Subject: Pro Payler Stadium, nee Joe Robbie Stadium Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2002 13:44:24 -0400 From: Don Dudley Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc. To: Don Dudley After a 35-month hiatus (Skydome, September 1999) I'm back to visiting MLB baseball parks. Last week I kept my streaks at Fenway Park (34 years) and McCoy Stadium (17 years) alive. Shortly after the season schedules came out this year, I put together a trip that would allow me to visit the three remaining cities/franchises on "my list." With the opening of several new parks the last couple years, I'm falling behind on that, but some of these three remaining teams are contraction candidates, so that's been my priority. A couple months ago it looked like I might get shut out by the strike, hence I ordered no advance tickets. The strike's been pushed back, but tickets will somewhat scarce at the Metrodome Sunday night. So, my plan was to rise at 3:30 am yesterday (Friday), fly to Tampa, pick up a rental car and drive to Miami to watch the Marlins vie against Barry Bonds and the Giants last night. I spent the night in Ft. Lauderdale -- just a few blocks from the Mexican restaurant where Maura and I ate with my Aunt Mary and Cousin Martin in March, 1984 -- then drove back to Tampa today. A significant fraction of the drive was on the Everglades Parkway, aka Alligator Alley, a part of our country I'd never seen. In just about exactly 24 hours, I put 600 miles on the rental car, child's play for someone who in 1997 drove 500 miles round trip with Leah from nephew Michael's 14-and-under Regional Tournament in Las Cruces, N.M., to have lunch with his Aunt Kathryn and Uncle Wayne in Florence, Ariz. ;-). By doing this round trip drive, I was not only able to see some of the Everglades, but also able to save almost a factor of seven on my air fare, thus making the trip feasible in the first place. Despite the minimal sleep, I was able to completely escape the "fatigue syndrome" that occasionally attacks me when I drive. The plan continues with the Royals and Devil Rays here tonight. Tomorrow morning I fly to Minneapolis, where the Red Sox take on the Twins. This was originally scheduled as an afternoon game, but ESPN picked it a few weeks ago as their Sunday night game. Fortunately my flight back to Boston is Monday morning. I made very good time on the drive to Miami. I definitely knew I was on the right track when, just 10 miles or so from the end, I came upon an RV with a sign in the back that read, "All 30 Major League Ball Parks Or Bust." I didn't think to notice what state it was from; I hope they're almost done, with the strike looming on August 30th. I walked up and bought a Founders Club seat, about 70 feet up the first base line in Row 4. I had a delicious foot long hot dog smothered in sauerkraut, chili, cheese, and -- now for the healthy part ;-) -- raw onions. I did have the discipline to pass on the hot-out-of-the-oven Mrs. Fields' Cookies. I couldn't find a program, so I finally asked an usher. They don't print any! He said that the ownership got control so late, ... It doesn't make sense to me -- certainly another indicator on the state of this franchise. I saw another unique thing -- they took batting practice in shorts and tee shirts; boy, did that look weird. It's warm and humid down here, but much more comfortable than the Boston air I left behind this week. Notwithstanding the glory of their 1997 World Series victory, the franchise has not retired any numbers; like the Rockies it is their 10th year. I couldn't even find Jackie Robinson's #42; I saw a whacky-looking character hold up a #42 jersey with "Elvis" written on the back during the Elvis contest they had. There are several Dolphins whose numbers are retired, although not fellow Buff Dick Anderson. Joe Robbie Stadium opened for NFL football in 1987. Pro Player is the sports apparel brand of Fruit of the Loom. The baseball field is nearly symmetrical, but juts to 434 feet to a triangle to the left of center. The game itself was excellent, the Marlins winning 4-2. First of all, being the National League ;-), it finished in under three hours despite 10 bases on balls -- okay, okay, DH fans, I admit it beat three hours by just one minute and only because the home team didn't have to bat in the last of the ninth. 14,724 came out to see Barry advance past 600 dongs. This is the Marlins' largest crowd since the All-Star break and about twice their average, but still barely a quarter of how many showed up the night before to watch the Saints vs. Dolphins pre-season NFL game! The field showed no ill effects from the football game. The yard lines were spray painted green, but still quite visible and a reminder of where the real interest lies. Cliff Floyd must think he died and went to heaven, landing ultimately in Boston and Fenway Park. There were several outstanding defensive plays. Jeff Kent dove into the first base stands to catch a foul pop, Tsuyoshi Shinjo made a spectacular diving catch in center, and, the best, shortstop Mike Mordecai dove to stop Benito Santiago's grounder up the middle and started an inning-ending double play in the third. So, how did Barry do? Like many games this season, he didn't get much chance, always coming up with men on base. Marlins starter Michael Tejera walked him all three times, once "intentionally" and was roundly booed by the faithful. From his post-game statements, I believe that Tejera would have walked Bonds with the bases loaded, given a two-run or more lead. Finally, in the 7th, Bonds went after a 3-0 pitch and slashed an RBI single up the middle. Pitcher Vladimir Nunez had just beefed with home plate umpire Jim Reynolds over his call on the 2-0 pitch, somewhat mollifying the crowd into thinking he was actually pitching to Bonds. For the night, Barry's OBP was 1.000 bringing him to .569 on the season and in great position to best the Splendid Splinter's all-time record of .551 in 1941 when he hit his glorious .406. The game ended with Bonds on deck. On to The Trop! Regards, Don P.S. These reports are archived at http://runyonfield.org/Baseball/