Chicago Cubs Ticket SNAFU

Ever hear the phrase that something's not worth paper it's printed on? Well, I get that feeling looking at my Cubs tickets for this upcoming season.

But, one in particular stood out when I was looking through the stack of overpriced stubs. I had the kid blow it up to make certain I was seeing things right.  Sure as shite, I was.

These IDIOTS have an photograph of COREY flippin PATTERSON's name up to bat?! Of all the flash-in-pan, useless, no-good, pretty boys they could have picked from... I've spent the last five seasons trying to forget about Corey friggin Patterson.

Is this some sort of sick joke?

You've Gotta Be Kidding Me

Jeremy was nice enough to dig deeper into this and actually found out that this game on the ticket - on this 2011 ticket - took place on June 7th, 2004. And the Cubs lost to the Cardinals that night 4-3.

Think Your Job Sucks?

Well, it probably does. . .

But, there can't be too many jobs out there more boring than that of:
Chicago Cubs Ticket Booth Operator:

Chicago Cubs Tickets: Get Em While They're HOT!!!

Ticket Sales Don't Appear Brisk

While my grandson sits at home, in his undies, at the computer in a "Virtual Waiting Room" waiting for Cubs tickets, I figured I'd stroll down to the ballpark to take a gander at the Reality Waiting Room.

There isn't much going on down under the marquee. If my count is correct there seemed to be nearly a dozen Cubs crowd control folks, but only a handful of actual Cubs fans purchasing tickets.

If you count the ticket booth workers - I'd say I witnessed about 24 Cubs personnel taking care of anywhere between 3 to 6 people. That's none too brisk of business if you ask me.

Signs of Spring: Tickets Go Onsale

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Snow is on the ground, but spring's in the air around the old ballpark.

The crowd of fans "lucky" enough to get a first go at tickets are no doubt hopeful that they are buying their own pass to witness history.

Attendence At Wrigley: Bad

We already discussed this a few weeks back, but I see in the paper here that other have started to notice. They say that "attendance is down sharply" Oh my!

In 2009, there was only 1 game that had less than 38,000 - this season: 11. Also at this point in the season last year - there had been 21 games watched by 40,000 or more. This season there have been only 11 have topped that mark. Seems to me that there isn't any which way that the Cubs are going to top their coveted 3 million mark for the season.

I'll have my grandson Jeremy get on the google and rustle up some numbers. I'm betting it has been awhile since attendance has drastically gone down for a season.

Plenty of Tickets Still Available

Now I tell you what, I don't recall a time over the last few years where they have advertised this much about having tickets available to Cubs games. And it isn't just mid-week day games - we are talking about every single game. Even in the ever-popular bleachers - only Friday and Saturday games are sold out.

Now I think one reason for less folks attending these games is that the Cubs currently stink. But, I can tell you for certain that they have been much, much worse over the years and not had these problems this early in the season.

I think the main reason attendance is heading south is that times are tough for a lot of folks - but at the same time ticket prices keep going up. These tickets are very pricey and getting pricier every year. The Cubs are going to find themselves what they call a tipping point pretty soon if they continue to jack up the prices.

Now I do not consider myself a Nostradamus type, but I think the Cubs better watch themselves if they don't want it to get worse. I think the powers that be better stop focusing so much on adding advertisement and jumbotrons and all of that. Unless they plan on using that income to help keep ticket prices in check - which I seriously doubt they will - they could sure well find themselves in a world of hurt.



UPDATE: Tuesday nights game had an announced attendance of 34,749. That is 2,000 less than any other game so far this season - including so called "bronze" games - mid week - in the cold.
I'm telling ya: something is going on here.