Posted August 31, 200519 yr MARLINS NOTEBOOK Turnout is 'depressing' BY KEVIN BAXTER kbaxter@herald.com That the Marlins entered Tuesday fourth in the National League in victories but last in attendance has become a frequent topic of conversation in the clubhouse, with some players growing increasingly frustrated with what they see as an apathetic fan base. Despite being in the thick of a tight playoff race, the Marlins are averaging fewer than 23,000 at home, better than only the Kansas City Royals and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. That's something pitcher A.J. Burnett calls ''depressing,'' joking that players can hear the bullpen phone ring from the dugout. ''You know when you come here there won't be anybody here,'' said another player, who asked that his name not be used. ''It's almost expected. It's an event town. Everybody wants to show up at the MTV [Video Music] Awards.'' But at least one player blamed the stadium and the weather, not the fans, for the sparse turnouts. ''I completely cannot blame one fan,'' closer Todd Jones said. ''The amenities in the stadium here -- the open air, the 97-degree weather, and the 100 percent chance of rain with a school night -- would keep me from coming here, too.'' Jones believes a new ballpark, such as the retractable-roof stadium the Marlins have proposed building near the Orange Bowl, would bring the fans back because they would be guaranteed a game in air-conditioned comfort rather than having to wait out a rain delay in sauna-like conditions. ''Absolutely,'' he said. ''No doubt about it. If you threw a retractable roof here and people knew what they were going to get, absolutely.'' Others weren't so sure, suggesting the team might have to continue with its threat to leave South Florida if a stadium isn't built. ''There'll be an uprising if this team leaves,'' one player said. ''I wouldn't be upset. I love Florida, I love being here. But it's business.'' Todd Jones is officially my 2nd favorite Marlins player now.
August 31, 200519 yr AJ is speaking the truth but we already knew that attendance sucks and that Miami fans are fickle people.
August 31, 200519 yr I still stand by my theory that the Marlins need a stadium you can drop by, rather than one that you trek to for an event. You go to a baseball game. You go to the football game.
August 31, 200519 yr just shocking that's the last thing i'd expect to hear from a guy such as AJ he says this once a month. he doesn't like it here, he's leaving in 3 months now. He's not the type of guy whos going to keep his mouth shut. I'm just glad that up until two starts ago at how he was pitching. We should just hope he pitches like that and I know I won't worry about what comes out of his mouth.
August 31, 200519 yr Oh lord.. I hope the Marlins dont leave South Florida I will be totally crushed. I wonder who the other Marlin who was interviewed.
August 31, 200519 yr Oh lord.. I hope the Marlins dont leave South Florida I will be totally crushed. I wonder who the other Marlin who was interviewed. 923392[/snapback] JP
August 31, 200519 yr Oh lord.. I hope the Marlins dont leave South Florida I will be totally crushed. I wonder who the other Marlin who was interviewed. 923392[/snapback] JP 923396[/snapback] Thanks
August 31, 200519 yr Oh lord.. I hope the Marlins dont leave South Florida I will be totally crushed. I wonder who the other Marlin who was interviewed. 923392[/snapback] JP 923396[/snapback] Thanks 923398[/snapback] Oh no, I'm guessing. I remember he said something kinda negative a few months ago. Don't take my guess as fact.
August 31, 200519 yr I still stand by my theory that the Marlins need a stadium you can drop by, rather than one that you trek to for an event. You go to a baseball game. You go to the football game. 923384[/snapback] Too bad there's no place in South Florida where everyone can just drop by. Unless the state feels like investing in some teleportation equipment, that is. :mischief2
August 31, 200519 yr I think one thing that gets lost in all the fuss is that Miami is probably the most isolated (in terms of land) city in the US. Every other major city with a baseball team is surrounded by other cities, states, etc...
August 31, 200519 yr I think one thing that gets lost in all the fuss is that Miami is probably the most isolated (in terms of land) city in the US. Every other major city with a baseball team is surrounded by other cities, states, etc... 923403[/snapback] I agree.. Nobody can come from the West or the East (Like other teams). Geeez... Why cant we get a stadium :confused
August 31, 200519 yr Maybe attendance would be better if the players didn't insult the fans? Just a thought... 923382[/snapback] Are you telling me hundreds of people are staying away because the players are complaining of low attendance, when if they all WENT to games, there would be nothing for the players to complain about?
August 31, 200519 yr Jones rocks, AJ you are leaving at the end of the year anyways. Jones is right though, everyday for the past week it has rained on the way home from work for me. Makes me want to even sometimes almost skip a game sometimes. But, the hurricane, folks without power and all doesnt help either.
August 31, 200519 yr Boog is making a pretty hilarious statement about fans not going to the game right now. Someone came on complaining about traffic and he's like, "There are other cities with traffic and very little mass transit, and people still go to the games. There's always going to be traffic, it's a part of life...sure everyone is going to be like, 'I want to get into the stadium for $4, I want to sit next to Jack McKeon, I want there to be no traffic in or out, even though 60,000 people are at the game...' but that's not going to happen."
August 31, 200519 yr for anyone who has ever met Aj Burnett you will probably attest the fact that he is one of the biggest jerks in the world. I for one cannot wait for him to leave town. I have met the guy on several occassions and everytime he has been a complete jerk to myself, and my friends. I used to work at a resturant that he came in to several times. And if you just said hi to the guy he would roll his eyes at you and give off an essence of get away from me. I flew up to Washington to visit a friend of mine and went to one of the Marlins vs. Nats games and ended up sitting next to Aj's father-in-law. Aj came over and I told him how I was from Miami and a true Marlins fan. Tried to get a ball signed he just looked at me and basically said I could care less where your from or why you're here. He then said I'll sign at 7:10 when the game started at 7:05. The guy is a down right jerk, and I'm not surprised one bit he would say something like that. Can't wait for him to sign with the Yankees and crack under the pressure of New York and suck it up like his buddy Pavano. Plus I bet he spends more time on the DL then actually pitching. True the crowds down here aren't the biggest, but instead of insulting the whole town for not coming, why not encourage those who go to keep coming out? If anyone is a season ticket holder like myself the current post season plan is the biggest scam... you pay almost triple the price of your season ticket package and you HAVE to buy tickets for next season too. I for one cannot afford to pay all of that at once, so I will not be able to attend if they make the playoffs. Another thing that gets under my skin is the fact that once the team is in the playoffs you can't get a ticket... where are all these people during the regular season and why do the loyal ones end up getting punished by not being able to attend post season games because everyone else in town wants to be seen at the event. I wish they would allow season ticket holders to have individual playoff game priority. Maybe like they go onsale 1 day earlier for season ticket holders so the loyal fans, who don't have 1000s of extra dollars laying around can attend the playoff games. I hate to say this but the way the post season tickets are priced this year I have a feeling the team is going to make a big salary dump and not be very good next year.. why else would they want to lock in those hoping for a playoff berth this year into a season ticket plan for next year?
August 31, 200519 yr Boog is making a pretty hilarious statement about fans not going to the game right now. Someone came on complaining about traffic and he's like, "There are other cities with traffic and very little mass transit, and people still go to the games. There's always going to be traffic, it's a part of life...sure everyone is going to be like, 'I want to get into the stadium for $4, I want to sit next to Jack McKeon, I want there to be no traffic in or out, even though 60,000 people are at the game...' but that's not going to happen." 923422[/snapback] He also said fans would say "I want the Marlins to play in my house." :lol :lol :lol
August 31, 200519 yr hmmm the 2 times I have been fortunate to have met him he has been real cool maybe you should shower more often
August 31, 200519 yr Can't wait for him to sign with the Yankees and crack under the pressure of New York and suck it up like his buddy Pavano. 923423[/snapback] I don't really think he's going to the Yankees. He'll go to a middle-payroll team that feels like making an investment. From the comments he makes, it seems to me he wants to be the ace of a staff.
August 31, 200519 yr Why shouldnt he be able to voice his concern? Im sure its a helluava lot harder to get up for and give your all in front of 20,000 people then it is when you have a good atmosphere and see more people in the stand then orange.
August 31, 200519 yr Can't wait for him to sign with the Yankees and crack under the pressure of New York and suck it up like his buddy Pavano. 923423[/snapback] I don't really think he's going to the Yankees. He'll go to a middle-payroll team that feels like making an investment. From the comments he makes, it seems to me he wants to be the ace of a staff. 923427[/snapback] See: The Detroit Tigers
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