Posted September 7, 200321 yr David Samson considers Puerto Rico, homeland of Pudge Rodriguez, to be Marlin territory. (Alan Diaz/AP) SAN JUAN -- Although the Expos are the home team in this weekend series, Marlins president David Samson considers Puerto Rico part of Marlin territory. Samson is among a contingent of 12 Marlins officials who are attending the weekend series against the Expos at Hiram Bithorn Stadium. "We're here to let the people know that the Marlins are the team of the Americas," said Samson. On hand are marketing representatives as well as mascot Billy the Marlin. Over the weekend, the Marlins have spread about the island, speaking to children, conducting clinics, taking part in interviews with various to Puerto Rican media outlets and directing a yard-ball game. On Friday, Hall of Famer Tony Perez and Hall of Fame announcer Rafael "Felo" Ramirez, of the Marlins' Spanish-language station, did interviews on Puerto Rican radio. Also that day, coaches Jeff Cox, Doug Davis and Bill Robinson gave a clinic to teenagers. "The kids were very attentive," said Cox, who worked on baserunning tips at the clinic. "It went real well. This is a great program." For two days, Marlins officials handed out T-shirts and hats with Billy the Marlin, greeting fans outside the stadium. In addition to Puerto Rico, Samson said, the team considers the Dominican Republic and Venezuela hotbeds in which to cultivate a Marlin following. "These are the beginning steps of integration," said Samson of Puerto Rico, while making it clear that the Marlins have no plans of ever playing regular-season games on the island. The Marlins are already a popular team in Venezuela, with three natives on the team -- shortstop Alex Gonzalez, rookie third baseman Miguel Cabrera and reliever Ugueth Urbina. Third-base coach Ozzie Guillen writes a weekly opinion column for a Venezuelan newspaper. He notes that the country is passionate about baseball and that the Marlins receive national TV coverage on a regular basis. According to Samson, the Marlins are considering some offseason programs as part of their marketing efforts in Puerto Rico, perhaps including the island as part of a caravan.
September 7, 200321 yr Back in 1993-1997 the Marlins had WQBA and the Marlins Spanish Radio Network. Now they have WQBA and the Internet and some radio stations in Venezuela I believe. The Marlins had spanish radio affiliates in PR, DR, Columbia, Venezuela, and used Radio Marti/VOA to reach Cuba. WQAM's signal reaches the Bahamas.
September 7, 200321 yr 1997 MARLINS SPANISH RADIO NETWORK Miami, FL WQBA (1140 AM) Arecibo, PR WMIA (1070 AM) Camay, PR WCHQ (1360 AM) Caracas, Venezuela Union Radio Ntwk. Guayana, PR WIBS (1540 AM) Lares, PR WGDL (1200 AM) Mayaguez, PR WORA (1500 AM) Panama City, Panama La Cadena Exitosa 740 AM & 95.3 FM Ponce, PR WPRP (910 AM) Santa Domingo, DR HIPJ (890 AM) San Juan, PR WSKN (630 AM) Winter Park, FL WHBS (1270 AM) Yauco, PR WEMA (1550 AM)
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