Marlins leaving Florida?

[JKidd]

JUPITER, Fla. -- Even after watching his team rout the Boston Red Sox, Florida Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria was in a mood to reminisce about better days.

Loria made his first visit to spring training Wednesday, and his timing was good because Florida beat Boston 12-1. But despite the Marlins' 5-1 exhibition record, these are bleak days for the franchise.

Poor attendance and a stalemate in Loria's bid for a new ballpark in South Florida prompted him to order drastic payroll cutbacks during the offseason while team officials explored possible relocation.

Loria acknowledged that there has been "little progress" lately toward a new stadium, which the Marlins have sought for more than a decade. The situation left him recalling the championship parade in downtown Miami after his team won the 2003 World Series championship.

"I was thinking about the last four years and saying to myself, 'It would be nice if all those fans who were part of that parade route had said something to their elected officials about wanting to keep baseball here,'" Loria said. "I really believe this thing would have been done by now."

Instead, the Marlins are considering San Antonio and other cities as a possible home after their lease expires next year. Loria has repeatedly said that the Marlins' preference is to remain in South Florida but that they will not remain in Dolphins Stadium beyond 2010.

Loria declined to guess where the team is mostly likely to play after that.

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[JKidd]

So... where they heading?

Mexico?
Dom. Republic?
San Antonio?

I highly doubt that the Fish are staying in Florida. The city/state wont get them a new ball park and they supposidly wont play in Florida without one. Looks like the win one and lose a lot model isnt working to keep people interested in the Fish.

[KiddYidd]

Originally Posted by jkidd

JUPITER, Fla. -- Even after watching his team rout the Boston Red Sox, Florida Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria was in a mood to reminisce about better days.

Loria made his first visit to spring training Wednesday, and his timing was good because Florida beat Boston 12-1. But despite the Marlins' 5-1 exhibition record, these are bleak days for the franchise.

Poor attendance and a stalemate in Loria's bid for a new ballpark in South Florida prompted him to order drastic payroll cutbacks during the offseason while team officials explored possible relocation.

Loria acknowledged that there has been "little progress" lately toward a new stadium, which the Marlins have sought for more than a decade. The situation left him recalling the championship parade in downtown Miami after his team won the 2003 World Series championship.

"I was thinking about the last four years and saying to myself, 'It would be nice if all those fans who were part of that parade route had said something to their elected officials about wanting to keep baseball here,'" Loria said. "I really believe this thing would have been done by now."

Instead, the Marlins are considering San Antonio and other cities as a possible home after their lease expires next year. Loria has repeatedly said that the Marlins' preference is to remain in South Florida but that they will not remain in Dolphins Stadium beyond 2010.

Loria declined to guess where the team is mostly likely to play after that.

link

S. Florida fans absolutely suck! They should get a professional soccer team there. That is the only way they would sell out that stadium.

[brawl lover]

Originally Posted by Hebrew Hammer

S. Florida fans absolutely suck! They should get a professional soccer team there. That is the only way they would sell out that stadium.

Dog racing and Jai Alai do very well down there.

[KiddYidd]

Originally Posted by brawl lover

Dog racing and Jai Alai do very well down there.

This is true. Jai Alai is pretty cool!

[brawl lover]

Originally Posted by Hebrew Hammer

This is true. Jai Alai is pretty cool!

Yeah every time i've watched it I kept hoping one of them would get wacked in the grill with one of those smokers..to no avail though.

[KiddYidd]

Originally Posted by brawl lover

Yeah every time i've watched it I kept hoping one of them would get wacked in the grill with one of those smokers..to no avail though.

I lived in Miami for a few years and got to go to a Jai Alai match. Defintely fixed though I lost my pants that night.

[Cummins15]

Please Selig tell us how the competive balance in baseball has helped all of the low payroll frachises again? How pathetic it would be for a 2 time world series champion to have to leave.

If they do though, please let it be Vegas. The city with the fastest growing population deserves a major pro team and I would love to be their 1st season ticket holder.

[Phila26Flyers]

The article doesn't even mention Las Vegas yet last year I heard that LV had the best shot at landing the Marlins.

[Blouin]

I dont see them moving for a few years. LV is always an option

[bengino]

**** Loria, seriously he's the worst owner in MLB history, after trying to screw Montreal by "buying" the club in order to keep them alive (a load of bull, had the 'Spos contracted all the money spent went back to Loria). He wins a championship with the Marlins and then whines and bitches that if there's no stadium the team moves? **** you Loria, you screw baseball fans over too much, get out of baseball NOW!