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Padres experiencing increased attendance and ratings

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

There is undoubtedly an increased interest in the Padres this season. Fox Sports San Diego is breaking all kinds of its own ratings records.  FSSD reports increases of 66% year-over-year. Friday's game against Los Angeles was the number one cable program of the day.

"Our ratings success on FOX Sports San Diego and sellouts at Petco Park truly reflects San Diego Padres fan enthusiasm surrounding each game’s exciting lineup," said Henry Ford, Senior Vice President and General Manager, FOX Sports San Diego. "It’s nice to see continued and growing support for our hometown team!

Rank

Rating

Date

Game

1

7.18

4/24/2015

vs LAD

2

6.55

4/21/2015

at COL

2

6.55

4/15/2015

vs. AZ

4

6.11

4/9/2015

vs. SF

5

5.99

4/20/2015

at COL

The Padres themselves are also experiencing unusually high attendance at Petco Park.  After 10 home games they've already drawn more than 300,000 fans.  This past weekend alone, the series against the Dodgers, drew more than 130,000.

I decided to check to see how the attendance for the first 10 home games compares to the totals of past seasons.  It appears that the 2015 Padres are off to a 4th place start.  Only the 2004, 2000, 2005 had better attendance in the opening days.

One thing I should note, this data is from Baseball Reference and in 1969 and the early 70's they don't have some attendance data, which may skew some of those results but will not change the ranking at the top of the list.

A season also benefits from its opening opponents and the Padres have started with two of their top 7 biggest draws.  Have a look:

Total attendance for first 10 home games

Year

Attendance in first 10 home games

2004

381,064

2000

373,801

2005

372,848

2015

361,690

1999

361,374

1998

349,457

2007

349,207

1985

345,010

2001

334,124

1990

324,187

2002

323,317

2006

320,484

1986

317,752

2003

314,788

2008

306,547

2009

300,282

2011

289,554

2014

280,681

1991

278,465

1977

270,408

1989

267,276

1992

266,795

1996

260,796

2013

254,900

2012

254,720

1997

252,715

1982

245,785

1984

244,138

1983

242,840

1979

240,531

1978

239,202

1988

234,438

2010

229,269

1976

224,918

1980

216,891

1987

215,521

1975

207,476

1993

174,427

1994

152,476

1981

147,507

1995

145,323

1974

124,390

1969

108,668

1973

101,185

1970

91,588

1971

83,236

1972

67,868