Bases Covered is a roundup of the most interesting stories in baseball.
The New York Yankees may be sitting atop the AL East, but that on-field success hasn’t been translating to ticket sales.
According to a story in the New York Times, the team has been seeing ticket sales drop for some time. “Ticket and suite revenues through last season [have] fallen by a staggering $166 million since the end of 2009, the year the Yankees christened the new ballpark with their last World Series title.”
That story goes on to note that ticket and suite revenues have fallen 42 per cent in seven years. There are numerous possible reasons for the dwindling ticket sales, but as Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner notes, the team has had a particular problem attracting a younger audience.
In more upbeat Yankees news, right-hander Luis Severino pitched eight shutout innings on Wednesday, lifting his team to a 3–0 win over the Kansas City Royals.
Another bad outing
David Price took to the mound for another rehab outing on Wednesday, and once again, the 31-year-old pitched poorly. Making a start with the triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox, Price allowed six runs (three earned) on seven hits over 3.2 innings.
The Red Sox could use Price in the rotation, but it’s unclear what the next move will be given his struggles.
Swept at home
The Baltimore Orioles suffered the embarrassment of getting swept at home in a three-game series. The losses came thanks to the Minnesota Twins, who were also the first visiting team to earn a series win at Camden Yards this season.
The Twins have been a surprising success story this year after a disastrous 2016 season. One reason the team is sitting atop the AL Central? Their spectacular defence.
Keeping his mouth shut
The New York Mets have come under fire for their handling of injuries — see, for example, Noah Syndergaard and Yoenis Cespedes — and the team is taking a new approach in managing criticism.
“I’m not at liberty to discuss the situation,” Collins said Wednesday when asked about Jay Bruce’s stiff back.
According to a story in the New York Daily News, the team has opted to silence Mets manager Terry Collins, who isn’t too thrilled about the new arrangement.
The story notes: “At Collins’ press conference the manager didn’t look happy about it, and, in fact, a club source said he was furious about being told what he could and couldn’t say.”
Homer in the Hall
The Baseball Hall of Fame will honour “Homer at the Bat,” a classic episode of The Simpsons, this weekend. The festivities include a roundtable discussion featuring Wade Boggs and Ozzie Smith, who both appeared in the episode, and the pretend induction of Homer Simpson, who will receive a (fake) plaque at the Hall.