Web Posted: 04/20/2006 12:23 AM CDT

 

Tom Orsborn

Express-News Staff Writer

 

Florida Marlins president David Samson reiterated Wednesday the team's desire to remain in South Florida.

 

"We have put a lot of blood, sweat and tears and criticisms and world championships and trades into this market, and we would like to see it through to its logical conclusion," Samson told Miami radio station WAXY 790-AM.

 

Samson's public comments were his first since Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff set a May 15 deadline for the team to respond to the county's stadium-financing proposal.

 

Wolff, who is leading local efforts to attract the Marlins to San Antonio, announced the deadline Monday. He said it is necessary because the county faces an Aug. 15 deadline to place an item on the November ballot asking voters to extend the tourism taxes paying for the AT&T Center.

 

If voters approve the plan, Wolff said the county could provide as much as $200 million toward a $310 million ballpark.

 

"I understand what they are doing," Samson said of Wolff and other county officials. "They are trying to do what is best for their community. At the same time, things don't often work as quickly as you like them to work in any scenario. Deadlines, once they are broken, you've got credibility issues."

 

Samson also responded to comments made by Bexar County commissioner Lyle Larson that the Marlins are using the threat of moving to San Antonio as leverage to gain a stadium deal in South Florida.

 

"I think (Wolff) understands our interest is genuine," Samson said. "But we told him from the beginning we would like to stay in South Florida."

 

Samson also defended comments from Major League Baseball president Bob DuPuy that Wolff labeled ambiguous.

 

"That is the vibe (Wolff) has gotten from all of us because I have told him, and I think baseball has told him, (the San Antonio market) could be viable," Samson said, "but (DuPuy and other Major League Baseball officials) have to look over the long term. ... San Antonio, I think, can take Major League Baseball, whether it's the Marlins or another franchise that may be moving in the near future.

 

"(But) you need to make sure it's not going to fail going forward."

 

torsborn@express-news.net

 

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories...y.18089c44.html

 

Interesting comments by Samson.

Interesting comments by Samson.

 

 

It's actually become quite clear there's no interest in moving the Marlins to San Antonio. With DuPoy saying MLB is waiting for word from the Marlins to do the real study and Samson saying they need to wait for MLB before getting into any further discussions. They are playing off each other trying to create more leverage time, which is why Wolff finally got around to setting a deadline, and why Samson would "prefer" there not be a deadline.

 

Wolff was always overly optimistic about this anyway. He really should have been working MLB to show we are a good market for future consideration instead of pushing the Marlins so hard. MLB is not going to give up on S. FL, though they'd probably consider giving up on N FL if they could.

 

I'm still hoping for the Twins if they don't get their stadium, though the stadium issue was passed from committee in a tight vote (15-13) up there and now gets voted on the House floor. If they don't get their stadium, I think they'll be sold and moved.

 

I always figured the Marlins looking into SA was a combination of needing a threat since over a decade with no real threat accomplished nothing and wanting to check out markets for other MLB teams that may be moving (which when this started there were 4 other possibilities, but they are oh so dwindling).

Goods news if you're a Marlins fan and want them to stay in S. Florida.

Really non-news for the Marlins, this is just lip-service, and I think we've always known that Miami/Hialeah is the more legitimate of the markets.

 

However, I found this quote incredibly interesting:

 

San Antonio, I think, can take Major League Baseball, whether it's the Marlins or another franchise that may be moving in the near future.

 

 

Have to wonder what's been discussed behind the scenes.

Very good news. Keeping the Marlins in Florida is what's important.

I hope this works out for the best.

Dont write too much into this. Hialeah would be a terrible mistake. TERRIBLE! And they are going to ask the Marlins for MORE money to close the funding gap on a stadium in Hialeah? Pull this leg and it will play jingle bells for you.

Rest assured there is MUCH politicking going on right now. Loria doesnt wanna go to Hialeah.....he just cant say so right now. Again......how far is Hialeah from the areas holding the most disposable income? The Marlins and baseball would die a slow death in Hialeah.

I wouldnt be surprised if Samson actually asked the Judge for a deadline and then feigned a reaction.

Dont write too much into this. Hialeah would be a terrible mistake. TERRIBLE! And they are going to ask the Marlins for MORE money to close the funding gap on a stadium in Hialeah? Pull this leg and it will play jingle bells for you.

Rest assured there is MUCH politicking going on right now. Loria doesnt wanna go to Hialeah.....he just cant say so right now. Again......how far is Hialeah from the areas holding the most disposable income? The Marlins and baseball would die a slow death in Hialeah.

I wouldnt be surprised if Samson actually asked the Judge for a deadline and then feigned a reaction.

 

You know absolutly nothing.

Dont write too much into this. Hialeah would be a terrible mistake. TERRIBLE! And they are going to ask the Marlins for MORE money to close the funding gap on a stadium in Hialeah? Pull this leg and it will play jingle bells for you.

Rest assured there is MUCH politicking going on right now. Loria doesnt wanna go to Hialeah.....he just cant say so right now. Again......how far is Hialeah from the areas holding the most disposable income? The Marlins and baseball would die a slow death in Hialeah.

I wouldnt be surprised if Samson actually asked the Judge for a deadline and then feigned a reaction.

 

You know absolutly nothing.

 

That was my first reaction.

Goods news if you're a Marlins fan and want them to stay in S. Florida.

 

 

Isnt that every marlins fan?

 

Seriously though, I think everyone will feel 100 times better if we get a deal done

Dont write too much into this. Hialeah would be a terrible mistake. TERRIBLE! And they are going to ask the Marlins for MORE money to close the funding gap on a stadium in Hialeah? Pull this leg and it will play jingle bells for you.

Rest assured there is MUCH politicking going on right now. Loria doesnt wanna go to Hialeah.....he just cant say so right now. Again......how far is Hialeah from the areas holding the most disposable income? The Marlins and baseball would die a slow death in Hialeah.

I wouldnt be surprised if Samson actually asked the Judge for a deadline and then feigned a reaction.

 

You know absolutly nothing.

 

How can you be sure I know absolutely nothing? Just keep telling yourself that I dont and maybe you will eventually convince yourself.

Again.....how far is Hialeah from the areas holding disposable income?

Another question.....why does there seem to be such a dearth of information regarding the source of your enthusiasm in the Herald?

It appears to me that many SFla baseball fans on this board are thinking with their hearts instead of their heads. Just my opinion though. Flame away.

Dont write too much into this. Hialeah would be a terrible mistake. TERRIBLE! And they are going to ask the Marlins for MORE money to close the funding gap on a stadium in Hialeah? Pull this leg and it will play jingle bells for you.

Rest assured there is MUCH politicking going on right now. Loria doesnt wanna go to Hialeah.....he just cant say so right now. Again......how far is Hialeah from the areas holding the most disposable income? The Marlins and baseball would die a slow death in Hialeah.

I wouldnt be surprised if Samson actually asked the Judge for a deadline and then feigned a reaction.

 

You know absolutly nothing.

 

How can you be sure I know absolutely nothing? Just keep telling yourself that I dont and maybe you will eventually convince yourself.

Again.....how far is Hialeah from the areas holding disposable income?

Another question.....why does there seem to be such a dearth of information regarding the source of your enthusiasm in the Herald?

It appears to me that many SFla baseball fans on this board are thinking with their hearts instead of their heads. Just my opinion though. Flame away.

 

 

1) To your first question. Two-5 miles north (Weston, Pembroke Pines, Miramar and 1/2 east (Miami Lakes).

 

2) That's a direct quote from Samson. He has also made comments on how intriguing Hialeah was and the lack of a site that will make everyone happy.

It appears to me that many SFla baseball fans on this board are thinking with their hearts instead of their heads. Just my opinion though. Flame away.

 

 

I think you're the one thinkig with your heart instead of your head. The Hialeah site is closer to the money in Miami than any of the proposed sites in SA are from ours. Samson has always seemed to prefer the Hialeah site to SA. MLB definitely would prefer to keep a team in the Miami area over putting a team in an acknowledged borderline market like SA. And the TV deal, the thing right up there with stadium as an issue, is vastly superior currently than what they could get in SA.

 

MLB is not going to abandon SFL for a place like SA. That's like the NFL saying "Screw L.A., we want San Antonio."

 

Just ain't gonna happen. The last line of Samson in the article was the important one. We are being investigated as a just in case for other teams.

It appears to me that many SFla baseball fans on this board are thinking with their hearts instead of their heads. Just my opinion though. Flame away.

 

 

I think you're the one thinkig with your heart instead of your head. The Hialeah site is closer to the money in Miami than any of the proposed sites in SA are from ours. Samson has always seemed to prefer the Hialeah site to SA. MLB definitely would prefer to keep a team in the Miami area over putting a team in an acknowledged borderline market like SA. And the TV deal, the thing right up there with stadium as an issue, is vastly superior currently than what they could get in SA.

 

MLB is not going to abandon SFL for a place like SA. That's like the NFL saying "Screw L.A., we want San Antonio."

 

Just ain't gonna happen. The last line of Samson in the article was the important one. We are being investigated as a just in case for other teams.

Peter Holt is this you? Or are you Russ Bookbinder?

Peter Holt is this you? Or are you Russ Bookbinder?

 

 

LOL! I certainly disagree with you, but that was definitely funny.

 

Personally, I've always thought the Twins were the most likely to move to SA. At least we know MLB is interested in the SA market since the Marlins are IIRC the third time someone from MLB has inquired in the last 6 or 7 years.

Goods news if you're a Marlins fan and want them to stay in S. Florida.

 

 

Isnt that every marlins fan?

 

Seriously though, I think everyone will feel 100 times better if we get a deal done

 

In theory, it should be. But then you start to wonder. I mean, I would not be surprised if rferry either didn't want them to stay or did't care.

It appears to me that many SFla baseball fans on this board are thinking with their hearts instead of their heads. Just my opinion though. Flame away.

 

 

I think you're the one thinkig with your heart instead of your head. The Hialeah site is closer to the money in Miami than any of the proposed sites in SA are from ours. Samson has always seemed to prefer the Hialeah site to SA. MLB definitely would prefer to keep a team in the Miami area over putting a team in an acknowledged borderline market like SA. And the TV deal, the thing right up there with stadium as an issue, is vastly superior currently than what they could get in SA.

 

MLB is not going to abandon SFL for a place like SA. That's like the NFL saying "Screw L.A., we want San Antonio."

 

Just ain't gonna happen. The last line of Samson in the article was the important one. We are being investigated as a just in case for other teams.

Peter Holt is this you? Or are you Russ Bookbinder?

 

Interesting comment...so are we to assume that the Spurs ownership is not in favor of the Marlins coming to San Antonio? Sounds like they would get along great with Wayne Huizenga.

 

:mischief2

Interesting comment...so are we to assume that the Spurs ownership is not in favor of the Marlins coming to San Antonio? Sounds like they would get along great with Wayne Huizenga.

 

:mischief2

 

 

Actually, it's debateable. There have been reports of the Spurs trying to undermine negotiations with the Marlins, but also reports of the Spurs seeking to bring MLB here themselves. I personally think the Spurs would be willing to bring MLB in, but only under their ownership. There's no real danger to them with MLB if handled properly, and bringing MLB in will guarantee the NFL stays out. The Spurs are VERY anti-NFL, since its the only sport that would take precendence over them here.

 

I'm actually suprised they never bought out the Missions. They don't seem to want competition they don't control (which is why they put the Iguanas out of business by bringing the Rampage to town).

 

As a cute little side note... This made me laugh today:

 

http://shop.mlb.com/sm-san-antonio-spurs--...cp-1160211.html

Loria doesnt wanna go to Hialeah.....he just cant say so right now. Again......how far is Hialeah from the areas holding the most disposable income? The Marlins and baseball would die a slow death in Hialeah.

 

 

You really don't have a clue, and from your comments it's obvious you have no knowledge of either the proposed stadium location or the demographics of South Florida.

 

The proposed stadium location in west Hialeah is at the intersection of several major roadways allowing excellent access from the south, east and north. It's only a few miles from the present home of the Marlins at Dolphin Stadium. T

 

he key for the Marlins is to have good tri-county access, and the proposed site is well situated in this regard.

the mayor of hialeah say on ch6 that by county pass the push line to west on wed their going start look at bring marlin to hialeah and start talk to samson and Loria

the mayor of hialeah say on ch6 that by county pass the push line to west on wed their going start look at bring marlin to hialeah and start talk to samson and Loria

 

 

Discussions between Hialeah and the Marlins have been behind the scenes and low-key so far. The positive vote this past week gives us hope that something can be done. But until I see a proposal that closes the funding gap I'm not going to get too excited.

Peter Holt is this you? Or are you Russ Bookbinder?

 

 

LOL! I certainly disagree with you, but that was definitely funny.

 

Personally, I've always thought the Twins were the most likely to move to SA. At least we know MLB is interested in the SA market since the Marlins are IIRC the third time someone from MLB has inquired in the last 6 or 7 years.

 

You bring up two interesting factors in this. The Twins and MLB not being willing to abandon SFla. Miami is the gateway to the Carribean. MLB has to have a presence in SFla as a result. The problem with the current situation is that Loria/Samson have absolutely ZERO juice in the state. And that is likely the fault of SFla politicians and Loria/Samson themselves. Plenty of blame to go around. So......what I see hpossibly happening is that Loria/Samson leave SFla and we have a situation where maybe the Marlins name stays in Fla and the Twins are no longer the Twins.

New ownership in SFLa with the Marlins name gets a stadium deal done sooner rather than later. Loria/Samson take the Judge up on his offer and SA, which is the gateway to another MLB marketing target, gets baseball as well.

I know for a fact that deals like this take many, many twists and turns and are hard to predict. But I do know, that Loria/Samson have no real interest in Hialeah.......at least for themselves.

You bring up two interesting factors in this. The Twins and MLB not being willing to abandon SFla. Miami is the gateway to the Carribean. MLB has to have a presence in SFla as a result. The problem with the current situation is that Loria/Samson have absolutely ZERO juice in the state. And that is likely the fault of SFla politicians and Loria/Samson themselves. Plenty of blame to go around. So......what I see hpossibly happening is that Loria/Samson leave SFla and we have a situation where maybe the Marlins name stays in Fla and the Twins are no longer the Twins.

New ownership in SFLa with the Marlins name gets a stadium deal done sooner rather than later. Loria/Samson take the Judge up on his offer and SA, which is the gateway to another MLB marketing target, gets baseball as well.

I know for a fact that deals like this take many, many twists and turns and are hard to predict. But I do know, that Loria/Samson have no real interest in Hialeah.......at least for themselves.

 

 

 

The Twins moving to South Florida? Hah!

 

Do you just jump on this stuff to be a contrarian? Or are you really as ignorant as you appear?

 

Twins fans a step closer to ballpark

You bring up two interesting factors in this. The Twins and MLB not being willing to abandon SFla. Miami is the gateway to the Carribean. MLB has to have a presence in SFla as a result. The problem with the current situation is that Loria/Samson have absolutely ZERO juice in the state. And that is likely the fault of SFla politicians and Loria/Samson themselves. Plenty of blame to go around. So......what I see hpossibly happening is that Loria/Samson leave SFla and we have a situation where maybe the Marlins name stays in Fla and the Twins are no longer the Twins.

New ownership in SFLa with the Marlins name gets a stadium deal done sooner rather than later. Loria/Samson take the Judge up on his offer and SA, which is the gateway to another MLB marketing target, gets baseball as well.

I know for a fact that deals like this take many, many twists and turns and are hard to predict. But I do know, that Loria/Samson have no real interest in Hialeah.......at least for themselves.

 

 

 

The Twins moving to South Florida? Hah!

 

Do you just jump on this stuff to be a contrarian? Or are you really as ignorant as you appear?

 

Twins fans a step closer to ballpark

I admit.....a lot of speculation on my part. But there is much speculation on everyone's part in this forum. I do know that MLB doesnt want to give up on SFla. That is a given. I also know that this whole Marlins to SA scenario was initiated by MLB. This is the second time MLB has reached out to SA. It ISNT the other way around. SA has long fancied itself as a future NFL city. But the NFL has snubbed SA every time. MLB on the other hand has pursued SA twice, and now the Judge has decided to try and make MLB a reality.

I still say there aint no way the Marlins move to Hialeah. This is likely a pipedream of Hialeah politicos. Loria and Samson cant appear to summarily dismiss Hialeah publicly. You guys have done a great job of detailing the funding gap problems in association with the Hialeah plan. If you think for one minute that Loria/Samson or MLB is going to bridge that gap with their own money, IMHO you are crazy.

This deal is going to take time to work out. But I dont see Loria/Samson staying in SFLa and I dont see MLB abandoning SFla.....at least for very long.

The Marlins and the county could close a $100 million gap tomorrow if there was a real deal on the table that would secure a stadium site and construction terms as the Marlins are requesting.

 

There's no reason to discuss doing it until there's a reason to do so.