srock

If were going to spend money on a catcher I would try and trade for Ramon Hernandez from Baltimore. What would be fair value for the Marlins to give up for Ramon?

Subsidizing a stadium is a terrible economic move. But damn do I want the Marlins to stay. There is a difference between straight subsidizing a stadium and providing the necessary infrastructure for a large scale project to succeed. Providing infrastructure is a central tenant of our government. Giving the Marlins whatever they want in order to keep them in town is a terrible idea. Making the Marlins do economically and socially responsible things then meeting them halfway financially can be rewarding for everyone.

Ellicot City Historic section of Ellicott City is awesome, love going down there. What makes this area extremely fascinating is the degree of richness of the local culture. I don't think most people realize this. The metro area is one of the wealthiest and diverse regions in the world. From what I have gathered, locals think where I am in West Palm is an expensive area. I agree there are lots of really rich folk, but the median standard of living is way below where I came from. If the condo building I live in now were moved by some magic to where my condo building in Columbia was, I would be paying at least double the rent. If I didn't live in South Florida I would live in Maryland. In fact, if it weren't so cold, I'd live there anyway. Concur. The DC and Baltimore areas are one of my favorite places in the States, it's one of the few places besides South Florida I would consider living. But don't ever live in stupid NOrthern VirginA. It sucks something fierce.

Ellicot City Historic section of Ellicott City is awesome, love going down there. What makes this area extremely fascinating is the degree of richness of the local culture. I don't think most people realize this. The metro area is one of the wealthiest and diverse regions in the world. From what I have gathered, locals think where I am in West Palm is an expensive area. I agree there are lots of really rich folk, but the median standard of living is way below where I came from. If the condo building I live in now were moved by some magic to where my condo building in Columbia was, I would be paying at least double the rent.

Do you all live in the heart of Baltimore? I have to admit that the corridor between Washington DC and Baltimore is absolutely gorgeous. Howard County is a delightful place... many well-educated people there. My brother used to live in Columbia, MD. I just moved out of Columbia. As suburbs go it can't be beat. It an get a bit boring, but you are only a 20 minute drive North to Camden Yards or South to a DC metro stop. Lived in College Park for 5 years also. I have friends living in Federal Hill which has its charm, but if you are in Baltimore getting shot is always a concern.

OK. OK. Canes are moving to DS...am I right? I just need to check with you to see if I'm correct. :whistle In that case, this sets up an interesting possibly for what is now the soon-to-be-demolished OB: how about a baseball-friendly multipurpose facility that would accomodate CONCACAF in the off-season. I don't think it would add much to the cost. It has been proven at Enron Field that they can host some soccer matches. So the concept can be applied here as well. If the city can be convinced to free up some funds to change the stadium design so that it can be reconfigured to both sports, provide temporary seating over the outfield, sort of like how it's done at RFK Stadium, changing between the Washington Nationals and D.C. United. Then you add the sliding roof and we may wind up with a top-class facility. 38,000 to 40,000 seats should be more than enough to accomodate both competitions. There'd be 32,000 less seats anyway when we tear down the OB...meaning 32,000 less people that would theoretically congest the area. We could do something surrounding the new stadium like a huge proyector screen for people who can't get in...say... a World Series game or a World Cup match. Also, the people who show up for CONCACAF already live in the city, so less cars coming into the area. Even the baseball crowds at the OB would be more of a walk-up variety. A baseball/soccer facility: think of the possibilities I would bet my mortage they are going to Dolphin Stadium and the OB torn down......so we are going to a place with no parking, that will do very well in drawing crowds........ DS has ample parking. Attendance not going gangbusters for Marlins games last time I checked. RFK being used for soccer and baseball is far from an elegant solution. It was a decent venue, albeit way to big and straight ghetto, for DC United but now that the Nationals are there it is just an awkward setup for both teams. I know next to nothing about Miami geography, but I have been to a football game at DS and I can't imagine a worse location and venue for a major league baseball team. Camden Yards has been my home stadium since it was built so I am a bit spoiled. BTW, OPACY is getting a fancy new HD screen this off season. In general the biggest advantage of a downtown stadium are two fold. First, the stadium is near a population concentration, unlike Dolphin "Why I am in the middle of a field?" Stadium. Second, and most importantly, building a downtown stadium is a wonderful way to resurrect an economically declining area of the city. The stadium is one thing, it brings people to the area for the game which brings in new economic opportunities. But the benefits, if the city doesn't screw it up, don't stop there. It is a chance to expand the transportation system, turn a vacant group of crime infested buildings into office space, bring in new business and new jobs, and generally give a bad neighborhood a new identity. I don't know if Little Havana is really that bad, but from the attitudes on this board I infer it could at least use a face lift. The model for this is the Nationals, except they aren't completely done with the new stadium. It is currently under construction in south east DC. There is no neighborhood mentioned in this thread approaching the terribleness of Anacostia in southeast. This is the district that keeps electing former mayor Marion Barry to political office after he is caught by police, on video tape, smoking crack with a hooker in a broken down motel room. The money put up to build the Nationals baseball only stadium on the banks of the Anacostia river will do far more then build a stadium. They are making massive upgrades to the metro rail line, the highway, and improving bus service. The stadium grounds include a large public park, office buildings, retail space, and mixed income housing from low rent apartments to million dollar condos. Not to mention parking to support all this and a variety of community based initiatives sponsored by the team. Lots of jobs, money, and much needed infrastructure for a community nobody in the world gave a crap about. It should be noted DC United is attempting to build a similar setup across the river but they are willing to privately fund the entire thing if the city will just give them land access and help with infrastructure. Miami needs to be careful about the deal they sign. DC has really gotten the shaft because they didn't negotiate well with MLB. This is the cities own incompetence and is the reason DC is not chomping at the bit over the DC United deal.

As someone who adores living the Baltimore area, I welcome you. Thanks!

First post! I just moved to West Palm from the greater Baltimore/Washington metro and I'm still willing to admit my undieing love for the Baltimore Orioles. But, I may as well follow the Fish in the National League. Here is the local info on Mazzone from the view of a fan watching him the last two years. The Orioles paid him $500,000 a year and still owe the same for 2008 so he doesn't need a job next season unless there is one he really wants. Mazzone is a life long fan of the MFY (yes this is how we refer to those in pinstripes). If they are willing he is almost certianly moving to the Bronx. He gained a reputation for being a bit gruff and it seems he did not develop each pitchers strength. Instead he pushed his own philospohy upon them even when it continued to fail. This is likely an unfair opinion but hey, fan speculation is just that. The only reason Mazzone came home (he grew up in Cumberland, MD) was to coach with his childhood friend Sam Perlozzo. Sammy was a terrible in game manager and was fired, making it unlikely for Mazzone to stay around. Also, the new manager was given the right to go after his own coaching staff. Trembely worked with Kranitz back in their days with the Cubs. Both worked under Andy McPhail now in charge of all things orange, black, and winged. The general feel of Orioles fans will tell you Mazzone is not a great solution for a young, developing pitching staff. Daniel Cabrera regressed for two seasons under his tutelage and eveyone else ended up injured during an unprecedented blight of 'strained obliques'. Was his training regimen to blame? Who knows. Either way the results have been negative except for Erik Bedard is simply nasty. This isn't to say the fans blamed everything on Mazzone; afterall, Baltimore, during the last 10 years, is the place baseball people go to die. He had no depth to work with, massive injuries, one veteran (Trachsel, ugh), and the strangest bullpen ever fielded by a front office. He is still a good and well respected pitching coach, but he is no messiah.