JUPITER, Fla. -- Former Marlins manager Jack McKeon sees the economic benefit of retaining a professional franchise. But the savvy 75-year-old wonders if South Florida shares his point of view.

Now a special advisor to team owner Jeffrey Loria, McKeon made his first visit to Marlins' Spring Training on Monday. He traveled from his home in Elon, N.C., to Jupiter, where he will spend about a week around the club.

 

The man who managed the Marlins to the World Series title in 2003 is disappointed that the franchise has not been able to secure a retractable-roof stadium that would ensure the long-term future of the club in South Florida.

 

Granted permission to seek relocation, the Marlins are having numerous conversations with San Antonio regarding a possible move. Stadium talks have stalled in South Florida, and there is a chance the team may eventually move.

 

During his managerial days with the Marlins, McKeon embraced South Florida and believed big-league baseball could prosper in the area in a new building.

 

"I feel sorry for the fans in this area, because eventually when they don't have baseball, they are going to go back and realize that maybe they should have gotten on the politicians a little bit and pushed them a little harder," McKeon said.

 

South Florida still has time to step up, but thus far, talks of a stadium deal in Miami-Dade County have not gained steam.

 

"I know sometimes Jeffrey gets criticized by some people, but I know deep inside since I've been with him that he has always wanted to keep this club in Florida," McKeon said. "That was his intention, to build a tradition here in Florida. But I understand the situation, he needs a stadium."

 

After the Marlins won their second World Series championship in 2003, McKeon felt there was enough public interest stirred up to get a stadium deal done.

 

"I thought for sure after we revitalized the area, and the enthusiasm," McKeon said.

 

Other markets have come through using a combination of public and private money to build stadiums. McKeon points out how Indianapolis is completing a $500 million project for a new football stadium after upgrading its Triple-A stadium.

 

"You say, 'Hey, these people are on the ball. They realize the economic value of a professional franchise,'" McKeon said.

 

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...t=.jsp&c_id=fla

Sounds like Jack was reading off Loria and Samson's teleprompter.

Gosh, just stop

 

 

Jack, not Moneyball, actually rather what Jack represents. Let it be.

Gosh, just stop

 

 

He is, wasn't this the exact same thing both said last week?

I love it when people want to compare this area to another specific area. There are hundreds are cities that are not putting a dime into sradiums...but they like to pint out the 1-2 areas that are.

 

I am not putting down Indianapolis by any means, but it's not an area that needs to ensure its tourism remains constant and happy. It's not an area that needs to ensure that the large population of elderly are taken care of. It's not an area that needs to battle with the state for funds because unlike us their state is not divided in two. And unlike us their city is not recovering financially from a hurricane and their state is not recovering from multiples hurricanes.

 

This is not an excuse for us...but it should be a reason for people outside our area to understand that this area has avenues of concern that need our money more than a very wealthy owner. Baseball came here and DS was good enough for them. MLB's John Henry was allowed to sign a ridiculous lease with Wayne and now MLB wants us to fix it. Maybe Jack should compare us to New Jersey who had the Jets/Giants build their own stadium. Naaaah!