Jones calls Orioles' lackluster attendance 'sad'

The Baltimore Orioles are in the midst of a hotly contested playoff race in the American League, won an AL East title in 2014, and have marquee players such as the powerful Chris Davis, home run leader Mark Trumbo, and flashy superstar Adam Jones on their roster, yet they can't seem to get butts in seats at home games.

Baltimore ranks 20th in MLB attendance, averaging just 19,422 fans during the first two games of their current showdown with the Boston Red Sox, which is dumbfounding to Jones, arguably the team's franchise player.

"It's sad. It's eerie," Jones told ESPN's Eddie Matz. "We grind and grind, and grind. We understand, there's a lot that factors into it. Ticket prices being higher, although you can bring in food and beverages. Marketing and promotions, I'm sure they're not the best. I get all that."

Since 2012, no team in the AL East has won more games (439) than Baltimore, which is why Jones doesn't understand the lack of fans in attendance at one of baseball's most beautiful parks, Camden Yards.

"I'm just saying, the city wanted a winner - the last five years we got 'em a winner," he explained. "I don't know if they've gotten complacent already on us winning. I wish they haven't. I hope they haven't. Because winning is fun every single year, and being in this race is exciting every single year. So to the ones that come every night, thank you with open arms."

Baltimore is currently holding onto the second wild-card spot in the AL, with an 82-69 record, but the Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, and Seattle Mariners are all within three games of overtaking them for the important position.