APRIL 5, 1993 | NEW YORK, MIAMI – Two new National League franchises began play on this date in 1993. The expansion Colorado Rockies played their first game on the road at Shea Stadium in New York. They were shut out by the Mets 3-0. The Florida Marlins‘ (The team was known as the “Florida” Marlins until 2012 when they became the Miami Marlins) first game was at home in Miami. They beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6 to 3 at Joe Robbie Stadium. The Rockies and Marlins joining the National League was the first NL expansion since 1969.
Since entering the league the Marlins have done remarkably well on the field, but the Rockies have done considerably better at the turnstile. The Rockies set a major league record drawing 4,483,350 fans in their inaugural year, but the Marlins have already won two World Series -1997 and 2003.
The Rockies are one of just four teams to draw over 4-million fans. The others are the Blue Jays, Yankees and Mets. The Rockies probably would have drawn 4 million more often, but the franchise moved in 1995 from 80,000 seat Mile High Stadium where the Denver Broncos NFL teamed played at the time, to Coors Field, which seats 50,227.
The Rockies have drawn over 3 million fans 9 of their first 25 years, including the year they drew over 4-million. The Marlins have only surpassed the 3 million mark once – their first year. They’ve drawn over 2-million 3 times since the Rockies and Marlins joined the National League in 1993.
CONTRIBUTING SOURCES:
Baseball-Almanac – Expansion Era
ESPN – Attendance