February 8, 200422 yr Tickets an easier sell for Series champs By Sarah Talalay Staff Writer Posted February 8 2004 The World Series champion Marlins got a world champion welcome at Pro Player Stadium on Saturday from fans who snapped up tickets, treated players like rock stars and waited in long lines to have caps and jerseys autographed. "Oh my God. Oh my God, that's Mike Lowell. Where's my camera?" yelled an excited fan as the third baseman strolled past during the Marlins BankUnited FanFest. A crowd estimated between 20,000 and 30,000 attended. Town hall meetings with Manager Jack McKeon, General Manager Admin Beinfest, team president David Samson and players overflowed the room. Ticket sales were brisk, with more tickets sold in the first two hours than in the past two FanFests combined. More than 16,000 individual tickets were sold in person, online and at Ticketmaster outlets Saturday, compared with about 3,100 last year. The equivalent of 200 full season ticket plans were also sold Saturday. Team officials said 700 season tickets were sold last week and more than 5,000 have been sold for the 2004 season thus far. Eric Sachs could only score upper deck seats for Opening Day for himself, wife Marjorie and son Benjamin, 4. "I was surprised and upset, but very happy for the Marlins," said Sachs, of Miami Beach. Ada and Omar Lopez of West Kendall will also be in the upper deck on Opening Day. "At least we're there," said Ada Lopez, who is considering a 20-game plan. "Because they're hot. We love coming to the games." STADIUM DEADLINE The March 15 deadline for a stadium-financing plan in Miami-Dade County is firm, said an optimistic Samson, who wouldn't discuss what happens if the deadline isn't met. "We do not plan on failing," he said. Without a stadium plan by March 15, the county hotel taxes pledged to a stadium would revert to Miami Beach, which claims it is owed $50 million of those taxes under an agreement with the county. The date is crucial for a 2007 opening, otherwise the financial burden for the team is too great, Samson said. Fans booed the potential for the team changing its name to the Miami Marlins. "I'm working on making sure the Florida Marlins stay in South Florida," Samson said, changing the boos to cheers. "Are we going to be the Florida Marlins, the Miami Marlins, the Broward Marlins, the Palm Beach Marlins? " I just want to be down in South Florida, which is the greatest place to live and have a baseball team." JACK'S BACK McKeon, who received a standing ovation from fans, hasn't lost his sense of humor. Fans asked about his pitching rotation and his bullpen, including who will serve as closer. "Who's going to be the closer?" McKeon said. "Whoever finishes the game." A fan asked whether he'd start Josh Beckett or Roger Clemens in the All-Star Game in July. "They have to make the team first," McKeon quipped. Sarah Talalay can be reached at stalalay@sun-sentinel.com.
February 8, 200422 yr Author So at last count we now have 5,900 season tix holders and the goal is 10,000. Not bad, Spring Training and Opening Day will help sell more as people experience the Marlins.
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