New Florida Marlins Logo: How Fans, Experts Are Reacting

The Florida Marlins, who will become the Miami Marlins next season and start play in a brand spanking new stadium, have decided that their old logo just doesn’t work for them any longer.

The rumored new Miami Marlins logo was leaked on the Internet on Tuesday night, and the reaction has been, in a word, strong.

David Sampson, president of the Marlins, replied to the Sun-Sentinel via text that “The official unveiling is 11/11, and until then we will have no comment.”

It was the Marlins’ intent to unveil the logo on Nov. 11, when they were to reveal their new uniforms at their new retractable-roof stadium at the site of the old Orange Bowl, where they will begin play as the Miami Marlins on Apr. 4.

To say that the reaction has been negative is akin to saying that Babe Ruth was a decent home run hitter.

Here is just some of the reaction seen thus far from fans and experts alike on various social media outlets. The issue was a trending topic on Twitter for quite a while on Wednesday morning, as well as on Google.

Survey Says!

Apparently, the new Marlins logo has not exactly inspired positive feedback.

According to CNBC business reporter Daren Rovell's Twitter account, the reaction has been... well, not exactly awe-inspiring:

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If this is the new Marlins logo (http://sprts.bz/marlinslogo), 88.4% say it's either bad (38%) or horrendous (50.4%). Only 1% say it's great.

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So much for doing market research beforehand...

Are They Trying to Bury Their Past?

David Kalan wonders aloud on Twitter if the Marlins are purposely trying to get away from their past, which yielded two World Series championships.

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Why would the Marlins undergo an entire re-brand? Their uniforms are good and, uh, they won two titles in them.

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Not a bad point.

Are Marlins Purposely Using Feedback to Change Logo Later?

One particular Twitter user, Michael Goldfarb, wonders if the Marlins actually have a reason for "leaking" the new logo.

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Everyone doesn't realize the Marlins leaked the "proposed" new logo to gage early feedback so they can change it.

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Well, if that's the case, it would be laughable. Market research on a proposed major change in branding is generally done before an unveiling.

Is It Better or Worse Than Maryland?

Some on Twitter are wondering if the new Marlins logo is better or worse than the University of Maryland football jersey, introduced earlier this year.

DJ Emkay on Twitter apparently votes for the Terrapins.

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Wow the new Miami Marlins Logo is hideous. I think Marylands jerseys look better then that.

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Is It All Just a Bad Joke?

Many on Twitter are actually wondering if this is all just some sort of bad joke.

Xavier Campos certainly thought so.

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"@Marlins looks like vomit on an upside down W Hotel logo, our old logo was so classy, hope this is a joke."

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A Retro Look?

There are some on Twitter who thought the new Marlins logo would look pretty good on some former entertainers.

EpicBeard85 made this proclamation on Twitter:

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BREAKING NEWS: Village people to wear new marlins logo on costumes...

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Did Logan Morrison File Grievance for Wrong Reason?

In a follow-up comment, EpicBeard85 also suggested that beleaguered Marlins' outfield Logan Morrison should have waited to file his grievance with the team.

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@LoMoMarlins instead of filing a grievance with the team about going to minors... file one about the ugly new logo!! I would asked 2b traded

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No word on any response from Morrison quite yet...

Are the Marlins Trying to Resemble Comic Book Hero?

Boston Globe sports columnist Eric Wilbur responds to a comment on Twitter about the new Marlins logo:

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Where are they moving to, the Hall of Justice? RT @Marc_Bertrand Rumored to be the new logo for the #Marlins.

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What Becomes of Billy the Marlin?

In an article published Wednesday morning, Yahoo Sports' David Brown wonders what becomes of the Marlins' long-time mascot, Billy the Marlin.

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It's so abstract, it would take a good guess to know that it's a marlin if we didn't have any context. And it's not at all like Billy the Marlin, the mascot with the most dangerous snout in Major League Baseball. Does this new logo mean the Marlins are dumping Billy?! Come 2012, will he sleep with the (other) fishes?

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Why No Reference to Former Miami Marlins?

The Florida Marlins, who are taking on the name of the Miami Marlins next season, apparently haven't taken into consideration any reference to the old Miami Marlins of the mid-1950s.

The Miami Marlins played in the International League from 1956-1960. In fact, a crowd of 57,000 came to the Orange Bowl on Aug. 7, 1956 to see Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige, a member of the Marlins at that time, and well into his 50s, beat the Columbus Clippers. It was the largest crowd ever to attend a minor league game.