Sunday, June 25, 2006

Mike Burke Compares Today's Marlins With the Orioles of the Past

'The similarities between the Marlins and the Orioles of the late 1950s through 1983 is eerily similar, although theres nothing eerie about practicing smart baseball unless its been 23 years since your organization has done it....

'As for the Marlins, if they ever get a cushy new stadium and a cushy financial plan, whether it is the result of a new owner, Gov. Jeb Bushs generosity, or relocation, who knows how good they can become with a little dough in their pocket?

'But easy Marlin fans, whoever and wherever you are. For over 30 years, the Baltimore Orioles were tenants in a football stadium in a football-mad town just as the Marlins are in Dolphins Stadium and in Miami. Plus, the Orioles were about as low budget as low budget can be. Yet they were also the winningest and best organization in baseball.

'All of that changed when the Daddy Warbucks fantasy-league owners, led off by the late Edward Bennett Williams, took over. A Freddy Lynn here, a Lee Lacy there, a Don Aase for the heck of it and a whole bunch of Chris Sabos, Sid Fernandezes, Robby Alomars and Albert Belles thrown in for good measure did nothing but stunt the progression and growth of the vaunted Oriole Way.

'Sometimes having too much money in your pocket is a bad thing, so perhaps the Marlins should look at whats happened in Baltimore the past 23 years and be careful what they wish for.' (CumberlandTimes-News)

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