Sorry but … when your stadium is empty for the better part of a decade and ranks 20th in MLB to start the 2024 season, there’s no other conclusion to draw. For years, whenever the New York Yankees visited the Baltimore Orioles, Camden Yards was packed with Bronx Bomber supporters. That’s just the way it’s always been.
Fast forward to 2024, after the O’s captured their first division title since 2014, and now all of a sudden the Baltimore faithful decide to show up in raucous fashion when the Yankees are in town. Hey, good for you guys! It’s legitimately awesome. But don’t pretend it’s always been this way.
When the Orioles were legitimately the worst team in the league, losing 100+ games in 2018, 2019 and 2021, they had Rays-esque attendance. Proof in numbers:
- 2018: 26th in attendance (20,053 fans per game)
- 2019: 28th in attendance (16,347 fans per game)
- 2021: 26th in attendance (10,169 fans per game)
How about when the O’s were a contender in 2012, 2014 and 2016?
- 2012: 20th in attendance (26,610 fans per game)
- 2014: 13th in attendance (30, 805 fans per game)
- 2016: 20th in attendance (26, 819 fans per game)
