A 350,000 drop in the Astros' attendance is what I've heard. Me and 6 of my friends that usually go to 30-35 games a year are part of that figure. For us, the "honeymoon" is waaay over. We have other things to spend our $$$ on than the 'Stros these days. This year, we'd only gone to 3 games. We're tired of the same old song about financial problems, etc. We heard it when we were at the Dome and how it would change if we got a new park yada, yada, yada. It didn't mean we stopped rooting for the 'Stros though. We just went to sportbars to catch the games on the big screen. BUT we're not coming back(and I suspect many fans out there also feel the same way) until we see "real" changes made in the off-season. We're tired of the excuses and want to see something tangible done. It seems like 350,000 feel the same way and if nothing is done for next season, that figure is likely to go higher.....jmo
I find it interesting that you supported a team in 2001 that had won division titles 3 of the previous 4 years and then decided not to support the same team (by going to the ball park) in 2002 even though they won the division again in 2001. Obviously it is your right to decide whether or not to go, but over the past 6 years (with the exception of the aberration of 2000), the Astros have put a competitive, winning team on the field year in and year out.
Doubtful. Houston got hit by it's worst financial bust in nearly 20 years. Combine that with the poor start by the Astros, and you've got a recipe for lower attendance. I wouldn't view this as some sort of referendum on the club's ownership & management.
This apparently needs to be explained again. In 1996 the projections appeared sound. The revenue streams from the new park would have put us right up there with the Yankees. But then something happened. In 1999, the Yankees signed a ONE BILLION DOLLAR local TV deal with YES. This blew the roof off the salary structure because the Yankees started offering sick deals to players. The only teams which have been able to compete are those willing to go into tremendous debt (Arizona) or take big losses. Nobody expected the entire economic structure of baseball to change due to an unbelievable TV deal signed by the Yankees. This does not mean that the statements made in 1996 weren't to be believed at that time.
When the 'Stros were in the Dome, we usually caught 10-15 a year. When Enron Field opened, that's when we started going to 30-35 games a year. Playing on grass, in the sunlight, all the other amenities, etc. was great. Even in the inaugural season at Enron when we stunk, we went to the games. So I've always supported the 'Stros but if we go into the next season with the same line-ups, me and my friends will be at the sportbars watching..... Possibly, but I'm betting that people feel this is the only way to really let the club know how we feel. We really can't do anything else except protest with our pocketbooks. With the Texans in town and the down economic times, I just think baseball will be on the back-burner in this town once again..... Hey Ref, we do understand all that (at least I do). I won't even go there again, but if the team stands pat once again this year, if they try to sell us on this same team going into next season without any upgrades in talent, then I just feel that many people feel the same as I do and will stay away from the games. Right or wrong, me and my pals just refuse to dish out anymore $$$ for this product as is. I'm also betting that many more fans will stay away based on the same reason. We'll still root for the 'Stros, but in the comfort of say a Champps in Uptown Park.....
