With offseason moves and the hosting of 2017's All-Star Game, can the Marlins gain the trust of the fan base back?
Stephen Ur | Miami SPORTS & Lifestyle
The Miami Marlins came to life in 2012 in an effort for a fresh start to what was a successful Florida Marlins franchise who won two World Series titles.
But what was expected to be fresh start for the fans was not how the birth of the "new" franchise turned out.
The transformation began on the afternoon of July 1, 2009. The then Florida Marlins, who were playing in the same stadium the NFL's Miami Dolphins were playing in the fall, were on their way to what would become a second-place finish in the National League East and also a new stadium.
The commissioners of Miami-Dade County approved a package that would change the MLB franchise forever. $409 million of funding in public bonds were given to the team to build their own stadium, which would become a project that would last just under three years.
The Florida Marlins became the Miami Marlins on April 4, 2012; when the new Marlins Park had opened. Before the season, owner Jeffrey Loria signed two All Stars; former New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes and pitcher Mark Buerhle, to contribute to what looked like would be a trip to the World Series for the first since winning it all in 2003.
Loria even promised fans that this was not a waste of money for the city of Miami. He told fans that he'd spent the money to turn the Marlins into a contender. It was a bright future for the team and their fans.
Unfortuantely, for the fans of South Beach, their MLB season was one to forget. The team finished last in the National League East.
To add more fuel to the fire, Reyes and Buerhle were traded to the Toronto Blue Jays during that offseason. The next season proved to be just as bad as the one before that, in which the Marlins finished in last place once again.
The city of Miami had then officially turned on their baseball team.
Everything was turning upside down in the Miami baseball world. Criticism came from every corner towards the Miami Marlins organization. The media didn't trust them. Fans didn't trust them. Nobody.
A bright spot, however, was the stadium's revenues reaching a high of $634 million, a number which is projected to reach over $2.4 billion within the next 40 years.
The team's owners are trying to gain the trust of their fans back, and they're off to a good start.
Over this offseason, the team signed veteran All Star Ichiro Suzuki. Ichiro has found success with the Seattle Mariners and also the New York Yankees. The Marlins also signed Giancarlo Stanton to a 13-year, $325 million contract extension, and have also snagged Martin Prado from the New York Yankees. The team has also added several pitchers into their lineup; such as Dee Gordon, Dan Haren, Mat Latos, Michael Morse and Andre Rienzo.
The team has the 8th best bullpen in the MLB, according to fishstripes.com.
The organization has also announced that Marlins Park will host the 2017 All-Star Game.
The news of all of the offseason moves, as well as hosting the All-Star Game, should have the Marlins back on the right track for gaining the trust of the fan base back,especially considering the excitement that the fans have been showing.
The Marlins begin their season with a 6-game home stand against divisional rival Atlanta Braves, and then against in-state rival Tampa Bay Rays before a 10-game road trip in Atlanta, New York and Philadelphia.
--
Stephen Ur is a writer for Miami SPORTS & Lifestyle covering all of the Miami sports and contributing to our Lifestyle segment. He will also be featured on Miami SPORTS & Lifestyle Radio. You can follow him on Twitter @writingfanatic2.
No comments:
Post a Comment