Apr 29, 2015

An empty Orioles ballpark

Kalani Gordon 0 Comment Orioles, Sports, The Baltimore Sun Baltimore protests, Baltimore riots, baseball, freddie gray, MLB, Orioles

39 Photos

The Orioles game on April 29 was believed to be the first game in major league history to be played without a paying crowd.

So what was the lowest attended game before today?

: The Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles play a baseball game, Wednesday, April 29, 2015, in Baltimore. The game was played in an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards amid unrest in Baltimore over the death of Freddie Gray at the hands of police. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

: The stands are seen empty before the Baltimore Orioles play the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore’s west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: The main concourse is seen empty before the Baltimore Orioles play the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore’s west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: The stands are seen empty before the Baltimore Orioles play the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore’s west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: The upper deck refreshment area is seen empty before the Baltimore Orioles play the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore’s west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: The Baltimore Orioles play the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore’s west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: Alexei Ramirez #10 of the Chicago White Sox sits in the stands before playing the Baltimore Orioles at an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore’s west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: Batter Chris Davis #19 of the Baltimore Orioles hits a three-run home run off of starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija #29 of the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore’s west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: Chris Davis #19 of the Baltimore Orioles hits a three-run home run in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. The game was played without spectators due to the social unrest in Baltimore. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

: Baltimore Orioles’ Everth Cabrera, bottom center, runs toward first base as he doubles in the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Wednesday, April 29, 2015, in Baltimore. Manny Machado scored on the play. The game was played in an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards amid unrest in Baltimore over the death of Freddie Gray at the hands of police. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

: The stands are seen empty before the Baltimore Orioles play the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore’s west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: A bar showing the baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox sits empty behind center field, Wednesday, April 29, 2015, in Baltimore. Due to security concerns the game was closed to the public. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

: Baseball fans watch from a hotel across the street during a closed baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox, Wednesday, April 29, 2015, in Baltimore. Due to security concerns the game was closed to the public. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

: Shown is a section of Oriole Park at Camden Yards stadium just before a Baltimore Orioles baseball game against the Chicago White Sox’s, Wednesday, April 29, 2015, in Baltimore. The game was played in an empty stadium amid unrest in Baltimore over the death of Freddie Gray at the hands of police. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

: Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez throws to Chicago White Sox’s Adam Eaton in the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 29, 2015, in Baltimore. The game was played in an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards amid unrest in Baltimore over the death of Freddie Gray at the hands of police. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

: Orioles’ Alejandro De Aza gestures toward thew White Sox dugout before start of today’s game. The Orioles plays the Chicago White Sox to an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Wednesday. The first two games of the series were cancelled due to the wide spread riots and looting on Monday in Baltimore resulting from protest over the death of Freddie Gray. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Orioles and White Sox players stand for the playing of the National Anthem. The Orioles plays the Chicago White Sox to an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Wednesday. The first two games of the series were cancelled due to the wide spread riots and looting on Monday in Baltimore resulting from protest over the death of Freddie Gray. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Orioles fans, who were locked out of the game, watched the first inning of the game from outside the flag court gate at Camden Yards. Fans were not allow into the game because of safety concerns. The Orioles plays the Chicago White Sox to an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Wednesday. The first two games of the series were cancelled due to the wide spread riots and looting on Monday in Baltimore resulting from protest over the death of Freddie Gray. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Orioles’ Adam Jones runs to second base on a double in the eighth inning. The Orioles defeated the Chicago White Sox by score of 8 to 2 in an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Wednesday. The game was played in two hours and three minutes. The first two games of the series were cancelled due to the wide spread riots and looting on Monday in Baltimore resulting from protest over the death of Freddie Gray. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: The Orioles defeated the Chicago White Sox by score of 8 to 2 in an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Wednesday. The game was played in two hours and three minutes. The first two games of the series were cancelled due to the wide spread riots and looting on Monday in Baltimore resulting from protest over the death of Freddie Gray. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: A sliding door is closed in main concourse before the Baltimore Orioles play the Chicago White Sox at an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore’s west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: Maryland State Troopers get out of a vehicle after arriving at the command post set up in the parking lot between Oriole Park and Ravens stadium. Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun

: An empty Oriole Park is photographed from the outside before the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles baseball game, Wednesday, April 29, 2015, in Baltimore. Due to security concerns the game was closed to the public. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

: An empty Oriole Park is photographed before the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles baseball game, Wednesday, April 29, 2015, in Baltimore. Due to security concerns the game was closed to the public. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

: The attendance board in the press room before the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. The game was played without spectators due to the social unrest in Baltimore. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) The attendance board in the press room before the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. The game was played without spectators due to the social unrest in Baltimore. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

: An empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards is seen before Baltimore Orioles play the Chicago White Sox on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore’s west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: An entrance sits empty before the Baltimore Orioles play the Chicago White Sox at an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore’s west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: A welcome sign stands off to the side before the Baltimore Orioles play the Chicago White Sox at an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore’s west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: An entrance sits empty before the Baltimore Orioles play the Chicago White Sox at an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore’s west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: Ticket windows are closed before the Baltimore Orioles play the Chicago White Sox at an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore’s west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: Maryland National Guard vehicles at the command post in the parking lot between Oriole Park and Ravens stadium. Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun

: An entrance sits empty before the Baltimore Orioles play the Chicago White Sox at an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore’s west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: The concourse sits empty before the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. The game will be played without spectators due to the social unrest in Baltimore. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

: The grounds crew prepares the field before the Baltimore Orioles play the Chicago White Sox at an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore’s west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: The grounds crew prepares the field before the Baltimore Orioles play the Chicago White Sox at an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore’s west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: The grounds crew prepares the field before the Baltimore Orioles play the Chicago White Sox at an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore’s west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: The grounds crew prepares the field before the Baltimore Orioles play the Chicago White Sox at an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore’s west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: A vendor waits for an elevator after removing food from concessions before the Baltimore Orioles play the Chicago White Sox at an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore’s west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: Chicago White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers sits in the dugout of an empty stadium before playing the Baltimore Orioles in a baseball game, Wednesday, April 29, 2015, in Baltimore. Due to security concerns the game was closed to the public. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

It was a game between the Troy (N.Y.) Trojans and the Worcester (Mass.) Ruby Legs on Sept.28, 1882, when six fans attended the game at the Worcester Driving Park Grounds.

So why was the attendance to that game, which was won by Troy 4-1, so small? Here’s the way MLB’s historian John Thorn explains it.

Both teams were National League franchises and both had been recently informed that their franchises weren’t being renewed for the 1883 season. The NL was looking to get bigger and both teams would be replaced by teams awarded to larger markets.

Neither team was very good on the field. In the eight-team NL standings, Troy (35-48) and Worcester (18-66) finished seventh and eighth, respectively. In fact, Troy finished the season 37 games back of the first-place Chicago White Stockings.

How bad was the Worcester team? According to Baseball Reference, the team went through three managers over the course of an 84-game season.

An empty Orioles ballpark

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