Posted October 1, 200519 yr Great season until the last two weeks' Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria touched on a number of subjects Friday, including Jack McKeon, the team's contentious collapse, and next season. He was positive. BY BARRY JACKSON [email protected] Blaming the Marlins' late collapse on injuries, owner Jeffrey Loria on Friday indicated manager Jack McKeon's future will be resolved by Sunday, declined to say how next year's team would be constructed and added the franchise is ''not close'' to a deal for a new stadium. Loria put a surprisingly positive spin on the season despite the Marlins entering Friday in last place in the National League East. ''We had an excellent season,'' he said. ``It's not a great ending, but it was a great season until the last two weeks. The season was not a disappointment. It's just in the last two weeks, injuries hit us.'' On whether McKeon will return, Loria said: ''He's going to make the decision, whatever he wants to do. We have a little more talking to do. We're waiting to hear what he wants to do.'' Asked if that meant McKeon can return if he wishes, Loria said: ``I didn't say that.'' There is sentiment in the front office to make a managerial change, which many expect. But Loria defended McKeon: ``Jack's been great.'' Loria said injuries doomed his team: ``When your catcher is on one leg and your second baseman is on half a leg and two shortstops are out . . . when you're going down the stretch drive, you need your No. 1 guys. You need breaks and good luck. We didn't get the breaks like 2003.'' Loria addressed other issues: ? He said he has ''not thought about'' next year's team but expressed interest in blending in some of the Marlins' top prospects. ''You know I can't stand losing,'' he said. ``I want to hear what our baseball people say. . . . Pray for good health next year.'' ? Despite a $100 million stadium funding gap, Loria is not considering a suggestion by city and county officials to build a ballpark without a retractable dome. ''We're extremely hopeful,'' Loria said of stadium efforts. 'We need to have that thing done . . . get that answered very soon. We can't keep playing outdoors. I hear people say, `You don't need a roof.' We do need a roof. . . . Would you be happy having your office outside on the lawn?'' Loria said he knew nothing about a suggestion to build a stadium that would serve as a hurricane shelter. ? Asked how much money the franchise would lose this season, he said, ``If I tell you, I'll end up on the ground, horizontally. It's not pretty. I've been doing it for four years.'' ? On Mike Lowell: ``Mike had a rough year, but you never heard him complain about it, and you never heard us complain about it.'' ? Loria hasn't spoken with A.J. Burnett since he was sent home by the team Monday. Although Burnett complained about players not getting positive reinforcement, Loria said, ``I spoke with him often during the year to try to keep his spirits going. He's a nice young man. We wish him the very best of luck somewhere else.'' ? Seeing victims of Hurricane Katrina gave Loria perspective. ``The thing that touched me most is when I went to Houston and we took players to that shelter and realized what's really important. Losing baseball games isn't the end of the world. It just makes you eat more and sleep less.'' Link It must be difficult for Loria to put a positive spin on this season, but I can't fault him for trying. I'm surprised the FO hasn't informed him of the hurricane shelter suggestion, especially since he's saying they are not close to a deal.
October 1, 200519 yr He knows about the hurricane shelter, he just doesn't want to comment on it right now.
October 1, 200519 yr I'm sure the Hurricane Shelter (while probably the most likely to get passed) is probably option C right now behind having their own facility with all the bells and whistles that Loria wants, I have a hard time seeing the state paying for those extra amenities that have nothing to do with the shelter concept of the facility. As for the rest of the interview, interesting but uneventful. Just once before we head into the off-season, I'd like to hear from Loria "I won't cut pay-roll." I don't know about anyone else here, but this mystery budget crap is getting tiresome.
October 1, 200519 yr Asked how much money the franchise would lose this season, he said, ``If I tell you, I'll end up on the ground, horizontally. It's not pretty. I've been doing it for four years.'' Does Loria own an NHL franchise we don't know about? :plain
October 1, 200519 yr nothing over delgado. That is a question I would of liked to hear about. But, I cant fault Loria for whatever he does. He has been a good owner for us so far.
October 1, 200519 yr nothing over delgado. That is a question I would of liked to hear about. But, I cant fault Loria for whatever he does. He has been a good owner for us so far. Loria has reportedly told Delgado, to his face, that he will not be traded. I think that issue has run its course, at least as far as the South Florida media is concerned, New York probably won't let it die, however.
October 1, 200519 yr It wasn't like he could come into the interview and say, "what a bunch of quitters!"
October 1, 200519 yr Author I'm sure the Hurricane Shelter (while probably the most likely to get passed) is probably option C right now behind having their own facility with all the bells and whistles that Loria wants, I have a hard time seeing the state paying for those extra amenities that have nothing to do with the shelter concept of the facility. As for the rest of the interview, interesting but uneventful. Just once before we head into the off-season, I'd like to hear from Loria "I won't cut pay-roll." I don't know about anyone else here, but this mystery budget crap is getting tiresome. If the shelter is option C and bells and whistles is B, what is option A? The state would pay for the difference to upgrade the stadium to serve as a shelter, i.e. roor reinforcement, showers, add'l food services, etc.
October 1, 200519 yr I'm sure the Hurricane Shelter (while probably the most likely to get passed) is probably option C right now behind having their own facility with all the bells and whistles that Loria wants, I have a hard time seeing the state paying for those extra amenities that have nothing to do with the shelter concept of the facility. As for the rest of the interview, interesting but uneventful. Just once before we head into the off-season, I'd like to hear from Loria "I won't cut pay-roll." I don't know about anyone else here, but this mystery budget crap is getting tiresome. If the shelter is option C and bells and whistles is B, what is option A? The state would pay for the difference to upgrade the stadium to serve as a shelter, i.e. roor reinforcement, showers, add'l food services, etc. Option A is what everyone knows the team really should have, but will never get: a stadium in a major dowtown area in Miami. Option A is already out the window, we're now on option B.
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