aperez

Listen, no disrespect to you or your opinion, but if MLB was pushing for a site, I'm going to go ahead and say that a ballpark will fit on the site or they wouldn't have been wasting their time on it. And I'm sure it would be pretty easy to find another site for the Juvenile court. Hell, what are they doing with the old Fed. Court once they move into the new building? Maybe it's the fact that I was just in Wrigley , but I feel like a tiny intimate ballpark would be great, and the atmosphere around the stadium in downtown could be cool. Plus I really think the Corporate sales opportunities are MUCH bigger when you're in downtown. Not to mention access to the Downtown site will be much easier than for the OB site. Metrorail, all the downtown parking garages, and people just walking there straight from work, maybe grabbing a bite to eat before the game. I just have this picture that seems to work really well in downtown.

I think UM people also got tickets for $1 for saturdays game.. including a free hotdog, soda and chips. Personally, it made me sick watching them try to woo the Canes there. I'm in the stay in the OB if at all feasible group. I actually think that the Canes leaving the OB would hurt the Marlins too. If the Canes leave, the Miami politicos will try to force the Marlins into the OB land, which I don't think works. You get the same problem you have at DS which is mainly that it's not easy to get to 3-5 nights a week. Both sites work fine for football cause you only go there 6-8 times a year and most of those are on a weekend. For baseball however, I believe the downtown is the only option that would keep attendance high after the 1-3 year honeymoon period of the new park is over.

I can't stand people who actually sit here and tell us that things would have been better if we had tried to keep the team together. We did that the last two years and were in the hunt through Sept. (as we are this year) and the response from the avg SoFla. fan(which is who I think Treanor is talking about) is a collective yawn. I'm a huge sports fan, I'd say the Marlins are my second biggest addiction right after the Canes and I bash the avg. fan of the Canes as much as I will the same of the Marlins. SoFla. fans in general just don't show up unless it's the place to be seen, or the team is in the playoffs. I'm sick and tired of all the damn excuses, of the "there's so much to do in Miami", and the "the weather sucks", and "it's too hot". I think Boog says it best when he gets given those excuses, Is everyone out windsurfing on the bay? and was it not hot and rainy during the 93' and 94 season when we averaged over 30k. I'm not even buying the whole Firesale thing anymore, teams sometimes have to rebuild, especially teams that are operating on tight budgets, it's a fact of sports. I think people should be praising how quickly this team normally turns it around rather than focusing on the actual rebuilding. I mean, look at other teams that are just constantly losing and don't seem to be doing anything to move up. I bet if you asked the average Red Sox fan if they would have sacrificed a few years of rebuilding before winning the championship they would have been fine with it and probably would have sold out every game during that rebuilding. I think most of us on this board are not who Treanor was talking about. We're fans of the team, and when we can, we go. I've gone to maybe 10 games this season and that's because I can't afford to go to more. Not because I'm mad at the team, and not because it's too expensive (4 for $54 is all I have to say, tell me a better bargain in sports..) but because I work and I go to class at night and have other things that take up my times as well. Treanor is talking to some of those people that show up for the World Series and suddenly don't complain about the prices, the parking, the location, the weather, or anything. They probably pay more for 1 World Series game than they would have for season tickets. I remember in 2003 while we were making our run seeing crowds just like the ones I've been seeing this year, right up until we clinched the wild card, so please don't tell me that it's all just because of this last fire sale. Again, I think all of us that go when we can should be secure in knowing that Matt is probably not talking to us, because we care. He speaks to those who yawn when the Marlins are mentioned but who will be the ones filling the stadium if we happen to make the playoffs again just to be able to say they were there..

Actually the Miami Arena was purchased at auction 2 years ago for $28 Million by Glenn Straub and he in turn has an agreement on the table to sell it to Scott Silver for $55 Million. It must be nice to make almost 100% on an investment in 2 years... if only I had had 28million laying around to spend on things like that...lol

Actually, I would think a name change would make the team a lot more money than it would cost them. Just think of all the new stuff they get to sell with the new team name and all that. Not that I want the name changed or anything. I mean, would it really cost the team anything?? The name change would occur for a new stadium, which means all the signage is new anyways. There won't really be an added expense in uniforms, cause they are still just new uniforms. Maybe the cost of a new design or two, but teams are constantly looking for new designs anyways.. I just don't see where this Enormous Expense is coming from.

The only part of that article that irritates me is his attitude of everything centering around Chicago. The way things are these days in terms of players moving around a bunch, it's easy to say that someone's whole team came from some city/team. Yeah those guys aren't on our team anymore, but even with those guys, the Cubs won't win anything. And with the guys we've gotten from them, we might make another run before they do.

Tell me, does Florida ever hire any employees who come from Florida? This guy makes such a big deal about the Marlin players who used to be Cub's or associated with the city of Chicago. Someone write this guy and let him know that the best player on their team (although injured) was a Marlin, their leadoff hitter was a Marlin, John Mabry a Marlin, Ryan Dempster a Marlin, their pitching coach Admin Rothschild was a Marlin coach too. And they've had plenty of people with ties to South Florida and the Marlins on their roster in the past. What a douche this guy..seems like somebody is still just a tad bit bitter about 2003...lol

Actually, 15 acres would be just about what is needed for the stadium. The Bicentennial Park plan was going to be a 15 acre stadium with a 15 acre park around it. Man, that plan was so beautiful, brings a tear to my eye that this didn't get done. It's sad how under-utilized our bayfront parks are, especially bicentennial park and bayfront amphitheatre (Which if upgraded could probably be one of the top outdoor venues, with some of the most spectacular views) An now we're going to have this Museum Park (maybe in 15 years the way the city seems to work) which isn't going to be offering as much open space "park" as this plan was going to.. oh well, these are the kind of things that happen in miami...

"also that neighborhood sucks, id rather not hear any shootings during my baseball game" Are you serious?!? Have you been to that area of town? It's a bunch of old cubans, it is not dangerous. It's not the prettiest part of town, nor the wealthiest...but dangerous?!? You've got to be kidding... The only gunshots you're likely to hear there is of the INS boys going in to grab Elian..lol

The biggest factor in putting a stadium up there is definitely the public transportation. If I could take a train to games I would have season tickets in a flash, instead of just going to about 10-15 games a season. The Metrorail line to the stadiums should be pushed up in priority as a part of any stadium deal up there. Also, in terms of hot spots Fish Fan, you are 100% correct. Anyone been to the Paradise Live area of the Hard Rock Casino? That place is packed nightly, I think this is a great example of what Wayne would like to create around the stadiums, Clubs, Bars, Resautrants, some shops, and a Hotel, and maybe some gambling in the future...though the Poker room at Calder is right there too.. so technically there is Gambling around the site.

I think the reason people are still on this is because it seems to at least be gaining some supporters in terms of more newspapers discussing the idea, but this won't even happen I imagine. BTW, I'll find out about codes for AAA since I worked for the engineering firm who did a lot of the electrical engineering for it, but I would imagine it is up to code, but doubt they would want people to go there since its literally right on the water..

I'm not at all claiming the Loria is fattening his own wallet, I completely understand his financial complications (as much as an outsider can). I was reffering more to the community leaders who would probably spearhead this project and have it become like the PAC where those in charge of construction are giving all the jobs to thier contractor friends. In terms of logistics, getting everyone to 1 shelter is very difficult. Especially one in Weston?!? If you're saying that Downton miami needs more shelters to handle all the new residents (which btw, most of those new condo sales are 2nd or 3rd homes if not just investments) then by all means, lets build them nearby downton Miami. Which, btw, if there is a huge increase they will build more school, which means more shelters.. I'm not saying I wouldn't love the idea of a new stadium. But I think some of you are looking thru some pretty thick Marlins goggles and not seeing that if public officials get their hands on this too much, its going to be a very long and expensive process. My favorite thing about the way Loria and the Marlins have been handling this is that they want to control all the construction which means no corruption and no years of delays (again, like the PAC)

South Florida is not in need of more shelters, especially not just one monster shelter. Every school that is constructed nowadays is built to be a shelter. Also, it is preferable to have shelters spread out over a large area rather than having just 1 main shelter, that makes it easier to get to the shelters because you don't have everyone trying to get to one place which causes major traffic problems. I think this idea is completely useless. You're going to have people using the tragedy of a hurricane and of an incapable local government in NO to suggest ideas like this for no other reason than to fatten their own wallets.

Actually, from what I hear, FIU is set to start construction on a new stadium after either this year or the following, and I believe the money is coming from the Micosukee.. I think its going to be like a 30-35k stadium, obviously with plenty of expansion possibility. Not a bad idea to have it there, but the OB would be right in the heart of Little Havana. If you make the tickets cheap enough you can get some good numbers there I think.

The University rents the stadium I believe. Also, they are putting forth a lot of money for the proposed renovations to my understading. Also the City is not "on the hook" to provide a stadium for a private institution, the city owns the stadium....not the University. Therefore if the city makes the stadium better they can attract more events, like more soccer matches, more College Football Bowl Games, hell, maybe they could even get the Orange Bowl game back. Also, maybe they could try MLS again down here and put it where it always belonged...in the OB.

Ok, as far as being a fan of a school you never went to. At least in my case my mom went to UM and started taking me to games when I was 7, so they have always been my team. Actually, I went to a Penn State Miami game at the OB while I was in the womb...so I guess you can call it a lifetime obsession. I have only missed a handul of games since 89'. Now, yes Miami does have some of the worst fans of a College Football powerhouse (except for the small group of hardcore fans), sitting thru those rough probation years. The comparison to UF is not really fair. You have about 4 times as many students at UF than miami, and over the years, that builds the alumni base that cause that stadium to be sold out. As far as the better experience at DS...I'm sorry, call me crazy, but the OB just has so much more character and is a MUCH better college football experience. Yes the bathrooms, concessions and concourses are better at DS, but watching a game there is just boring, you can't get into it like you can at the OB. Who needs chairbacks, those are completley unnecessary for college football, some of the best stadiums don't have many chairbacks, like The Swamp which you mentioned,Notre Dame, Tennessee...most of the seats are blecaher style. Whenever I go to a game at DS I feel like I can't stand and cheer except for good plays... You just don't feel into the game whereas at the OB I stand the whole game in the West End Zoen. In terms of the renovations, I think they might attract more fans, Luxury Boxes would help with revenue from the stadium and who knows....if its very nice,they might even bring back the Orange Bowl game to the OB. or at the very least some other bowl games. By the way, I believe that UM is to give a large amount of that money that is to be used for the renovation... I don't know about the specifics but I could have sworn I heard Pau Dee say that they had a lot of their own money to add to what the city is paying. And the city money is going to a city structure, not a structure owned and operated by UM.

Yeah they shoud be near campus...but you try convincing Coral Gables residents to let the University build a 70k seat stadium in their city...lol

The stadium is not falling apart, like I've said, it can use help, but mostly in the creature comforts of it. In terms of actual football game viewing, there are VERY few places that give you quite the experience the OB does, in fact I doubt there is ANY upperdeck that puts viewers closer to the field then the OB. By your arguement all of our old stadiums would be destroyed, like the ones I mentioned in LAmbeau, Soldier Field, Wrigley, Fenway. I'm not against a Marlins stadium, but put it right next to the OB, That is the ideal situation. And don't kid yourself in terms of how much they've spent in renovations... I've been going there for 16 years, and there have not been major changes there other than some seating changes to allow for handicapped access and seating areas. The changes that are planned now are to address a lot of the things that the city has neglected to take care of over the years, such as a Video Replay Board (which is about 10 years overdue) updating the exterior of the structure, expanding concourses for better concessions and restrooms, and adding luxury suites, plus I believe they are going to close in the open endzone and change all the seating in the stadium to be chairs instead of bleachers(the one thing I don't want, college football stadiums should have bleachers, not comfortable seats since you aren't supposed to be sitting..). Not to mention we voted on this bill to spend the $150 (or whatever) million last november and it passed, so the people should get what they wanted. The Canes have been here for A LOT longer than the Marlins and they deserve this money that they haven't gotten for a very long time. Again, I want the Marlins to have their own stadium, but I don't think the OB needs to be torn down to allow for it.

Actually, I would say it has as much history as Tiger Stadium. Considering it hosted 5 Super Bowls, 11 College Football Championships were decided there, it was home to the Dolphins during the only undefeated season in NFL HISTORY. Many a boxing championship fights were held there in the past. It has also played host to Olympic Soccer matches, not to mention Gold Cup matches. The Hurricanes have been promised renovations to this stadium for years and years and have even pledged a LOT of their own money. With some renovations it is possible for historic fields to remain both tributes to the past and very much comfortable in the present, such as Soldier Field, Lambeau Field, Fenway Park, Wrigley... all these stadiums and parks are filled with history, but have been updated over the years to improve the same things the OB needs improved, such as concessions, restroom facilities, the addition of revenue generating luxury boxes and the exterior facades.

I'm a huge Marlins fan aswell, but the Canes are and always have been my #1.. I've gone to all but maybe 5 games over the last 16 years. The OB is one of the most histroric stadiums in college football history do to the amount of National Championships decided there and its where the Canes set the NCAA record for Most Home wins in a row. Not to mention that there are VERY few venues that match the atmostphere of a night game against a big time opponent in the OB, (like my first OB memory..89' Notre Dame). It is easily considered one of...if not THE loudest stadiums. Could the look of the place and the bathrooms and concessions use some upgrading...yes and that is what that 130 million dollar renovation bill that we passed last november was for. Also, I don't think it would only be used for football if it got these upgrades, I think you would see many many more Soccer matches there and maybe even a future MLS team there if they decide to do it right and put the team in Miami instead of Fort Lauderdale. Needless to say, I do not, in any way, support tearing down the OB and having the Canes move to Dolphins Stadium...because as nice as DS might be...it just doesn't have that college feel to it, and definately not the flavor and history of the Horseshoe in Little Havana... and I'm pretty sure it won't be shaking like the OB does for those FSU/Florida games.. Sorry to be so longwinded...but when it comes to my Canes...nothing else matters.....lol P.S. I would love to have the Marlins stadium right next to the OB, at least since the best possible site (Bicentennial Park, soon to be Museum Park is unavailable)

I turned into a huge Berlin supporter because of what he dealt with in his two years here and the way that he improved himself significantly between his two years. His first year he was bad, however in both of his years as QB we've had some major problems on the field in terms of offensive line. I'm pretty sure both years we had at least 3 guys on the OL get injured so we've had such a mish-mash of OL due to injuries where you have guys playing out of position and seemingly having to learn a new position every week. in 2003 the WR's were flat out horrible aswell...each and every game there were at least 7 balls that were just plain dropped, which didn't help Brocks numbers or the team. However, in terms of Brock's play what made me become a big supporter was how he improved his biggest weakness, which in my eyes was making bad decisions while under pressure. In 2003 when getting pressured he'd seem to try to do too much and still try to make a great pass which would normally get intercepted. In 2004 he would take a sack if necessary, and more impressively he would avoid sacks and then throw the ball away. I couldn't stand it in the Louisville game this year on a couple of plays when no WR's were open and he was getting huge pressure he threw the ball away to avoid sacks and/or bad throws and he was getting sh!t from the fans. Look at his numbers last year.. 2700 yards passing, 22 TD's 6 int's and an efficiency rating in the 130's I believe, those are great numbers, and as many have pointed out, the weakness of our team last year was our defense, and the lack of consistency on our OL since at some point of the season all but one of our starters were injured, they were never able to get unity on the line. Does this mean I think he'll be a great or even good NFL QB, probably not...but who knows, maybe if he stayed in the shadows and kept improving and got the perfect situation in a perfect system, he could turn into one of those guys who comes out of nowhere to have a couple good seasons. Would I put money on it....no..lol.. but I will be glad to have had him here at the U

Agreed....Alex just makes plays seem so routine. I find myself watching other teams play and wondering how a SS can't get to certain balls or make certain throws and then I realize that I'm just too used to watching Alex play....this guy needs to win a GG already...and yes..we need to lock him up..we should work on that this year so that once he has a monster offensive year (I can dream can't I?) he doesn't become unaffordable to us.

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