An interesting rumor made the MLB rounds last week, as sources indicated Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria was going to try to bring a World Series championship to South Florida again.
This would be interesting if true, but the bigger question is would a skeptical fan base buy into the hype once again?
It starts with Giancarlo Stanton. Before Stanton was injured in a gruesome hit-by-pitch incident, the team had talked about offering Stanton a record contract by team standards. The idea was to make Stanton a high-paid player and then build a contender around him.
Don’t be surprised if Stanton, even after he recovers from the facial injuries sustained in the hitting incident, doesn’t buy into the hype.
Marlins fans have been through this before. Former owner Wayne Huizenga loaded up on big names prior to the 1997 season in an effort to jump start interest in the club. A combination of an out-of-the-way stadium and lackluster interest hampered the Marlins in their early years, so this was Huizenga’s way of attracting viewers.
It worked for a little while. The Marlins won the title and promptly dismantled the roster. The players Miami got back in trade enabled the team to make another World Series run in 2003, but the fire sale happened again.
Loria loaded up on talented players prior to the team’s move to its new stadium, which was closer to downtown. Mark Buehrle, Heath Bell and Jose Reyes were just a few players who came to Miami and bought into the new vision for the team.
You know how that story turned out.
So it is understandable Stanton may be skeptical and so should the fans. The reality is the Marlins have a decent pitching staff, and it will get even better if Jose Fernandez returns from Tommy John surgery next season. Combined with other players like Garrett Jones and Adeiny Hechevarria, the Marlins could have a decent nucleus.
Is it enough for a World Series run? Loria seems to think so, and that’s why he may try to build around one or two players again.
Don’t be surprised if Marlins fans don’t fall for this again. After all, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
Fool me multiple times? We’ll just walk away.
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