Hoping to "seize on the emotion" of the Marlins' World
Series win, team President Don Smiley and Miami Mayor Joe
Carollo plan to meet "this week or next to discuss a
publicly financed baseball stadium in downtown Miami,"
according to Jackson & Finefrock of the MIAMI HERALD.
However, Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas, whose support
"would be key to the project's success, appears cool to the
idea," and yesterday called stadium speculation "premature"
and "refused" to discuss it. Carollo, though, says the
chances of building a stadium "are real," and that he will
meet with Smiley and other possible investors later this
week to "discuss options." Carollo said that a new stadium
would cost $210-250M, but a "source close to Huizenga" said
that given the need for a retractable roof, a $300-350M
price "is more realistic" (MIAMI HERALD, 10/28).
EVERYBODY'S DOIN' THE FISH: The Marlins became the
first team ever to draw more than 500,000 fans during the
postseason. They drew 268,972 for the World Series, 160,729
for the NLCS, and 83,450 for the Division Series (HOUSTON
CHRONICLE, 10/27).... Although the Marlins "have a tough
time" selling luxury boxes during the season, the team sold
the 50 "or so unrented boxes" for $5,000 apiece during the
World Series (Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 10/26).
