Should MLB Leave Florida?

In the 1990s, Major League Baseball decided that Florida had more to offer than just Spring Training facilities for a portion of current franchises. In 1993, Miami became the home of the Florida Marlins, and then, in 1998, St. Petersburg became the home of the Tampa Bay Rays (then Devil Rays).

From the beginning, these franchises struggled to bring fans into their venues. Some said it was because the Marlins played in a football stadium (Dolphin Stadium) and because the Rays were in a cavernous dome (Tropicana Field, built to lure a team in).

Some thought that it was the aged population of the state, or the peculiar penchant for teal that the teams splashed on their uniforms. Most knew, however, that the real reason was, more often than not, both clubs were lousy.

That has not been the case this year, and with attendance still an issue in both places, let’s just agree that baseball in Florida is an experiment that failed.

The Marlins have (through 2007) played 15 seasons in the Sunshine State. In those seasons, they have never finished first in the NL East. They have managed to win two World Series, however, starting off as the wild card, 10 and eight-games behind the juggernaut Braves in 2003 and 1997, respectively. 

Their average finish has been about 3.8—sheer mediocrity. But even in those good years, no one wanted to watch them. The Marlins' attendance in 2003 was 28th (1,058,695), followed only by Tampa bay and Montreal. This year, while having spent most of April and May in the No. 1 slot of their division, their attendance is dead last.

The Rays have it worse. Through 2007, Tampa Bay never won more than 70 games in any season and never finished better than fourth in the tough AL East.

Flip to 2008, where the Rays are on a tear. They have a three-game lead in the division in September, and they have a decent shot at breaking 100 wins. They seem to be a shoo-in for the playoffs, but they still cannot get anyone to show up at their air-conditioned digs.

Well, that’s not totally true. When Boston and New York come to town, the place usually sells out, but not always. Last night’s Yankee game was played in a half-empty room.

Yesterday, the Red Sox tied an MLB record for most consecutive home sellouts (455) on the same night the Marlins beat the Braves, a game played in front of 589 fans. If there is anything that stands in the way of the Rays going into the postseason, it is fan indifference. 

How can a player keep his drive in a long, 162-game season when the very population that he represents doesn’t care enough to come out to the ballpark?

Come 2011, the Marlins will be playing in brand new empty stadium. There’s money well spent.

There are lots of locales that would better patronize an MLB franchise. Nevada comes to mind first. Perhaps even Mexico, where the love for baseball is sure to fill even the largest stadium.

Whatever the new locale, MLB in Florida needs to become a thing of the past. My guess is it will take Floridians a good long while to even notice.