Derek Jeter‘s tenure as a member of a baseball team’s front office has gotten off to a rocky start. Jeter is the chief executive officer and part owner of the Miami Marlins, whose time in the organization has included trading away Giancarlo Stanton to the New York Yankees for next to nothing, angering two of the franchise’s other young building blocks, and maybe running short on money.
So Jeter, ever the smooth customer, decided he would try an act of goodwill on Tuesday night by holding a town hall meeting with some Marlins season ticket holders. Now, you and I know that is a bad idea, but Jeter probably honestly thought it would be good for them to blow off some steam.
As it turns out, Jeter learned that angry Marlins fans can be as harsh as those dang sabermetrics folks who think “being able to go to your left to field a ground ball” is a skill shortstops should have. Chief among them was Miami’s most noticeable baseball fan, Marlins Man, who really let Jeter have it.
Marlins Man now addressing Jeter. Asks Jeter, “do you know who I am.” Jeter says, “I’ve heard of you.”
— Will Manso (@WillManso) December 20, 2017
Marlins Man, season ticket holder since 1993, hasn't renewed and is furious with prospect of paying big league prices "for Triple A team."
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) December 19, 2017
Marlins Man on a roll. Asking for Marlins Man Monday’s and throwing out a first pitch. This is me now… pic.twitter.com/GkVENN1byA
— Will Manso (@WillManso) December 20, 2017
Somehow, Marlins Man made this thing work out so that he got a promise from Jeter about throwing out a first pitch someday.
Marlins Man talks for 4 straight minutes and Jeter looks confused when he’s done and pauses and says…
“I’ll let you throw out the first pitch with a 10 year plan.” To lots of laughs and cheers 😂
Jeter adds, “I’m sure we’ll talk later.”
— Will Manso (@WillManso) December 20, 2017
Elsewhere during the event, one Marlins fan cried, and Jeter didn’t exactly handle the moment tactfully at first. Eventually, though, he was able to turn on the charm.
Marlins fan now crying at podium asking why didn't add pitching and keep top offensive players. Jeter asks what pitchers could have signed?
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) December 20, 2017
Jeter telling the fan who was crying that he appreciates her passion. Says it wants it to happen and turnaround as soon as possible for her and all fans.
— Will Manso (@WillManso) December 20, 2017
We also got a car-related analogy and an older fan saying they may not be around long enough to see the team become a contender.
Great analogy by #Marlins fan:
"It's like I signed a lease on a Camaro and come Monday they give me keys to a Volt, and the dealer says don't worry it will run like a Camaro in 3 years"Jeter- "The Camaro wasn't Working"
Fan-"The Camaro was a flat tire away from contending"
— ຳ (@ChrisFischer07) December 20, 2017
Jeter asks fans to be patient. One older man tells him he doesn't have that many more years.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) December 20, 2017
And like every Marlins event that has happened since 2002, someone felt the urge to mention how much they disliked former owner Jeffrey Loria.
Jeter says to fans, we need to find out why fans weren’t coming to park when Stanton was hitting HRs and team playing decent ball at times. A fan yells out, “because Loria was here.”
I promise that wasn’t me saying it.
— Will Manso (@WillManso) December 20, 2017
There is absolutely something admirable about a much-maligned member of a team’s front office getting face-to-face with fans and letting them vent their frustrations. Still, this seems like this might not have been Jeter’s best idea.
