The Bucs have averaged 19,676 fans per game this year in their 37 home dates. That's near the bottom both as an overall figure and as a percentage of capacity figure.
Curiously, though, they are the seventh-best road attraction measured by capacity (home teams sell 71.2% of their tickets hosting the Pirates) and ninth-best road attraction measured by total ticket sales. See for yourself here. In 2003, they were the 12th-best by both measures.
Why? I don't know. Two answers come right to mind. First, the Central has three of the top ten home draws: the Cubs, the Astros, and the Cardinals sell a lot of home tickets and the Pirates play there often. Second, the Pirates have a national reputation for being a doormat, and since people like to go to games and see the home team win, maybe they choose the games when the Pirates are in town.
Both explanations fail, though, because Milwaukee has similar home attendance numbers and a similar reputation for being a doormat. This year the Brewers are 14th as a road draw by percentage and 18th as a road draw by raw numbers. In 2003, the Brewers were 16th (by pct) and 18th (by raw numbers).
Here's the third explanation: everywhere, people love the Pirates. That Harris poll suggested as much. Why the low sales numbers, then, in PNC? Because Pittsburghers have contempt for losers? Or is it just the poor weather? The promotions have been great. How can you not go for Sauerkraut Saul Bobblehead night?
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