Monday’s series opener against the Tigers saw a Citi Field crowd of less than 17,000, which Evan was stunned to see given how new the season is, regardless of the lowered expectations in Queens this year.
Evan did some research and found that, outside of the COVID era, Monday was the smallest announced attendance since Citi Field opened in 2009.
“The only time in Citi Field’s history, the only time they had an announced attendance below 20,000 was September 2017 against the Phillies,” Evan said. “Why did the Mets have the smallest crowd in the history of the franchise at Citi Field [Monday] night, outside of the COVID years? Why? We have Steve Cohen as the owner. I’ve been told he’s the king. We have the highest payroll in baseball…how did last night - the Wilpons don’t own the team anymore.”
Evan couldn’t find a smaller announced crowd since Aug. 30, 2004, five years before Citi Field opened. Sure, the weather can be rough in April and expectations aren’t high for the 2024 Mets, but Evan couldn’t believe the attendance was that small.
“I’m almost shocked,” Evan said. “I’m stunned to deliver that kind of news.”