Why are the White Sox terrible? (Peoria, Addison: apartment, neighborhoods, buy)

[reppin_the_847]

Hahah, this is actually an interesting comment. I think the Sox would benefit moreso from a suburban locale than the Cubs.

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

Too far, too $$. Too bad they didn't move to Addison, it would have only left the too $$ excuse.

[Drover]

Even Cubs fans have their limits. While they still out-draw the Sox, attendance has fallen the last few seasons when the Ricketts at first actually raised prices while fielding a "rebuilding phase" team. 2012 was the first sub-3M-attendance season in a decade. They seem to have got the message and this season you can actually get fairly cheap tickets (by Cubs standards anyway) for non-premium dates.

[C. Maurio]

Originally Posted by A2DAC1985

Consider this site:

2012 Major League Baseball Attendance & Miscellaneous - Baseball-Reference.com

The White Sox win more games annually than the Cubs, but the Cubs still sell out...

And the White Sox can't fill their stands (with today being the third day of regular season play... And I'm watching it on TV).


What gives?


If I had to guess, the "fake fans" of the Cubs are more loyal to the Cubs.

And the "true fans" of the White Sox don't bother with going out to the ball park until they're in the playoffs.



Is that right? Or close to right?

I go to some games

[MassVt]

I'm sure that this recession is also having some effect on ticket purchases. Those who may have bought season tickets in earlier years, now might only consider buying tickets for 8-10 games. Of course, the quality of the team may affect ticket sales, too...

The White Sox may be burdened with history, or a lack of it. In my mind, only two editions really stand out: the 1959 AL pennant-winning Go-Go Sox, and the 2005 World series champions; otherwise, I'm really drawing a blank. They also haven't had the historical stars that other teams have had ( Cubs had Banks, Billy Williams, Ron Santo, Sandberg, Fergie Jenkins, etc)...

I just checked: Minnie Minoso is still alive!

Another thing: Maybe the White Sox need another Bill Veeck..

[ProgMichael]

I think it's really simple as two things:

1) Neighborhood. Lake View could a relatively shady neighborhood in the 70s and 80s, back when the Sox used to regularly outdraw them. Now, Lake View is the epicenter of young professionals in Chicago. Young Cubs fans with any affluence can live within walking distance of Wrigley Field. The bars and restaurants on gameday make seeing the Cubs an all-day experience. Also, Lake View has money and density (as well as nearby neighborhoods such as Lincoln Park and Old Town). You have a demographic that doesn't mind spending the money.

The Sox play in the middle of a parking lot. They play in a "ghetto" area where you might get shot (totally based on perception...Armour Square -note: NOT Bridgeport - where the stadium is actually has lower per capita crime than Lake View). Lake View has lakefront highrises, Armour Square and Bridgeport have modest bungalows.

2) Tourism. Wrigley Field and Fenway Park are the remaining "classic" ballparks. People come from all over to the country to see the stadium, not the team. When you're on vacation, you'll open up the checkbook. This helps fill up Wrigley with non-Chicago baseball fans.

[LeotheOrangeCat]

Before Lakeview gentrified the Sox and Cbs drew about the same. Google Lee Elia.

[LeotheOrangeCat]

Nevermind here he is:


Lee Elia Tirade - Chicago Cubs - 4/29/83 - YouTube

[Aleking]

It's cold and miserable out. No one enjoys meaningless April ball in the cold.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by Drover

Even Cubs fans have their limits. While they still out-draw the Sox, attendance has fallen the last few seasons when the Ricketts at first actually raised prices while fielding a "rebuilding phase" team. 2012 was the first sub-3M-attendance season in a decade. They seem to have got the message and this season you can actually get fairly cheap tickets (by Cubs standards anyway) for non-premium dates.

I may be mistaken, but I thought baseball attendance league wide was down last year.

[jwaiter]

Originally Posted by A2DAC1985

The White Sox win more games annually than the Cubs, but the Cubs still sell out...And the White Sox can't fill their stands

What gives?

#1) Have you ever walked around Clark and Addison?

#2) Have you ever walked around 35th and Shields?

The neighborhoods tell the story. Lakeview near Wrigley is a vibrant happenin neighborhood with tons of bars restaurants music venues shops, it is itself a destination to visit.

OTOH Bridgeport especially near the ball park, has zero to do - no place to go, visit, walk around, its all parking lot miles in all directions, or residential homes, nothing to draw people to visit.

That's why Wrigley draws crowds and the cell doesnt.

Originally Posted by A2DAC1985

If I had to guess, the "fake fans" of the Cubs are more loyal to the Cubs.

And the "true fans" of the White Sox don't bother with going out to the ball park until they're in the playoffs.



Is that right? Or close to right?

No wrong. Wrigley has been called the worlds biggest beer garden. Half the guys there are looking at the girls and getting trashed on beer. At the Cell people pay attention to every pitch.