Every team has something, anything, to give it its own feel, look style, anything. This team, not this current team but the franchise, has no image. Its no more than a name.

 

The colors, the brand, the location, sets it apart. The stars add to it, and the success brings it home. take the best and the worst.

 

Redsox: Known for a huge fan base, the green monster, Manny Ramirez, and a history of upsets.

 

Devil Rays: Known for finishing in last, their ugly dome thing, and that off green color, and carl crawford.

 

Marlins:

 

Always hanging in the balance. Sometimes we soar to the top using our soon to be heroes, but then our starts leave. No location to be known by. We play in the rental football stadium on the border between two counties, with rental stars, because even when they ask for money less than what they could get (AKA Luis) It cant be one. We want to move here, could relocate there. We cant even keep our WS banners in the same place. Nice dugout display, to a long banner on the OF wall, to stuck behind short porch where the little burgerking sign used to. What is our color scheme? Sure the helmets were kinda goofy but it was original. I have this first pitch of the Franchise poster here in my room. The fans all warning the same colors, the team with it, the scoreboard and the outfield to match. Orange jerseys by 09' bet on it.

 

There is such a huge potential for this franchise its just blinding. With a career star, say signing Miguel to a deal and then not trading him one year in for prospects that we will also trade once decent. A Ballpark that brings fans all chanting for players they know with team colors (what ever they may be) instead of the sea of orange seats. It isnt a farfetched idea. The devil rays are a small market team for keeps, but we can grab the rest of florida easy, and it wont be too long before our population is the same as newyork.

 

It's not that the fans wont show up because they wont like the game of baseball. They just cant get into it. Its not an event like, how far back are we, whos pitching.... It's on par with a movie, or the swap shop or something, but with the 70% chance of rain, which doesn't help to say the least. Theres nothing that is associated with the team beyond the word Marlins, its just something to do. Its why most in attendance dont bother to sport any sort of logo or something like it at the game... How many people saw the Simpsons movie with an official hat on...

 

Look at how quick the Heat turned it around. A young star, sign a big name, theyve got their arena 2nd arena, and sold out crowds. Everyone knows the team is white hot (no pun intended). That franchise came only 4 years before the Marlins and they are goin to be a HUGE name in the sport for years to come. Meanwhile the marlins ratings are already higher, so the potential is, like i said, off the charts

 

Anyway, its ownership, and marketing, and all the rest of it. The team has to beat it self every year to get somewhere, and thats no fun. When I think of myself as a marlins fan, what does it mean, besides rooting for the baseball team that, at the moment, plays on the border between two counties?

 

 

Give us something to cheer for.

Nice rant brother. I think we are all feeling the pain of this season dragging out and need to let off some well deserved steam. It's hard to disagree with alot of your points.

 

The major problem down here is things need to be a huge event for people to get excited about it. There are too many options down here besides the Marlins.

 

A sign of hope would be great. I can tell you what would go a long way, a long term contract for our stars.

The Heat are also a basketball team. All it takes is one or two players to make a basketball team good. Baseball is a much different game.

 

But I do agree that we need Miggy longterm.

The Heat are also a basketball team. All it takes is one or two players to make a basketball team good. Baseball is a much different game.

 

But I do agree that we need Miggy longterm.

Yeah, look at this thing with the Celtics. Everyone agrees they only have 3 good players but are calling them NBA Champs. And then it takes less people to go out to less games for the Heat to sellout an Arena. I believe that they sell out at something like 20,000.

The bottomline is there has been no sign of hope for fans that something "good" is on the horizon for this organization. Regardless of the championships we have won, this organization is run like a joke as long as Loria and his midget sidekick are running the asylum.

 

You guys do realize that Cabrera is not getting signed here longterm. There has been no signal that would give me confidence of this happening. Shame for kids who grow up down here having idols like Hanley and Cabs.

Jowayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, you up at FSU yet making this rant? lol

 

Nice post though, we have the high tv ratings but its the fact its so hot and humid people do not want to sit in it. If we had a retractable roof like Milwaukee or Houston, we may double our attendance because the game is comfortable to watch,

The bottomline is there has been no sign of hope for fans that something "good" is on the horizon for this organization. Regardless of the championships we have won, this organization is run like a joke as long as Loria and his midget sidekick are running the asylum.

 

You guys do realize that Cabrera is not getting signed here longterm. There has been no signal that would give me confidence of this happening. Shame for kids who grow up down here having idols like Hanley and Cabs.

 

Correction: The organization will continue to be a joke as long as they continue to play in Dolphin Stadium. It won't matter who the owners are. The Marlins were seen as a joke under Huizenga, Henry and now Loria.

 

"It's the stadium, stupid."

The bottomline is there has been no sign of hope for fans that something "good" is on the horizon for this organization. Regardless of the championships we have won, this organization is run like a joke as long as Loria and his midget sidekick are running the asylum.

 

You guys do realize that Cabrera is not getting signed here longterm. There has been no signal that would give me confidence of this happening. Shame for kids who grow up down here having idols like Hanley and Cabs.

 

Correction: The organization will continue to be a joke as long as they continue to play in Dolphin Stadium. It won't matter who the owners are. The Marlins were seen as a joke under Huizenga, Henry and now Loria.

 

"It's the stadium, stupid."

I didn't know my opinion warranted me being called stupid. Oh well. We have a cheap owner. That's the problem.

I dont see Loria increasing payroll even with a new stadium. In fact, it wouldnt surprise me at all if he dismantled the team again to maximize profits.

 

If we had an actual baseball owner, we would still be in bad shape, dont get me wrong. But our stadium combined with an owner with a total lack of the resources needed to own and operate a MLB club($$ and connections) makes the situation that much more dire.

 

We get a new owner before 09, Cabs will get locked up. Loria stays, no matter what...Dolphin Stadium, new stadium, Loria hits 15 Big Lotto jackpots in succession...no matter what, Loria will not retain Cabrera. I doubt he will even make an attempt to.

The bottomline is there has been no sign of hope for fans that something "good" is on the horizon for this organization. Regardless of the championships we have won, this organization is run like a joke as long as Loria and his midget sidekick are running the asylum.

 

You guys do realize that Cabrera is not getting signed here longterm. There has been no signal that would give me confidence of this happening. Shame for kids who grow up down here having idols like Hanley and Cabs.

 

Correction: The organization will continue to be a joke as long as they continue to play in Dolphin Stadium. It won't matter who the owners are. The Marlins were seen as a joke under Huizenga, Henry and now Loria.

 

"It's the stadium, stupid."

I didn't know my opinion warranted me being called stupid. Oh well. We have a cheap owner. That's the problem.

 

I wasn't calling you stupid. I was trying to make a historical reference joke there.

Exactly I just don't feel confident the stadium is going to solve the problems. Our owner is a cheap bastard. The fact troll boy Samson came out a week or so ago and claimed no player is worth 20 million a year is the clear writing on the wall. Hate to break to you douche but you have a 20 million a year player right in your backyard, possibly 2.

 

What I'm saying is if the fans had any hope, any sign or smidgen of willingness from the ownership to make an attempt to retain our stars, they would have done so already when they could have done it cheaper. Loria is riding out the train (no pun intended) as long as he can, getting as many asses in the seats while he can, maximizing profits while he can and milking the revenue sharing as much as possible.

 

THAT is why we are considered a joke.

The bottomline is there has been no sign of hope for fans that something "good" is on the horizon for this organization. Regardless of the championships we have won, this organization is run like a joke as long as Loria and his midget sidekick are running the asylum.

 

You guys do realize that Cabrera is not getting signed here longterm. There has been no signal that would give me confidence of this happening. Shame for kids who grow up down here having idols like Hanley and Cabs.

 

Correction: The organization will continue to be a joke as long as they continue to play in Dolphin Stadium. It won't matter who the owners are. The Marlins were seen as a joke under Huizenga, Henry and now Loria.

 

"It's the stadium, stupid."

I didn't know my opinion warranted me being called stupid. Oh well. We have a cheap owner. That's the problem.

 

I wasn't calling you stupid. I was trying to make a historical reference joke there.

I'm slow and falling asleep at work today, I didn't pick that up. :lol

 

Serenity now!!!!!!

Exactly I just don't feel confident the stadium is going to solve the problems. Our owner is a cheap bastard. The fact troll boy Samson came out a week or so ago and claimed no player is worth 20 million a year is the clear writing on the wall. Hate to break to you douche but you have a 20 million a year player right in your backyard, possibly 2.

 

What I'm saying is if the fans had any hope, any sign or smidgen of willingness from the ownership to make an attempt to retain our stars, they would have done so already when they could have done it cheaper. Loria is riding out the train (no pun intended) as long as he can, getting as many asses in the seats while he can, maximizing profits while he can and milking the revenue sharing as much as possible.

 

THAT is why we are considered a joke.

 

Back up though.

 

When the future of the franchise looked rosey didn't Loria spend the $$$ to keep Castillo, Lowell, LoDuca and attract Delgado?

 

The franchise doesn't know where they are going right now. UM and Huizenga keep delaying a pretty obvious answer to run the Marlins out of town.

 

1) If the Marlins skip town, Marlins Stadium money will be used to fill the OB renovation gap.

2) Since he made the statement, Huizenga has made every effort to kill professional baseball in South Florida.

 

The Marlins and the city are waiting on two parties in UM and Huizenga who want the Marlins gone.

 

I am convinced, once the financial uncertainty of this franchise is resolved the money will be spent. Loria spent $$$ once to make $$$, who's to say he won't do it again?

Exactly I just don't feel confident the stadium is going to solve the problems. Our owner is a cheap bastard. The fact troll boy Samson came out a week or so ago and claimed no player is worth 20 million a year is the clear writing on the wall. Hate to break to you douche but you have a 20 million a year player right in your backyard, possibly 2.

 

What I'm saying is if the fans had any hope, any sign or smidgen of willingness from the ownership to make an attempt to retain our stars, they would have done so already when they could have done it cheaper. Loria is riding out the train (no pun intended) as long as he can, getting as many asses in the seats while he can, maximizing profits while he can and milking the revenue sharing as much as possible.

 

THAT is why we are considered a joke.

 

Back up though.

 

When the future of the franchise looked rosey didn't Loria spend the $$$ to keep Castillo, Lowell, LoDuca and attract Delgado?

 

The franchise doesn't know where they are going right now. UM and Huizenga keep delaying a pretty obvious answer to run the Marlins out of town.

 

1) If the Marlins skip town, Marlins Stadium money will be used to fill the OB renovation gap.

2) Since he made the statement, Huizenga has made every effort to kill professional baseball in South Florida.

 

The Marlins and the city are waiting on two parties in UM and Huizenga who want the Marlins gone.

 

I am convinced, once the financial uncertainty of this franchise is resolved the money will be spent. Loria spent $$$ once to make $$$, who's to say he won't do it again?

well said...i never got the "loria is too cheap to win" argument

I remember hearing that we were recognized as MLB's farm team because we establish players and then trade them once we cant afford them..

"It's the stadium, stupid."

I didn't know my opinion warranted me being called stupid. Oh well. We have a cheap owner. That's the problem.

 

I wasn't calling you stupid. I was trying to make a historical reference joke there.

It's the economy, stupid.

Exactly I just don't feel confident the stadium is going to solve the problems. Our owner is a cheap bastard. The fact troll boy Samson came out a week or so ago and claimed no player is worth 20 million a year is the clear writing on the wall. Hate to break to you douche but you have a 20 million a year player right in your backyard, possibly 2.

 

What I'm saying is if the fans had any hope, any sign or smidgen of willingness from the ownership to make an attempt to retain our stars, they would have done so already when they could have done it cheaper. Loria is riding out the train (no pun intended) as long as he can, getting as many asses in the seats while he can, maximizing profits while he can and milking the revenue sharing as much as possible.

 

THAT is why we are considered a joke.

 

Back up though.

 

When the future of the franchise looked rosey didn't Loria spend the $ to keep Castillo, Lowell, LoDuca and attract Delgado?

 

The franchise doesn't know where they are going right now. UM and Huizenga keep delaying a pretty obvious answer to run the Marlins out of town.

 

1) If the Marlins skip town, Marlins Stadium money will be used to fill the OB renovation gap.

2) Since he made the statement, Huizenga has made every effort to kill professional baseball in South Florida.

 

The Marlins and the city are waiting on two parties in UM and Huizenga who want the Marlins gone.

 

I am convinced, once the financial uncertainty of this franchise is resolved the money will be spent. Loria spent $ once to make $, who's to say he won't do it again?

I agree, Loria did make an effort to spend money to keep Castillo, Lowell etc.. but honestly how hard did he try? To me it seemed like he was trying to save face while conducting another fire sale. The fans get a nice hand job from Loria and company every year. "No we will not be trading players" and what happens? You know the answer to that. It's all a smokescreen and I think fans are starting to get sick of his act. It's one thing to say the right things it's another to act on it.

 

If Loria was such a smart owner he would have realized that to keep this franchise successful it would require him building around our young studs. That requires locking them up (obviously). Take a page out of (and I hate doing this) Omar Minaya. He did the right thing and got his young studs locked up at an affordable price tag early. He just doesn't seem very savvy to me, especially if his goal is to make this thing work longterm. I'm sure I will get the argument that he IS a smartman b/c he refuses to keep losing money b/c the lack of attendance. Well you know what I have to say about that? You don't deserve to own a f***ing major league baseball team. I'm sorry but there is no excuse for this. I don't know about the rest of you but I will not go into an investment or purchase half cocked if I can't afford it. Right now Loria is basically sipping on Natty Light simply b/c he wants to get drunk and not worried about the quality of the beer he is drinking.

 

I'm not confident in the last statement I bolded as well. Why? Right now it just seems as though he is going through the motions and his love for baseball just isn't as important as making money.

 

Perhaps if he showed some good faith, started some contract negotiations with arguably the best player in the game I would endorse Loria a bit more. Right now, he is just riding the wave looking for a handout and playing the Puppet Master.

 

Things stink in the FO and it's not David Samson's upper lip.

Yea, I'm fully with JD on this

Honestly, I think the "build it up for a run and tear it down" method of team ownership is probably the most efficient in terms of putting your team in a position to take a shot at the championship every few years. JUst because the fans don't like it doesn't mean it's a bad idea.

Honestly, I think the "build it up for a run and tear it down" method of team ownership is probably the most efficient in terms of putting your team in a position to take a shot at the championship every few years. JUst because the fans don't like it doesn't mean it's a bad idea.

Yea well it's kind of important to give the fans something to hold on to

Honestly, I think the "build it up for a run and tear it down" method of team ownership is probably the most efficient in terms of putting your team in a position to take a shot at the championship every few years. JUst because the fans don't like it doesn't mean it's a bad idea.

Yea well it's kind of important to give the fans something to hold on to

 

I know, I just wish the fans would understand that there's a reasoning and a method behind the madness besides "omgomgomgomg loria hates teh baseballs and only loves moniez". I mean, yeah it sucks having to deal with a couple of crappy seasons after the world series, but it's worth it if you don't have to wait another 80 years for one.

Honestly, I think the "build it up for a run and tear it down" method of team ownership is probably the most efficient in terms of putting your team in a position to take a shot at the championship every few years. JUst because the fans don't like it doesn't mean it's a bad idea.

Yea well it's kind of important to give the fans something to hold on to

 

I know, I just wish the fans would understand that there's a reasoning and a method behind the madness besides "omgomgomgomg loria hates teh baseballs and only loves moniez". I mean, yeah it sucks having to deal with a couple of crappy seasons after the world series, but it's worth it if you don't have to wait another 80 years for one.

Even for the fans that understand what's going on like myself, I absolutely hate firesales of any sort and I loathe the day when Cabs' nears free agency

Honestly, I think the "build it up for a run and tear it down" method of team ownership is probably the most efficient in terms of putting your team in a position to take a shot at the championship every few years. JUst because the fans don't like it doesn't mean it's a bad idea.

Yea well it's kind of important to give the fans something to hold on to

 

I know, I just wish the fans would understand that there's a reasoning and a method behind the madness besides "omgomgomgomg loria hates teh baseballs and only loves moniez". I mean, yeah it sucks having to deal with a couple of crappy seasons after the world series, but it's worth it if you don't have to wait another 80 years for one.

Even for the fans that understand what's going on like myself, I absolutely hate firesales of any sort and I loathe the day when Cabs' nears free agency

 

I also loathe the day Cabs reaches free agency just because there's no way we get equal value for him. But I have no problem trading away Dontrelle, even though he's the face of our franchise. We should keep the good young players and trade the overvalued ones.

 

Trading away Dontrelle would be seen as a "mini firesale" but it would make us a better team now and in the future.

Exactly I just don't feel confident the stadium is going to solve the problems. Our owner is a cheap bastard. The fact troll boy Samson came out a week or so ago and claimed no player is worth 20 million a year is the clear writing on the wall. Hate to break to you douche but you have a 20 million a year player right in your backyard, possibly 2.

 

What I'm saying is if the fans had any hope, any sign or smidgen of willingness from the ownership to make an attempt to retain our stars, they would have done so already when they could have done it cheaper. Loria is riding out the train (no pun intended) as long as he can, getting as many asses in the seats while he can, maximizing profits while he can and milking the revenue sharing as much as possible.

 

THAT is why we are considered a joke.

 

Back up though.

 

When the future of the franchise looked rosey didn't Loria spend the $ to keep Castillo, Lowell, LoDuca and attract Delgado?

 

The franchise doesn't know where they are going right now. UM and Huizenga keep delaying a pretty obvious answer to run the Marlins out of town.

 

1) If the Marlins skip town, Marlins Stadium money will be used to fill the OB renovation gap.

2) Since he made the statement, Huizenga has made every effort to kill professional baseball in South Florida.

 

The Marlins and the city are waiting on two parties in UM and Huizenga who want the Marlins gone.

 

I am convinced, once the financial uncertainty of this franchise is resolved the money will be spent. Loria spent $ once to make $, who's to say he won't do it again?

I agree, Loria did make an effort to spend money to keep Castillo, Lowell etc.. but honestly how hard did he try? To me it seemed like he was trying to save face while conducting another fire sale. The fans get a nice hand job from Loria and company every year. "No we will not be trading players" and what happens? You know the answer to that. It's all a smokescreen and I think fans are starting to get sick of his act. It's one thing to say the right things it's another to act on it.

 

If Loria was such a smart owner he would have realized that to keep this franchise successful it would require him building around our young studs. That requires locking them up (obviously). Take a page out of (and I hate doing this) Omar Minaya. He did the right thing and got his young studs locked up at an affordable price tag early. He just doesn't seem very savvy to me, especially if his goal is to make this thing work longterm. I'm sure I will get the argument that he IS a smartman b/c he refuses to keep losing money b/c the lack of attendance. Well you know what I have to say about that? You don't deserve to own a f***ing major league baseball team. I'm sorry but there is no excuse for this. I don't know about the rest of you but I will not go into an investment or purchase half cocked if I can't afford it. Right now Loria is basically sipping on Natty Light simply b/c he wants to get drunk and not worried about the quality of the beer he is drinking.

 

I'm not confident in the last statement I bolded as well. Why? Right now it just seems as though he is going through the motions and his love for baseball just isn't as important as making money.

 

Perhaps if he showed some good faith, started some contract negotiations with arguably the best player in the game I would endorse Loria a bit more. Right now, he is just riding the wave looking for a handout and playing the Puppet Master.

 

Things stink in the FO and it's not David Samson's upper lip.

 

If the franchise can't afford a player they have no choice but to get rid of them. It's a business. Every team loses players every year because they cannot afford them. The difference with the Marlins is they don't have a revenue stream as big as the average big league team. (Remember: It's the stadium, stupid!) The Marlins really can't guarantee money for several years in advance. Because they have no way to guarantee they will have the money when the time comes.

 

Minaya can guarantee all the money he wants because he and his FO knows the Mets will have a source of revenue down the road to pay off these contracts.

 

I've said this countless times: we as fans can no longer expect owners to subsidize franchises with their own money. The cost of running a franchise isn't what it once was.

 

I know it sucks, but it is the right course of action to take until the future of the franchise is secure.

Honestly, I think the "build it up for a run and tear it down" method of team ownership is probably the most efficient in terms of putting your team in a position to take a shot at the championship every few years. JUst because the fans don't like it doesn't mean it's a bad idea.

Yea well it's kind of important to give the fans something to hold on to

 

I know, I just wish the fans would understand that there's a reasoning and a method behind the madness besides "omgomgomgomg loria hates teh baseballs and only loves moniez". I mean, yeah it sucks having to deal with a couple of crappy seasons after the world series, but it's worth it if you don't have to wait another 80 years for one.

Even for the fans that understand what's going on like myself, I absolutely hate firesales of any sort and I loathe the day when Cabs' nears free agency

 

I also loathe the day Cabs reaches free agency just because there's no way we get equal value for him. But I have no problem trading away Dontrelle, even though he's the face of our franchise. We should keep the good young players and trade the overvalued ones.

 

Trading away Dontrelle would be seen as a "mini firesale" but it would make us a better team now and in the future.

I have no issues in moving Dontrelle. But just a few years ago we traded away everyone and while getting all these fun prospects back is nice, most people don't understand what's going on and never will. You just can't keep doing that every 4 years