Ah, since 2008 the economy has been in the shitter? Increased coverage of MLB cable and YES network, local and national? There are way too many other factors beyond the cost of a ticket. MLB is a very successful and saavy business. There were numerous economic indicators that showed that the everyday lower to middle class fan was not attending games at a clip where it made sense to cater to that target market. Simple market analysis showed that game attendance shifted to upper-middle class and up, with a heavier emphasis on business/corporate oriented attendance demographics.
Does it suck for some, sure. But those people are likely also being priced out of rock concerts, vacation travel, etc. The continued destruction of the true middle class and the creation of maker vs. taker class system explains most of this.
Look at team revenue:
2014: $461M estimate
2013: $471M
2012: $440M
2011: $427M
2010: $441M
2009: $375M
2008: $327M
2007: $302M
2006: $277M
2005: $264M
Nice growth trend, with a blip up the year following a series win. The franchise was valued at $905M in 2005, in 2014...$2.5B. You think that empty seats are hurting the bottom line? Sorry guys, this isn't the game you grew up with....its a business, its not personal.