"Unsuccessful" is perhaps the biggest understatement when describing the 2011-12 Miami Marlins season. Jeffrey Loria came into South Florida with a promise to the public to breathe fresh air into a dying club. With all of the post-championship radical roster changes, this club has proven time and time again, that it has no interest in any sort of dynasty. Even after the Marlins early success, they could not hold on to their fan base due to the fire-sale of all the players we had all grown to love.
However, we bought this new change! (Literally, as Loria's new playground was paid for by taxpayers). We bought the new jerseys! The new hats! We even overlooked that hideous pink dolphin thing in center-field! (What were they thinking with that?) And yes, we were let down once more. With all of 2011 off-season free agency moves and pick-ups, we immediately accepted these ball players. Mark Buerhle and Jose Reyes proved to be instant fan favorites. Then after the mid-season export of Hanley Ramirez, the city of Miami knew exactly what was in store. Sadly enough, we were right, and in the wake of a $160 million dollar dump this off-season Loria has proved to fans that there is no reason to EVER have faith in Marlins baseball.
However, we bought this new change! (Literally, as Loria's new playground was paid for by taxpayers). We bought the new jerseys! The new hats! We even overlooked that hideous pink dolphin thing in center-field! (What were they thinking with that?) And yes, we were let down once more. With all of 2011 off-season free agency moves and pick-ups, we immediately accepted these ball players. Mark Buerhle and Jose Reyes proved to be instant fan favorites. Then after the mid-season export of Hanley Ramirez, the city of Miami knew exactly what was in store. Sadly enough, we were right, and in the wake of a $160 million dollar dump this off-season Loria has proved to fans that there is no reason to EVER have faith in Marlins baseball.
As far as this writer is concerned, Major League Baseball needs to get involved. In order to save the face of baseball in South Florida, we need an owner who understands his, or her (yes, I'm open-minded), responsibility to the public.
We saw the Los Angeles Dodgers face a similar situation with a corrupt owner. Then after being auctioned off to a local hero and a collection of competitive minded investors, look at the franchise now! With new energy into an already great brand, new ownership is proving to the public they want to win. That's all the public wants in Miami. A realistic effort to win. They showed it last off-season, but a short four months later abandoned their vision.
Under current management, no player in their right mind will want to play in Miami. The players now don't want to play here. Current players such as Giancarlo Stanton, as well as Ricky Nolasco have publicly voiced their distaste for the current state and direction of the club. This proves that not only are players jobs unstable in Miami, but current management can't even keep the players they have happy. How bad do your club operations have to be when you can't keep your talent happy in Miami Beach!...In Air Conditioning!
Longevity. Legacy. Dynasty... This is what Miami needs. As a relatively young state, and a transient state at that, we need to set up tradition in our ball clubs. The Miami Heat are proving that fans do exist in South Florida, so long as the front office works to put out a product people can be proud of. Dismantling teams in their early years will always drive fans away, in any market.
We need "New Deal" type of action to take place in Miami, or lose Marlin baseball forever. We need the Commissioner to step in for the sake of his own MLB brand, and get Loria and his goons out of their fancy new offices, and find a properly vetted owner who will manage this team competitively and responsibly.
Thank you for reading.
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