Look. I am angry now. What ever happened to decorum? Did anyone else see this?! I mean, someone in the media - the S. Fl media - actually challenging the fanhood of S Fl?! Trying to point the finger at bandwagoners?! This from a guy who NEVER supported the Marlins. And now he is trying to come off like he is fan #1! And to top it all off, he is painting a picture of DOOM and GLOOM with this offseason. What a way to spend time between Dolphin games?! If I EVER SEE JEFF MILLER IN THE STREET, I WILL BEAT THE LIVING SH*T OUT OF HIM. THEN I WILL PROCEED TO DO IT A SECOND TIME. What an a$$hole. Here, read the article:

 

IN MY OPINION

Teal zeal doesn't color fans' world all season

Joy today, then reality

JEFF MILLER

jamiller@herald.com

 

 

Jeff Miller

 

 

 

 

They will be out in droves, their foam fingers bouncing, their cheeks painted teal, their passion restrained only by the workmanship of Bob's Barricades.

 

When the Marlins are paraded around today, the waves will be as unrelenting as the ones that wash ashore. As foamy, too, the froth unavoidable when love churns among so many moving bodies.

 

Some 3,000 people showed up to watch the World Series champs deplane Sunday. Local TV crews walked into random offices Monday and caught the full brunt of Marlins fever, brokers and lawyers and sales reps jumping around in spastic joy over our baseball team.

 

All of this is just fantastic, except for one thing. There were more people in some of those office camera shots, more life-long, teal-bleeding, Jack McKeon-adoring fans than there were at several Marlins home games this season.

 

One question, please: Where were all of you in June and July -- and August and even September? For a three-game series against Pittsburgh from Sept. 2-4, an average of 10,558 showed up at Pro Player Stadium. This was a time, in case you've forgotten, when your beloved Marlins were desperately attempting to make the postseason.

 

Now, this question is not directed at the season-ticket holders or the other roughly 7,000 folks who make up the core of the Marlins' fan base. This also isn't a plea to attend games. It's your money, spend it on whatever you want.

 

But to the other 50,000 who just jammed Pro Player and have been faithfully clinging to this team for the last seven minutes, why does it take the Marlins winning everything for you finally to show anything? We're learning there is fire inside the baseball fans of South Florida, which is a great discovery. The problem is it takes one of the sweetest underdog stories in the history of the game to light it.

 

One of the finest moments of the World Series was the way the fans here saluted Roger Clemens' final exit. There were flash bulbs twinkling, an extended standing ovation and so much appreciation that Clemens had to make a curtain call, back out onto enemy soil. This was something you'd expect in Chicago or St. Louis or Baltimore. But in formerly unincorporated Miami-Dade?

 

This proved the fans here, contrary to most beliefs, actually get it; they recognize when a baseball moment is happening and possess zeal for this sport, zeal previously thought to be as gone as that 1997 World Series team.

 

This is a more significant issue today than ever before because the Marlins absolutely have to sustain this momentum in pursuit of a new stadium. Never will there be more of an opportunity to resolve this nasty conflict, and that's what this is now more than a gentlemanly ``business decision.''

 

TALKING BASEBALL

 

So, given this newfound awareness of the Marlins, this is a good spot for some authentic baseball talk, bearing in mind that nothing is certain until owner Jeffrey Loria sets his 2004 payroll:

 

? Ivan Rodriguez? He's gone and rightfully so. The budget-conscious Marlins can't pay long-term what Pudge will be seeking. Forget any discount because he lives in Miami Beach. Rodriguez -- behind the direction of money-first agent Scott Boras -- will play next season for whoever gives him the most cash. Rodriguez also lived in Miami when he played in Texas, you know.

 

? Luis Castillo? Should be the team's No. 1 priority. You did see the at-bat that produced the only run the Marlins needed to win the Series, right? Castillo had been struggling as badly as he has in two years before fighting Andy Pettitte's pitch into right field for the single that scored Alex Gonzalez. Re-sign him, period.

 

? Mike Lowell? He must remain a Marlin, too. The problem is that payroll. If it's too confining, you keep both Castillo and Lowell only in a fantasy. And no team plays fantasy baseball but the Yankees, which is why Lowell could end up with them.

 

? Derrek Lee? Hate to lose his defense, especially, but the Marlins can't keep everyone. See you later. Opening day first baseman next year: Jeff Conine.

 

? Ugueth Urbina? Juan Encarnacion? Mark Redman? Gone, gone and gone.

 

? Brad Penny? Lock him up long-term, if possible. Penny is in a great position, being arbitration eligible and having finished the postseason as the Marlins' second-best starter, behind the suddenly budding legend of Josh Beckett.

 

So enjoy the parades, Marlin fans, and don't forget your team plays games during the regular season, too. As part of this daylong celebration, notice the joy on the faces of everyone and the feeling that at some point will surge inside you.

 

Pretty cool, isn't it? And what a great way to pass time between Dolphin games.

My email read like this:

 

Thanks for the rain on our parade. If I ever see you in the street somewhere, perhaps on a nice sunny South Florida afternoon on the beach, wherever, I will proceed to show my gratitude; by kicking the sh*t out of you.

 

Have a nice day,

 

John R.

That's funny. I already emailed him this morning as soon as I read that article. I pointed out the same things I've emailed LeBartard and Berardino when they were spouting that crap. I also mentioned that they are all a bunch of sheep, and always check to see what the other guy says before they write a story, so it looks like they know what they're talking about.

 

What other market in this economy blames the consumer for not buying an inferior product, and one that has been blatently and consistently tampered with, and then not returning quickly when the product appears to be improved?

 

BTW, this article is no where near as bad as LeBatard saying a week or two ago, that the Marlins would be dismantled. When I emailed him about it, he replyed that he only "speaks the truth" and to "buck up". I hope people don't forget about his statement.

Yes, Keys. I too have been in repeated contact with these idiots. It is very, very unfortunate that we fans have to put up with this crap. To the casual fan, they believe it. The Marlins could be such a great franchise if they also had a voice to help them out. None of these guys give a sh*t. They are all a$$holes.

I don't know why you would stoop to his level with a response like that. I would either ignore it, send him a serious response, or tell the Herald you're cancelling your subscription. (even if you don't have one)

 

the first part of his article i happen to agree with. what we're talking about here is that thousands and thousands of these people cheering at the parades likely never went to a single regular season game this season.

 

The rest of the article is crap though. His list of traded Marlins is way overblown.

Yeah, but you are against 'bandwagoners'. I am no fool, you need such fans around to ensure the success of this franchise - like passing a referendum to get a new stadium. Also, what is wrong with people trying to get in on a champion? That is what happens whenever ANY team wins. Where does this guy get off by claiming he was already in line? You think they write like that in any other market?

 

That said, yes, I shouldnt stoop to his level. But part of the reason he writes sh*t like that is because no one CARES. By ignoring, you only empower him further. I guarentee you 100-1,000 emails like I sent will get him to re-think his stance. Besides, look at him, why WOULDNT you want to kick his a**?

What other market in this economy blames the consumer for not buying an inferior product...?

I don't like inferior products; that's why I don't buy the Herald.

i agree with the 1st part of the article. Where were all these bandwagoners in September! We were 10+ games over .500 and we were getting 10k at games....I mean, I'm glad we finally got some fans...but it took making it to the playoffs for it to happen.

 

I mean, a simple 23k per game woulda been nice. I wouldnt expect 67k packin in there to see us play the Pirates.

 

But, it reminds me of people who are like "Why do you wanna go see the Gators play Eastern Michigan? What a crappy game!"

 

They fail to realize that I go to Gator games to watch the Gators, not Eastern Michigan.

 

It should be the same way in Miami. Go to see the Marlins! Who cares if they are playing the Brewers or Pirates!

During the playoffs I said this would happen, there was no question in my mind that once the Series was over, Richard Bush, Miami Herald sports department editor, would marshall his troops to continue his crusade to drive major league baseball from South Florida.

 

What happened today in the Miami Herald was disgusting and hate-filled. It was in bad taste but worse it was premeditated. To those who think I'm too rough on the Herald, what do you have to say now? Can there be any question what their agenda is?

I'm with Hotcorner cancelling your subscription to the Herald is the best way to get back at them. Hey didn't they have a stand selling there newspaper for a towel of the team at the stadium?

i agree with the 1st part of the article. Where were all these bandwagoners in September! We were 10+ games over .500 and we were getting 10k at games....I mean, I'm glad we finally got some fans...but it took making it to the playoffs for it to happen.

 

I mean, a simple 23k per game woulda been nice. I wouldnt expect 67k packin in there to see us play the Pirates.

 

But, it reminds me of people who are like "Why do you wanna go see the Gators play Eastern Michigan? What a crappy game!"

 

They fail to realize that I go to Gator games to watch the Gators, not Eastern Michigan.

 

It should be the same way in Miami. Go to see the Marlins! Who cares if they are playing the Brewers or Pirates!

 

Let me clear the air on this fiction about that series with the Pirates.

 

The weather that week was awful. It either rained everyday or threatened to. The skies were not just cloudy, they were black.

 

I went to fifty-some games this year. To look out over Biscayne Bay and see black skies, thunder and lightning and rain kept me from committing my money to that series, not to mention not wanting to have my son sitting in the rain. They were the only September games we missed.

I too agree with the first part of the article. He actually has some positives about our fans, where other articles are 100% negative. The bandwagoners really piss me off, although I recognize that their money (well, the part that Wayne isn't getting) is going to our team, so I try to be respectful for the most part. However, they act like they've been there all along by saying: "I was here in '97!" Where were they for the next six years?

Yes, we have "gone through a lot." We don't have an established team, a historic ballpark (or a ballpark of our own for that matter), and, of course, we faced the damn firesale. 10,000 of us stayed constant throughout, though. We're the types of people they should focus the articles on and say something positive about.

hmm speaking of bandwagons, what about the yankees?, yeah now that they are winning they draw 3 million fans, but when they were losing (eg. sucking) in the early 90's they were 11th out of 14th in attendance in the AL.

 

How about that?

 

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/attend.shtml

 

 

btw, marlin fans, congrats on the WS, i really enjoyed watching you guys beat the yanks, hehe

Oh my god this people love to s*** on us! Look at this one

 

Marlins? Champs? Pathetic

By Terry Pluto

 

I don't get it.

 

How did the Florida Marlins win the World Series... again!

 

This is supposed to be fair?

 

Do you know how many fans the Marlins averaged this season?

 

How about 16,290?

 

Don't tell me about their 16-22 start, and how the team caught everyone by surprise. I'm talking 16,290 fans for a team that made the playoffs. Only two teams were worse in attendance -- Montreal/San Juan and Tampa Bay. I mean, 119-game-loser Detroit outdrew Florida.

 

Instead, stories are written that the Marlins did sell out their three World Series games.

 

Big deal.

 

So the fans woke up and went to the World Series.

 

How good of them.

 

Suppose the Indians open next season at 16-22, then finish with a 75-49 rush to win 91 games and make the playoffs.

 

Would the Indians average more than 16,290 fans? Hey, they drew 21,358 a game this season for a lousy 68-94 team.

 

So I don't understand any of it.

 

I don't know how Florida won the World Series. I don't know why so few people in South Florida cared. I don't even dare guess what -- if anything -- this says about the Indians.

 

The Marlins have been around for 11 years.

 

I have shirts older than that.

 

They've had nine losing seasons and three owners.

 

But they have been to the World Series twice, and won both times.

 

Last time I checked, most of us weren't around when that happened to the Tribe. That's because 1948 is growing smaller and smaller in the rear view mirror of Tribe history.

 

Florida's first World Series appearance was six years ago. In recounting the long, tortuous, tradition-laden history of that franchise, a Florida newspaper wrote a story on the eve of that 1997 World Series under the headline: IT'S BEEN A LONG ROAD.

 

A long road???

 

It wasn't even a cul-de-sac.

 

You mean they had to wait five whole years to get to the World Series? What patience those poor, long-suffering fans (both of them) must have endured.

 

Tribe fans ask how the Marlins got back to the World Series so fast, since their last appearance was in 1997 against You Know Who.

 

In the name of Jose Mesa, I can't explain it.

 

Mike Hargrove was hammered for bringing Mesa into Game 7 of the 1997 Series, replacing a hot Mike Jackson. Mesa was his closer, and Hargrove was just managing by the same book he used for years.

 

If you don't know what happened, then this story makes little sense to you, anyway. You're probably a devout Marlins fan who has followed the team avidly for at least three weeks.

 

As for the rest of us, we can only wring our hands, gnash our teeth and ask -- WHY?

 

Not why Hargrove handed the ball to Mesa...

 

Boston fired Grady Little for not taking Pedro Martinez out of Game 7 of the ALCS against the Yankees and trusting his bullpen. Little won 93 and 95 games in his two seasons as the Red Sox manager.

 

The Red Sox didn't even make it to the World Series.

 

The Marlins won it.

 

They beat the Yankees.

 

They had their own Jaret Wright. His name is Josh Beckett, and he shut out New York in Yankee Stadium to clinch the title. He did it on only three days' rest instead of the usual four -- and this is never supposed to work for a young pitcher.

 

But it did for Florida.

 

Hargrove tried it in the 1999 AL Divisional Series against Boston. Bartolo Colon gave up something like 44 runs, and Hargrove was hammered for taking the gamble.

 

The Cubs didn't win. The Red Sox didn't win. The Giants didn't win. Even the Yankees didn't win.

 

The Marlins.

 

Don't ask me why.

 

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/baseba...ans/7120900.htm

Yeah, too bad the World Series entrants aren't based on attendance....that seems to be the point this guy is making, for some reason.

The Marlins have only been around for 10 years and therefore should be forced to finish no better than 3rd place in their division until at least.....oh, say 50 years of losing have passed & the franchise and fans really understand what it is to suffer. Then we can be REAL baseball fans! Wheee!

 

Go back to writing for your high school paper you hack.

DON'T YOU PEOPLE GET IT ???????

 

This is ANOTHER Knight Ridder newspaper ala the Miami Herald spreading their hatred of the Marlins all throughout the country. This is Knight-Ridder, the purveyor of poison, the worst newspaper company in America doing everything they can to dimish and marginalize this franchise.

Oh, I agree with you Marlins2003. The Knight Ridder paper sure hates us, but the question is why? Clearly this other article is based on attendance - and he is clearly overlooking the fact that Jacob Field is located in a convenient location and is a realitvely new, baseball-only stadium. Oh, and they dont have to worry about rain like we do down here. The fact is, you build it, they will come. We are a very good franchise. We have another championship team - only this time they stick around. Beckett compared to Jaret Wright? And he wonders why they werent successful in winning a championship?! HAHAHAHAHA...

 

Just point and laugh everyone, at the jealous, bitter old people who keep expecting to lose while we here in S Fl demand winning...

Guys, I propose, that all members of this board boycott Anti-Marlins newspapers. Cancel ALL subscriptions to the Herald, Sun-Sentinel, etc.

 

They are crap, Knight-Ridder and the Tribune Co. are both crap and that is why newspapers have declined as much as they have.

 

Support the Marlins on Fox Sports Net, PAX, and WJNA. Down with WQAM!

Sounds good to me. Good thing I dont have a subscription to Herald, etc. I read them for FREE online.

 

And I avoid reading Le Retard, Miller normally. These guys are just idiots...

i just read whatever i get. normally i get the Herald though

The guy is right about the bandwagon jumping, however, there's nothing wrong with that. When a team has been around as short as the Marlins, there aren't anybody that grew up with the team and obviously there's not going to be many diehards. Also, naturally when a team starts winning, the attendance shoots up. It's always been like that.

And aren't we all bandwagon jumpers? Read the post I wrote about it a few days ago. I like the Marlins because they're the only NL team that has won it in my lifetime that I don't like (D-Backs, Braves, Reds, Mets, and Dodgers ugh!). Is that not bandwagon jumping? When one's team is eliminated, they pick one of the teams that are left. Is that not bandwagon jumping?

You notice how many Angel fans showed up on the MLB.com board after they won the World Series? You wonder why there are so many more D-Back fans than Devil Rays fans? You wonder why there are more fans of the Yankees than any other team in baseball?

You look at the attendance, and obviously the winning teams are much higher than the rest.

Oh, I agree with you Marlins2003. The Knight Ridder paper sure hates us, but the question is why? Clearly this other article is based on attendance - and he is clearly overlooking the fact that Jacob Field is located in a convenient location and is a realitvely new, baseball-only stadium. Oh, and they dont have to worry about rain like we do down here. The fact is, you build it, they will come. We are a very good franchise. We have another championship team - only this time they stick around. Beckett compared to Jaret Wright? And he wonders why they werent successful in winning a championship?! HAHAHAHAHA...

 

Just point and laugh everyone, at the jealous, bitter old people who keep expecting to lose while we here in S Fl demand winning...

 

There are several possibilities as to why the Herald (Knight-Ridder) so hates the Florida Marlins. Since you asked me, here's the ones that come to mind:

 

1. Economics. The cost of covering 162 regular season games with 81 on the road, plus spring training and possible playoff games, is enormous. Knight-Ridder is if nothing else a bottom-line company. Destroying major league baseball in South Florida would add millions and millions of dollars to their bottom line annually.

 

2. NIMBYism. (NIMBY = Not in My Back Yard) The Herald holds itself out as penultimate decision-maker in South Florida. One can only conclude from their words that their vision for downtown Miami does not include a baseball stadium. I've concluded that in their minds baseball doesn't serve the "right kind of people". The Herald is more than happy to support $300 million for opera and the performing arts, heck it made sure the project was located immediately adjacent to their offices because it appeals to the same groups of beautiful people and elitists they want to associate with, but when it comes to something for the masses, for the regular people, it is beneath them and not deserving of public funding. They are the feudal lords of the 21st century and you had better not poach on their turf.

If you asked 100 people in Miami tonight whether they'd prefer that $300 million spent on an opera house or a ballpark, let's face it the opera house would be a distant also-ran.

To further make this point let me point out that the single best downtown location remains Bi-Centennial Park, approximately 100 YARDS FROM THE HERALD'S OFFICES. "Not in my back yard" is the Herald's mantra. Not all "those" people in t-shirts and shorts and all that yelling and chanting and noise. Give us the black tie set, sedate and civil.

 

3. Wayne Huizenga. So terrified of losing their access to the Miami Dolphins the Herald appears to be willing to prostitute journalism in any way that benefits Mr. Huizenga and his team. I don't even think Wayne is the problem per se, heck he is the personification of the American dream, but football is so important to the Herald they cannot risk disrupting their relationship with him or the team.

 

4. Controversy sells newspapers. Columns like Miller's and most of Lebatard's and Clark Spencer's throughout the year don't happen by accident. Calling Jeffrey Loria a "Most Vile Parasite" the morning after winning the wild card didn't happen because some editor missed it. The Herald seems to think people will buy tomorrow's newspaper if they damn the Marlins today. I for one think it's repugnant and disgusting.

As we move closer and closer to a stadium you can expect the Herald to leave no stone unturned to destroy that dream. They'll trot out Linda Robertson, Edwin Pope, anyone that will help them quash the idea. The Herald has drawn a line in the sand, no stadium, never, no way.

 

5. Power politics. They say power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. If you are a politician and you support a new stadium you can expect to fall under the eye of the Herald. Today's paper was a perfect example. The lead story in the Metro section was about state legislators who came home (from Tallahassee) to see the World Series, projecting the notion that somehow they are shirking their civic duty. Expect more, much more. You cross the Herald and you can expect trouble. The story today, located above the fold on the front page was a message to Manny Diaz and Alex Penalas (mayor's of Miami and Miami-Dade county respectively) not to cross the Herald.

 

So that's how I see it. Any comments?

 

Flash !!! - as I conclude this Channel 10 is reporting a new stadium deal is about to be announced. Expect the Herald to jump all over this in tomorrow's paper and it won't be pretty.