Many sport administrators insist that it is not wins or losses that bring people into the stands, it’s marketing! If you feel that really is the case leave Miami (the Marlins are a lost cause) and report immediately to the B&O Warehouse in Camden Yards. After 10 straight losing seasons it seems birds fans have had enough. Only six home games into the 2008 season and already the Orioles have found themselves with fewer people in the stands than their previous record low for single game attendance at Camden Yards.
This past offseason, new Orioles President Andy MacPhail traded away all-star shortstop Miguel Tejada and Cy Young candidate Erik Bedard. With their ace and best hitter playing in different time zones, what do the Orioles have to offer to the casual O’sfan? Not Much.
But still the Orioles are loading up on promotional/give away nights. Maybe I’m wrong, but I can’t picture fans lining up on Eutaw Street to get their hands on a replica Luis Hernandez t-shirt jersey. Although I’m dying to get my hands on one of these…
Maybe it’s time to give up on the cute promotions until they have someone to market other than Nick Markakis.
The Orioles have jumped into to the rebuilding process with both feet. This is a welcome change from the Orioles of years past. To a casual fan it’s frustrating to see the O’s ship off their stars, but the faithful witnessed a welcome change this offseason. They didn’t pick up mid-level veterans to plug holes!
(sorry Sammy)
So why pretend that they are in the midst of anything other than a rebuilding period? Why not market that? Switch it up a little bit, the personnel finally has. It’s what the faithful have wanted for the last five years… and from the looks of it, the faithful are the only ones showing up.
This blog has not been approved by Peter Angelos.
