No fans in the stands, but teams still playing. The Boss still packs them in.

Taking another look at attendance so far in the MLB.  Are fans watching the best teams play, or are they missing opportunites to see some pretty good baseball?  They're are going to see the Texas Rangers put up the best record in the league.  The Rangers are 16-5 and draw the highest H/A attendance average of 39,625. However, the combined record of the next 4 teams with highest H/A attendance averages is 40-47.  The 5 teams with  the worst H/A attendance averages are a combined 54-53.  The Chicago White Sox are 11-11 and rank 28 out 30, with a H/A attendance average of 22,203, while the Northside National League Cubs are 8-14, but rank 4th overall with an H/A average of 37,385.  I realize this is nothing new to those who follow it. My feeling is that you should always support your team, no matter the record. However, if you're a baseball fan, you can get GREAT deals on seats to see teams that are playing pretty well.  Next time you have the chance, check out Boog's BBQ in Baltimore, or the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, and then have your choice of seats at the park.

Attendance Average Home and Away  (W-L)  (Source:ESPN)

1. Texas Rangers  (16-5)  39,625

2. N.Y. Yankees (12-9) 38,511

3.  Milwaukee Brewers (10-12) 37.438

4. Chicago Cubs  (8-14)  37,385

5.  Philadelphia Phillies  (10-12)  36,020

______

30.  Cleveland Indians  (11-9)  17,237

29.  K.C. Royals  (6-15)  21,395

28.  Chicago White Sox (11-11)  22,203

27.  Toronto Blue Jays (12-10)  22,603

26.  Baltimore Orioles  (14-8)  22,681

 

Bruce Springsteen's Wrigley Field concert sold-out in under an hour. Lots of concerts at some of the ballparks this summer. Bands selling out ballparks nothing new, just ask Sir Paul. 

http://www.ticketnews.com/news/summer-concerts-in-ballparks041227804

 

 

MLB: How many more wins does big money buy? 8, so far.

Payroll / Rank / Team / Current Record      Payroll / Rank / Team / Current Record          

$197m 1. Yankees  6-6                              $55m  30. Padres  3-10

$174m 2. Phillies 5-7                                 $55m  29. Athletics  5-7

$173m 3. Red Sox 4-8                               $60m  28. Astros    4-8             

$154m 4. Angels 4-8                                  $60m  27. Royals  3-9

$132m 5. Tigers 9-3                                   $63m  26. Pirates  5-7

Combined:      28-32                                     Combined:   20-41           

Money seems to be winning here early. How about managerial experience?  Here are the 5 MLB managers that have been with their current team the longest vs the 5 managers in their first year with a new team.

Year started / Manager / Team / Current Record       First Year's  

1999 1. Scioscia  Angels 4-8                                 Matheny  Cardinals  9-3

2002 2. Gardenhire  Twins  4-8                              Ventura   White Sox  6-5

2004 3. Manuel  Phillies  5-7                                 Guillen  Marlins  6-6             

2005 4. Leyland  Tigers  9-3                                  Valentine  Red Sox  4-8

2005 5. Maddon  Rays  6-6                                   Sveum   Cubs  3-9

     Combined:  28-32                                            Combined: 28-31

Dead heat.  Early on, money wins over experience.  3 of longest tenured managers have Top 5 payrolls.   

MLB: So far, more fans in stadiums doesn't always equal more wins on the field.

The top 5 teams, ranked according to average attendance over the first week of the season, had about the same record vs the combined record of the bottom 5 teams. The Top 5 were 11-12 overall vs Bottom 5 record of 12-13.  (ESPN data)  It's still early.  Some teams still haven't played at home yet.  Weather is a factor, as well.

Top 5:

                 Record       Avg. Attendance       Avg. Attendance last year

1. Texas       4-1              42,015                         32,608

2. Milwaukee 3-2             39,356                         34,856

3. San Fran.   1-3             39,348                         37,287          

4. Boston      1-4             39,069                          34,851

5. LA Angels  2-2            38,942                          32,608

Bottom 5:

30,  Cleveland  1-3          20,505                         26,698

29. Houston    3-2          24,679                         27,053

28   Baltimore  3-2         29,630                         24,899

27.   Oakland  2-4         29,870                          24,354

26.   Toronto   3-2          30,255                         25,051

In the race between the 5 new MLB managers:

1. Mattheny   St.Louis  5-1

2. Ventura     White Sox  2-2

3. Guillen     Miami   2-3

4/5 Tie. Valentine, Boston and Sveum, Cubs are both 1-4.

So far this month, here is are the most requested tickets from fans :

1.    1. One Direction

      2. Drake, J. Cole & Waka Flocka Flame

      3. The Gloabal Warming Tour: Aerosmith & Cheap Trick

     4. New York Yankees

     5. Wicked   

      6. Brother of the Sun Tour: Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw

      7. Zac Brown Band

      8. Boston Red Sox

      9. Jersey Boys

10.   Jason Aldean & Luke Bryan
 

Acts on tour this month include Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Van Halen, Radiohead, The Beach Boys, The Black Keys and One Direction. 
The Kentucky Derby will be on May 5th, the first Saturday in May, as always.
The Indianapolis 500 will be on Sunday, May 27, Memorial Day Weekend, as always.

27mill Users + Zero Revenue = Insta-Billion

Looks like Mr.Systrom made the correct pivot with Burbn.  "He couldn't explain it (Burbn) to anyone", "but users loved the photo feature, so Mr Systrom focused on that."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303815404577333840377381670.html

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303815404577334270758693972.html

Ticket Prices Rise with that Opening Day Optimism!

I'm a St. Louis Cardinals fan, so paying $250 for a ticket on opening day, seems worth it.  I wasn't able to attend any of last year's WS games, with the possible 'Best Ever Game 6", so this might be the next best thing.  Their regular season tickets are around $40-50, not including the premium seat,and parking is not bad either.

http://moneyland.time.com/2012/04/04/average-ticket-prices-spike-for-baseballs-top-teams/

http://www.rrstar.com/blogs/matttrowbridge/x2020325795/Biggest-losers-have-baseballs-highest-ticket-prices