A couple notes about the Mariners and their attendance and what it means for the future

I just wanted to point out a few things about the Mariner’s attendance recently, then explain more about why it is going a certain way, and what this will mean for the future. Anyway, here are my points, and these are clear, cut facts:

- The Mariners set a team record in attendance in 2002 with over 3.5 million fans attending games.
- The Mariners steadily declined until 2007, when they had a slight peak in attendance.
- Attendance has been declining since that small peak in 2007.

So in other words, if you take out 2007, the Mariners’ attendance has been in decline for the past 8 years. As for this year, the Mariners are on pace to continue the trend of declining, and there is a good chance they won’t even get 2 million fans this year. The last time that happened? 1995, the last shortened season in MLB. The last full year to not get 2 million fans? 1992.

So, we’ve established that attendance is in decline. And it’s pretty obvious why: poor management decisions, poor coaching, and poor moves made by the front office, which then have caused poor on-the-field play.

So, what does this mean for the future? Well, if this does not get fixed and attendance does not change, the Mariners will fall into MLB’s “Rock bottom”. MLB’s current rock bottom includes Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and now it appears Cleveland may be there too, and possibly the M’s joining them. The Rays used to be here, but a recent run of success has gotten them out of there. What qualifies a team for rock bottom status is a team, that somewhat recently (in the past 20 or so years) has had success and is now consistently one of the worst teams in the league, year in and year out, due to poor attendance, poor management, high turnover with coaches and G.M.’s, and a low payroll.

If this keeps up, the Mariners will hit rock bottom. Sure, the Mariners have their loyal fans, but so do the Royals, Pirates, and Indians. The Mariners will be forced to cut their payroll, therefore not being able to afford any decent free agents, and will have to try to be successful by from promoting within, much like the Marlins, Rays, and Twins, who all get a majority of their starters from the minor leagues.

And let me tell you, it is hard to get out of rock bottom. You need a stroke of luck to say the least. The Mariners must contend before it’s too late. I do not want them to be one of the laughing stocks of the league (although they might already be). I do not want them to constantly be picked to finish last in the AL West. Let’s hope the Mariners will turn the corner and put together seasons we can remember, like 1995 and 2001.