CLEVELAND — As the Cleveland Indians open up an eight game home stand Tuesday night at Progressive Field, they're hoping to finally catch a break from the rainy weather of April and May and see a boost in attendance.
"We're a little bit down," said Curtis Danburg, Indians Senior Director of Communications of the year to year comparison. The Indians are not alone, across Major League Baseball attendance is down this spring compared to 2018 which ended up being the lowest average attendance for the league since 1996 according to baseball-reference.com.
The Indians are currently 24th out of the league's 32 teams in attendance averaging 17,639 a game. The good news for the Tribe in this young season with key opponents coming into Progressive Field starting with the American League leading Minnesota Twins tonight, that could change quickly.
"Great big home stand with the Minnesota Twins coming to town, for three games then the Yankees coming to town. We're expecting if not a sellout nearly a sellout for all three games with the Yankees in town. Then we'll finish up with the Ohio Cup Tuesday and Wednesday of next week against the Reds," Danburg said.
"We know our fans are still following, we're third in Major League Baseball in TV ratings, everybody is listening on the radio," Danburg said. "So despite maybe the downturn and they haven't gotten off to the best start as we had hoped people are still paying attention."
To help in the effort this homestretch features a Mike Clevinger bobblehead giveaway Wednesday, Sugardale Dollar Dog Night and Fireworks Friday and Jose Ramirez cap giveaway to close out the series on June 12.
