despite that, the Padres have been playing exciting baseball. The team is winning at home and on the road. It’s playing with vigor and confidence despite the lack of veterans. This despite the loss of Chris Young and a less-than-healthy Gonzalez. There is much to be proud of even if it is early in the season. One factor in the attendance puzzle has been a pretty lackluster home schedule. Teams like the Rockies and Brewers don’t motivate people to drive downtown to see an early season game. This weekend’s slate against the Dodgers should show us the true mood of the Padres fan. Attendance may be down, and despite the headline baiting of local radio talk show hosts, optimism is high. Let’s hope the Padres continue to go in the right direction. They could earn major points with the community if they locked up Gonzalez early in the season. Perhaps the economic pressure of low attendance will motivate them to do so. Perhaps not. You have to figure if the Minnesota Twins can pay Joe Mauer $184 Million of eight years, the Padres can pay Gonzalez a handsome salary and defer money to the back end to ensure they can swing it. It just has to get done. Maybe I’m overly supportive at this point but I believe the experience at the ballpark - including lower prices throughout - has improved greatly over just a year ago. Let’s hope the empty seats turn into excited Padres fans that finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Follow FriarGully, aka Scott Gulbransen, on Twitter @sdgully. You can find him in Section 134 on Wednesdays and Sundays. Just be aware he’s allergic to Cubs and Dodgers fans.
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Comments
Let's look at this as a business, because in reality it is.
San Diego is huge, and there are so many things to do. I'm a season ticket holder because I LOVE baseball.
But... I have my pick of things to do in this town. More option than other baseball cities.
You also have transplants here. MANY transplants.
Remember when the Red Sox were in town? It was a sea of red, and those people lived here. Same goes for Dodgers, Cubs, and Mets games.
I've talked to a lot of people about this issue and come to a conclusion that no matter how much they win, there will still be empty seats.
What the Padres organization needs to do is make it worth while for people who aren't baseball fans to come to the park.
If I wasn't such a fan, I wouldn't go to so many games, because I just have better options in San Diego.
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