51s’ loss reflects subpar season

Steve Addy

Monday, Aug. 27, 2001 | 10:22 a.m.

Fresno first baseman Damon Minor went 5-for-5 with two home runs and five RBIs as the 51s dropped their home finale.

Minor's three-run homer in the fifth inning tied it 3-3 and he hit a two-run shot in the seventh when Fresno scored four to erase a 6-3 deficit.

On the field and at the gate, the 51s' final home game illustrated exactly how the new club struggled all season.

It wasn't especially shocking that the 51s wasted leads of 3-0 and 6-3 before losing to the Fresno Grizzlies 7-6 on Sunday at Cashman Field.

After all, they have been mired in mediocrity since a 1-5 start and spent most of the year just trying to get back to .500. At 66-70 with eight games to go, they probably won't make it.

In the stands, one night after an announced crowd of 10,109 on Fan Appreciation Night, the 51s were back to their standard abysmal turnout. The crowd was announced at 5,534, but the estimated house was closer to 1,500.

After completing a 72-game home schedule, it's obvious the 51s remain an alien concept to much of the community.

Their average announced attendance finished at 4,621. That's up 144 from last year's 4,477 in the Las Vegas Stars' 18th and final season, but still lower than 1999 (4,718) and 1998 (4,800). The 51s aimed for 30 sellouts, but mustered 17, one fewer than last season.

"We had hoped the attendance would grow more, but that's a work in progress," president/GM Don Logan said.

Nevertheless, the numbers are disappointing considering the franchise's affiliation switch from the San Diego Padres to the L.A. Dodgers. Instead of naming the club the Las Vegas Dodgers and milking the Dodger Blue tradition, club owner Mandalay Sports Entertainment chose the 51s nickname and an alien theme.

That decision drew much local criticism, and some in the Dodgers' front office weren't thrilled either. Last week, senior VP Tommy Lasorda told the L.A. Times he dislikes the nickname.

"I would have liked to have seen the Las Vegas Dodgers," he said. "I don't even know what a 51 is. What is it?"

Informed that Area 51 is a Nevada military base reputed to house evidence of aliens and UFOs, Lasorda said, "If it's a secret, then how do people know about it?"

Getting locals to know about -- and, more crucially, care about -- the 51s was a season-long battle for Logan and the marketing and PR staffs. But he believes the popularity of 51s merchandise and the gate improvement, however small, vindicates the name choice.

"We did a complete makeover -- logo, affiliation, everything -- and it's going to take time to hit on all cylinders," Logan said. "But the attendance did grow. If it didn't, people could say whatever they want, but we got better.

"We sold more (group) tickets than ever before, and we're going to keep on pushing. There's a bigger pool of fans for us out there. To me, we're the best family-oriented attraction in Las Vegas."

On the field, Logan thinks manager Rick Sofield has done a particularly good job, considering the slow start -- from 1-5 to 11-21 on May 8 -- and the constant roster flux due to the Dodgers' many injuries, particularly on the mound.

Until the Dodgers hire a replacement for GM Kevin Malone, who quit in April, it won't be clear if Sofield will remain with the 51s next season. But Logan sounds like he's in his corner.

"It's a real testament to Rick and his staff that we've hung as close (to first place) as we have," Logan said. "It's hard to keep a Triple-A team on track with so much (player) movement if you're not going good. A less-committed manager and staff could easily be 20 or 30 games under .500."