coIt’ll happen at home in front of a raucous crowd of 12,000.
Sarcasm aside, you neglect to point out that we have crowds around 20,000 this weekend including 24,500 for the night cap on Sat. compared to Det of 17,600. On Sunday it was, 19,600 vs 14,450 for Det while Cleveland had Browns home opener as well and 4 games to pick from over Fri night - Sunday instead of normal 3 (spread out the walkup crowds). Yes, we only had 12,000 on Monday but you are talking about a make-up game from a cancelled Wednesday night from April opening series where no one goes but opening day (so few carryover tickets). AND, it was rescheduled as a businessman special where all the businesses have left downtown Cleveland over the past few decades.
And, even if you listened to Cleveland assistant GMs about the young kids, it was always about how it is good to win but they were looking forward to winning and being competitive in playoffs in future years (not necessarily this year). Thus, we were not really in a division chase until recently. Cleveland also did not make many big splashes in FA or trade deadline to amp up the base (I get why). However, Detroit actually went out and spent on Baez and Rodriquez and traded for Barnhart. It may have been fools gold but some fan bases buy into it. They are already talking about being BOLD this winter. Sure, string them along versus us jaded Browns fans who say show us first before we get fooled for the 99th time.
Yet, I am also curious about how many businesses buy season tickets in Cleveland vs Detroit. I am sure there is a huge difference especially just due to GM/Ford (and even Chrysler) effect. A lot of schmoozing goes on at these games where vendors just want to maintain their sales figures and are willing to drop $1,000 or more on tickets, dinner and liquor if it gives them even the slightest edge on maintaining hundreds of millions of dollars of contracts that include commissions. There really isn't much of that in Cleveland. Yes, you have Sherwin Williams but their vendors are all over the world. Detroit on the other hand has a lot of the headquarters for the suppliers also in Detroit just because of the Big 3 (and wanting to be close to all the VPs who make decisions who also have a lot of money to spend for their family entertainment).
I am sure Cleveland being an analytical organization has all these numbers in their marketing department to show how it may seem embarrassing but based on many factors. And, in the end, I guess Cleveland did not show up for a year-long division chase when even you and many of us said it was wait till 2024 (which I guess we did at the gate as well). But, things have picked up recently. And, instead of blaming the fans, do the Guardians know how much of this is tied to losing over the years - BP, TRW, Nestle, BFGoodrich, LTV, and list goes on. I know I took my contacts from them companies to a lot of games before they left to keep my relationships strong.