The following samples national reaction to the Marlins-
Dodgers trade, including what it means for MLB and its
impact on the future of baseball in South FL (THE DAILY):
WHAT IT MEANS: In Miami, Edwin Pope wrote that the move
is the "ultimate embarrassment," but that it could
"conceivably, keep the game" in Miami if the team can obtain
a new park (MIAMI HERALD, 5/16). In Ft. Lauderdale, Dave
Hyde wrote that "it's an owner's right to do what he wants.
His money. His team. ... [But Marlins Owner Wayne] Huizenga
has pushed fans over the brink. He has no investors lining
up. The plan stinks" (SUN-SENTINEL, 5/17). In St.
Petersburg, John Romano wrote that the "biggest drawback" is
the Marlins' "non-existent credibility with fans. And now
the team is going to ask these people to foot the bill for a
domed stadium?" He added that the Marlins "will be ignored
by South Florida baseball fans for the rest of this season
and maybe for years to come" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 5/17).
In Houston, Dale Robertson said the team's "logic" is a "bit
fuzzy." Robertson: "Citizens who wouldn't adequately
underwrite a good club enough to become champions of the
universe are now being asked to sink tax dollars into an
enterprise that has no chance of succeeding? Why, pray
tell, would they do that?" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/17).
STILL INTERESTED? Before the trade, Barry Jackson
reported that Marlins radio rights holder WQAM said it would
be willing to help the team finance a facility by giving
them a "huge" up-front payment -- "probably" $25M -- for a
long-term radio rights deal (MIAMI HERALD, 5/15).
NATIONAL REAX: In N.Y., Bill Madden wrote that the
Marlins "have become an increasing black eye for baseball"
(N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/17). In S.F., Tim Keown wrote the
Marlins "are a disgrace" and the trade is "why you're
souring on sports" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 5/17). In Philadelphia,
Jayson Stark wrote that "it's hard to tell the baseball
trades from the corporate takeovers" in today's game
(INQUIRER, 5/17). But in Providence, Sean McAdam wrote the
trades aren't the problem, "the problem is with the new
ownership" and the fact that "fellow" owners don't speak out
against such moves: "In the end, it's the fellow owners who
will be stuck. How would you like to promote a three-game
series with the Marlins?" (JOURNAL BULLETIN, 5/17).
