- Celebrating their 15th anniversary season, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs finished the 2023 season as attendance champions
- They led the entirety of the minor leagues in total attendance and average attendance
- It was the first time since 2012 that the IronPigs led MiLB in both categories
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The fervor of Red October appears to have rippled through Allentown, from the fall of 2022 through the summer of 2023.
One season removed from a trip to the World Series by their parent club, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs finished as 2023 attendance champions, leading the minors in total attendance (567,322) and in average attendance (7,990).
It's the first time since 2012 that the IronPigs have led MiLB in both categories.
A 15th anniversary season to remember
The IronPigs had 31 sellouts and 15 capacity sellouts (10,1000) this season, a release said Tuesday.
It was enough to return them to the top spot in MiLB for attendance for the third time, having led the minors in average and total attendance in 2011 and 2012, and average attendance in 2010.
The 'Pigs pushed for a second half title, but those hopes were dashed when they were officially eliminated from postseason contention on Sept. 22.
Prior to the IronPigs' loss, the Durham Bulls already had defeated the Gwinnett Stripers earlier in the night to clinch the second half International League title.
Lehigh Valley's final games were rained out, but several players have moved up to the big league roster as the Phillies look to clinch a postseason berth.
They include relief pitcher Orion Kerkering, who made a quick stop in Allentown on the way to his major league debut Sunday.
Kerkering got promoted from Triple-A on Friday after a whirlwind season that saw him jump from Single-A Clearwater to High-A Jersey Shore to Double-A Reading to the Lehigh Valley.
If the Phillies make the postseason, he'll be the first Phillies pitcher since Marty Bystrom in 1980 to make his debut in September and pitch in the playoffs.
IronPigs look to 2024
“We want to thank our sponsors, community partners, employees and our fans for their fantastic support over 15 seasons,” IronPigs President and General Manager Kurt Landes said in the release.
The IronPigs have called the Lehigh Valley home since 2008.
“To lead all of Minor League Baseball in attendance in our 15th season is an incredible testament that we’re so very proud of our community and Bacon USA," Landes said.
The IronPigs will kick off the 2024 season on Friday, March 29, hosting the Worcester WooSox at Coca-Cola Park.
