Rays’ Wild Card opener draws 19,704, lowest since 1919 for non-pandemic MLB postseason

By: The Associated Press Posted: 8:58 PM CDT Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023 Last Modified: 9:04 PM CDT Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The AL Wild Card Series opener between the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays drew an announced crowd of just 19,704 to Tropicana Field on Tuesday, the lowest for a postseason game since the 1919 World Series other than during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/10/2023 (760 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The crowd for the 4-0 loss to Texas was roughly 5,300 below the listed capacity of Tropicana Field.

The game began at 3:07 p.m. and the start time was not scheduled by Major League Baseball until Sunday evening.

FILE - Tropicana Field stands April 8, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. The AL Wild Card Series opener between the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, drew an announced crowd of just 19,704 to Tropicana Field, the lowest for a postseason game since the 1919 World Series other than during the coronavirus pandemic, according to Stathead. (AP Photo/Scott Audette, File)

Game 7 of the 1919 World Series drew 13,923 at Redland Field in Cincinnati; the Reds won the best-of-nine series against the Chicago White Sox in eight games, but Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis banned eight players on the “Black Sox” for life for throwing games.

The Rays routinely rank among baseball’s lowest in home attendance and drew 1.44 million this season, The team averaged 17,781 for 81 home dates this season, 27th among 30 major league teams.

Tampa Bay announced plans last month to build a 30,000-seat ballpark to replace Tropicana Field, the domed stadium where they’ve played since the club’s inaugural season in 1998.