Attendance takes a hit

Rich Aurilia noticed all the empty seats as he made his way around the major leagues during the second half of this season.

“You have to,” the San Francisco Giants infielder said. “I think you do in the places where the teams are totally out of it.”

Attendance has dropped 6.9 percent across the majors to its lowest level since 2003, an average of 30,276. That follows a 0.8 percent slide last year from the record average of 32,785 set in 2007.

Given the recession and the decrease in capacity in two new ballparks that opened in New York this year, baseball officials are pleased.

“Obviously, I’ve stated how well we’ve done,” commissioner Bud Selig said this week. “I’ll have plenty to say after I’ve seen the final numbers.”

With hardly any pennant races, the attendance slide has been more pronounced during the second half.

Gaston speaks out

Toronto Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston expressed surprise over stinging criticism from his own team, and insisted he doesn’t feel the need to regain favor in his own clubhouse. Published and Internet reports, using information attributed to players who spoke anonymously, detailed widespread problems that players want addressed, including the perception that the 65-year-old Gaston displayed a negative attitude and a passive managerial style. They also reportedly complained that Gaston isn’t effectively communicating with them about playing time.

Clearing the bases

Dave Trembley will return to manage the Baltimore Orioles next year. The Orioles said they were exercising their 2010 option on his contract. … A person familiar with the decision says Kevin Towers, the longest-tenured general manager in the major leagues, is being fired by the San Diego Padres. Towers is in his 14th season. … Pitching coach Dick Pole has been fired by the Cincinnati Reds. Pole was finishing his third season with the team. … Players voted 1,055-4 to endorse the executive board’s recommendation in July that Michael Weiner become the next executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, replacing Donald Fehr. … Lenny Dykstra ’s championship ring from the 1986 World Series has been auctioned off for more than $56,000. Dykstra filed for bankruptcy in July.