Posted on Fri, Sep. 05, 2003

 

We're not worthy! No, really -- we're not

COMMENTARY / DAN LE BATARD

dlebatard@herald.com

 

 

Dan Le Batard

 

 

 

 

What's the complaint you hear most often about professional athletes?

 

That they're overpaid, spoiled, indifferent?

 

Well, very quietly, much too quietly, the Marlins are proving an aberration in ways that stretch beyond the scoreboard.

 

Because they care far more than we do.

 

Gritty Juan Pierre, obsessive-compulsive about working, scores on a sacrifice fly to the second baseman and begins celebrating as if he were Craig Counsell in Game 7. Stoic Derrek Lee, normally an emotional flatline, stretches a creative slide around the catcher and comes up pumping his fist like a man trying to start a lawn mower. And Pudge Rodr?guez, a player criticized in the past for his indifferent body language, is hopping around like a joyous child after big strikeouts and clutch hits (even if he's sitting in the dugout when they occur).

 

But all the energy at the ballpark is self-generated, the spark starting in the home dugout but not even reaching into the seats, never mind the surrounding community.

 

Unfathomable fact No. 1: The 37-102 Tigers, a historically bad baseball team, somehow drew more fans Thursday afternoon in dreary Detroit than the playoff-chasing Marlins did in sunshine-soaked South Florida.

 

Unfathomable fact No. 2: The Marlins didn't draw as many fans Thursday as their minor-league affiliate in Albuquerque, N.M., did Wednesday.

 

You say fans have to work during the day? Fine. But they didn't have to work Thursday in Kansas City, where the Royals got a crowd twice as large as Florida's for a third-place team?

 

Hard to say which is more surprising today -- how high the Marlins are in the standings or how low they are in the stands. The pathetic crowd for Florida's 5-1 victory over Pittsburgh on Thursday was alleged to be 10,213. And perhaps it was, if the attendance counter became so depressed that he hit the Scotch too hard and started seeing double. It is our unique shame that there isn't a major-league city in North America, not one, that would draw this terribly for a team this good.

 

What is it? You still feel betrayed by the dismantling of the 1997 Marlins? You don't believe in ownership? You see all these one-year contracts and figure the Marlins will be traded off again? Fair points, all. But know this, too: Even the Expos have been drawing crowds double and triple this size in a French-first city for a team that had been on the cusp of extinction.

 

You are worried that Luis Castillo might not be here next season? Montreal fans are worried that all the Expos won't be there next season. And they're still coming out to watch a team that isn't as good as the Marlins.

 

What more would you like, South Florida? The owner is spending, bringing in pieces that are not only good (Ugueth Urbina) but popular (Jeff Conine). The team is exciting, passionate and lovable. It even has the perfect underdog storyline, still fighting the high-payroll Phillies despite losing its best hitter to injury. The Marlins are becoming the most interesting thing in sports -- an underdog that believes -- and the magical combination of winning and surprise would make any ballpark outside of South Florida sway and buzz with feel-good.

 

This kind of sports story doesn't come around very often. Just once or twice a decade, if that. Go ahead and make a list of the best underdog stories South Florida has had in the past two decades. You've got the 1983 Miami Hurricanes, the 1996 Florida Panthers and, and, and . . . that about covers it.

 

We don't deserve these fist-pumping players, frankly. We deserve the attitude of, say, Manny Ram?rez. Because South Florida fans are a lot like him -- not caring enough and not appreciative that they have something everyone around them covets.

 

Speaking of Ram?rez, he has been the talk in clubhouses all week after missing a crucial weekend series against the Yankees with a mere sore throat and being about the only thing in baseball as indifferent as South Florida fans.

 

Funny thing: Ram?rez is terribly uncomfortable with fame, so he doesn't like Boston because Red Sox fans recognize him whenever he goes out.

 

Red Sox fans care more than their best player, in other words.

 

If only we had such problems here.

 

Article

Its a Thursday afternoon.

Hey LaBaterd: Do you go to any games?

KC has fans cuz there are farmers.

WOW. Great article. I hope it stirs some people to action because Im beginning to think south fla doesnt deserve this team.

I've come to a depressing conclusion: South Florida is one of the worst sports towns there is.

 

The Dolphins can't sell out home games that aren't against teams with a large displaced fan base now living down here, Heck, they can't even sell out 1st round playoff games. The Marlins can't draw flies to a pennant chase. Froget about the '97 firesale and all the negativity that goes along with it, it's not the reason/excuse anymore. For myriad reasons this town is a dump when it comes to sports.

We SUCK!

 

If we lose the Marlins, is all the FANS fault!

 

What excuse do we have now?

- PPS SUCKS. there is no baseballe athmophere (BULLS**T, have you been to any games? even with 12K crowds the place vibrates with exitement)

- Driving to the PPS suck (BS # 2)

- We don't know if the ownership is commited (BIG BS excuse # 3)

- We don't have a good product on the field (BS # 4)

- Wayne destroyed the fan base (BS # 5)

 

This year can't be any better. These excuses are getting old, I'm afraid that we may be loosing our team.

Right on Fresh Fish, WE DO SUCK!

 

As soon as Montreal-Gate gets settled by MLB you can bet that the Fish are going to be the next target. The sad thing is that I don't really blame MLB anymore. It's a crappy market with no support.

I'm sorry but WE do not suck. You want to know who sucks. All those people that pretend to be MArlins Fans and never goto a single game. I for one goto at least 1 or 2 games every homestand. I do not like to read things like this about fans because I try all I can to support my team. But I do understand that SouthFLA fans suck. For all sports. But I think a big reason we don;t get good attendnace for the Marlins is because of where that damn stadium is located. It's hard for people who work in say DownTown or FtLauderDale to make it to that stadium after getting out of work at 6 or 7. For an afternoon game it's xpected we won't draw as many people. I mean for an afternoon game during the week one would have to practically take the day off from work to goto the game. IF we had a stadium in downtown maybe more people could make it to games. Anyways.. im tired of writing...

I'm sorry but WE do not suck. You want to know who sucks. All those people that pretend to be MArlins Fans and never goto a single game. I for one goto at least 1 or 2 games every homestand. I do not like to read things like this about fans because I try all I can to support my team. But I do understand that SouthFLA fans suck. For all sports. But I think a big reason we don;t get good attendnace for the Marlins is because of where that damn stadium is located. It's hard for people who work in say DownTown or FtLauderDale to make it to that stadium after getting out of work at 6 or 7. For an afternoon game it's xpected we won't draw as many people. I mean for an afternoon game during the week one would have to practically take the day off from work to goto the game. IF we had a stadium in downtown maybe more people could make it to games. Anyways.. im tired of writing...

I'm talking about Fans in general, not directed to you or anyone in particular. We do have fans that rock.

 

I bet that there are worst stadiums (and worst located) and they get good attendance on other cities. The stadium location excuse is BS. We DO have million(s) in South Florida, 10K for a WC leading team a game is a disaster! Specially in SEPTEMBER!

First of all, this is a totally shameless article by Dan LeBatard. He's been one of the biggest critics of the Marlins and has been the head cheerleader over the years in proclaiming how this town will never embrace baseball, the Marlins are a joke of a franchise, etc, etc, etc...

 

You can say he's just reacting to what he sees here, and that's all fine and good. You wouldn't be wrong. But he hasn't been ripping the fans, he rips the team and the sport. Now that things are different and he can't find any reason to attack the Marlins or its ownership, he finally makes a plea for some people to show up at games. I can't understand why any of them don't show up either Dan. After all, previous ownership and the south florida media has convinced any fan that can't think for himself (that would be the majority of them, by the way) that this team is a joke. So now that you've got them all believing you, you want them to suddenly show up? I'd tell him to get out of this town and go do his bad espn radio show permanently, except that it seems he's actually quite perfect for south florida.

 

No, it's not the media's job to promote the team or try to generate interest. But when all you've done is complain about the team, it makes you look like a fraud when you do anything else.

 

As far as his point, it's all unquestionably true.

S. Florida fans aren't any better or worse than fans anywhere else. Remember, the Marlins drew 3 million+ in their inaugural season, and drew over 2.3 million during their championship run in '97. A lot of it probably has to do with people thinking this club is a fluke and most people knowing that I-Rod, Derrek Lee, and probably either Luis Castillo or Mike Lowell will not be back with the club next year. It takes a commitment to winning to build any sort of consistent fan base, and the Marlins haven't provided that. Remember, that "bad baseball town", Montreal outdrew every team in the NL for the '80s except Philly, L.A., N.Y., and St. Louis. That "great" sports town, Pittsburgh, was dead last, and worse than Atlanta that had to put up with the pathetic '80s Braves.

 

What I find to be a bigger shame is that the Twins who have more world Championships over the past 20 years than any other team except the Blue Jays and Yankees, and went to the playoffs last year, are being outdrawn by also-ran towns like of Colorado, Cincy, San Diego, and Toronto.

well as for the "commitment to win" part..... thus far this year, Loria and Co have shown they want to win now....

 

they take Lowell off the trading block, acquire Urbina, Conine, pick up Fox and Helling....

 

what more do the fans want? anyway, i expect big crowds vs the Braves and everyone else the rest of this month..... its pretty sad right now though

First of all, this is a totally shameless article by Dan LeBatard. He's been one of the biggest critics of the Marlins and has been the head cheerleader over the years in proclaiming how this town will never embrace baseball, the Marlins are a joke of a franchise, etc, etc, etc...

 

You can say he's just reacting to what he sees here, and that's all fine and good. You wouldn't be wrong. But he hasn't been ripping the fans, he rips the team and the sport. Now that things are different and he can't find any reason to attack the Marlins or its ownership, he finally makes a plea for some people to show up at games. I can't understand why any of them don't show up either Dan. After all, previous ownership and the south florida media has convinced any fan that can't think for himself (that would be the majority of them, by the way) that this team is a joke. So now that you've got them all believing you, you want them to suddenly show up? I'd tell him to get out of this town and go do his bad espn radio show permanently, except that it seems he's actually quite perfect for south florida.

 

No, it's not the media's job to promote the team or try to generate interest. But when all you've done is complain about the team, it makes you look like a fraud when you do anything else.

 

As far as his point, it's all unquestionably true.

It's a little hard to believe this isn't more agenda-rattling from the Herald, a newspaper that for the last three years, day in and day out, from spring training til the end of the season, has as much as said to fans "don't go to games".

 

Those with short memories might not remember last year's Herald mantra - "the Marlins are moving, the Marlins are being contracted, don't invest your time or money because this scumbag owner is going to screw you if you do" or the famous "they'll be a AAA team next year after they dump all their good players so don't bother becoming emotionally attached" rant.

 

For the Herald to now condemn the fans for not going now after three years of their disgusting propaganda and accusing them of stupidity FOR going to games is the height of hypocracy.

S. Florida fans aren't any better or worse than fans anywhere else.? Remember, the Marlins drew 3 million+ in their inaugural season, and drew over 2.3 million during their championship run in '97.?

I never understand why people point to that 3 million in the first season. It's the first season! Of course people are going to come out. Same reason they come out the first year of a brand new stadium!

 

 

What I find to be a bigger shame is that the Twins who have more world Championships over the past 20 years than any other team except the Blue Jays and Yankees, and went to the playoffs last year, are being outdrawn by also-ran towns like of Colorado, Cincy, San Diego, and Toronto.

well in Cincy's case, that's the "new ballpark" result. Teams should study San Diego and try to figure out how they manage to keep such a great fanbase. The team's basically been mediocre or bad lately yet they continue to draw well. Now they'll get a new stadium & it'll be even better.

You say fans have to work during the day? Fine. But they didn't have to work Thursday in Kansas City, where the Royals got a crowd twice as large as Florida's for a third-place team?

we have no excuse, but come on..... the Royals are in 3rd by 1 game

I still believe that the biggest obstacle to adding another 10,000 fans a night to attendance is the weather. My son and I have gone to maybe 20 games this season and we would've probably gone to 20 more if we knew we weren't going to get soaked or rained out. Families just aren't going make a commitment to season tickets or even a planned family outing unless they know the game will be played. This just isn't like Philly or Cincy where you pretty much know whether its going to rain or not, here you just don't know.

 

It is isn't even the rain so much as THE THREAT OF RAIN. I'm of the mind that the best of all worlds would be for Miami-Dade to buy PPS back from WH (they already own the land, WH owns the structure) and add a retractable roof. My problems with PPS are more the high cost of parking (also known as Huizenga-gouging) and the simply atrocious food vendors who seem hell-bent on making the PPS baseball experience as unfriendly as possible.

 

Buy Wayne out of his lease, structure deals with both franschises and build a roof, that's my solution to the attendance problem.

i've been asking myself a lot lately how the hell do the Cubs get the type of attendance they get? a franchise long known as the loveable losers that plays all their home games during the day gets incredible attendance. how do they do it? and its not just this year, its always been like that.

here i dont know how to explain it, i can tell why i didnt go yesterday or in 2 months, lack of funds and school yesterday. its great to go to a game, its a lot of fun. i think its in a good location, right on the county line. but everyone else, i dont know. the heat for day games? maybe also lack of funds? the comfort of watching it at home? who knows

I would go more often if I didn't live 250 miles away from PPS.

Great article by LeBatard.

H Y P O C R I T E

 

 

This guy is worse than Beradino. Point, blame, blame, point, blame - in that order. You rip on the team, the town, the owners, the FANS and come back with this bs? It may sound firey and passionate but its still BS. Hopefully it does get some more butts in the seats though.

 

btw: The isotopes played in Nashville wednesday night, not Albuquerque. 10,004 showed up in Nashville to watch that game (which the topes won 7-5). They'll be in Albuquerque tonight where there will be no less than 13K of us even though it seats a little over 11K. I'll be there since I can't go to San Juan or Miami anytime soon.

I still believe that the biggest obstacle to adding another 10,000 fans a night to attendance is the weather. My son and I have gone to maybe 20 games this season and we would've probably gone to 20 more if we knew we weren't going to get soaked or rained out. Families just aren't going make a commitment to season tickets or even a planned family outing unless they know the game will be played. This just isn't like Philly or Cincy where you pretty much know whether its going to rain or not, here you just don't know.

 

It is isn't even the rain so much as THE THREAT OF RAIN. I'm of the mind that the best of all worlds would be for Miami-Dade to buy PPS back from WH (they already own the land, WH owns the structure) and add a retractable roof. My problems with PPS are more the high cost of parking (also known as Huizenga-gouging) and the simply atrocious food vendors who seem hell-bent on making the PPS baseball experience as unfriendly as possible.

 

Buy Wayne out of his lease, structure deals with both franschises and build a roof, that's my solution to the attendance problem.

I agree, HOK Sports design PPS and could do the transformation. It would be similar to SkyDome except no Astroturf and no boring seats. PPS is good for baseball if we build the roof and make it affordable.

People still don't trust this organization. There is a vicious cycle at play here, people think this organization is going to die, I for one am still scared that the lack of attendance will eventually lead the owner to sell key players. Basically destroying any fabric which may have been replaced since 97'. Therefore causing more fans to abandon ship. But I am not alone many others fear the same and therefore are skeptic about investing too much in this team. Maybe if the owner can suck it up for a couple years give the fans time to trust again.

Get this through. attendance is not that big for ownership in terms of $$$$$. TV, Radio, Ads, Business, luxury Suites are. If the Marlins got a fair lease at PPS, with a 50% share in revenues from Marlins games, they would be profitable. The currently get 5-15% revenues from Marlins gameday revenues.

People still don't trust this organization. There is a vicious cycle at play here, people think this organization is going to die, I for one am still scared that the lack of attendance will eventually lead the owner to sell key players. Basically destroying any fabric which may have been replaced since 97'. Therefore causing more fans to abandon ship. But I am not alone many others fear the same and therefore are skeptic about investing too much in this team. Maybe if the owner can suck it up for a couple years give the fans time to trust again.

He's been sucking it up 2 years and counting. How much more will it take? He can move the team to another state if he wanted to, but he hasn't. He knows the market is his for the taking. The problem is people keep making excuses. There are no more excuses for the low attendance.

heck they've gotta be pulling in enough $$ from that giant Micosukee Indian Casino ad on the outfield wall to sign Lowell for 5 years already! :lol

heck they've gotta be pulling in enough $$ from that giant Micosukee Indian Casino ad on the outfield wall to sign Lowell for 5 years already! :lol

Marlins only get 50% of that money. PPS/Huizenga gets the rest.