Marlins Seek To Overcome Fan Apathy, Build Buzz For Surging Team
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Writer Says Neither Players Nor Marketing Execs
To Blame For Marlins' Fan Apathy |
The "country is talking about the Marlins and their abundance of good, young starters, their new-found speed and superstar Hanley Ramirez," but in South Florida, "it's all about who is performing in the Saturday night concert," according to Mike Phillips of the MIAMI HERALD. When Marlins fans this week were asked "what kind of crowds will show up" for this weekend's series against the Phillies at Dolphin Stadium, the "same response was given," as respondents wondered who is playing this week's concert following Saturday night's game. Cuban singer Albita will perform this weekend, and Marlins officials said that they are "just trying to find a way to draw people to watch the team with the lowest attendance in baseball." Phillips writes, "Don't blame the players ... for fan apathy. And don't blame the marketing people, who have tried innovative ways to increase attendance." The Marlins are 11-4, the best record in the NL, but Phillips wonders if their fast start will "help change the apathy South Florida has for this franchise." Marlins RF Cody Ross: "It would be great to play in front of big crowds this weekend. We love to play in front of big crowds, and it would be nice to have them at home." Marlins President of Baseball Operations Larry Beinfest: "Hopefully, people are energized by the start we've had. I hope we see some big crowds this weekend. I know it would mean a lot to those guys" (MIAMI HERALD, 4/24).
SOMETHING TO BUILD ON: ESPN.com's Jayson Stark wrote the "future of the franchise is essentially secure, thanks to the 37,000-seat retractable-dome ballpark that has finally ... been approved for a 2012 opening." The Marlins now are building "something lasting, something stable," after in the past conducting "everything-must-go" sales following World Series titles. Marlins President David Samson: "I don't see that happening again. We've put ourselves in a position, with salaries and the performance we're getting from players at a young age, that we don't have to do that anymore." Stark wrote the Marlins "have the freedom now to make decisions that are about dollars and baseball," whereas "not so long ago, it was only one of the above" (ESPN.com, 4/23).
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