Despite Huge Crowds Late, M’S Attendance Hits Three-Year Low

Despite an eight-game homestand that included three crowds of more than 50,000 fans, the Mariners’ season attendance average in the Kingdome - 22,064 - was their lowest in three years.

In fact, only once since 1990 has the team had a lower average home attendance.

A season shortened to 144-games meant Seattle, like every other major-league team, lost nine home dates. And that average attendance in 1995 was higher than the team drew in any of its first 14 years.

“As gratifying as anything in the last few weeks was the way the fans came out and supported this team,” manager Lou Piniella said. “It gave everyone in the Northwest a taste of what baseball can be and has been in other cities.”

What 1,588,636 fans saw in the Kingdome this season was a team that went 45-27 at home, posting the second-highest home win total in franchise history despite missing nine games.