Giants' record sellout streak comes to an end

SAN FRANCISCO -- For roughly 6 1/2 years, the Giants drew sellouts game after game -- 530, to be exact -- to AT&T Park.
But Monday, that streak ended. The Giants drew 39,538 for their 5-3 loss to Cleveland, giving the organization its first under-capacity crowd since Sept. 30, 2010.
The streak was the Majors' active longest, the longest in National League history and the second-longest in Major League history. The Red Sox drew 794 consecutive regular-season sellouts from 2003 to 2013.
"It's definitely special to have a streak like that," said Player Page for Matt Cain, who has been on the Giants' roster since the streak began. "It's meaningful for everybody in here. It's not something that you get to be a part of all the time."
Beyond the 530 regular-season games, the team sold out AT&T Park for 25 postseason games. The streak's inauguration coincided with the Giants' ascent to the top of the Majors -- a World Series title -- three times.

530 consecutive sellouts: the longest streak in NL history. An incredible accomplishment thanks to the best fans in baseball.#SFGiants pic.twitter.com/KKnWrTYprK

— San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) July 18, 2017

Giants president Larry Baer appeared on the team's radio and television broadcasts to reflect on the streak's longevity in an uncharacteristically tumultuous season.
"It's just been a great journey -- the sellout streak," Baer said. "We're going to have a bunch of sellouts this year; probably most of the games will be sold out. Wednesday, I think we'll start a new sellout streak. We're pretty close to having it sold out."
Nevertheless, Monday presented a natural moment of reflection. That was certainly the case for Giants manager Bruce Bochy, who has been at the helm since the streak's inception.
"It's been a tough go, but the one constant has been our support," Bochy said of the club's fans. "We can't thank them enough. It's a shame we couldn't hang in there to keep this thing going, but they certainly did their part. ... We're disappointed we're not in a better position for our fans because there's not a place in baseball like what we have here. There isn't."
Cain said the team's backing has played a key role in helping the Giants climb the proverbial baseball ladder.
"It means a lot," Cain said. "It just shows how much the city has come together, and it's pretty cool they've come together for a sporting event and hopefully a good entertainment show."