Gary Sheffield criticizes the Marlins for not having alumni in the organization

[SilverBullet]

Gary Sheffield was on MLB Network this week and while discussing the recent 1997 reunion he criticized the Marlins organization in a way that's usually not done on a public stage like that. I'm assuming most former players just kinda say "yea that was fun so glad to be there it was a blast" and Sheffield did praise the reunion but then he said this and I thought it was worth a discussion...

Quote

"That '97 team has been removed from the history of the Marlins to me, I was saddened by nobody's involved in the organization. When you look at all the organizations, the way they carry their history, they bring former players around, they're part of the organization, they're a mainstay in the organization, the Marlins is not like that, and so that broke my heart a little bit and then when we talked about all the guys that want to be a part of this organization... and the last thing was I was heartbroken when I didn't see every player there to participate in it, you have some guys that are still upset with the organization how they've been treated."

So it sounds like everyone was happily together and they all looked around and realized not one of us actually works for this organization and it makes you wonder. I know Jeter made that huge mistake when he first got here but besides Conine and a couple others there weren't many around before Jeter either so I'm wondering how far back this issue goes.

Thoughts?

[SongInTheAir]

Fire Mattingly and let Sheffield manage. 

[SonOfJack]

Just now, SongInTheAir said:

Fire Mattingly and let Sheffield manage. 

I just imagine him on the top step spitting constantly like he used to do in the outfield

[SongInTheAir]

6 minutes ago, SonOfJack said:

I just imagine him on the top step spitting constantly like he used to do in the outfield

Rather him spitting saliva and seeds as opposed to Mattingly spitting awful lineups and bullshit about how we were "in the game" the whole time before we lost. 

[rmc523]

Genuine question - are there really THAT MANY former players involved in their former organizations to the level of what he seems to want?   Or does he just mean like at least 1 or 2 of them?

[SilverBullet]

7 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

Genuine question - are there really THAT MANY former players involved in their former organizations to the level of what he seems to want?   Or does he just mean like at least 1 or 2 of them?

I think the point is that there's zero and it seems, or he feels like, that the organization purposely shys away from them in any capacity besides reunions for ticket sales.

[rmc523]

2 minutes ago, SilverBullet said:

I think the point is that there's zero and it seems, or he feels like, that the organization purposely shys away from them in any capacity besides reunions for ticket sales.

True.  I didn’t realize nobody was left after the initial exodus when they bought the club.  I agree it should be more than 0, but don’t think they need to employ the entire team lol.

[Michael]

23 minutes ago, SongInTheAir said:

Fire Mattingly and let Sheffield manage. 

Would he walk up to the plate and waggle the lineup card before handing it to the umpire?

[CyggyMarlin]

Culture Of Losing & Fire Sales

[Michael]

14 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

Genuine question - are there really THAT MANY former players involved in their former organizations to the level of what he seems to want?   Or does he just mean like at least 1 or 2 of them?

Gotta be just like one or two. Someone with connection to the team. Definitely doesn't have to be half the 97 team. lol

[CyggyMarlin]

2 minutes ago, Michael said:

Gotta be just like one or two. Someone with connection to the team. Definitely doesn't have to be half the 97 team. lol

Does Livan have anything to do with the team?  A Cuban WS MVP would make a great ambassador between the team and the fans....

[Michael]

Just now, CyggyMarlin said:

Does Livan have anything to do with the team?  A Cuban WS MVP would make a great ambassador between the team and the fans....

Especially since we also have the other Cuban WS MVP [yes there have only been two so far] on the team currently. Imagine that duo going around and getting fans interested.

[rmc523]

Just now, Michael said:

Especially since we also have the other Cuban WS MVP [yes there have only been two so far] on the team currently. Imagine that duo going around and getting fans interested.

It’d make too much sense to have former players like that be team ambassadors

[CyggyMarlin]

Sometimes I think all of us here should pool our money and couple it with a GoFundMe account, buy this team from Sherman and do all the things that for some reason only this fan base knows what needs to be done. 

[Michael]

3 minutes ago, CyggyMarlin said:

Sometimes I think all of us here should pool our money and couple it with a GoFundMe account, buy this team from Sherman and do all the things that for some reason only this fan base knows what needs to be done. 

The good news is the writers for the team will praise our every move when something goes wrong, IE when they said "see the team knew what they were doing" when Meyer got injured 😐

[rmc523]

9 minutes ago, Michael said:

The good news is the writers for the team will praise our every move when something goes wrong, IE when they said "see the team knew what they were doing" when Meyer got injured 😐

Nah, THEN they’ll wake up and do what they should be doing now.

[Michael]

3 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

Nah, THEN they’ll wake up and do what they should be doing now.

Rightfully criticizing the team? I agree.

[rmc523]

1 hour ago, Michael said:

Rightfully criticizing the team? I agree.

Correct!

[SongInTheAir]

3 hours ago, CyggyMarlin said:

Sometimes I think all of us here should pool our money and couple it with a GoFundMe account, buy this team from Sherman and do all the things that for some reason only this fan base knows what needs to be done. 

I'll manage!

[SonOfJack]

20 minutes ago, SongInTheAir said:

I'll manage!

Can I be your bench coach?

[SongInTheAir]

1 hour ago, SonOfJack said:

Can I be your bench coach?

Yes

[fanofthefish]

I can agree with Sheff on this, it's a shame there's no real connection to the championship eras and few former Marlins in the organization as a whole

[Das Texan II]

Legit criticism.  

Its cheap and goodwill to keep former players engaged.  Especially ones that are beloved.

But when you have so few due to so many not spending a lot of time in this organization, you get what you get.

 

Plus, its money Sherman can pocket

[SilverBullet]

13 hours ago, Das Texan II said:

But when you have so few due to so many not spending a lot of time in this organization

Even with this there's a lot of former players who enjoyed playing here and still live here and enjoyed the loyal fan base and who seem very willing to maintain a connection with the organization... so gotta take advantage of those guys.

For all the talk about our shaky history there's plenty of willing former Marlins here.

[Das Texan]

11 minutes ago, SilverBullet said:

Even with this there's a lot of former players who enjoyed playing here and still live here and enjoyed the loyal fan base and who seem very willing to maintain a connection with the organization... so gotta take advantage of those guys.

For all the talk about our shaky history there's plenty of willing former Marlins here.

While thats true, those guys also dont have jobs so naturally they'd take one with the team that is located where they live!