It turns out not many people want to watch the Phillies and Marlins, the two worst teams in the National League, on a Wednesday afternoon.
The Phillies and Marlins are the two worst teams in the National League, even with the Marlins sweeping their series this week. It’s safe to say fairly few things have gone well for either team this year, and their attendance is showing.
The two teams wrapped up their series Wednesday afternoon with a 1:05 p.m. matinee. Steve Wine of the Associated Press reported that just 1,590 people were in attendance for the game. Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald showed just how empty the stadium looked:
Five minutes to first pitch. Fans must have hit traffic on the way in. pic.twitter.com/NA96Xr8oFj
— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) May 31, 2017
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Aside from the 2015 Orioles game that was closed off to the riots in the city at the time, it was the least-attended game since 1989. It was a Sept. 5 matchup between the Braves and Padres at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium with 1,528 people there.
A Miami sports producer tried to explain to the Washington Post why the attendance was so low:
"Miami’s WPLG-TV sports producer David Lang, who was not at Wednesday’s game but who remembers being in the stands for another infamously poorly attended game in 2001 during which then-owner John Henry invited him and his friends down to the watch the game from behind the dugout, blames the time of day, the time of year and the team’s poor record this season.“I do think South Florida sports fans get a bad wrap,” he told The Washington Post, noting that had school year already ended the crowds would’ve been larger. He said also said had the Marlins, who sit in fourth place in the National League East, been playing a better team than the Phillies, who sit in fifth place in the NL East, attendance would’ve likely been higher.More from That Balls Outta HereBryce Harper’s absence should lead to Phillies lineup tinkeringPhillies rumors: Club targets Seth Lugo for possible bullpen rolePirates’ bizarre Vince Velasquez hype video will make Phillies fans laughAcquiring Brandon Marsh gave the Phillies flexibilityFormer Phillies starter Zach Eflin shares heartwarming goodbye messageWhile that may be true, the Marlins have had an attendance problem for years that can’t just be blamed on circumstance."
Marlins attendance has always been low, with the team averaging just 20,748 people per game. That average is 28th in the league, with their total attendance of 539,452 this season coming in at 26th according to ESPN.
Back in 2011, just 347 people attended a Marlins game at the old Sun Life Stadium.
The team reported an attendance of 22,505 fans for the day’s doubleheader, but that included people that bought tickets but didn’t come.
Next: How May of 2016 compares of May of 2017
The Phils have not been strong in the attendance department either this season. Their total attendance of 625,070 is 22nd in MLB and their average of 27,176 is 18th.