Evening star., 1962-08-22

BuseboII Dying
In Milwaukee
By MORRIS SIEGEL

THE BIER THAT MADE Milwaukee famous could very
likely be that of baseball The home of the Braves is
route to chunk of dubious prominence the first
franchise in history to lose than IL million
toners in a four-year stretch and still survive
The detection of Braves who fought for the
privilege of buying tickets is for serious alarm in
the National League The for the drop can be
found in the standings where the Braves, habtua
tenders for the pennant since their from Bos
ton in 1883 are grouped with the alSo-rans
Owner Lou Perni UNDERSTANDABLE disturbed, has had
the club up for sale for two The latest report
Perin seriously considering return to Boston to battle
the Red Sox another basket at the box office for
the baseball dollar AS impauSibe this sounds it is
not altogether impossible.
The Red Sox at the last countdown, were more than
100000 behind last year when they attracted only 100000
The absence of Ted Williams from Tom Yawkeys troops
plus their general nepneSs has gotten the Red Sox all but
banned by the Boston public Even his fellow owners
would deny him permission to go back home it wouldn't
stop Perin if he really wanted to move.
IN 1858, WHEN HE switched to Milwaukee, he was
similarly vetoed by brethren But he moved Gentle
men, he told the dissenters by your vote you don't
want to That is prerogative. It's mine to
do business where do the most good. In making
your travel plans for the year strongly suggest you in
clude Milwaukee in your itinerary because that's where
you'll find the Braves"
Less than 10 years age necessary to have con-
necon order to buy ticket to the Braves play in
Milwaukee. That's when they winning or almost
winning pennantS and drawing more than million 1anS
year. That years back Today it's possible to
see most of the same old cast-Warren SPAIN, Eddie
Mathews Lou Burdete Del Crandall, Hank Aaron, Joe
Adcock and others for only 80 cents.
This is of course not daily bargain but it did hap
pen last when grocery chain bought 5000 tickets
at the bargain price The idea to fill County Stadium
again change almost nightly occurrence when the
banana but something which hasn't hap
pened once this year at SO cents Braves fans dis
enchanted with their team failed to take advantage OF the
bargain.
WHAT HAPPENED TO ATTENDANCE in Milwaukee is
no mystery. They too good too quick. The same
group that mped in seventh in Boston in 1852 crashed
through to second place the following the first in
its new home years and several million fans later
the Braves made it, beating the Yankees In the World
Series to climax their trip up the glory road
Another pennant came in '58 and third straight
missed by the margin Of playof with the Dodgers
the following year. The pace hndsight indicates was
too much the fans who had been led to believe the
Braves should win every year When 1T appeared they
wouldn't attendance dropped off, This year. for example
the same town that turned out 2l55O7 strong in 1857
will be lucky to draw 100000.
BALI, CLUB OFFICIALS blamed everything for the
turnste lag They coaxed the city fathers to permit
fans to bring their beer into the park 1t was cheaper
in the package stores than at the stadium concessions
booths Braves officials argued and the price discrepancy
was keeping customers away.
The county commissioners agreed it convenience
no Braves rooter should be denied They agreed 70 let
the guzzers bring brew in another convenience
for those who wish to their dSpeasure on the same
crew that was idolized a few million fans ago.
So far none Of players has been hit indicating the
the fans has dropped to the same level
as the accuracy of the second-division Braves