04/20/24
February 16, 2012
Miami Marlins to unretire number.:
In a move that may distract people from the crazy home run spectacle in centerfield, the Marlins have gone full-on stupid with the #5.
Sounds like they have a solid and well run operation going on down there in Miami.
posted by feloniousmonk at 02:13 PM on February 16, 2012
"No other Florida Marlin will ever wear No. 5,' then-owner Wayne Huizenga said during a ceremony before that first game.
No Florida Marlin ever did, now that they're the Miami Marlins. Loophole!
Retiring a number never worn by the person being honored is, with all due respect to Carl Barger's family, completely asinine.
posted by rcade at 02:14 PM on February 16, 2012
It's not often that everyone involved in the story comes out looking stupid. Past owners, current owners, and Morrison all look ridiculous in this process.
Retiring a number never worn by the person being honored is, with all due respect to Carl Barger's family, completely asinine.
It might make sense if you choose a number that isn't commonly used.
The Angels retired "26" for late owner Gene Autry, with the idea that he was the "26th man" on the roster.
The Blue Jays have retired "4036" in honour of Tom Cheek, their (since deceased) long-time broadcaster. That was the number of consecutive games (from the franchise's first game) that he broadcast.
posted by grum@work at 02:52 PM on February 16, 2012
Retiring a number never worn by the person being honored is, with all due respect to Carl Barger's family, completely asinine.
The only number that is allowed to unretire is the #4, which it does as often as possible.
posted by tselson at 03:16 PM on February 16, 2012
Whether it was a mistake or not to retire the number, the unretiring of it is just awful. "While we thought he was worthy of being remembered in this way, now we don't think so b/c someone else wants the number."
posted by bperk at 03:29 PM on February 16, 2012
grum's said pretty much everything I think. Just wanted to add it's a sign of pure professionalism and a good organization that the widow found out from the reporter doing the story.
posted by yerfatma at 04:54 PM on February 16, 2012
Look out for a crazed Robert de Niro look alike in the stands on Opening Day.
He'll be carrying a knife.
posted by owlhouse at 08:21 PM on February 16, 2012
Sounds like they have a solid and well run operation going on down there in Miami.
Ozzie Guillen should fit in perfectly.
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:47 AM on February 17, 2012
Summary:
The number: 5
The reason it was retired: the passing of the Marlins' first President
Length of time with the team: 18 months
Why that number: His favourite player wore it (Joe DiMaggio)
The reason it was unretired: Logan Morrison wants it
Length of time with team: 18 months
Why that number: His late father's favourite player wore it (George Brett)
Problem: Late executive's family says it's disrespectful to unretire the number as they were (publicly) promised by previous owner no one would ever wear it again.
Bonus crazy: Morrison and the Marlins were at war over his demotion to the minors in 2011.