Marlins-Reds Game Draws Estimated 347 Fans, Ushering In New Low for Florida Baseball

by Michael Hurley on Thu, Aug 25, 2011 at 9:09AM

The Florida Marlins rank dead last in total attendance this season and second-to-last in attendance percentage, ahead of only Toronto. It's never a shock to see thousands of empty seats around Sun Life Stadium when the Fish play, but what happened on Wednesday afternoon was downright stunning.

The official box score for Game 1 of a doubleheader with the Reds didn't list an attendance number, so one fan took it upon himself to count the heads in the stands.

"Unofficial count of 347 at sunlife for first pitch…myself included!" tweeted Justin Cohen. Counted by hand. Still not the smallest crowd I've seen here … There are literally 5 sections with 5 or fewer people and 3 with 0 people at the marlins game."

Granted, the game was rescheduled due to the anticipated weather that would hit Miami on Thursday due to Hurricane Irene. Still, if tens of thousands of people can stick around Williamsport during an earthquake to watch Little Leaguers, you'd think you'd at least get a fraction of that to watch professionals play.

For the record, the Marlins scored three times in the eighth inning to pull off a comeback victory, sending all 347 fans home happy.

Photo of the day

Is the rescheduling of this game any excuse for just 347 people to show up?

Quote of the day

"I wasn't able to breathe out of my right nostril, so that kind of sucked. It's like a refreshing feeling right now to be able to get more oxygen intake through my nose."
–Bruins winger Milan Lucic, on his new and improved nose

Tweet of the day

Is Tim Thomas really in this elite company? To Bruins fans, he just might be.

Video of the day

If the Patriots' defense is facing a third-and-short this season, I'd find it wildly appropriate for this song to blare over the Gillette Stadium speakers. Don't make Vince Wilfork snap his fingers.