Yesterday, the 2012 MLB schedule was released to the public, providing those of us who won’t be seeing our team advance to this postseason something to look forward to (remember – not all of us really care about football.) The pennant races are winding down and the Wild Card race remains a toss-up as the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox are slated to square off in a pivotal series tonight. The regular season is reaching its final weeks and many of us are now falling into, “There’s always next year” syndrome. Next season, the Florida Marlins will be undergoing an extreme makeover in hopes of resurrecting their franchise. The team will be changing its name to the Miami Marlins and relocating to a new stadium in downtown Miami. Come November, the team will unveil its new uniforms, new logo, and new hope for better days. Through the past decade, the Marlins’ attendance has suffered to a miserable degree. Since 2006, the franchise has ranked dead last in attendance within the league and anyone who has turned on a Marlins game (anyone, anyone?) has surely noticed the sea of empty orange bleachers that serve as a game backdrop. At one point, the Marlins faced scrutiny and ridicule as a mere 347 fans showed up for a game against the Reds and earlier in the season, the stadium completely closed the upper deck. Sure, the Marlins are 29 games back in the basement of the NL East with a 67-81 record. Sure, the team roster lacks many big-shot names – the most recognizable is probably a 23 year-old kid who is best known for his Twitter antics. And sure, the team batting average is ranked 20th at .248 and the team ERA is 18th at 4.01, but the team’s struggles can’t be entirely to blame for its attendance problems. It seems Florida lacks a passion for baseball. Even the neighboring Rays, who feature star third baseman Evan Longoria and pitcher David Price, and who made a memorable postseason tear last season into the ALDS, have been puzzled by lack of fan interest. The Rays even had to give away 20,000 free tickets to fans to fill Tropicana Field during the final week of the season last year, despite the fact the team was close to clinching the AL East pennant. Perhaps Florida’s MLB teams are lacking in the PR and Marketing departments, or perhaps (more than likely), money is the issue. The Florida Marlins suffer from what I’m going to refer to as “Dolan-Syndrome”, or the refusal to spend money. According to USA Today, the Marlins’ team payroll was recorded at just under $57 million this year. The only notable bit of money-spending the team has invested has been the 6-year, $70 million contract of shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who was lost in early August and is actually due to have shoulder surgery today. Accusing Floridians of not supporting their teams may be unfair, but it’s clear that there is a lack of interest. Such a lackadaisical attitude seems unfitting though, as Florida houses the spring training facilities of several ballclubs, as well as the University of Florida, which maintains a solid support foundation from its fans. Whatever the reason, it is clear that an affinity for professional baseball runs short in Florida. The Marlins will need to need to do more than open a new stadium and wear new uniforms to become a relevant team again, but at least they are making a start. For their sake, here’s hoping for better things to come – but as we all know, not all that glitters is gold – and that includes Miami. Right, Lebron?
