Loud Sustained Applause.

The reason for this sophomoric behavior- simple jealousy. The Marlins have won two world series in the last 11 years and can’t get more than 6,000 people to show up unless they’re playing a team from New York, the Red Sox or the Cubs.

It’s sad and pathetic, and reinforces what I heard a broadcaster say WHILE I WAS IN FLORIDA for the 2003 NLCS- “People in Florida don’t know anything about baseball.”

the commentators are allowed to say what they want, bc frankly it’s hard to fill up 3 1/2 hours of airtime, but i never knew about the crap that was going on in the stadium…..what a bunch of losers

interesting post

Why hasn’t the large latin/caribbean population in southern florida yielded a larger following for the marlins?

Is that Dolphin Stadium can’t wait until the Marlins leave.

Kudos on writing such a thoughtful email. A lot of the stuff you mentioned is just plain classless, and needs to be addressed. I understand that the Cubs’ past woes are inevitably going to be brought up here and there by pretty much everyone, but there’s a fine line between simply mentioning them and turning them into something deliberately derisive. The Marlins didn’t just cross that line, they seem to have sprinted past it. I’ve come to expect that sort of behavior from ordinary fans and even the occaisional broadcaster, but it’s simply disgusting that any organization allows their stadium crew to engage in that kind of bullshit.

They include a lot of profanity and won’t be written here. I think Al or someone else figured out that Cubs fans gave the Marlins about $800,000 over the weekend that they otherwise wouldn’t have.

Why on earth would you want to taunt these new customers that you (hopefully) want to bring back. Stupid business decision IMO, and the few fans that they have wonder why the payroll is what A-Rod makes by the ASG.

I don’t see the Cubs ridiculed when I go to games in Cincinnati. That’s why I’ve been to as many Cubs games in Cincy as I have in St. Louis. St. Louis is a lot closer to me than Cincy. I love the atmosphere at Great American Ball Park. The Reds have had a lot of down years of late but don’t stoop to the depths the Marlins’ brass do. The Reds appreciate the business of Cubs fans.

…so I had no idea that this stuff was going on. (When the Cubs play the Marlins in Florida, all I see on TV is a big, half-empty stadium with garishly colored orange seats.) I agree that what they’re doing is completely ridiculous.

My guess is that the Marlins are so desperate to generate some kind of enthusiasm among their miniscule fanbase that they’re willing to stoop to any depth to get it. I wonder whether someone from the Cubs organization would ever consider voicing some opposition to their scoreboard shenannigans.

In any case, I’ll be interested to see whether you get a response from Samson. If you don’t, maybe try again another time or two. One minor editorial suggestion: Perhaps shorten up the e-mail a bit. You make a lot of great points, but it looks a little imposing on first glance.

Please post any reply you receive. I’ve been at a number of road games in many different parks and this is the first I’ve heard of any scoreboard operator ever doing such a thing. It’s juvenile and classless.

I went down for the playoff games and the fans were perfectly nice especially considering so many of the opposing teams fans could get into their park. You would think that having WON in 03 they would not be the bitter ones.
I mean I do understand Marlin, Pirate Red etc fans getting annoyed at so many Cub fans at their games but when I went to DC, Philly & Toronto this year, and Cinci last year, the fans were very gracious and management seemed grateful for the extra money.

…I have attended games at Pro Player/Joe Robbie/Dolphin Stadium both pre- and post-2003. I agree that the Marlins thoroughly enjoy “getting our goat” so to speak after 2003. I also think you are overreacting just a bit here.

I remember that there was real irritation during the 2003 NLCS with the number of Cub fans and their arrogance that the “series was over”. There were plenty of seats available for those NLCS games, and the crowd was dominated by Cub fans. For both the Tampa series this year, and almost every time I have been to Miami (even when both teams were not in contention), there is a genuine irritation that the opposing teams’ fans invade for these series.

Florida is a weird state in which there are very few natives i.e. everyone seems to be from somewhere else originally. There is also LOTS of resentment by “crackers” (term for Florida native residents) about the “yankee invasion”.

There are popular bumper stickers that read “We don’t give a s&*t how you did it up North” , “If you (heart) Ohio, take I-75 North” , and “Welcome to Florida, now go home”. This attitude about hatred for anything from “up North” is not limited to baseball games. In fact, there is a big controversy here in Tampa about “southern heritage” and the Confederate Flag. The South/North thing is bigger than you may realize. I have had to learn the hard way to assimilate.

My best friend from college lives in Melbourne, (east coast, near Cape Canaveral) is a lifelong Cubs fan, and his step kids all grew up in Miami. Even these 12-15 year old Marlins fans thoroughly enjoy the beatdown they gave us in 2003. I remember being pretty cocky myself in the parking lot after Game 5. They just like serving us a slice of humble pie.

Florida is also much more of a football state than anything else (Rays have the same problem drawing fans). It’s harder to get people out on a weekday when there are so many games and so many other options. They have to have concerts on Saturdays (both Marlins and Rays do this) to draw people.

The same thing goes on here in Tampa for Red Sox and Yankees (IIRC, Rays post “THIS IS YOUR HOUSE” reminders on the Jumbotron for Rays fans to cheer at the end of the game if the Rays are behind).

But let’s be fair. We are invading their turf, we can be pretty obnoxious about it, and it pisses them off.

For crying out loud, the Cub fans were singing “Go Cubs Go” before the game was over on Sunday. Imagine your irritation if Wrigley were filled with 2/3rds Brewers fans. I imagine you might look for ways to antagonize them, particularly if the Cubs weren’t that good.

I have learned to suck it up and win with class when I go to someone else’s house. And, truth be told, I have observed some real obnoxious Cub fans at these games that were over the top for me.

You may think its foolish of the Marlins to antagonize Cub fans, but, really, are Florida Cub fans going to STOP going to see their team on the rare occasions they are in town because of this stuff? Particularly when they only come for 3-4 games each year? Not very likely.

Final funny story. I received a phone call earlier this year from the Marlins ticket office soliciting me to buy tickets because I have gone so often in the past. When I advised that I only go there for the Cubs, they were eager to promote that the Cubs would be there on the weekend and that it would be a great year to make the trip. I didn’t buy tickets this year, but my skin is not so thin that it particularly bothers me. I actually find it kind of funny.

If the antagonism bothers you that much, watch it on TV and don’t go. That’s what I did this year.

And don’t expect it to change until we win it all like they have…just ask the Red Sox about the “1918” chants from Yankee fans. If they call me again next year, I’ll let them know about your concerns.

It’s not like they’re encouraging their fans to physically attack Cubs fans. They are simply having fun while trying to create an “us vs. them” mentality. They are just trying to create and pump up a rivalry with a nationally popular franchise that has history with their own franchise. While he didn’t go about it the same way, Bud Selig essentially did the same thing by moving the Brewers to the NL Central to start a rivalry with the Cubs. He knew there would be more local interest if the team was battling the more popular Cubs as opposed to the White Sox. This is all an overreaction to some in game marketing.

Putting stuff on the scoreboard doesn’t in any way encourage fans to beat on each other.

If they need that encouragement, they’re knuckleheads to begin with. I will guarantee your letter will get you exactly nowhere.

I’m sure the fans weren’t talking crap on Sunday after we beat them like a drum, no matter what was on the scoreboard. THAT is the best response…winning.

at the Braves series in Atl. and while nothing as severe happened there, they also ran a pregame Cubs’ history that ended w/ 1908 and the goat. B/c 90% of the fans there were Cubs fans, nobody paid attn. on Wed. or Thurs. after seeing it on Tues. Still, at the time, I thought even it was a little over the top. I guess it’s one more reason I like the Wrigley scoreboard.

…and you went this weekend. The only way they’ll get the “message” is if Cubs fans en masse stop going. And this isn’t going to happen.

They are targeting their fan base, not the Cubs’ fan base.

Again, I go back to “their house”. If you don’t like it, get up and leave.

I don’t like it any better than you, but after 15 years in this state, I can see the perspective that the locals get a bit tired of the “we know better than you because we’re from up North”. While respectful, your letter smacks of that just a bit.

Though I would argue that most Cub fans don’t cheer for the failure of the Brewers or Cardinals simply because they’re our rival, but because their success (or fortunate lack thereof) directly effects us in the pennant race. That’s all.

I originally had NOT intended to write about my experience either, until I sat down and read everyone’s posts.

I attended Saturday Night’s game, a loss. And even though I thought the photo of the 1908 Cubs with a goat peaking over the shoulder of whomever Cub is up at bat was in bad taste, it didn’t really bother me nor did I see any adverse reaction from the Marlins fans.

As a matter of fact, a Marlin fan was sitting right beside me (he told me his wife is a Cubbie fan so hence that is why they were sitting near the Cubs bullpen.)
Anyway, he apologized twice for “treatment” Cubs fan were getting. There was an un-ruly Marlins fan, wearing an orange Jose Castillo jersey, who proceeded to make an ass of himself, trying to anger me and about 15 other Cub fans in the vicinity. He failed to do so. And I think he got tossed from the game…he got up to get beer or something and never returned…

Anyway, this very cool Marlin fan sitting next to me said he respects Cubs fans and their dedication to their team. Maybe if Marlins jumbotron operators and broadcasters thought more like him there would be less reference to 1908 or goats or Bartman

and posted a FanShot of the Jumbotron, if anyone wants to see it. I wasn’t offended or insulted by it… more of a roll your eyes and shake your head kind of thing. Like others have said, it’s the type of thing I expect from opposing fans but not from a MLB organization.

Whatever… taking 2 of 3 in the series was a great response, I thought, and the Marlins are now in the rear view mirror. On to bigger and better things.

I was thinking of planning a summer vacation to visit them around the Cubs schedule. But I think maybe I’ll pass on making the trip to Miami if that’s how they going to be. It’s not my only option to see the Cubs

Is to have a concerted effort during next years series to buy as little as possible in the park.
This may be very difficult because during 03 playoffs you could bring almost nothing in and I don’t know if you can bring snacks or unopened water bottles. I do remember great tailgating in the lot before the games. Why don’t Cub fans organize pre-game parking lot fiestas and eat and drink ( with moderation on the booze) your fill so again you won’t give any more money to an organization which holds us in such contempt.

I’ll say this the fans in South florida are fickle. Back in the 90’s the dolphins where in the playoffs against KC. A first round playoff game in Their stadium and they could not sell-out the tickets, thus the game was blacked out in Miami.

But by far the Marlins fans conducted themselves far better than the Rays Fans. I doubt I will go back to see a game in the Big Top!

Last comment, Proud to be a CUB FAN! It really blows me a away the great turn out we get where ever we play.

…but I ask again, why would they care what Cubs fans think when they know we will show up anyway.

The Rays have the three highest ticket prices (called “Premium Dates”) for Yankees, Red Sox and Cubs. Why? Because they know the fan base will show up no matter what.

Good luck on the quixotic quest to change their attitude.

I was at a Cubs game on the 4th of July in 2005 and unhappily got to watch Kerry Wood get pasted and the Cubs lose. They really had a lot of Cubs baiting on the Jumbotron back then, posting stupid pictures of Cubs fans with thought balloons on the screen with asinine thoughts about 1908, the usual bullcrap .. and the crowd really got into it, rocking with laughter and I had to on a couple occasions smart back at a couple of Atlanta fans who saw me and my wife there who got smart alecky.

Like it or not, in any sports-related crowd there are going to be brainlessly impressionable morons on both sides of a contest who will suck up the emotion the adprint and hype drums up and act out. I never worried about these two schmoes, but being approached by them, and not seeking confrontation, I always felt it was indirectly related to the crap the Braves people stirred up.

If the Marlins organization sanctioned such unashamed baiting and viciousness, then an email to express opinions is one thing, but frankly, I don’t think the dingdongs running the franchise really care a rat’s rear end about what Cubs fans think. And won’t .. until somebody gets really hurt or killed as a result of some random act of violence there.

So what should Cub fans do when confronted with such stupidity? Fast forward to Atlanta’s series — I didn’t hear of anything happening in the stands violently, but I do know the massive Cubs Nation base that invaded Turner Field drove the hapless Atlanta “fans” insanely jealous.

I think the Nation responded best when bands of fans, mostly in left field, poured on chant after chant all night long, booed loudly and erupted in explosions of thunderous cheers when the Cubs blew Glavine out of the water and every other one of their bullpen sent out. When they used the trumpet call for “Charge!” to be shouted, we’d shout “CUBS!” When they chopped, we’d wave our hands in a similar way with thumbs down (not California salutes UP, although perhaps some there did).

It was almost unified the way one section of the park would stir up another and soon, we all as one entity, letting Atlanta know who the real fans are. And the W flags waving everywhere was the icing on the cake. I think that any Cubs fans going to the next Marlins series, God willing, we may end up at should be ready with a chant of “Lets Go Cubbies” or something when the jerks at the Jumbotron get frisky.

To me, that’s the way to combat these idiots. Let them know we’re there and we remain unbowed before those jackasses. As I walked around with my “What Curse?” sign down under Turner Field as the Cub Nation strolled out singing “Go Cubs Go” at the top of the lungs, I was high fiving and shouting with joy with everyone else until some smarmy little female Braves fun plucked my sign down out of my hand and threw it to the ground and walked away with her boyfriend, mingling into the huge crowd.

Honest to God, I wasn’t even thinking it when I picked it up like a fallen ensign, ran back through the crowd to catch up with her as she giggled dirtily and then carefully hung the sign right over her shoulder and kept pace with her as she walked. Suddenly, she had a full view of the sign she’d smacked down, the vixen. She started like a gun shot had struck her and I walked off myself, laughing .. and picking up the chant. Her clueless boyfriend laughed as I did so also. In retrospect, that wasn’t pretty smart, but with all of the Cub fans present, I felt pretty emboldened to do so .. and let it go at that.

Don’t wait for the infidels to respect your faith in and admiration of the Cubs .. ever .. Just get right back in their face as civilly as you can and be louder and prouder then the other team’s fan base ever will be.

Nothing works better than…“Scoreboard.”

The agreements for funding are in place for the new ballpark, but there is a lawsuit pending by Norman Brahman, a local car dealer, that Miami is improperly using Community Development funds intended for urban renewal to fund the project.

A story is here….

http://www.sportsline.com/mcc/messages/chrono/9334497

When Miami first built Miami Arena to attract the Miami Heat, there were claims of “urban renewal” as the motivation behind construction with public dollars. There was no corresponding “urban renewal”.

Then, the Heat wanted a new building only 10 years later, so Miami build them a second new facility with public dollars. The first facility still sits, mostly unused, across the street from the newer American Airlines Arena.

The Rays original stadium was build on a similar premise of “urban renewal” in St. Petersburg. Unfortunately, the building was built on spec to attract a team right before the “ballpark renniasance” that began with Camden Yards in ’93. (If you recall, both the Giants and White Sox were set to move until they got stadium deals).

Now, only 20 years later, Rays want new facility, and it is mired in a similar sentiment. They recently formed a committee to study alternate locations, after there was a public revolt over the Rays’ proposed downtown waterfront facility in St. Petersburg.

The Buccaneers’ stadium was financed using public sales tax dollars and was mired in a similar unsuccessful suit over funds.

There is a long history of Florida politicians raiding public coffers to build these projects without the promised community benefit, and with the current financial difficulties faced by Florida governments (state has limited local government revenues, reduced sales taxes, less tourism in down economy, housing crisis, etc.), there is strong public sentiment against more these projects.

In fact, the proponents of the Marlins stadium have fought in the legislature for several years just to get to this point.

It’s a minor miracle that they have even made it this far, but it shows how long this has been in the making for the Marlins.

Jeff, we are in the business of entertainment. I am sorry you took offense to our entertainment choices.Thank you for the e-mail.
Regards,
David Samson

Not really surprised, but, meh…. Curious if DCF gets more than a form letter.

(with apologies to Mel Brooks for shameless plagiarism)…

What did you expect? Welcome, Cub fans!….marry our daughters!….

You have to remember that these are simple Miamians, the common clay of the new South….

You know, morons!

Seriously, if the management of the Marlins have so little class as to have approved of this in-game entertainment in the first place (and they obviously must have)….

Did you REALLY think they would suddenly say, “Oh, a loyal South Florida Cub fan wrote us an e-mail, so we MUST stop this unfair and scurrilous form of insult and immediately apologize!”

My wife says to me all the time (she grew up in Europe and lived in New York for most of her adult life before moving to Florida) that most everyone she has EVER met from the Midwest has an over-inflated ego and superiority complex about their hometowns.

I have always argued that New Yorkers are far more arrogant and self-important. After all the indignance expressed on this forum over in-game entertainment from a rival team, I am begining to wonder if she’s correct….

Here’s a crazy suggestion…

If you really want to get them back, get about 500 or so Cub fans mobilized to distribute a flyer to people wearing Cubs gear at the next Cubs-Marlins series for some kind of group action every time that crap is played on the scoreboard (a “Marlins Suck!” chant would probably do the trick.) Let Len and Bob know. Promote the hell out of it. Seriously, really pack the place and take over. Particularly if its during the week, it should be easy. A group walkout to the concourse for an inning or two would also be fun….

Let me know and I’m there to support you….

They bring a (figurative) knife, you bring a (figurative) gun…THAT’S THE CHICAGO WAY!

a bit much. I’ll go back to what i said earlier. Scoreboard.

Why lower oneself to their level?