The new-look, Derek Jeter-era Miami Marlins are going to do everything they possibly can to help you forget that the product on the field isn’t very good — to help you maybe enjoy the ballpark experience despite the, you know … the team.
That seemed clear Thursday as the Marlins opened their 26th franchise season with a 8-4 matinee loss to the Chicago Cubs, whose loyal legion of fans turned Marlins Park into Wrigley Field South, the “Let’s go Cubbies!” chanters fattening the crowd to a near-capacity 32,151.
Jeter, the new CEO/frontman, and new principle owner Bruce Sherman have gutted the team and payroll in a trading spree rather than spend to keep their best players and add pitching.