Hey everybody,

 

First of all, congrats once again for your World Championship. People here in the Windy City are now just starting to pay your team the respect it deserved from th very beginning. Although it was understandable there was massive "Cub Playoff Fever" here, when the Marlins beat the Cubs, there was more talk about the "Curse of the Billy Goat" and Steve Bartman's interference rather than facing the fact the Marlins were simply better, and Jack McKeon outmanaged Dusty Baker. We don't need to retread that conversation again...the bottom line is the Marlins are champions, and that's enough of a reason to celebrate.

 

I read a couple of threads about a new stadium for your team. Personally, I do hope the Fish get a new place to play. I don't know Miami politics, but I hope the stadium, regardless on whether it's built near the Orange Bowl or Miami Arena, doesn't do through all the political wrangling U.S. Cellular Field and Soldier Field (home of the Bears) went through. "The Cell" was built in the late 80's-early 90's after owner Jerry Reinsdorf seriously threatened to move the Sox to St. Petersburg. After a lot of rallying from Sox fans, Governor Jim Thompson did some political "arm-twisting" in Springfield (IL's state capitol), and force the state legislature to pay for the stadium...i.e., the taxpayers flip the bill. Read this article about the infamous upper deck at New Comiskey Park/U.S. Cellular Field from White Sox Interactive, as well as posts about the deck's current renovation, and you'll see what I mean.

 

As far as Soldier Field is concerned, there had been talk about building a new stadium for the Bears since the '70's. I was at the press conference where the model for the current stadium was first unveiled, and there were problems from the get-go. First, people didn't like how the stadium was being paid for...a loan from the NFL, the Bears pitching in, and a hotel tax. Secondly, people didn't like the design of the stadium...people still refer to it as a spaceship landing on a classic stadium. Third...local activists were complaining about the place being built along Chicago's lakefront. They didn't like how the new-looking stadium clashed with the classic architecture of the lakefront. So the moral of this story is...if/when the Marlins get the approval for their new stadium, get ready for a fight that won't quit until the first day the ballpark is open to the public.

 

If any of you see Jay Mariotti on TV or read his articles, son't pay him any mind. The next day after the Marlins won, he wrote this long, butt-kissing atricle about how the Marlins did a "David and Goliath" on the "bullies" known as the Yankees, and credited the Fish for taking down the best team money could buy. Now, in principle, I agree money doesn't always buy a championship, but Mariotti is the worst "bandwagoner" I've ever known. He dubbed the Cubs "America's Team" in the heyday of their hype, and while on TV when the host of "Around the Horn" mentioned that White Sox fans weren't crazy about the Cubs being in the playoffs, he said Sox fans "didn't matter." This is months after he said in an article before the 2003 season that "Sox fans were better than Cubs fans." because of our dedication to the team, and not the "party mentality" many Cubs fans have when they go to the ballpark. You folks in Miami got a first-hand taste of "Cub love" in the NLCS...and I'm still giddy over the choke.

 

Today, you're gonna party like it's 1997, but you won't suffer like it was 1998. I feel your team will be successful for years to come. Let's hope for a White Sox/Marlins world series in 2004. Congrats on a great 2003!!!!!

Thanks... Just keep the faith... Many of the 5000 fans that were at the Marlins games during the whole season feel you. No body believed it was possible.... Why not, White Sox vs. Marlins World Series 2004! Everything starts with a dream. We are just hoping we keep must of our 2003 guys.

Seems that Mariotti = Le Batard, and the rest of the Herald writers.

 

I have seen the new Soldier Field - my girlfriend lives in Chicago, and someday soon so will I. She lived in Hyde Park and in Evanston. On our way between both places I got to look at Soldier Field and thought the exact same thing - what is with the UFO crashing on top of a Greek-styled stoa? Oh well, the Bears are still there and you get used to it, I think.

 

I think the Marlins are going to get a deal very, very soon.

Speaking of Moronotti,

 

Here's his article in today's Chicago Sun Times. He's saying Steve Bartman should take advantage of all the publicity he's gotten since the imfamous foul ball gaff. Can't we all just let this go? I guess if you're a Cub fan, not really.