The pivot in strategy that Bendix's hiring signifies is exactly the right move for the Marlins, in my opinion. To expect the team to consistently succeed by drawing to inside straights is fanciful. The NL East's depth is a massive consideration, even if we acknowledge the value of the extended playoff format for teams like Miami. You noted drafting (scouting) and development are keys. It appears obvious, but the nature of fandom's expectations requires discipline by an organization. That's why I loved hearing Bendix use that word immediately.
The challenge is making this pivot in year 7 of Sherman’s ownership because the organization basically wasted the first 4 or 5 years. Fans were asked to be patient, and many were. Then they finally felt as though they were beginning to be rewarded in 2023. Now they get asked to be patient again. Like 2023 was a head fake.
While I agree this could be the right direction for the Marlins long term, this ownership has to balance the long term interest of the team with the unending quest to make fans care.
No doubt that anything viewed as regression is a tough sell. I think we have a dichotomy between those fans who realize 2023 was a unicorn and those are expecting a 2024 without Alcántara and Soler to be better. It's a no-win, so the team literally has no choice but to proceed on the Bendix course - financially as well as because of the state of the farm system.
The problem is this is the vision they sold the day they bought the team in October of 2017. They’re now 6 years down the road and back to selling the exact same vision.
Certainly looks that way, but what are the real options? No sense discussing unrealistic payroll numbers or trades like the fan boards. The current team and a realistic payroll still looks like fourth place to me.
Thanks for the article and deep-dive answers. I found myself nodding in agreement regarding your HOF insights in answering my question. There is no doubt about the baseball HOF's exclusivity, especially vis-á-vis the other sports' halls. It has retained the elite status and recognition, as you noted, even for casual fans.
Ohhh, I missed this section but I'm going to leave a late question: Any chance of seeing you, in the not too distant future, in the broadcast booths again? Whether with the Marlins or some other team?
We’ll see if the right opportunity presents itself for me and my family. If it does, it won’t be with the Marlins as long as the organization doesn’t care about the quality of the radio product.
The pivot in strategy that Bendix's hiring signifies is exactly the right move for the Marlins, in my opinion. To expect the team to consistently succeed by drawing to inside straights is fanciful. The NL East's depth is a massive consideration, even if we acknowledge the value of the extended playoff format for teams like Miami. You noted drafting (scouting) and development are keys. It appears obvious, but the nature of fandom's expectations requires discipline by an organization. That's why I loved hearing Bendix use that word immediately.
The challenge is making this pivot in year 7 of Sherman’s ownership because the organization basically wasted the first 4 or 5 years. Fans were asked to be patient, and many were. Then they finally felt as though they were beginning to be rewarded in 2023. Now they get asked to be patient again. Like 2023 was a head fake.
While I agree this could be the right direction for the Marlins long term, this ownership has to balance the long term interest of the team with the unending quest to make fans care.
No doubt that anything viewed as regression is a tough sell. I think we have a dichotomy between those fans who realize 2023 was a unicorn and those are expecting a 2024 without Alcántara and Soler to be better. It's a no-win, so the team literally has no choice but to proceed on the Bendix course - financially as well as because of the state of the farm system.
The problem is this is the vision they sold the day they bought the team in October of 2017. They’re now 6 years down the road and back to selling the exact same vision.
Certainly looks that way, but what are the real options? No sense discussing unrealistic payroll numbers or trades like the fan boards. The current team and a realistic payroll still looks like fourth place to me.
And that Nats are improving. We’ll see what else they do this winter.
Indeed. I'm sticking around, no matter what. It's going to get interesting!
Thanks for the article and deep-dive answers. I found myself nodding in agreement regarding your HOF insights in answering my question. There is no doubt about the baseball HOF's exclusivity, especially vis-á-vis the other sports' halls. It has retained the elite status and recognition, as you noted, even for casual fans.
Ohhh, I missed this section but I'm going to leave a late question: Any chance of seeing you, in the not too distant future, in the broadcast booths again? Whether with the Marlins or some other team?
We’ll see if the right opportunity presents itself for me and my family. If it does, it won’t be with the Marlins as long as the organization doesn’t care about the quality of the radio product.