IBC

With the Florida Marlins now becoming the Miami Marlins and with Theo taking over the Cubs, all we need now is a move to the AL for the Marlins for the prophetic scene from Back to the Future II to come true. Cubbies win the World Series, over Miami!

Seriously. Another reason to hate Bud, he could just as easily have put the screws to Loria to move as he did to Jim Crane, and the potential result would have been much more awesome.

I have this argument with JP routinely but I'd like some more input. Does anyone else think a stadium is magically going to make the people of Miami give a shit about baseball and attend games? Cause I don't

I can tell you that it worked in San Francisco, it's really hard to generate enthusiasm for baseball in a football stadium, the vibe just isn't right. The stadium itself won't do it, but the stadium with Pujols in the lineup would be a great start.

I think that they'll attract more than they were in that hellhole of [insert corporate sponsor name here] Stadium

Of course, that bar's not very high. Honestly, I think it depends on what they choose to do--if they continue to act like they have with their stingy ways, no stadium will revive baseball. But if the front office even begins to act like they care about the team, then things might be better.

Athletics wrote:I can tell you that it worked in San Francisco, it's really hard to generate enthusiasm for baseball in a football stadium, the vibe just isn't right. The stadium itself won't do it, but the stadium with Pujols in the lineup would be a great start.

The Pujols thing was a pure PR move, everything I've read says the offer was significantly less than $200 million. Loria is and always will be a tightwad

I'd still bet on Reyes signing with the Marlins, and probably one of the better pitchers on the market too.

New stadiums are just a flash in the pan and drum up some excitement as everyone comes to see all the new features but eventually the new sheen wears off.

Any of the big time free agents do much of the same.

Therefore, if they win, they will put butts in the seats...but if they lose, they will end up with the same problem since people in Miami have better things to do...especially since it is a tourist/party town.

So pure and simple...everyone loves a winner and hates a loser.

False. People still don't go see the Rays...

That's exactly why I think the biggest issue facing MLB right now is the fact they need to get Tampa elsewhere. Baseball's not going to work there. They're outdrawn by minor league teams. Folks in Florida get their baseball fix in spring training. It's just like putting hockey in the deep South, it ain't going to work no matter how bad the league wants it to

Just put the Rays in Vegas and name Pete Rose Manager & GM. Locals in Vegas are DYING for an actual sports team.

The main problem with the Rays is the location of the park. It takes forever to get to St Pete and nobody wants to go there. If they put it on I-4 or 75 it would be a go. Needs to be in Tampa or the other(Orlando) side of Tampa.

I just don't see it working in any way. Give it to Vegas. Just save this franchise

Vegas won't work. One of the highest unemployment rates in the US and it's mostly inhabited by tourists, and tourists aren't going to go to a baseball game. What MLB needs to do is contract a couple teams. The Rays and the Cubs would be a good starting place.

Seriously, though, MLB won't move the Rays. The state of Florida will sue them for anti-trust if they moved a team away from there.