Ultimate Standings 2009: No. 7
Milwaukee Brewers
By Brian Kamenetzky
ESPN The Magazine
Archive
Last Year's Rank: 13
Title Track: 75
Ownership: 14
Coaching: 57
Players: 19
Fan Relations: 17
Affordability: 3
Stadium Experience: 3
Bang for the Buck: 7
In 2008, in appreciation of the team's first postseason berth since the 1982 World Series, Brewers fans pushed attendance past the three million mark for the first time in history. Management also threw caution to the wind by trading four prospects for Indians ace CC Sabathia during the stretch run, then made him the richest contract offer in team history. Unfortunately Sabathia passed, but multiyear deals to fan faves/young guns Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder helped soothe the pain, drive a 95% renewal rate for 2009 season tix and keep the love affair between franchise and fans going strong. Sound cheesy? It's not. With game costs already 29% below league average ($33.65 versus $47.44), the Brewers are helping fans stretch tight budgets this season, introducing dollar concession stands for selected games and holding the line on food and drink everywhere else. That's worth a toast. And at $5 for 16 frothy ounces (fourth cheapest in baseball), a cold one at the stadium won't sink anyone into debt.
|
