fanfish

Jeff, There is something in your personality and how you approach the game that make fans respect, appreciate and like you. Even though you may not have been the most accomplished, you are by far the Marlins fan favorite. I wish you and your family well in your retirement, and I hope that in the future we will see you again in a Marlins uniform as a coach or in the Marlins broadcast booth. Thanks.

The solution for the Marlins' problem is really very simple. GET THE STADIUM BUILT!!!!!!!! After that everything will fall into place. The attendance will drastically improve, not only because of the novelty of a new stadium, but there will also be competition for good seats in a 38,000 seat stadium causing the demand for season tickets to increase. Money from parking, concessions, luxury suites, advertising, and increased attendance will flow into Loria's pocket and he WILL spend more money to improve the team. That will further improve attendance and we will be on our way toward having an established major league franchise without the fear of relocation, rain delays, or fire sales.

bottom line...if payroll won championships, the Yankees would have won several more championships since their last one in 2000...and the Red Sox would have won more than the one that they have in the past million years Teams like the Yankees and the Red Sox may not always win the WS, but every year they are in the position to contend for it because of their huge payroll. Teams like the Marlins have a shot at it every 5 to 6 years. We trade our stars.....obtain top prospects ...... the prospects develop into stars......but we have to trade them because thy become free agents and we can't afford them. If we have injuries like we did this year, we have to make do with what we have in the minors. We can't go out and trade or acquire prayers like the Yankees or Red Sox do.

This article says nothing new but at least they seem to be talking.

Starting pitching is the problem now and will be the problem next season. 2008 will be "a wait and see" year. The front office will stay with what we have until they can figure out who has made a good recovery from surgery (Johnson, Sanchez, Nolasco) and who has been able to come back from sub par year (Willis, Olsen, Mitre). They will also take a good look at Volstad and Gaby Hernandez in spring training to see if they can break into the rotation. Our offense has not been the problem. We can tinker with our everyday players to improve the defense, find another mediocre catcher and center fielder, but PITCHING has been our Achilles heel this year and will probably the biggest problem next year. By 2009, the new ballpark issue should be settled and Loria will have images of $$$ in his brain and will spend cash to fill the holes that may exist. By that time we should definitely know who our starters will be (Willis, Johnson, Sanchez, Nolasco, Mitre, Olsen, Volstad, Hernandez, VandenHurk; pick your five) 2009 WILL BE OUR YEAR!!!!. Remember, we win World Series every 6 years.

From miamitodaynews.com OB land value, future use remains unknown By Eric Kalis The prospect of a baseball stadium replacing the Orange Bowl is not enough in today's cooling real estate market to ignite a frenzy of commercial investment in property near the stadium, real estate experts say, or interest in the site itself. Much uncertainty remains, experts say, about the value of the City of Miami-owned 40-acre Orange Bowl site at 1501 NW 3rd St. and surrounding properties in the wake of the University of Miami's decision to move the university's football games to Dolphin Stadium beginning next year. Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said last week baseball, city and Miami-Dade County officials are "on the same page" regarding a deal for a new $500 million baseball stadium for the Florida Marlins. The commissioner declined, however, to comment on the prospects of the Orange Bowl site as the new home for the Marlins. If a state-of-the-art retractable roof baseball stadium is built in Miami, said real estate analyst Michael Cannon, the Orange Bowl site would be the only feasible option due to the scarcity of land downtown and throughout Miami-Dade. The city "does not have any more land," he said. "I don't think there is any other [possible site]. Major League Baseball may be behind this thing. If so, they have the strength to do it. Stadiums are so political and require the willpower of politicians to get done." Mr. Cannon took part in a Codina Group study funded by the Marlins that looked at parcels surrounding the Orange Bowl. City facilities director Lori Bilberry said the city has not done an appraisal of the Orange Bowl site. Any commercial development on properties surrounding the Orange Bowl site would require extensive coordination with city officials and neighboring property owners to ensure harmony with city zoning requirements, Mr. Cannon said. "The city would have to do a charette with the neighborhood to see what is compatible and then analyze the various uses that would benefit the city, community and whoever the private sector [entity] is," he said. "It could take multiple" charettes. Kohn Commercial Real Estate sold parcels within a quarter-mile of the Orange Bowl for $80 per square foot during the peak of Miami's real estate boom two years ago, said company Principal Ronald Kohn. With the residential bubble bursting, Mr. Kohn said, asking prices for most local land is $40 to $50 per square foot, but commercial investors probably would not pay more than $25 per square foot for land around the stadium. "My own sense is that the market is somewhere around $2 million an acre, but I don't think land is selling," Mr. Kohn said. "I don't know other than some public use what else could be [viable for the stadium and nearby land]. A land banker won't pay" more than $25 per square foot. Parcels along Northwest 17th Avenue and Seventh Street, however, could be ripe for retail development to serve the nearby residential community, Mr. Kohn said. "I see a nice mixed-use community of garden-style apartments in keeping with what is around it," he said. "I see retail, but not anything else at this point. Maybe two stories of retail with office space above" would be viable. A shopping center or other commercial use on the Orange Bowl site or surrounding a baseball stadium would face the same transportation problems opponents of building a Marlins stadium on the site have emphasized, said Neil Rollnick, partner and chair of the real estate department at law firm Adorno & Yoss. "It is still a difficult site to get to," he said. "The area is not serviced by mass transportation and then you have the issue of what commercial site to put there." The city could be stuck with a non-producing asset similar to the Miami Arena site downtown if no deal is reached for a baseball stadium, Mr. Rollnick said. Little activity has occurred at the arena since owner Glenn Straub bought the property from the city for $28 million in 2004. "I would say [the Miami Arena site] is reasonably as good site-for-site as the Orange Bowl," Mr. Rollnick said. "How long has that lain dormant? There's commercial activity all around [the site], but nothing of any significance has taken place. The mere fact that the Hurricanes have elected to go to Dolphin Stadium does not make the site either available or attractive." Despite the paucity of available land in Miami, Mr. Kohn said, commercial speculators would not necessarily rush to gobble up parcels surrounding the Orange Bowl ? with or without a baseball stadium on the site. "I think the appetite for speculation is kind of over right now," he said. "If a stadium goes there and [an investor] wants to buy Northwest Seventh Street parcels, the prices today would not reflect what they would have to pay." To ensure that any development on the Orange Bowl site benefits the local community, a local non-profit organization, South Florida Jobs with Justice, was to host a gathering of nearby residents and business owners Saturday at the stadium before the University of Miami's season football opener.

Here's a quick update from my "source" (and I'm not trying to be a pseudo-journalist here a'la CapeFish, but Marlins2003 and iFesta know who I mean when I say that this "source" is pretty damn connected with what's going on with the stadium deal). We were at the UM-Marshall game yesterday and going around the neighborhood talking about where things are going. Let's just say the Marlins have re-engaged the talks and are definitely looking at the OB. However, there is one remaining obstacle (which is huge) that may derail the project for a time period. I cannot divulge what the "obstacle" is (I was sworn to secrecy), but it is considerable. That's what I've got for now. Trust me, the "source" is impeccable. On a personal note, for those of you that have called the "neighborhood" low-class, you haven't been there. Some of the architecture of the homes located in the vicinity of NW 15 Ave. and NW 10 Street are beautiful stately Spanish/Mediterranean homes that have begun a wave of refurbishment. And you tell me what "low-class" neighborhood currently has homes selling for $375,000.00! Also, we parked in a place that had us in and out of the OB with no traffic, and there were 40,000 there yesterday. It also dawned on me as an irrational pipe dream that the City of Miami should eliminate the "No Parking-Tow Away Zone" signs for OB Events all around the neighborhoods and perhaps meter every possible side street around. What a great way to generate municipal revenue (and recreate the Fenway feel of all the streets!). That was just me.... Spit it out already! Trust me, I cannot say what the "obstacle" is. I just wanted to give you all an update and say that things ARE moving forward. This is a complex legal transaction and not something you can just wave a magic wand at. OK. I accept that he can tell us what the "obstacle" is, but we can try to guess. 1. It can't be the LOCATION because now they are saying that the Marlins and MLB are accepting the OB site. 2. It shouldn't be the FUNDING GAP because there seems to be enough money now that the City can use part of the funds originally set aside for the OB improvements. No one is foreseeing any problems with this roll-over. 3. It should not be a POLITICAL debate. No politician is saying that the City or the County will have problems approving the OB site nor have I heard or read anything about withdrawing economic support already promised. 4. It should not be an ENVIRONMENTAL issue since they will be replacing a stadium with another. 5. So, could the obstacle be LORIA? Could he be arguing to invest less money than previously agreed, stating that he would make more money if the stadium were built Downtown? Comments? Then again, ther may be problems with the rollover of the "OB improvement funds". I found this article in Miami Today site. OB money likely to go to new use By Risa Polansky Funding in place for renovation of the Orange Bowl may be up for grabs after the University of Miami's decision last week to leave its football team's longtime home for Dolphin Stadium. Miami-Dade County voters in 2004 approved a $2.9 billion bond program that included a $50 million to upgrade the Orange Bowl. Now that a renovation appears unlikely, county and Miami city officials may choose to reallocate the funds. "We don't know if and how that money is going to be reallocated," said Rafael Diaz, head of the transactional division in the city attorney's office. The city has reallocated bond money from one project to another so long as the alternate use was "in the purview of the (bond) program," he said. However, Mr. Diaz said, the attorney's office has yet to receive direction from the administration. Redistributing the funds most likely would require a vote by the city commission, he said. County spokeswoman Paula Musto said a county commission OK would also be needed. Another $37.2 million in city money ? $23.9 million in convention development taxes and $13.3 million from the Miami Sports and Exhibition Authority ? was identified for the Orange Bowl project. That, too, may be diverted. The UM move has created a buzz about building a new home for the Florida Marlins on the Orange Bowl site. But commissioners are receiving alternate suggestions from residents regarding how the funds could best be spent. Taffy Gould of the Miami Science Museum's executive committee said the city should seize the opportunity to fund a revamp of Bicentennial Park. While the science museum, along with the Miami Art Museum, is planning a move there, the city has yet to identify funds to improve the park. "Whatever it takes, I think the money should be allocated immediately," she said.

The new Marlins stadium is supposed to be a "baseball only stadium". What's this about MLS? I've been to several of the newer ballparks around the country ( Philly, Atlanta, Baltimore, San Fran, San Diego, Chicago Cellular Field ) and part of their beauty is the fact that everything is geared so that the fans can enjoy a baseball game from every seat in the stadium. The seats down the foul lines are angled toward the pitcher's mound so that the fans won't have to twist their necks all game long. Besides, I wouldn't want to field torn up by another sport and I am sure the soccer players would not want to play on a dirt infield.

I hope his arm is just tired, but I fear there may be something else wrong with his arm that Mitre is keeping to himself. He was nasty earlier in the season and now he's getting pounded. You don't just lose your sinker like that without being hurt. I hope I'm wrong!

This pretty much spoils our playoff hopes. You made me laugh, even after tonight's loss. Thanks.

We won tonight. Is that Fredi's fault too?

City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz was interviewed on "La Descarga Deportiva" by Jerry del Castillo. The following were his main points. 1. Today's decision by the UM frees the city and county to begin more focused talks about the new stadium. 2. He implied that all parties involved know that the site offered by the City will be the OB and not downtown. They will now re-visit the original plans for a stadium at the OB site. They did not want to do this before they were certain that the UM was indeed leaving for DS. He said that people needed to face up to reality and not wish for their ideal dream (an obvious reference to MLB and Loria's preference of the downtown site). He also implied that the Marlins and MLB were well aware of this. 3. He said that part of the funds set aside to renovate the OB can now be used to close the funding gap on the baseball stadium. (He did not mention that public hearings were needed) 4. He has been in contact with MLB on a weekly basis since the failed vote in Tallahassee. They even spoke to MLB today after the UM decision. They plan to meet soon, but did not say when. 5. He stated that this deal needed to be done quickly. 6. The overall tone of the interview was overwhelmingly optimistic about the future of a new stadium for the Marlins in Miami.

WOW! Finally,it is done! Next on the agenda: DOWNTOWN vs OB Lets see how long it takes the City and County to talk MLB and Loria into the OB site! (or vise versa).

Does anyone know the time of the UM Board of Directors' meeting today?

I've been waiting for this day for years! When UM makes official their intentions to move to Dolphin Stadium, it will mark the beginning of the end of the Marlins stadium quest and also establish the beginning of the Marlins' permanency in South Florida.

I actually like the Hialeah site, too. It's right at I-75 and the HEFT pretty much. But there are advantages to the Orange Bowl. It already has stadium infrastructure, and Miami already owns the land. With those savings, and the money Miami pledged to UM to improve it if they stay, we could go ahead and build the retractable-roof facility. P.S.: How much you wanna bet that the moment the stadium is finalized, Jeffrey Loria starts acting like George Steinbrenner and releases the floodgates on his purse? May God hear you!

I am starting to believe that UM will all in all not find it to their advantage to move to DS. If that is the case, what will be the next series of events to occur in our stadium endeavors? If the UM stays in the OB the downtown site will probably be chosen. MLB and Loria probably want the UM to stay at the OB. A couple of years ago they had agreed on a plan to build the new Marlins stadium next to the OB, remember? However, that was before the downtown site next to the Government Center was even being considered as a possibility. I remember Arriola telling the Marlins that the only site available was the OB area.

I am starting to believe that UM will all in all not find it to their advantage to move to DS. If that is the case, what will be the next series of events to occur in our stadium endeavors? If the UM stays in the OB the downtown site will probably be chosen. MLB and Loria probably want the UM to stay at the OB. A couple of years ago they had agreed on a plan to build the new Marlins stadium next to the OB, remember? However, that was before the downtown site next to the Government Center was even being considered as a possibility. I remember Arriola telling the Marlins that the only site available was the OB area.

First things first. We need to wait for the UM to make a decision. It looks as if it may be Tuesday, Aug. 21. Once this happens, we'll see which site is chosen and funded. I haven't heard from any source that the remaining funding gap is a deal breaker. There seems to be more discussion about "OB vs downtown" than anything else. I'm optimistic the stadium deal will get done in a few months and the team will start thinking about signing our players to long term deals so we can stop the revolving door of trading for young rookies.... developing the young players.... players becoming stars..... trading star players for promising rookies.

UM indecision on OB stalls ballpark planning By Risa Polansky While the Florida Marlins still have their eye on downtown as the ideal locale for a new stadium, the University of Miami's indecision over whether to stay in the Orange Bowl is stalling arrangements to move the Marlins into a Miami home, says Ian Yorty, who handles baseball negotiations for Miami-Dade County along with the county manager. If the university chooses to leave its longtime home in favor of a move to Dolphin Stadium, "all of a sudden there would be a good site immediately available to start analyzing" as a potential new place for the Marlins, Mr. Yorty said. "The clock keeps ticking," Miami City Manager Pete Hernandez said. The Hurricanes' Orange Bowl lease is up in 2009 but they could leave before then, according to the manager's office. University officials have refused to commit to a plan, but the board of trustees is to take up the issue next week. Major League Baseball is "willing," Mr. Hernandez said, to bring the Marlins to the Orange Bowl should the university choose to leave. The Marlins have no comment on the Orange Bowl or stadium issue as a whole, said P.J. Loyello, the team's senior vice president of communications. But Mr. Yorty said "they recognize that it is a viable site," although downtown would be "much preferable." After resistance from some county and city officials to building a stadium on nine government-owned acres on Northwest Third Street, which would disrupt other area projects such as a juvenile justice center and police training facility, it is difficult to "find a site that is publicly owned or very affordable downtown," Mr. Yorty said. No other downtown sites are under consideration, he said, and the Orange Bowl still fits the Marlins' desired bill of "an urban ballpark setting."

I believe 2008 will be another year that will demand lots of patience from Marlins fans. There are still many unanswered questions about several of our young players. I don't think the front office is going to give up on Hermida, Jacobs or Olivo just yet. I think they will give them another year (2008) before deciding if they need replacing. I wouldn't be surprised if this is Dontrelle's last year here. The way he has been pitching, I don't see the Marlins paying him more than 6-7 million/year. I am sure the big boys (Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, etc) would be interested in a deal. We just don't know how Kensing, Sanchez and Johnson will perform after surgeries. We shouldn't count on them for 2008. Even Nolasco, Owens and Pinto are question marks. Of the young guys, we all probably agree that Hammer, Uggla, Mitre, Olsen, Tank, Lindstrom, are keepers. De Aza certainly looks like a keeper also, but it is too early to tell. We should make every effort to keep Almezaga, Boone, Ross, Gardner, and Miller. We really need to keep Gregg. Cabrera and Hanley are the stars, and their long term future with the Marlins depends totally on our getting a new stadium.

At least we now have a date for the possible decision. Lets hope they finally make up their minds on August 21th. Hopefully site selection discussions will follow and the new Marlins stadium can become a reality.

I believe that everyone involved have correctly decided that we will never get state money for a new Marlins stadium in South Florida. Now, if the UM would only make up it's mind, we could move ahead with this.

From Barry Jackson's column in today's (July 25th) Miami Herald UM officials have been negotiating exclusively with Dolphin Stadium the past seven weeks and resolved most issues in a potential move there. Still, a few issues remain, and neither Dolphin Stadium nor Orange Bowl officials have been given a decision. People on the Huizenga Holdings side (and some on the UM side) expect the Hurricanes to move there, but UM president Donna Shalala has not made a recommendation to members of the board of trustees' executive committee -- some of whom want to stay at the OB. (It's typical for the board to support Shalala's recommendation.) City of Miami manager Pete Hernandez won't give UM a deadline on the city's $206 million OB renovation offer, but wants an answer ''quick'' -- preferably within 30 days -- so proposed upgrades aren't delayed.

Linden: My new hero It can't be easy to stike out looking 4 times in one game! Is that a record?