Orioles Magic Sweeps The Yard; Attendance Highest It's Been Since 2007
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Friday is the Orioles home opener. Fans are optimistic about the team's success.
And as Jessica Kartalija explains, it shows by ticket sales.
Baltimore baseball is back. And the return of the Orioles, not just to Camden Yards, but as a winning team.
"Obviously the success of last year's team has created an interest in the club that is at pretty much an all-time high," said Greg Bader, V.P. Marketing.
So high, that Forbes says the value of the team increased 34 percent to $618 million, making the O's the 17th most valuable team out of 30.
"They might have had a slump, but they came back. The Ravens didn't do well for awhile, but they came back. We're going to have another championship team here this year," a fan said.
"They're going to be better this year than they were last year," said another fan.
Attendance is the highest it's been since 2007--with an average of 26,600 fans per game.
"We've seen our highest renewal rate on season tickets in the history of the ballpark, as well as the most new season ticket holders added in probably 10-12 years," said Bader.
Fans are optimistic, and say the hits--they hope--will keep coming.
"I think they'll win the AL East. Yep," a fan said.
"I think Buck has done a fantastic job. The front office has done a fantastic job. You have a bunch of good young players now, Adam Jones and Weiters and the starting pitching. As long as the starting pitching holds up I think they are going to be in good shape," said George Blair.
And the Orioles home opener is Friday against Minnesota. Coverage begins at 2 p.m. and you can see the game live on WJZ-TV.
