From CEO Wendy Selig-Prieb to the guy who delivers the intra-office mail, you'd have a tough time finding nicer or more devoted people than those who staff the Brewers' front office and business office.
They are devoted to keeping baseball in Milwaukee. They endured intense political pressure to build Miller Park. They are doing a wonderful job of turning the ballpark and its surrounding area into a showcase part of the community.
But, their timing seriously needs to be questioned. Only one week after announcing that their revenue doubled during the Brewers' first year in Miller Park, they announced hikes in ticket prices!
You need only go to The Brew Crew Review message board to see typical examples of fans' reactions.
"Are they nuts?" wrote The Big Dog, presumably not the Bucks' Glenn Robinson. "Milwaukee fans turn out in record numbers, give the Brewers our money in return for the privilege of watching lousy baseball and get rewarded with higher ticket prices next year."
{INSERT_RELATED}Jeff wrote, "It's incredible to say the least at this point to raise prices." Ajay added, "I think it's stupid to raise prices after such a horrible season. I just hope they are smart enough to upgrade the team with the extra money."
All three of these writers are regular contributors to the message board. They are devoted fans, and are typical of thousands of fans out there who have had similar reactions to the Brewers' announcement.
They are correct. Milwaukee fans deserve better than 68 wins a season. A team that wins only 68 games should pay the fans for showing up.
As much fun as Miller Park is overall, it will not draw fans on its own like it did last season. Better baseball will be necessary.
The fans also need to understand a couple things. The increased revenue from last season only now is starting to make its way through the Brewers' organization. It's like the Fed's interest rate cuts. The effect is delayed.
So, those 68 wins were produced by a franchise operating on the revenue from the last season in County Stadium. Also, the Brewers have had initial increased expenses from the move to the new park, and also have to decrease their debt.
These facts are not presented as excuses for the Brewers. The baseball operations -- namely GM Dean Taylor and manager Davey Lopes -- have to improve the product on the field. If they can't, Selig-Prieb has an obligation to find people who can.
The ticket price increases primarily were for higher end seats. Still, 36% of the seats sell for $12 or less. But, concessions also are more expensive than they were. I heard plenty of complaints about that from fans last season.
The Brewers' timing on the announcement of increased revenue and a price hike was horrible. It gives the image to many of an organization that is trying to use its new facility to gouge the fans while not providing an entertaining product on the field.
I know differently. So do many fans, but they are frustrated with losing and have a right to express it. They feel they have done their part by supporting Miller Park. Now it is the Brewers' time to bring winning baseball to Milwaukee.
I think Ajay expressed a sentiment felt by many fans, who could accept the increase if it translates into better baseball. Let's just hope the Brewers are "smart enough to upgrade the team with the extra money."
2002 Schedule
Almost lost in the furor over the ticket price hikes was the announcement of the 2002 schedule. The Brewers open at Houston again and will open at home April 5 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, who are about to meet the Yankees in the World Series.
The first series against the I-94 rivals, the Chicago Cubs, will be May 9-12 in Wrigley Field. The two teams then meet May 17-19 at Miller Park.
The inter-league opponents will be Oakland, Anaheim and the Minnesota Twins, with the latter in home-and-away series.
Royster To Houston?
Brewers' bench coach Jerry Royster reportedly is interviewing for the vacant Astros' managerial job. Royster is a strong candidate. He also could be a candidate to replace Lopes if the Brewers get off to a bad start next season.
Gregg Hoffmann writes The Brew Crew Review column on Thursdays during the baseball off-season and maintains a Brewers message board on OMC.
