Derek Jeter is not officially the owner of the Miami Marlins or dare I say the captain of the ship. However he is a proud father of a baby girl with his wife Hannah who gave birth this past week. But when he does officially become owner, the sculpture, called “Homer,” will come along with the baseball franchise whether he likes it or not.
The sculpture by artist Red Grooms, is 73 feet tall and is arguably one of Marlins Park’s distinguished features. FanRag Sports reported someone in Jeter’s ownership group is not a fan of the massive, moving structure that illustrates a beach scene moreover wanted it removed.
Miami-Dade County made note to Jeter’s group summarizing: don’t touch our sculpture. “The county commissioned and purchased the home run sculpture with the public art funds generated by the ballpark project,” Michael Spring, head of the county’s cultural affairs arm, told the Miami Herald in an email. “It was designed specifically for this project and location and is permanently installed. It is not movable.”
The group led by Jeter and billionaire money manager Bruce Sherman which also includes Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan, is expected to purchase the Marlins from Jeffrey Loria for $1.2 billion. In addition, FanRag Sports reported Jeter will draw a $5 million-per-year salary from his new position with Marlins.
On the diamond, Marlins players continue to make a late surge for a Wild-Card spot. Giancarlo Stanton homered again and Adam Conley struck out a career-high 11 batters in the Marlins’ 6-4 win over the New York Mets.
Dee Gordon may not be the captain of the ship but he is fast. He’s not only the spark for the team, but sets the tone for Stanton and Christian Yelich behind him. He finished 2 for 5 with two stolen bases and three runs to boost Miami to another series win, the third in a row for a team that is now only six games back of a Wild-Card spot.
Stanton crushed his 45th home run, a three-run shot in the seventh that broke open a tight pitching battle and turned it into the Marlins’ seventh victory in nine games.
“We’re not worried about standings or anything right now,” Stanton said. “We have to keep pushing the envelope and see where we’re at in a month.”
The Marlins have ridden Stanton’s back going 18-11 since July 20. Stanton set a Marlins’ franchise record Sunday for most home runs after the All-Star break with his 19th. Last week, he broke Gary Sheffield’s record for most home runs in a season by a Marlins player with his 43rd.
Conley had a lot of strikeouts and gray areas. He allowed one run on three hits, walking two batters and hitting another. He also threw a wild pitch, singled and struck out the side on 10 pitches in the sixth inning.
The Marlins are now 60-62, and following an off day Monday, open a four-game series in Philadelphia against the Phillies, who own the worst record in the majors.
Now only if the future owners can focus on this team, not structures around them.
