Miami Marlins Logo: Supposed New Logo Makes Marlins Look Even More Bush League

According to a report by Craig Calcaterra of NBC Sports HardballTalk, an online message board has leaked what is expected to be the Florida Marlins' new logo for next season. The franchise will be rechristened the "Miami Marlins" when its new stadium opens in 2012.

The validity of the logo has yet to be confirmed by any reliable sources, and it is possible that it is an independently created logo that has no affiliation with the organization. At this point, though, we have to assume that this is the look the Marlins plan on going with when they're re-branded next year.

The Marlins have never exactly been fashion icons in baseball terms, but there is a certain distinguished look to their current logo featuring an "F" flanked by a detailed Marlin. The supposed new logo is far too busy and features an unnecessary splash of color.

It appears as though the Marlins will be abandoning their signature black and teal color scheme in favor of a random combination of orange, blue and yellow. Clearly this is a case of developing new merchandise and trying to get fans excited for the team, but it comes at the price of a perfectly good logo.

It is understandable if the Marlins brass wanted freshen up the team's look, but a new take on the current logo would have been just fine if we are to believe this one's legit. The apparent new logo honestly makes very little sense. Not only is the "F" being switched out for an "M," which makes some sense with the name change, but the stylized Marlin is orange and blue.

Ah yes, the mystical orange and blue Marlin. I saw one of those once, but then I woke up and realized that there has never and will never be such a fish. The Marlins seem to be living in a fantasy world and trying far too hard to set their look apart from the norm.

Generally, the most classic-looking uniforms and logos are the best ones. The New York Yankees have the interlocking "NY" and pinstriped uniforms, while the Boston Red Sox have their iconic "B" and very clean, basic uniforms. The look of a team has no bearing on on-field performance, but a good look can lend to the legitimacy of a franchise.

Overall, while the Marlins have won two World Series Championships, they are a low-level franchise. Every time the Marlins have built something good, it has been torn apart due to financial restrictions. With that said, a bush league franchise deserves a bush league look, and if this logo turns out to be the real deal, that is exactly what the Marlins will have.