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Marlin Watchers

The good people of the South Florida prefer to do their fish watching in the comfort of their living rooms.  The soothing sounds of Rich Waltz and Tommy Hutton appear to be the Seirenes' call of the masses known as Marlins fans.

The Marlins set viewing records on FSN Florida this season. The cable games averaged a record 4.3 rating (percentage of households) in the Fort Lauderdale-Miami market, the highest in franchise history. The 4.3 was a 10 percent increase over last year's 3.9 and marked the third increase in viewership in three seasons. In 2003, a World Series season, the Marlins averaged a 3.7.

A ten percent increase, not bad, not bad at all.  Unfortunately attendance at the JRS didn't quite fare so well.

Attendance figures for the year place the team next to last in the major league cities with an average 23,128 fans per game, up slightly over last year. Total attendance for the season reached 1.7 million, which was even with the numbers from 2004. The Marlins will lose some $10 million this year, according to Forbes Magazine, but that could be offset by the league's revenue-sharing deal with major market teams that make the big bucks.

Considering that last year some of the home games were played in Chicago to very small but enthusiastic crowds.  (Thank you White Sox fans, you were wonderful hosts.)  It doesn't make this year at the park to be what I would call outstanding in terms of attendance.  But the ones who did find their way to 2269 Dan Marino Blvd. where extremely top notch.  Even the, shall we say, overly enthusiastic fan who sat by FSN's field mic most of the year.  Still it is nice to know that the Marlins may at least break even monetarily.

Oh, there is another possible idea being floated around for a stadium home to house the Marlins.

The Florida Marlins, who may be considering playing in the new, proposed FAU stadium, wrapped up the season last Sunday

I have no idea whether this is a good alternative or not due to a complete lack of knowledge.  Perhaps one of you who is well versed in the geography of South Florida can clue the rest of us in. It would be appreciated.