For instance, let's say I had been an Orioles fan since 1960, and then in 1973, I said "I don't like the DH I'm going to pick another team", was that common? Or did AL fans for the most part take it in stride and like the DH?
2007-05-28 23:53:20 · 5 answers · asked by oysterchowder2004 3 in Sports ➔ Baseball
I was around when the DH came to the American League. I would say that more than 50% of baseball fans opposed the DH but there was never a mass Exodus of fans from their favorite American League team.
2007-05-29 01:40:58 · answer #1 · answered by Frizzer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, the DH was pretty well accepted. In fact, if you look at attendance figures, the DH definitely increased fan attendance.
Here are the attendance figures for the AL East teams, first listing 1972 then 1973.
Detroit 1,892,386 1,724,146
Boston 1,441,718 1,481,002
New York 966,328 1,262,103
Baltimore 899,950 958, 667
Cleveland 626,354 615,107
Milwaukee 600, 440 1,092,158
The numbers are similar for the AL West. Every team in the AL except Cleveland showed an increase in attendance. And the Indians in 1973 were, well, the Indians. The NL doesn't show a comparable increase.
2007-05-29 09:22:44 · answer #2 · answered by Cruiser 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, the DH rule didn't cause any true fans to change their allegiances. The fans took it in stride and while many don't like the DH rule, they've learned to live with it.
2007-05-29 07:44:30 · answer #3 · answered by jeterripken 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most, if not all, fans stuck with their team. Attendance at games shows how popular the move was.
Chow!!
2007-05-29 12:22:34 · answer #4 · answered by No one 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they did, it wasn't noticed, as more new fans took their place.
AL attendance went up, which was the desired effect.
2007-05-29 10:53:04 · answer #5 · answered by Chipmaker Authentic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋