Wrigley Field empty to start the season – are the fans boycotting?
It was rather surprising to see a half-empty stadium when I turned on the Cubs-Diamondbacks game today (a 6-4 Arizona victory).
If these two teams were playing in Arizona and the D’Backs were 20 games out of first place, then this obviously wouldn’t have caught my eye. But Wrigley Field? That place has been jam-packed for decades, regardless of how miserable the Cubs have been. Going to a Cubs game might as well be like going to the movies for many Chicagoans – it’s viewed as pure entertainment.
As it turns out, the announced attendance for Monday’s Cubs-D’Backs game was 26,292, the lowest attendance the ballpark has experienced since 2002. Granted, the weather has been cool in Chicago and with other sporting events to watch (the NCAA finals, the Bulls, the Blackhawks, the White Sox, etc.), it’s not a stretch to think that fans are waiting until May or June to show up to watch their “Cubbies.” (That nickname, by the way, makes me want to punch myself in the kidney.)
But Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Sun-Times hopes that the empty seats are a sign that Cub fans have finally had enough.
Not showing up to the ballpark is the only power fans have. I’m not sure if they fully understand how much influence they have. When they come to the ballpark in droves year after year, they have no say in whether ticket prices increase or whether the player payroll declines. Their collective voice is heard only as a whisper when the conversation turns to publicly funded stadium renovations.
When fans don’t show up, owners get very, very nervous. Cubs fans rarely flex that muscle. But now? Is that a bulging biceps I see?
Imagine if this were a win-or-else ultimatum from the fan base. Think the Cubs might feel some urgency?
Eh, maybe. The only question I have is: Why now? Why after decades of losing would Cub fans pick this year to finally put their foot down? The Reds have started off strong, but the injuries in St. Louis and the slow start in Milwaukee gives Chicago fans a sliver of hope that their Cubs might be able to do something in the NL Central. I think most true fans are realistic about the Cubs’ chances but even the biggest doubters will still attend the games.
It’s early. Once the weather warms up, Wrigley will be jam-packed again. Besides, even if the fans were boycotting the organization, what is the front office going to do? Thanks to all the bad contracts that they’ve acquired over the years (Alfonso Soriano, Kosuke Fukudome, Carlos Silva, etc.), they couldn’t change the situation even if they wanted to. This team is stuck right now whether the fans like it or not.
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(Which, by the way, is a nickname that makes me want to punch a complete stranger.) It is comments such as these that have no place in journalism… Especially after a fan just got beat up in L.A.
Watch what you say… Some MLB or any other fan may be reading and think that its cool you said that and punch a rival fan for saying it.. Not the time. It never is.
I think that’s a stretch C. Bradley, but you’ve managed to tug at my heartstrings being a Giant fan. I changed it to something more abusive towards myself.
Thanks for the comment.
Cubs fans and Dodger fans will still show up in droves, cause we don’t know any better. Funny because this is a good example that the GM is mostly to blame when people cry over an owner not spending enough.
With a temperature of only 48 at game time, it appeared to be more likely a Blackhawk game than the Cubs. Why would any bright Chicagoland person sit in that kind of weather when they could watch the game in the comfort of their homes?
I am a die hard cub fan who hopes the fans are flexing their muscles. As the writer states there is not much the cubs can do because of their bad contracts. There is something the cubs can do that might make fans happy, finally get rid of hendry and the the president. Who signed all the contracts? Who gave up on 4 young guys for garza after the owner stated we will build the minor league system. Than he signs a $10 guy who struggled to hit .200 last year.
This team has some pieces that have been here awhile and the best they did was get swept twice in the first round of the playoffs 3-4 years ago. Trade ramirez, dempster and zambrano while they have any kind of value. It is time for a clean sweep. Let the young guys play and next year the cub fans can all hope like every year things will get better. If as fans we have to believe in a gm that would rather keep on getting veterans than play young guys we might as well trade all the young studs and sign soriano like contracts and maybe we might make it the playoffs.
I’m sorry I had a problem with your column. My best friend is my girlfriend. I’ve never really had many friends aside from her. That’s why I act like a girl. I’m dramatic.
I just looked into tickets for a Cub game when I will be in Chicago. Have you seen their prices ? $53 to sit in the bleachers ! $27 for a restricted view seat ! Ridiculous ! I’m glad I live out here in the desert where I can see a bad baseball team for a reasonable price.
When I was a kid (early 70’s)I used to pass by Wrigley field. It was 2 bucks to get into the bleachers. Didn’t think it was worth it to see the Cubs. I still wouldn’t give you 2 bucks to sit there.
The Cubs suck, always have always will. They gave huge contracts to Soriano and Zambrano and both of them should do mattress commercials they have laid down so bad. Notice the pattern? Get into it with Zambrano, you get shipped out. I’d rather have a part time D. Lee than a full time cancer like Zambrano. It was not only a lazy Piniella, it’s a lazy ball club from top to bottom; NO hustle, NO drive. By the way fans, these losers will get paid weather you show up or not.
can you say econemy,thanks for your former sen.
as a lifelong cubs fan i know i have finally lost some interest in the club beginning the second half of the ’09 season. The cubs historically fielded mediocre teams and so it was hard to expect to win as a fan. We always won as the underdog (the few times we did sneak into the postseason.) But for almost the last decade we’ve put damn good teams (on paper at least) on the field. The ’08 team coasted to the best record in the NL and then absolutely quit in the playoffs. Then that same team didn’t seem to give much of an effort at all in the ’09 or ’10 campaigns. Sure Hendry’s signed some big contracts that didn’t pay-off but he’s trying to put together a winner. The players he’s paying don’t seem to care as much as the GM or the fans and I just can’t support an apathetic ballclub.
I agree with reeda, and I think they’ve hit a tipping point. Apathetic club + bad economy + ticket prices that continue to rise every year, despite past performance. It’s disappointing. I’ve been a Cubs fan for as long as I can remember, but I refuse to pay $60 just to be able to have a decent view of a Cubs loss. But don’t worry, once it warms up the douchebaggery that becomes the Wrigley bleachers will return. Girls in kids’ size shirts who never once take a look at the field and guys who think they’re at a frat party. I grew up loving Wrigley, but on gameday, I hate Wrigleyville.