Stadium News - Sort of

by craig on Mar 24, 2009 2:26 PM EDT in News and Rumors

I was trying to decide when I will remove the "Sort of" from the title. But being a cynic by nature, I won't do it until July 1, at the latest.

For a recap of last night's voting we, of course, go to Sarah Talalay.

Ballpark supporters were all smiles after Miami-Dade County Commissioners voted 9-4 late last night to finance a $515 million ballpark and $94 million in parking lots at the former site of the Orange Bowl.

It wasn’t easy getting there – it took more than nine hours of debate among commissioners and testimony from nearly 80 members of the public. That on top of the numerous years, countless stadium plans and dozens of commission votes.

But the approval, which wasn’t assured even as recently as last week, was all but sewn up Monday, when County Commission Chairman Dennis made it clear he wouldn’t allow any alterations to the deal other than those deemed “friendly” by stadium supporter Commissioner Bruno Barreiro. Supporters clearly didn’t want any changes made that would sink the deal or require it go back for another vote to the Miami City Commission, which approved the plan in a 3-2 vote last week.

With Commissioner Javier Souto on the yes side of the ledger, supporters knew they had the deal approved. That didn’t stop opponents from proposing a number of amendments – many of which Barreiro didn’t even hesitate to reject – aimed at improving the deal for the public.

Naturally she has more. I can only quote so much and still have a good conscience.

I was going to link to what everyone (other bloggers) thought about the stadium deal passing, but then it occurred to me -- I don't care what they think.

They weren't here during the rain delays or having to pretend that the football stadium the Marlins played in was an actual baseball stadium. Or drive 70 miles in order to just see a weekday game. Forget them. They don't know the pain.

The Marlins won't own the stadium. Miami-Dade will. And what I got from last night's meetings was that the county wants a major league baseball team, whether it is owned by Loria or not.

Also, HOK doesn't sign off on a piece of junk that has their name associated with it. And union workers don't build garbage.

Okay, I'm a bit defensive, but I have read too much about how it was just a give away to the Marlins. Maybe the Marlins got a good deal, maybe they didn't (when the cost overruns come in) but a major league baseball team should have a baseball only park. You may disagree and feel free to do so.

Rereading this, boy, I need to tone it down. But then again, what would you expect from someone who is having to wear shades because he has never seen a sun so bright? (If you catch my drift.)

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Comments

The way the franchise has been going

I agree that the main objective is to get a BASEBALL stadium for our baseball team to play in. This has been a long time coming, and i couldnt be more pleased about the results, long as they may have taken to get those results.
Can i expect that you’ll be driving the 70 miles for the 1st game at “Gorden’s Fisherman Stadium” or whatever ridiculous name they come up with?

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by David Dwork on Mar 24, 2009 2:41 PM EDT reply actions

If at all possible....

I will be at the first game in the new stadium. And no, I won’t be driving 70 miles to do so.

Aside: as I have I said before, I except the stadium’s namesake will be Burger King and known as the “Home of the Whopper”.

Then again, I’m wrong more than I am right.

by craig on Mar 24, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions

That would be a hilariously appropriate name

Or Charlie the Tuna’s fish tank.

"How can I blame you
When it's me I can't forgive?"

-From the Unforgiven III off of Death Magnetic

by Patssuck456 on Mar 24, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I've voting for Royal Caribbean to sponsor it

The “Little Havana of the Seas”

by jrsyeagle on Mar 24, 2009 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Am I the only one...

…gunning for El Estadio Pollo Tropical: Marlins On The Grill?

by dan 2.0 on Mar 25, 2009 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions

LOL

I could get onboard for that

by craig on Mar 25, 2009 2:06 AM EDT up reply actions

OB

I was really hoping we keep the Orange Bowl name.
Maybe we can steal Tropicana and make it the Tropicana Orange Bowl.
Maybe Fed Ex can keep their name associated with the new Orange Bowl.

I’m betting on Carnival Field, if they survive the financial mess. It’d be pretty cool to have one of those big ships horns in the outfield that blew every time they hit one out.

As long as it’s not Burker King presents The Royal Caribbean Field at the Miami-Dade County Orange Bowl

by brickell on Mar 24, 2009 4:04 PM EDT reply actions

OB

I think they will definitely keep the OB somewhere in the name and pay homage to it. I’m pretty certain they understand how important that plot of land is to Miamians.
On another note, I keep hearing broward and PBC residents complaining about making it so much harder for them to get to the stadium. They continue by saying that the fish will lose all those valuable fans. The fact of the matter is no one came to the games anyway. How valuable can an absent fan be? And as I believe someone else alluded to: if a true baseball stadium being located several more miles south prevents you from going to the games, then you really weren’t a decent fan to begin with.

Vamos!

by GMFB on Mar 24, 2009 5:29 PM EDT reply actions

FYI

For what it’s worth David Samson will be on 790 The Ticket at 6PM today

by HadMatter on Mar 24, 2009 5:41 PM EDT reply actions

Amen Brother

I am so sorry that the Broward and PB fans are unhappy-all 1,000 of them.

I expect that the cheap seats will all be filled by fans walking to the stadium. At least we should get some crowd noise.

My daughter was staying in Little Havana during the 2003 World Series. She said that every time a Marlins pitcher threw a strike or a MArlins batter got a hit, there was a deafening noise (calngin trash can lids etc). That’s where most of our fans are-right where the stadium is. They may not be rich, but they are Marlins fanatics.

It’s the right stadium in the right place.

I’ve been driving 70 miles all this time (well round trip that is). Time wise the new stadium will probably be about the same but it is oh so worth it to have a home.

And as that lady (Marlins fan from Palm Beach) said that she often looks at the clouds at 5PM and doubts whether she wants to risk the long drive in just to stand around for a rain delay. This way she can just hop in her car knowing the game will start on time.

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by jrhana on Mar 24, 2009 6:05 PM EDT reply actions

Congrats

It’s been a looooong time coming for you diehard Fish fans.

And perhaps the new stadium will be a hosting site for the 2013 WBC.

Today, we are all Honkballers.

by RATW on Mar 24, 2009 7:26 PM EDT reply actions

thanks!

by Fishcrazy on Mar 24, 2009 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Congratulations

im a mets fan but i come in peace! i have been to dozens of games at dolphins stadium, the most recent being the 6 in the WBC last week. while i have seen the stadium be a great facility for football games, the short comings in baseball are obvious. the new downtown stadium is well deserved and has been a long time coming. i can think of few franchises that deserve and need their own home more. i look forward to visiting the new park when it is complete and enjoying the game, come rain or shine!

by thethanwhiteduke on Mar 25, 2009 12:31 PM EDT reply actions