This is sad:
The Rays drew 1,510,300 for their 81 home games, their lowest total since 2007 (before the run of six straight winning seasons), and giving them a major league-low average of 18,646.
"We budget for certain numbers and we're extraordinarily conservative when it comes to expectations and budgeting, but it was below our expectations," Sternberg said, noting that the combination of the team over-performing on the field and under-performing at the gate "is not ideal."
Without getting into specifics, Sternberg said there would be an impact on next season's budget, although a long postseason run could make up for the revenue shortfall. The Rays ranked 28th this season with an opening day payroll of about $58 million.
Sternberg said it was not fair for the Rays, who play 76 games against the other rugged AL East teams, to be battling with the Indians and Rangers, who each benefit from having two of the league's worst teams in their divisions.