 09/12/2004 12:58 PM ET
Notes: Team attendance, payroll up
Good first half, initiatives mean higher 2005 numbers
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By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com |
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| Milwaukee's Miller Park is on pace to see its most fans since 2001, its inaugural season. (MLB.com)
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CINCINNATI -- Attendance is up this year and payroll will be up next year, according to the Brewers' top executive.
"Payroll will be up," Brewers executive vice president Rick Schlesinger said. "We haven't met with Doug [Melvin, the general manager] and finalized any budgets for next year, but payroll will be up. That's a guarantee."
While that's not exactly breaking news, it is the first official word of plans to raise payroll. At the start of this season, payroll was approximately $27.5 million, lowest in the Majors, and arbitration-eligible players like Ben Sheets and Dan Kolb are due big raises that will push neat year's total higher.
The real question is, how big a bump can be expected? Schlesinger would not say, partly because of the team's impending sale and partly because of Melvin's experience last winter, when then-president and CEO Ulice Payne, Jr. disclosed concerns about plans to pare payroll to the $30 million range.
"You don't tell the marketplace what that final number is. That's a competitive disadvantage," Schlesinger said. "Stating that final number will not help Doug's case, so we will not be doing that. I'd rather just say, 'It's up,' and let Doug do what he needs to do. When we break camp next spring, that number is what it is."
Goal reached: A better-than-expected first half and 10 weekday sellouts against the Cubs have put the Brewers on pace to surpass two million in attendance for just the third time in franchise history.
Through 71 home dates, the team drew 1,842,624 fans to Miller Park, an average of 25,952 per game. In the remaining 10 games against San Francisco (Sept. 14-16), St. Louis (Sept. 20-23) and Houston (Sept. 24-26), the team needs to average 15,738 fans to reach two million.
"We're going to get to two million and that's a huge deal for this franchise," Schlesinger said.
It has happened just twice before; in 1983, when the Brewers were the reigning American League Champions, and 2001, Miller Park's inaugural season.
The milestone seemed unlikely during the Brewers' tumultuous offseason, which included the very public executive divorce from Payne, Jr. in November and the then-controversial Richie Sexson trade in December.
"With advance sales, we knew we were on track [for two million]," Schlesinger said. "But you don't want to go ahead and say it, and miss, and look like an idiot."
The Brewers are 358,860 fans ahead of last year's pace, which represents the fifth-largest percentage increase (19.5 percent) in Major League Baseball and third-largest among clubs in non-new ballparks.
Last season, the Brewers drew 1,700,354 fans to Miller Park. In 2001, the team drew a record 2,811,041.
'FANdemonium': To say thanks to its fans, the team released details of a series of events and promotions spread over the remaining weeks of the season.
"Despite our second-half struggles, the fan support has been great," Schlesinger said. "This is just away to say thank you. They are just small things -- it's not like, 'Hey, they're giving away free tickets!' -- but I hope it's a way for fans to know that we are appreciative."
The highlight of "Fandemonium" will be Fan Appreciation Night, presented by Potawatomi Bingo Casino, slated for Saturday, Sept. 25. The club will auction a number of prizes, including a new car, during and after the Brewers game with the Astros.
Other highlights:
Sept. 14: Mr. 3000 pennants to the first 15,000 fans, 18 and older.
Sept. 16: Senior Stroll around the warning track immediately after the game.
Sept. 20: Manager Ned Yost and Brewers players will greet fans at the main gate (Time TBA).
Sept. 22: First 5,000 kids, 16 and under, receive a coupon good for a free hot dog and soda.
Sept. 23: Senior Stroll around the warning track immediately after the game.
Sept. 24: U.S. Bank Autograph Friday with six to 10 Brewers players and coaches available for autographs from 5:15-5:35 p.m. CT. Also, immediately after the game, all fans in attendance will have the chance to run the bases.
Sept. 25: Fan Appreciation Night sponsored by Potawatomi Bingo Casino.
Sept. 26: First 20,000 fans receive a free special edition game program and kids can run the bases immediately after the game.
During each of the 10 games, the Brewers will randomly choose a section of fans for an immediate seat location upgrade. Also, during the games, a randomly chosen section will receive a free food item. Fans will have the opportunity to win autographed baseballs and more.
Last call: Shortstop Craig Counsell got the day off on Sunday. He snapped an 0-for-34 slump and batted .308 (4-for-13) on the road trip, but is batting .154 in September. ... Center fielder Dave Krynzel was not in the lineup again on Sunday. He is getting treatment for tightness in his left hamstring. ... Brewers television analyst Bill Schroeder will host his annual golf tournament in Lake Geneva, Wis., on Monday. The event benefits COA Youth Family Centers, a Milwaukee non-profit agency.
Tickets remain for each of the Brewers final 10 home games this season. Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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