More fans open arms -- and wallets

According to the Marlins, between 20,000 and 30,000 showed up for FanFest, bringing dramatic increases in ticket sales.

By BARRY JACKSON

bjackson@herald.com

 

 

CANDACE BARBOT / HERALD STAFF

 

ALL SMILES: From left, Marlins shortstop Alex Gonzalez, pitcher Josh Beckett, club president David Samson and third baseman Mike Lowell share a laugh Saturday.

 

 

South Florida wrapped its arms around the Marlins on Saturday, turning out in impressive numbers to buy tickets, secure autographs and embrace the World Series champions during their annual FanFest.

 

By 11 a.m., two hours after individual game tickets went on sale, the team had sold more tickets than it did in the previous two FanFests combined.

 

By the end of the day, the Marlins said they sold 16,000 individual game tickets, topping the FanFest totals of 3,100 last year and 2,300 in 2002. About 5,000 were sold for the April 6 opener against the Montreal Expos.

 

The Marlins also said they sold 200 season tickets Saturday, and 700 in the past week. The team has sold more than 5,000 season tickets but hasn't released an exact number.

 

The Marlins estimated Saturday's attendance at between 20,000 and 30,000, compared with 10,000 to 15,000 last season.

 

Club president David Samson said the sales and turnout exceeded expectations.

 

''It's been great . . . unbelievable,'' he said. ``I used to recognize everyone who came to these things. There are a lot of new people.''

 

During three town-hall meetings that drew large crowds, several fans asked about the team's pursuit of a new stadium. Numerous fans booed both the mentioning of Ivan Rodriguez, who signed with Detroit, and the prospect of the team changing its name to the Miami Marlins -- a condition the Marlins have agreed to if a ballpark is built in Miami.

 

In a private moment afterward, Samson said progress on a new stadium was made in a meeting with city and county officials last week, although indications are that a large funding gap remains. He said the team's stadium pursuit remains focused on Miami-Dade County.

 

''It has been a constant deal flow,'' Samson said. ``It has been going exactly as successful deals go. There are ups, downs.

 

``. . . There are going to be seven all-nighters in a row before the March 15 [deadline]. . . . I think a deal will happen by March 15 because everyone understands the [consequences]. Everyone knows after March 15 a deal in South Florida becomes much less likely if there's no deal by then. . . .

 

``I think the politicians know, and [club owner] Jeffrey Loria and I understand, this is it. Three strikes, and the Marlins are out.''

 

On explaining why the Marlins insist on a stadium with a retractable roof, Samson told fans, ``I'd rather you buy water not because you're going to die of dehydration, but because you're thirsty.''

 

LOWELL'S TAKE

 

Although third baseman Mike Lowell signed a four-year contract in the offseason, a stadium clause in his contract means he likely won't be with the team beyond 2005 -- and maybe not even that long -- if there's no new ballpark.

 

Still, Lowell said he's not distracted by the issue.

 

''I make enough to be happy with the way I live,'' he said. ``Stadium or no stadium, I think I'm going to be fine. If I'm not with the Marlins -- which is where I want to be -- I think I have a good chance at other jobs somewhere else . . .

 

``I don't think the players really care [about the stadium issue]. They would prefer it, but when it comes to preparing for a season, the stadium might be number 1,000 on the list of 900.''

 

Lowell said he wasn't discouraged by the team's offseason losses.

 

''Until we get the revenue that the big teams do, there are always going to be some type of casualties,'' he said. ``Unfortunately for us, Pudge Rodriguez and Derrek Lee were the big ones.

 

``. . . I feel like Derrek should have had the opportunity to come back, but someone had to go. . . . With what our team had to work with, we're in a good position to go after a playoff spot.''

 

QUICK HITS

 

? The Marlins say, for now, they aren't planning to sign a left-handed reliever from a free agent group including Terry Mulholland and Ron Villone. That could change, though, if incumbents Michael Tejera or Tommy Phelps founder in spring training.

 

? Reliever Tim Spooneybarger, who was expected to miss the season after elbow surgery, said he's a month ahead of schedule and could return after the All-Star break. ''August would probably be the earliest,'' general manager Admin Beinfest said.

 

? Pitcher A.J. Burnett, after being asked by a fan if the Marlins will sign free agent Greg Maddux: ''Do we really need Greg Maddux?'' (The team isn't pursuing Maddux.)

 

? The team will put World Series commemorative items -- such as rings, earrings, necklaces and money clips -- on sale in March.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/7903076.htm

The Miami Herald is set to destroy the Marlins. All they do is bite on how all the players will be gone. I bet they can't even name the players without Reporter's notes near them, what a bunch of losers.

The Miami Herald is set to destroy the Marlins. All they do is bite on how all the players will be gone. I bet they can't even name the players without Reporter's notes near them, what a bunch of losers.

i think this article was more than fair.

 

they could've harped about how miserable ticket sales really are, but they held back.

It wasn't fair. The Herald gives this team NO support. They give destructive influences and I don't see why they want this team gone. It brings so much happiness to so many, but then that is the Miami Herald.

This was a better treatment, but hardly fair. The fact is, alkazoid, that ticket sales are not bad and even the Herald couldnt spin it that way. Ticket sales are up, more than double the previous season. There is more interest in the team now and that is a good sign for this club. I do worry that the push for the stadium is coming a year too soon, but maybe it will get done. Regardless, if the Marlins are competitive this season, and they will be, the fans will stick around and attendance will increase AGAIN. I think we will have 20K per game...

Good, because when we win it makes them sour. Can you imagine how they felt when we won the WS??? That expression alone is PRICELESS.

It may have started out positive in the opening paragraphs...but quickly degraded.

 

Numerous fans booed both the mentioning of Ivan Rodriguez, who signed with Detroit, and the prospect of the team changing its name to the Miami Marlins -- a condition the Marlins have agreed to if a ballpark is built in Miami.

It comes across as if the "fans" were booing the FO, but in fact, they were booing a fan who attempted to give Beinfest a hard time over Pudge. --Misleading by the Herald.

 

Why did they conveniently fail to mention the standing ovation Jack, David and Admin received when they entered the room? And the applause for the vast majority of comments made.

 

``I think the politicians know, and [club owner] Jeffrey Loria and I understand, this is it. Three strikes, and the Marlins are out.''

 

Very negative view from the Herald on what was said.

 

Here's a similar quote from the Palm Beach Post this morning:

 

"I happen to love playing here at Pro Player," he said. "And I love the fact that we have great memories -- we've won two World Series titles here.... The chances of a new stadium -- if I were you, I would expect the Marlins to be (in South Florida) for a long time to come."

Regarding the stadium roof, the Herald reports:

 

On explaining why the Marlins insist on a stadium with a retractable roof, Samson told fans, ``I'd rather you buy water not because you're going to die of dehydration, but because you're thirsty.''

 

While the Palm Beach Post reports:

 

Owner Jeffrey Loria said a retractable-roof ballpark is a necessity.

 

"It's enough already with the bad weather and the discomfort," he said. "The fans here deserve to be treated like every other major-league city."

The Herald chooses to assume a stadium deal won't happen.....

 

Although third baseman Mike Lowell signed a four-year contract in the offseason, a stadium clause in his contract means he likely won't be with the team beyond 2005 -- and maybe not even that long -- if there's no new ballpark.

 

Instead of focusing on the players lost.....why is there NO mention of any of the new players....Benitez, Choi, Cordero??

 

 

No way could I consider this "unbiased" reporting from the Herald. Anyone reading the full article would come away thinking the Marlins days in South Florida are numbered. :thumbdown

nice analysis pbmarlin.

 

Those who were there at the conference meetings with Beinfest, jack, samson, and the players really know what happened.

 

Let me tell you guys who werent there at that time.

 

They went above and beyond to make sure everyone's questions were answered, they didnt shy away from difficult questions and they didnt beat around the bush. Their speech on the new stadium was very informative, and they are very very committed to keeping the marlins in south florida.

 

They know how to reach out to the fans, and everywhere I go Ive been telling people of that day yesterday at fanfest.

 

It begins now, this season is going to be probably the most pivotal season for the marlins future. It's now or never marlins fans.... balls to the walls, all guns blazing.

I got up this morning and I read the Herald, then went online and read the PBPost piece. It was like the two papers went to different events.

 

I was going to post about Barry Jackson's piece but I said to myself that bashing the Herald twice in 24 hours would only look like I had the agenda, not the Herald. I am so glad someone else has picked up the guantlet. PBMarlin should really be congratulated for the terrific job he did today, comparing the two pieces.

 

Can anyone deny the obvious when it comes to the Herald and the Marlins? They will not be happy until they have driven this team out of South Florida.

 

 

Bravo ! Fabulous post.

nice analysis pbmarlin.

 

Those who were there at the conference meetings with Beinfest, jack, samson, and the players really know what happened.

 

Let me tell you guys who werent there at that time.

 

They went above and beyond to make sure everyone's questions were answered, they didnt shy away from difficult questions and they didnt beat around the bush. Their speech on the new stadium was very informative, and they are very very committed to keeping the marlins in south florida.

 

They know how to reach out to the fans, and everywhere I go Ive been telling people of that day yesterday at fanfest.

 

It begins now, this season is going to be probably the most pivotal season for the marlins future. It's now or never marlins fans.... balls to the walls, all guns blazing.

Citan, that's a really cool pic on your sig.

hehe thanks! Im the only person with a castro jersey so far LOL. And its signed also.

 

Oh by the way I think I saw you. Im not sure. I wanted to meet you guys at 10 15 but My friends wanted to do other things =/. Were you the one in gate H that was giving a sports illustrated to david samson ? like around 2 or 3 ?

Yeah, that was her, but it wasn't around 2 or 3. It was actually around 10:15 when we saw him.

Yea, it was in the morning hours. I was wearing a World Champions baby doll t-shirt and blue jeans. I had a baby blue Tinker Bell purse.