I spoke with Jerry Del Castillo yesterday during his radio show. The following is a summary.

 

1. He believed the most likely site for the stadium is the Hialeah Heights area, (as opposed to the racetrack).

2. Negotiations are on-going

3. Funding gap is narrowing. He believes MLB would somehow contribute. He also said that the plan is to make the surrounding area attractive for fans to visit pre and post games. That this should generate income for the private sector and tax dollars for the county, and that he "was not the smartest person in the world", but if should follow that a bond issue based on this could be a possibility.

4. He apologized for not having more frequent news but stated that he wanted to get it right when he announced something as definite.

 

This reminds me of a sad fact in this area. The English language radio talk show hosts usually have wise crack remarks when speaking about the Marlins and the stadium issues. They somehow think it is cool to joke about the whole thing. It may be due to the fact that this city is more in tune with football and most of the hosts are ex-football jocks that could not give a darn about baseball and its future in this area.

 

On the other hand, I have always heard positive remarks on the Spanish language radio shows. Maybe because their listeners' prefered sport is baseball.

Del Castillo is one of the many friends the Marlins have in the Spanish language media.

They could also get special grants if it was built around the race track site since it is on the historic/preservation board . Just additional money out their to possibly close the gap. It has been mentioned in earlier posts that they could apply for these grants if it was built on the surrounding grounds of the race track. How much grant money they can get I wouldn't know the answer to that question.

They could also get special grants if it was built around the race track site since it is on the historic/preservation board . Just additional money out their to possibly close the gap. It has been mentioned in earlier posts that they could apply for these grants if it was built on the surrounding grounds of the race track. How much grant money they can get I wouldn't know the answer to that question.

 

 

 

Yes, you might be able to do that, but in the long run would the Marlins want to sacrifice the amount of fans that wouldn't be able to get to the site over a few million dollars?

I don't understand what Del Castillo's role is in all this except gadfly?

 

Is it just that he's close to themayor of Hialeah and has a radio show or does he have some other position of importance or stature in the latin community?

3 sounds highly unlikely. There's really no precedent for it, unless you mean in Pittsburgh when all MLB was negotiate the deal on behalf of the Pirates.

It may not be up to the Marlins. Miami Dade County is looking for accessibility to the site and possible return on their money such as creating more ridership on the Metro-rail. I know we have our disagreements on the metro-rail issue. I work with a spouse of one of the commissioners who I will not mention names. That is the question that keeps coming up is the accessibility. What may be accessible to you may not be accessible to others in Miami-Dade County. Another problem is that the voters in Miami Dade will not approve moving the UDB line. The Miami-Dade commissioners office will not move it either. One way or the other I hope something gets done to keep baseball here on either sites.

I don't understand what Del Castillo's role is in all this except gadfly?

 

Is it just that he's close to themayor of Hialeah and has a radio show or does he have some other position of importance or stature in the latin community?

 

 

he's well connected to the high ups in hialeah and the latin sports fan community likes him.

I'd like to see JDC do an english radio show. He's fluent in both.

 

Surely 790 or 560 could find a 2 hour block to fit him in? (Looks at QAM opening from 2-4 M-F).

I don't understand what Del Castillo's role is in all this except gadfly?

 

Is it just that he's close to themayor of Hialeah and has a radio show or does he have some other position of importance or stature in the latin community?

 

 

 

 

 

Jerry is a hard core Marlins fans. He is very pasionate about keeping MLB in South Florida.

 

He has been very vocal about the stadium since the Marlins won the WS in 2003. He has placed blame on the polititians and the Marlins for dragging their feet for so long. He has openly allowed polititians (in favor or against the stadium) to speak openly and share their ideas on his show. He even went to Tallahasee with the Miami delegation to report any news.

 

He is well respected, and there is no hidden agenda that I can see.

 

I'm not sure why you are annoyed by it.

I'd like to see JDC do an english radio show. He's fluent in both.

 

Surely 790 or 560 could find a 2 hour block to fit him in? (Looks at QAM opening from 2-4 M-F).

 

 

if he's pro-Marlins then I'm sure 560 isn't interested.

I'm not sure why you are annoyed by it.

 

Why would you think I was "annoyed" by him?

 

As an anglo who doesn't speak spanish, I have no idea or preconceived notion about Del Castillo, none at all.

 

I'm simply asking the question to better understand how he fits into the picture. No one wants to see the Marlins stay in South Florida more than I do and if he's a good (and reliable) source of info, all the better.

I have still heard nothing that solves the udb line issue. Untill I hear a reasonable solution to that cal me a skeptic.

 

BTW, MLB can offer money in the form of incentives. for example Allstar game WBC and owners meetings or GM meetings.

I'm not sure why you are annoyed by it.

 

Why would you think I was "annoyed" by him?

 

As an anglo who doesn't speak spanish, I have no idea or preconceived notion about Del Castillo, none at all.

 

I'm simply asking the question to better understand how he fits into the picture. No one wants to see the Marlins stay in South Florida more than I do and if he's a good (and reliable) source of info, all the better.

 

 

 

sorry. I misunderstood your previous statement.

 

All I can say is that Del Castillo does a great job covering the Marlins. Better than anyone down here (better than Berardino). I would say his show is mostly about the Marlins and baseball in general. He is very knowledgeable about the players, and I don't think any of the other sports show hosts down here can say the same. He is probably on the Homer side of things, but still does a balanced job.

 

I would look at him as a helping hand and a promoter of the team (and someone who cares and have some strong feelings). To be honest, I don't feel as positive as him right now on this issue. But on the other hand I'm convinced that there are serious talk with the team and Hialeah.

I'd like to see JDC do an english radio show. He's fluent in both.

 

Surely 790 or 560 could find a 2 hour block to fit him in? (Looks at QAM opening from 2-4 M-F).

 

 

if he's pro-Marlins then I'm sure 560 isn't interested.

 

 

maybe put him on 2-4 on 790. Put Boog as the morning show and kick Joe Rose to mid-day. Boog in the mornings would rock for the way to work. I take lunch often just to listen to his show.