03/30/2004 7:13 PM ET

Marlins head to Tallahassee

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

 

JUPITER, Fla. -- A number of high-profile Marlins are headed to Tallahassee on Wednesday to showcase their World Series championship to state legislators.

And while the organization is seeking state assistance for financing a retractable-roof stadium, team president David Samson said Tuesday this trip is to celebrate last year's title. Stadium talks will be ongoing until the state legislature concludes its session in three weeks.

 

"We are headed up to Tallahassee to celebrate the world championship title," Samson said. "It's not a trip to discuss state help in financing the stadium to the extent that the legislative branch feels it can be helpful this session, in keeping the Marlins in South Florida. That's a decision we hope will happen."

 

Marlins representatives last week urged the state legislature in Tallahassee to give them a $60 million state sales tax break. Some legislators have been quoted as saying such assistance is unlikely.

 

The Marlins are facing a May 1 deadline to secure financing on a 38,000-seat stadium in Miami-Dade County. The importance of meeting that deadline is to keep on course to open in a new ballpark in 2007.

 

The Marlins have agreed to put up $137 million toward the stadium and Miami-Dade County has voted to put $73 million toward the projected $325 million baseball-only facility.

 

Samson says the organization hopes support for the stadium will surface before the state session ends. If the state does not agree to help support the stadium, Samson says another avenue to raise the money will be explored.

 

"There are a lot of ups and downs when you are trying to do something as complicated as a stadium transaction," Samson said. "Again, we hold out hope. It's that important for the future of baseball in South Florida that we hold out hope that in its wisdom, the legislative branch will see the importance and the realistic nature of what we are discussing. That goal will not go away until the gavel goes down on the last day of the session."

 

Making the trip Wednesday to Tallahassee will be Samson, owner Jeffrey Loria, general manager Admin Beinfest, manager Jack McKeon, center fielder Juan Pierre, third baseman Mike Lowell, left fielder Jeff Conine and vice president of marketing Sean Flynn.

 

"The World Series is not why baseball should stay in South Florida," Samson said. "And we don't want anyone to be confused in the Senate and the House. We are not putting ourselves out as guaranteeing world championships and that's why they should support a team.

 

"This is an amazing celebration of a franchise that has seen more success professionally than potentially any other professional sports team in South Florida."

 

With two World Series titles, the Marlins join the Miami Dolphins as the only major professional sports team in Florida with two championships. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won a Super Bowl.

 

Gov. Jeb Bush has publicly come out in support of a stadium.

 

"There is no in between here," Samson said. "It's truly all or nothing for this franchise right now. To the extent that the Governor has gone public with his understanding of the importance of baseball in South Florida, that's always a good thing. I think the whole state of Florida recognizes the importance of professional sports. And you certainly don't want to see the boom in professional sports turn into a bust, throughout the state."

 

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Great article, but what other avenues is there left to explore? :confused

I say give Brad Penny 5 minutes alone in Jim King's office, & he'll come out with either:

 

A) thumbs up from Jim King for the $60 million, or

 

B) Jim King's head on a stick.

I dont know. It seems to me that the Marlins could get what they want, eventually. Jeb Bush's big brother, you know - the President, is a big supporter of baseball himself.

 

Also, if this rebate is only for $2M per year over 30 years, I dont see what the big deal is over getting it done this year. Put up the $2mill this year and get it re-imbursed next year.

I wish they hadn't waited this long to attempt to get support from these guys unless they were workin on it in November, I dont know. We will see I guess

I saw Billy the Marlin at the capital building today

Here is Jim King's e-mail: king.james.web@flsenate.gov

 

 

Let's flood him with e-mails asking for the legislature to hear the Marlins,

and If the legislature votes against it then so be it.

Jim King and the legislature is testing Jeb. He better realize that Jeb is governor 24/7, so he can run his bro's campaign from Tally, Miami, or Orlando. Jim King and the other legislators up for reelection can only run their campaigns in their districts. If Jeb threatens special sessions, they will rush to get business done.

 

Last year we went to special session 2003E

If there's going to be a special session called this year, it'll be due to budgetary matters, not the Marlins. If there's one called this year, I don't think the Gov will try to incorporate the Marlins into the agenda.

 

But stranger things have indeed happened before. :shifty

Jeb Bush wanted it done in 2001 but then there was a legitimate economic reason why not. Now they have no excuse, tourism is up in better numbers then before and their aren't any real debts to worry about except for that blasted bullet train...

Is anyone here in King's district?

 

If so, you have to make your opinion known...

Sent him an e-mail, got this as a response:

 

Thank you very much for your e-mail message. Please be assured that I will take note of your comments and appreciate both your input and your activism.

 

Because I receive such an overwhelming number of daily e-mails, I send this automatic response to let you know I have received your e-mail. Because it is not always possible to personally respond, I use this medium primarily to obtain opinions from constituents regarding legislative issues. Should you require more information or assistance, please do not hesitate to call or write to me. My staff and I will be very happy to assist you.

 

You may reach us at the following addresses and phone numbers:

 

DISTRICT OFFICE: Toll Free 1-888-861-9761; (904) 727-3600; Fax 904-727-3603

9485 Regency Square Boulevard, Suite 108, Jacksonville, FL 32225-8145

 

CAPITOL OFFICE: (850) 487-5030; Fax: 850-487-5844

Suite 409, The Capitol, 404 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100

 

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me. Your thoughts are very important to me and help keep me well informed.

 

Sincerely,

 

James E. "Jim" King, Jr.

Senate President

Florida Senate District 8

The Governor called Special Session 2003E to get Terry's Law passed.

I dont see what the big deal is over getting it done this year. Put up the $2mill this year and get it re-imbursed next year.

Wellll....ummm you kinda need to know whether you have it or not now because if the stadium is being built and come next year there is no deal you are screwed.

 

Make sense?

This whole stadium issue is so tiring. It's gone on for years and is no closer now than before. My question to the room is why should the Marlins stay in south Florida? Their support is so minimal. The community and media repeatedly bashes them for whatever they do. At some point sound business has to be made. Miami Dade went only so far for a stadium. The state isn't interested. This ownership has shown it wanted to make it work. The community hasn't. For whatever reason the area doesn't want their own team. We want to wear Yankee hats or say we are Cubs fans. Interest in the Marlins only comes when the team wins it all. Even then it's fleeting. The radio shows are 98 percent football talk. Do your own poll and when you turn on QAM, what is the topic? Non stop Dolphins. The talk show hosts either are working for the Dolphins or have working ties to the NFL. You never hear talk about whether Pierre will steal 70 bases or if Cabrera can be like Pujols. Such a small amount of us care, why shouldn't Samson make threats. They aren't threats either. It's the reality. When a team is 12 years old and it's had 3 different owners, that tells you something. Owning the Marlins is not smart business. Should a stadium not be built, staying in PPS for anything more than another 2 seasons is really just throwing money down the drain. Why would anyone believe a new stadium would be built if the May 1 deadline passes? Will interest pick up after this season? Say the team finishes at 79-83 like they were in 2002, you really think anyone would push for a stadium? It's inevitable the franchise will have to move or contract. No one wants them down here. Why should they stay?

This whole stadium issue is so tiring. It's gone on for years and is no closer now than before. My question to the room is why should the Marlins stay in south Florida? Their support is so minimal. The community and media repeatedly bashes them for whatever they do. At some point sound business has to be made. Miami Dade went only so far for a stadium. The state isn't interested. This ownership has shown it wanted to make it work. The community hasn't. For whatever reason the area doesn't want their own team. We want to wear Yankee hats or say we are Cubs fans. Interest in the Marlins only comes when the team wins it all. Even then it's fleeting. The radio shows are 98 percent football talk. Do your own poll and when you turn on QAM, what is the topic? Non stop Dolphins. The talk show hosts either are working for the Dolphins or have working ties to the NFL. You never hear talk about whether Pierre will steal 70 bases or if Cabrera can be like Pujols. Such a small amount of us care, why shouldn't Samson make threats. They aren't threats either. It's the reality. When a team is 12 years old and it's had 3 different owners, that tells you something. Owning the Marlins is not smart business. Should a stadium not be built, staying in PPS for anything more than another 2 seasons is really just throwing money down the drain. Why would anyone believe a new stadium would be built if the May 1 deadline passes? Will interest pick up after this season? Say the team finishes at 79-83 like they were in 2002, you really think anyone would push for a stadium? It's inevitable the franchise will have to move or contract. No one wants them down here. Why should they stay?

I pose a question to answer that question. Why would Loria want to own the Marlins when he already owned the Expos, a team with (at the time of Loria's departure) a much more talented team on the field (Vlad, Vidro, Cabrera and Vazquez), and a clearer manifest for movement. Obviously, Loria sees something in the South Florida market that screams to him success, if he wanted the D.C. or Portland market, he'd be there by now if he held onto the Expos. I think the question needs to be "why leave?" instead of "why stay?"

....and for what it's worth, TV ratings at times have been pretty good here, regardless of stadium attendance.

Anyone know of Samson's e-mail address?

I pose a question to answer that question. Why would Loria want to own the Marlins when he already owned the Expos, a team with (at the time of Loria's departure) a much more talented team on the field (Vlad, Vidro, Cabrera and Vazquez), and a clearer manifest for movement. Obviously, Loria sees something in the South Florida market that screams to him success, if he wanted the D.C. or Portland market, he'd be there by now if he held onto the Expos. I think the question needs to be "why leave?" instead of "why stay?"

 

One Allen H. Selig and the desire on the part of the ownership committee to keep the Washington, Portland and Vegas metro areas open so that they can continue to leverage the other cities for new parks, etc.. They're afraid of doing another St. Petersburg. St. Pete was once touted as the future location of the White Sox and Giants. After that they were given a franchise of their own and MLB hasn't been satisfied with the results, so far.

This whole stadium issue is so tiring. It's gone on for years and is no closer now than before. My question to the room is why should the Marlins stay in south Florida? Their support is so minimal. The community and media repeatedly bashes them for whatever they do. At some point sound business has to be made. Miami Dade went only so far for a stadium. The state isn't interested. This ownership has shown it wanted to make it work. The community hasn't. For whatever reason the area doesn't want their own team. We want to wear Yankee hats or say we are Cubs fans. Interest in the Marlins only comes when the team wins it all. Even then it's fleeting. The radio shows are 98 percent football talk. Do your own poll and when you turn on QAM, what is the topic? Non stop Dolphins. The talk show hosts either are working for the Dolphins or have working ties to the NFL. You never hear talk about whether Pierre will steal 70 bases or if Cabrera can be like Pujols. Such a small amount of us care, why shouldn't Samson make threats. They aren't threats either. It's the reality. When a team is 12 years old and it's had 3 different owners, that tells you something. Owning the Marlins is not smart business. Should a stadium not be built, staying in PPS for anything more than another 2 seasons is really just throwing money down the drain. Why would anyone believe a new stadium would be built if the May 1 deadline passes? Will interest pick up after this season? Say the team finishes at 79-83 like they were in 2002, you really think anyone would push for a stadium? It's inevitable the franchise will have to move or contract. No one wants them down here. Why should they stay?

I pose a question to answer that question. Why would Loria want to own the Marlins when he already owned the Expos, a team with (at the time of Loria's departure) a much more talented team on the field (Vlad, Vidro, Cabrera and Vazquez), and a clearer manifest for movement. Obviously, Loria sees something in the South Florida market that screams to him success, if he wanted the D.C. or Portland market, he'd be there by now if he held onto the Expos. I think the question needs to be "why leave?" instead of "why stay?" The Expos weren't a much more talented team. Sure they had Guerrero. But these teams were pretty similar in terms of talent. As for Loria seeing a bright future in Miami. Where do you see it? Based on decent TV ratings. Ask yourself this. If they don't get a stadium done May 1, when do you think they will get it? Next year to open in 2008. As Samson said inflation will only raise the costs of everything. Even then there is no guarantee. So you think the guy should lose his shirt year after year based on a market that really doesn't act like it wants them. It's pretty sad that the team boosts getting 8,000 season tickets the year after winning a title. How many other markets would be that dismal. Miami may work as a market only if the economics were pretty low scale. In today's game, the market simply isn't big leagues. Decent TV ratings mean nothing.

This whole stadium issue is so tiring. It's gone on for years and is no closer now than before. My question to the room is why should the Marlins stay in south Florida? Their support is so minimal. The community and media repeatedly bashes them for whatever they do. At some point sound business has to be made. Miami Dade went only so far for a stadium. The state isn't interested. This ownership has shown it wanted to make it work. The community hasn't. For whatever reason the area doesn't want their own team. We want to wear Yankee hats or say we are Cubs fans. Interest in the Marlins only comes when the team wins it all. Even then it's fleeting. The radio shows are 98 percent football talk. Do your own poll and when you turn on QAM, what is the topic? Non stop Dolphins. The talk show hosts either are working for the Dolphins or have working ties to the NFL. You never hear talk about whether Pierre will steal 70 bases or if Cabrera can be like Pujols. Such a small amount of us care, why shouldn't Samson make threats. They aren't threats either. It's the reality. When a team is 12 years old and it's had 3 different owners, that tells you something. Owning the Marlins is not smart business. Should a stadium not be built, staying in PPS for anything more than another 2 seasons is really just throwing money down the drain. Why would anyone believe a new stadium would be built if the May 1 deadline passes? Will interest pick up after this season? Say the team finishes at 79-83 like they were in 2002, you really think anyone would push for a stadium? It's inevitable the franchise will have to move or contract. No one wants them down here. Why should they stay?

I pose a question to answer that question. Why would Loria want to own the Marlins when he already owned the Expos, a team with (at the time of Loria's departure) a much more talented team on the field (Vlad, Vidro, Cabrera and Vazquez), and a clearer manifest for movement. Obviously, Loria sees something in the South Florida market that screams to him success, if he wanted the D.C. or Portland market, he'd be there by now if he held onto the Expos. I think the question needs to be "why leave?" instead of "why stay?" The Expos weren't a much more talented team. Sure they had Guerrero. But these teams were pretty similar in terms of talent. As for Loria seeing a bright future in Miami. Where do you see it? Based on decent TV ratings. Ask yourself this. If they don't get a stadium done May 1, when do you think they will get it? Next year to open in 2008. As Samson said inflation will only raise the costs of everything. Even then there is no guarantee. So you think the guy should lose his shirt year after year based on a market that really doesn't act like it wants them. It's pretty sad that the team boosts getting 8,000 season tickets the year after winning a title. How many other markets would be that dismal. Miami may work as a market only if the economics were pretty low scale. In today's game, the market simply isn't big leagues. Decent TV ratings mean nothing. What do you expect from a franchise that is still only 11 years old and has the history it has. Wayne H. has screwed this franchise up pretty badly. If this organization had been run properly from the start things would not be the way they are now. You are talking like the typical critic who knows nothing about our situation. This franchise is still hurting today because of Wayne H. He is a big reason why we still have no stadium and why there is so much resistance in south Fla. I think if we were able to get a new stadium and Loria continues to try and field a good ball club ticket sales will increase steadily and more fans will jump onboard. There are still many fans that have not forgiven the organization for what happened in 1998. I mean how can you honestly compare the market here how it is now to other big markets. I think with time this franchise can prosper and compete with all the big markets.

This whole stadium issue is so tiring. It's gone on for years and is no closer now than before. My question to the room is why should the Marlins stay in south Florida? Their support is so minimal. The community and media repeatedly bashes them for whatever they do. At some point sound business has to be made. Miami Dade went only so far for a stadium. The state isn't interested. This ownership has shown it wanted to make it work. The community hasn't. For whatever reason the area doesn't want their own team. We want to wear Yankee hats or say we are Cubs fans. Interest in the Marlins only comes when the team wins it all. Even then it's fleeting. The radio shows are 98 percent football talk. Do your own poll and when you turn on QAM, what is the topic? Non stop Dolphins. The talk show hosts either are working for the Dolphins or have working ties to the NFL. You never hear talk about whether Pierre will steal 70 bases or if Cabrera can be like Pujols. Such a small amount of us care, why shouldn't Samson make threats. They aren't threats either. It's the reality. When a team is 12 years old and it's had 3 different owners, that tells you something. Owning the Marlins is not smart business. Should a stadium not be built, staying in PPS for anything more than another 2 seasons is really just throwing money down the drain. Why would anyone believe a new stadium would be built if the May 1 deadline passes? Will interest pick up after this season? Say the team finishes at 79-83 like they were in 2002, you really think anyone would push for a stadium? It's inevitable the franchise will have to move or contract. No one wants them down here. Why should they stay?

I pose a question to answer that question. Why would Loria want to own the Marlins when he already owned the Expos, a team with (at the time of Loria's departure) a much more talented team on the field (Vlad, Vidro, Cabrera and Vazquez), and a clearer manifest for movement. Obviously, Loria sees something in the South Florida market that screams to him success, if he wanted the D.C. or Portland market, he'd be there by now if he held onto the Expos. I think the question needs to be "why leave?" instead of "why stay?" The Expos weren't a much more talented team. Sure they had Guerrero. But these teams were pretty similar in terms of talent. As for Loria seeing a bright future in Miami. Where do you see it? Based on decent TV ratings. Ask yourself this. If they don't get a stadium done May 1, when do you think they will get it? Next year to open in 2008. As Samson said inflation will only raise the costs of everything. Even then there is no guarantee. So you think the guy should lose his shirt year after year based on a market that really doesn't act like it wants them. It's pretty sad that the team boosts getting 8,000 season tickets the year after winning a title. How many other markets would be that dismal. Miami may work as a market only if the economics were pretty low scale. In today's game, the market simply isn't big leagues. Decent TV ratings mean nothing. What do you expect from a franchise that is still only 11 years old and has the history it has. Wayne H. has screwed this franchise up pretty badly. If this organization had been run properly from the start things would not be the way they are now. You are talking like the typical critic who knows nothing about our situation. This franchise is still hurting today because of Wayne H. He is a big reason why we still have no stadium and why there is so much resistance in south Fla. I think if we were able to get a new stadium and Loria continues to try and field a good ball club ticket sales will increase steadily and more fans will jump onboard. There are still many fans that have not forgiven the organization for what happened in 1998. I mean how can you honestly compare the market here how it is now to other big markets. I think with time this franchise can prosper and compete with all the big markets. When will the excuse making stop? Not forgiving 1998, give me a break. They won' the title in '03 and still have 8,000 season tickets and that's viewed as monumental? Give it time? Yes, the organization is giving it time. Til May 1. If no stadium by then, they are totally justified to move. Again I ask and no one can accurately answer. If they get no stadium by May 1 and let another year pass, when WILL they get a stadium? How many key players must they lose because they don't have the revenue stream. This is a continuous boring cycle. Fans don't show because of '98. Fans want club to win. Team can't win every year with low payroll. Fans say they won't go unless they win. Even when they win, fans see 8,000 season tickets are glorious. The writing is so on the wall that they will either move or contract, and the fan base does so little to prevent that from happening.