Miami Marlins Fans Increase Viewership

Sep 23, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria (left) celebrates with second baseman Donovan Solano (right) after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 2-0 at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

For years, Marlins fans have been the scourge of the baseball world. This reputation has been earned mostly from their own doing, as endless shots of an empty Pro Player Stadium/Sun Life/Joe Robbie/whatever you want to call it has brought disdain on them. Of course, in those days, fans had to endure excruciating summer heat and humidity making for a pleasant experience, particularly if your favorite team wasn’t winning.

Many thought that Miami just needed a new stadium, one that had a retractable roof, air conditioning, and all the bells and whistles. If you build it, they will come was uttered on more than one occasion by diehard fans and Marlins brass alike. Marlins Park is unique, and certainly qualifies under the criteria that I listed before, yet after opening 3 years ago, didn’t lure the number of fans that many were hopeful of.

Of course, there were some circumstances that contributed to this result. Despite an offseason spending spree that certainly invigorated the fan base, Miami got off to an atrocious start, going 14-41 through April and May. This sapped much of the excitement from the fans, and lets be honest, the initial price gouging didn’t help.

More from Marlins News

• Miami Marlins news: Another target gone
• Why didn’t the Miami Marlins sign JDM?
• Miami Marlins rejected Boston‘s trade offer
• Miami Marlins are pursuing Michael Conforto
• Miami Marlins need to spend to win

Then came the infamous “firesale” in which Hanley Ramirez and Randy Choate were jettisoned to L.A. during the season, and most of the remaining players were shipped to Toronto at the end of it. This repeated restart infuriated many of the fan base, even eliciting lawsuits against Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria.

Fast-forward to today, just two seasons removed from those trades. Toronto is yet to make the playoffs with all of the good players that Miami signed, and many view the Marlins as an up and coming team after a 15 win increase in 2014. While many fans still hate Loria and hold him responsible for the demise of baseball in South Florida (even though it never has really been big) Interest seems to be growing among the fans.

Fox Sports Florida announced the Miami was on pace to be in the top 5 for viewership increase year over year. They increased by 24%. This increase wasn’t just noticed by the television networks. Miami also increased their home attendance by 10%. In 2013 they finished 29th with an average of 19,584 fans. In 2014, that number has increased to 27th overall with 21,386.

These are all good signs for Miami. The trend is going in the right direction, and for those of us that want the Fish to stay in Florida, it is nice to see established teams like the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago White Sox below us. You don’t hear people clamoring for those teams to be relocated.

Ultimately, the kudos go to you, the Marlins fans. Good work supporting your Fish this year, and here is to 2015!