04/16/24
January 20, 2005
New to the Axis of Evil -- the Florida Marlins: The Florida State Senate president, Tom Lee, has labeled the Marlins "terrorists" for trying to get another $60M out of the state toward a new downtown stadium. The Marlins have already met with some folks from Las Vegas about relocating there. Should anyone care if they leave?
The Marlins say South Florida's wet and hot summers hurt attendance and that they need a roofed stadium if they are going to be competitive and financially viable. Isn't this the same argument used for why they shouldn't have a team in the first place? So their alternative is to follow Tampa Bay's model inside a sterile dome? If you can't spin profits from winning two World Series Titles within your first 12 years of existence, then maybe you shouldn't have a team at all.
posted by usfbull at 10:36 AM on January 20, 2005
Has their every been a more undeserving Champion? Well, obviously the team deserves it, but in terms of the organization, fan-base and owner? Loria is a fucking criminal. He should be in jail - cast down with the sodomites for all his contributions to baseball (pitcher and catcher, indeed).
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 12:05 PM on January 20, 2005
If the losing, and I mean LOSING, Brewers can be granted a new stadium....then why not the one-time WORLD CHAMPIONS get one?
posted by brewcrewfan2005 at 12:50 PM on January 20, 2005
If the losing, and I mean LOSING, Brewers can be granted a new stadium....then why not the one-time WORLD CHAMPIONS get one? Just as soon as Loria becomes commissioner he can make it happen. Selig told everyone the Brewers need a new stadium to compete...when what he meant was they needed a new stadium to turn a profit. Take some of that revenue sharing money and spend it on players instead of lining the Selig family pockets. (His daughter still runs the team, right?) Owners don't have fans interest in mind (thats grade A spin)...only their own interests...if you field a losing team and still turn a profit then the owner wins and who cares about everyone else? Say what you will about the Boss in the Bronx...at least he puts winning first, I can't think of another professional sports owner who does in the same manner.
posted by stofer71 at 01:01 PM on January 20, 2005
As a former resident of Vegas, I'd like to hear their spin on trying to lure a MLB team there. It's a small city, half of whom are asleep during daylight, and it's 115 in the shade during the season every day, which means they would have to build a dome. They don't even have a decent road infrastructure and would obviously put the stadium ahead of that. No way they could get 35,000 fans a day for any sporting event. Selig should squash this rumor quick. He's the worst commissioner of, well, anything, ever.
posted by smithnyiu at 01:11 PM on January 20, 2005
Stofer, the Seligs just sold the Brewers, the deal was approved by the other owners within the last month. But I certainly agree with you that too many owners put profits ahead of winning (cf. Minnesota Vikings, SF 49ers).
posted by billsaysthis at 02:08 PM on January 20, 2005
I agree that Vegas is probably a lousy place for MLB, but putting a team there would fit the ongoing trend there to make it family friendly. I've only been to 3 games at Miller Park, but 2 of those would have been rainouts without the flamin', amazin' retractable roof they've got. I think it's definitely a worthwhile investment, though whether or not it should be paid for by taxpayers is another question. If the losing, and I mean LOSING, Brewers can be granted a new stadium....then why not the one-time WORLD CHAMPIONS get one? In regards to this, Selig's position as commissioner certainly helped that deal get through, but I also think without Miller Park there would be no Milwaukee Brewers, which for me is a terrifying thought. And as for LOSING, give Doug Melvin another year or two to work his magic, and then we'll talk about who's losing.
posted by rocketman at 03:27 PM on January 20, 2005
one-time WORLD CHAMPIONS get one? Um...they've won twice. I know, it's hard to grasp, but they beat the Cleveland Indians and the New York Yankees. Every other year: sucked ass (combined 697-866 record in non-WS-winning seasons). Say what you will about the Boss in the Bronx...at least he puts winning first, I can't think of another professional sports owner who does in the same manner. Mike Illitch, with the Detroit Red Wings comes to mind. He spares no expense (even stupid ones) to build the best team possible.
posted by grum@work at 04:45 PM on January 20, 2005
Mike Illitch, with the Detroit Red Wings comes to mind. He spares no expense (even stupid ones) to build the best team possible. You're right, grum. Al Davis for the NFL, Buss for the NBA (recent dumping of Shaq notwithstanding). Thats one for each of the big leagues. A whole bunch of wins and championships too....hmmm...coincidence?
posted by stofer71 at 09:11 PM on January 20, 2005
D.C. is paying for a stadium to be built for the Nationals. And, D.C. really can't afford to spend the money on such things. It's is 90+ degrees for most of the baseball season in South Florida. I have been to two baseball games down there, and it was so hot I could barely stand it. $2 million per year is not an exorbitant amount of money. And, comparing them to terrorist is completely excessive political rhetoric.
posted by bperk at 09:10 AM on January 21, 2005
Have to love this comment: "The Marlins are committed to South Florida. Nobody wants to win another World Series more than Jeffrey Loria," Rubin said. "At the same time, Mr. Loria needs to examine all of his options." Nice committment.