Anger. Pure anger. That’s all I feel right now. Also, maybe a little contempt. And certainly some anger.
When Derek Jeter and some friends got together to buy the Miami Marlins for $1.2 billion last year, I think we all thought it would be for the better. After all, the former owner, Jeffrey Loria, was one of the most despised in professional sports.
But after trading the 2017 NL MVP and the presumptive 2018 NL MVP to New York and Milwaukee respectively, while also slashing payroll and getting questionable returns across the board, in his first offseason … our confidence was shaken – to say the least.
But not of those moves or decisions stack up to his biggest offense: an apparent hatred for the glorious home run sculpture in center field. You know the one …
As soon as he bought the team, Jeter “sent word he wasn’t a fan of the county-owned sculpture” and explained he wanted it gone. The original artist spoke out against removing it from the stadium, but despite those wishes – and the cries of fun-havers everywhere – Jeter has won his battle. That monster.
BREAKING: Derek Jeter gets his wish: The Marlins home-run sculpture is outta there. https://t.co/eZBBaZ0QGT pic.twitter.com/qSWaZX6Fa2
— Miami Herald (@MiamiHerald) October 16, 2018
According to the Miami Herald, “[the sculpture] will be the centerpiece of a new art walk the Marlins plan for outside the stadium. It will be secured by a new eight-foot fence the team plans to erect around the stadium.” In it’s place, the Marlins will be creating a new multi-story spectator area for standing room tickets only … you know, for when the Marlins run out of available seats.
I understand that the sculpture is not for everybody, but I always found that it’s whole thing – that peculiar uniqueness – perfectly represented the uniqueness of every stadium in baseball. Being different is what the sport is all about, but Marlins stadium just got a little more regular.
We are now at war with Derek Jeter and it’s his move next.