Jul 28, 2022 - Sports
Disgruntled Tigers fans can't stay away
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Growing frustrations over the front office hasn't kept fans away from Comerica Park this year.
What's happening: The Tigers are one of just seven teams that are seeing an increase in attendance since 2019 as the rest of the league struggles to get back to pre-pandemic levels.
- This is despite being in second-last place in the AL Central after promising fans a rebuild was in the rearview mirror.
- Should the pace hold, this will be the fifth consecutive non-pandemic-restricted MLB season with declining attendance.
Between the lines: A group of fans wore bags over their heads Tuesday for "Fire Al Avila Night" at the ballpark, in reference to the team's unpopular general manager.
- "They're stupid in my opinion," Eli Bashi, a fan at the game, tells Axios. "You don't buy tickets to something you're protesting."
What they're saying: Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal, who started yesterday's 4-3 comeback win over the Padres, gave the fans a shoutout for a strong turnout during the team's recent homestand.
- "They were just there every game. The season hasn't gone the way we wanted it to, but they continue to show up," he said, per the Free Press.