Jeter And Sherman Plan To Win Back Marlins Fans

MIAMI, FL — Yankee great Derek Jeter and businessman Bruce Sherman were introduced to the Miami news media on Tuesday, promising to win back Marlins fans who abandoned ship during the tumult of seasons past. As for the elephant in the room, the fate of the 73 foot Home Run Sculpture still remains a mystery. It was also uncertain whether home run king Giancarlo Stanton will be returning in 2018 or if the late Marlins pitching ace Jose Fernandez will have his #16 retired.

But, hey it was only their first day. See also Stanton Ends 2017 1 Long Ball Short

"I read I was getting rid of it. We had never even spoken about it and then someone had mentioned that I was getting rid of the Home Run Sculpture," insisted Jeter. "So, then I heard we couldn’t even if we wanted to get rid of it. I'm not saying that we did." (For more local news, click here to sign up for FREE real-time news alerts and newsletters from Miami Patch, and click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Designed by American pop artist Red Grooms, the busy sculpture sits in the outfield and comes to life when the Marlins score a home run. The brightly colored piece includes three jumping marlins, a pair of flamingos that flap their wings, shooting water streams and rolling ocean waves.

"Every one of our partners has an opinion," added Sherman, weighing in on the sculpture to which Jeter replied: "A lot of people have opinions, but that was something that never came out of my mouth amongst other things."

The $1.2 billion deal to purchase the club from previous owner Jeffrey Loria closed on Monday, one day after the team ended its 2017 season. Jeter, the new CEO, spoke briefly with manager Don Mattingly but didn't say whether he would be asked back.

"It’s been a long season, so I told him to get out of here. Go enjoy himself, get back to his family," according to Jeter, who has not yet had the opportunity to meet with Stanton or other Marlins players since taking over. He said he plans to consult with Marlins General Manager Mike Hill before making any moves with the team.

"Unbelievable season," Jeter said of Stanton, whom he does not know well. Stanton finished the season with more homes runs and RBI than any other hitter in all of Major League Baseball with 59 and 132 respectively.
Asked whether he would follow through on plans announced by Loria to retire Fernandez' number, Jeter said that he hadn't discussed that yet.

Florida investigators concluded that Fernández was captaining the 32-foot Sea Vee when it crashed into a South Beach jetty at a high rate of speed on Sept. 25, 2016, killing himself and two others on board. Investigators said they found sufficient evidence to suspect Fernandez of boating- under-the-influence manslaughter and vessel homicide, both second-degree felonies.

"I don’t know because we haven’t spoken about it," said Jeter with respect to Fernandez' number. Obviously, Jose did quite a bit for this franchise when he was playing. It was a tragic event obviously that cost him his life and others."

It was unclear how the findings with respect to Fernandez might figure into Jeter's decision if at all. He highlighted his intention to place "high character people" on the field and in the team's front office.

"We’re going to build this organization based on respect, integrity, honor," Jeter said. "We’re going to have hard work and I think those things are always rewarded in the long run."

Jeter holds the distinction of being the all-time hits leader of the New York Yankees, a five-time World Series champion and an 11-time MLB All-Star. The legendary shortstop is also a former MLB Rookie of the Year in 1996 and former Yankees team captain. He is only the second player after Wade Boggs to record his 3,000th career hit on a home run.

Having started his career as a CPA in New York with Arthur Young, Sherman went on to launch Private Capital Management in 1986. He later sold the firm to Legg Mason in 2001 but retained autonomy over PCM’s portfolio management and investment research, which earned the firm a No. 1 ranking by Nelson’s “World’s Best Money Managers” for the 10-year-period ending in December 2005.

Two of the biggest challenges facing Jeter and Sherman will be how to attract more fans to Marlins Park while improving the bottom line.

"Our fans: They are the number one priority. We want them to get to know us as owners," asserted Jeter. "More importantly, we want to get to know them. we want to hear from the fans."

Photo of Home Run Sculpture by Paul Scicchitano