08/02/2003 6:16 PM ET

Marlins notes: Optimism on rise

Loria excited about market, fan enthusiasm

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com Get tickets

 

MIAMI -- Attendance and optimism are on the rise for the Marlins.

Team owner Jeffrey Loria feels the buzz at the ballpark and around town.

 

"The buzz is getting to be a loud noise," said Loria, who assumed ownership of the franchise prior to the 2002 season. "That's great for the players."

 

With the Marlins in the thick of the Wild Card race, Loria remains committed to putting the most competitive product as possible on the field.

 

The Marlins didn't make any last-minute trade acquisitions Thursday, but the team made a splash shortly before the All-Star Game by acquiring reliever Ugueth Urbina.

 

"They scratch and they're tough and they don't quit," Loria said of his improving team. "Fans like to see that."

 

While the Marlins are still in the process of reconnecting with the community, Loria believes South Florida has the potential to be one of the top baseball markets in Major League Baseball.

 

"This has the potential to be a top 10 market, without a doubt," Loria insists.

 

He adds it will take time and a great deal of patience.

 

Loria credits the players, manager Jack McKeon and his staff, and the increased fan support for lifting the team from a sub-.500 club to a team that is 40-21 over its last 61 games.

 

"[Fan] support has been an integral part of the success," said Loria, a fixture at home and road games. "The fans have been great."

 

Marlins merchandise is more visible around South Florida with people purchasing Dontrelle Willis and Ivan Rodriguez jerseys.

 

"It's a heck of a product," Loria says. "I love this market. Like I've said, I could be doing something else. I chose to do this."

 

Loria is enjoying the moment and not talking publicly about next year. Down the road, the team is hopeful of securing a new stadium.

 

The team has made bold personnel moves since taking over, hitting on a number of them. Acquiring Willis, signing Rodriguez and bringing in Juan Pierre have all paid off.

 

"I like this whole mix and the flavor of this market," Loria said of the benefits of South Florida. "The diversity is unique."

 

 

Cabrera's learning curve: Left fielder Miguel Cabrera was rudely introduced to Astros' closer Billy Wagner Friday night.

 

In the ninth inning, Wagner blew away the 20-year-old Cabrera with a 100 mph fastball.

 

After strike two, Cabrera stepped out of the batters box, shaking his head.

 

Every night is a new learning experience for Cabrera, who started the season at Double-A Carolina.

 

The Venezuelan native said Wagner was the hardest thrower he ever faced. Prior to Friday, that distinction went to Atlanta's John Smoltz.

 

"He's going to get them all," McKeon said. "He's had some good at-bats against Kerry Wood. He stood in there pretty good against him."

 

Cabrera also has seen Randy Johnson, Kevin Millwood and Greg Maddux.

 

"I study the pitchers," said Cabrera, who watches a lot of video.

 

At every level, Cabrera has been able to hit. He was batting .365 when he was brought up to the Major Leagues.

 

Cabrera had his seven-game hitting streak snapped Friday, going 0-for-3. Still adjusting to the big leagues, he is batting .295 over his last 25 games.

 

Down on the farm: Triple-A Albuquerque completed its nine-game road trip with a 6-3 record after suffering a 4-2 loss Friday to Nashville.

 

Outfielder Abraham Nunez collected a double and an RBI in the loss.

 

For the nine games, the Isotopes had a team ERA of 2.82 and batted .262.

 

Albuquerque holds a 1 1/2 game lead in the Pacific Coast League.

 

Rain washed out Double-A Carolina's game Friday and Class-A Jupiter also had its contest canceled because of inclement weather.

 

Low Class-A Greensboro is led in batting by outfielder Jeremy Hermida, who has a .291 average with 22 stolen bases and a .386 on-base percentage. Hermida was the Marlins' first-round pick in the 2002 draft.

 

The skipper says: "Give him four or five more starts, and he will really be sharp. He's pretty sharp as it is. Getting him back [shortly before the All-Star Break] was like trading for another pitcher." -- McKeon on Josh Beckett, who is pitching effectively since coming off the disabled list with a right elbow sprain.

 

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

Loria should start working harder on a new ballpark deal....

I haven't heard much news on the new ballpark as of late. I recall hearing about a retractable roof stadium in downtown Miami.

Anybody have info on that??

I posted this article because it has his vision for the future with the Marlins in South Florida. He is going to make this a top 10 baseball market, but we the fans must help.

I posted this article because it has his vision for the future with the Marlins in South Florida. He is going to make this a top 10 baseball market, but we the fans must help.

The market and fanbase is there, and everyone knows it.

Thats good fans are showing up. That gets the players Pumped up and we will start winning. If We keep it up we will have a new stadium in no time....

I think it may be a little too early to talk about a new stadium. I think it will take another season like this - a winning ball club - to really start talking about a stadium. From a business perspective, the Marlins as a product will be more attractive and could command a more lucrative deal. But more importantly, if Loria was to say, 'yeah, we're great, but what do ya say about a new ballpark, huh?' that would be very suspicious. I think patience is in order, and Loria and Co. have already demonstrated a very underated business acumen - they have made pretty much all the right moves to get this club where it is, and what a transition from just over a year ago. These guys really, dare I say it, know what they are doing. In time, people will see that...

These guys really, dare I say it, know what they are doing. In time, people will see that...

We all know they know what they're doing.

 

Everyone but Berendino knows this. Even Le Batard made us pull over the bandwagon so he could hop on.