Someone sent me a link to this conversation. Great stuff. One of the big things the Marlins need is more fans like most of you who have posted here. I appreciate everyone’s passion.
One of the commenters wondered what motivated me to send out the Tweets I did Sunday night. I’ll answer that question here.
I was on the team bus, heading from the ballpark to the airport after the Marlins finished off the sweep of the Phillies Sunday. I was reflecting on a 20-15 stretch and, especially, the just-completed 5-2 road trip, watching the team play so well for a week in a couple of great baseball markets in ballparks packed with 40,0000 passionate fans each night night. And then I thought about flying home to an incredible ballpark but only 6,000 fans and Max Scherzer Tuesday night.
It just hit me that things are beginning to change for this franchise on and off the field under this new ownership, and it’s time that people begin to acknowledge that. Things are improving in tangible ways that people in this discussion can see. As someone who grew up down here and left the Boston Red Sox because I wanted to work for my hometown team at a time when I probably still smelled like champagne after winning a second World Series in my last 4 seasons there in 2007, it frustrates the heck out of me that too many people just won’t move on from things that happened under previous owners 5 or 10 or 25 years ago. At some point, you’re either a baseball fan, or you’re not. You’re either a Marlins fan, or you’re not. In my eyes, it’s not a crime to not care about the Marlins. That’s cool. But eventually that’s on you. That’s not on a former owner. It’s not about needing a new ballpark or needing to be out of the heat and the rain. It’s not about trading away players people loved but somehow played in front of the lowest attendance in the league year after year. At some point, own it. It’s on you.
Now, I realize that most of the people reading this don’t fall into that group. As I said in the thread, I can’t begin to express my appreciation for those who are dedicated fans of this team. I acknowledge it hasn’t always been easy to be a Marlins fan. But you know what? Your faith and your devotion is getting closer to being rewarded. For the first time in its history, this franchise has a plan that is being adhered to and is in the earliest stages of bearing fruit. As much as we want to celebrate some of the exciting things beginning to happen as some players graduate to the big leagues, others begin to establish themselves and some begin to produce because they’re finally healthy, we’re still in the 2nd or 3rd inning of this thing. There is so much more talent on the way. Guys who will be here before the end of this season. Some who will arrive next year. Some further down the road.
They have transformed the scouting and player development operation. They are doing things internationally that have never before been done here. They have transformed the clubhouse and organizational culture. They are bringing in talented players who want to be here and are being taught daily what it takes to sustain success. And they’re immersing themselves in the community and have worked hard to improve the ballpark experience through various enhancements, including cheaper tickets and concessions. You can go to a game for $10 and buy ballpark staples for $3 or $5.
I could go on, but there’s probably a character limit at some point. Just wanted to say thanks to those of you who have been supportive of the team and to those who supported my thread the other night. I hope you guys will keep coming out to Marlins Park and will encourage others to do so. Explain to people what you and I are seeing that maybe they don’t yet see. It’s not going to win over everybody, but that’s fine. Fans like you can be part of the solution.
Thanks for the passion! Look forward to seeing you at Marlins Park, and here’s to some great days down the road for this franchise. Fans like you deserve them more than anybody.
Glenn
