Derek Jeter met with Marlins season ticket holders and it was a disaster
As a player, Derek Jeter was widely loved. As an owner, Derek Jeter is on the path to being widely loathed. Fans of the Miami Marlins are none too happy with the former New York Yankees legend for his first couple acts as part of the team’s new ownership group.
Since Jeter’s group has taken over, the Marlins have fired some franchise icons, let go of a long-time scout while he was in the hospital, made it clear slashing payroll was a major goal and traded away Giancarlo Stanton, Dee Gordon and Marcell Ozuna.
Season ticket holders have seen their frustrations with the franchise rise quite a bit in the few months Jeter’s been in charge. They finally got to release that anger Tuesday night, when Jeter agreed to hold a face-to-face meeting with them.
It was a complete disaster, but don’t just take it from us. Take it from the people who were actually at the meeting.
First fan says “burn it down” with agreeing with moves. Jeter says they’re not burning down. Fan says Jeter needs to give free tickets for fans. Oh boy.
— Will Manso (@WillManso) December 19, 2017
That’s how it started. A fan told Jeter he needed to give away free tickets to fans. It would only get better (worse?) from there.
After being asked about the Ozuna trade, Jeter deflected the question, saying general manager Mike Hill would answer it. Hill was slated to speak at the event later.
Asked why he traded Ozuna, Jeter won't say, says Hill will address "when he has the opportunity". Hill not at podium. Great comedy here.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) December 20, 2017
That didn’t seem to sit well with fans, and for the next 90 minutes, Jeter took a beating.
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
Fan now crying at the mic while talking to Jeter about Stanton and Ichiro gone. This has passed the surreal.
— Will Manso (@WillManso) December 20, 2017
One fan angry about delinquent ushers at stadium tells Jeter: "I emailed you!"… Said Jeter: "You don't have my email address!"
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) December 19, 2017
Jeter:"I can't sit here and say who's going to be playing for the Marlins in 2018." Fans are angry;1 shouts "u spent $1.2 B & ran out of $"
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) December 20, 2017
Some of those are pretty rough, but our favorite angry fan response comes from this person.
Fan tells Jeter it’s ironic that town hall meeting is being held behind Budweiser Bar in left field, because there won’t be a ball hit in the area by the home team next year. #marlins
— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) December 20, 2017
That is an incredible burn. It’s also one of those things that you would classify as funny, but true.
But wait, there’s more. When you think of Marlins fans, who’s the first person to come to mind? Marlins Man, right?
Well, you can bet Marlins Man was there Tuesday night. And you know he had some things to say.
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 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
Marlins Man just gave long speech. Jeter says he will let him throw out first pitch but will not drive in Marlins-mobile with him.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) December 20, 2017
That was pretty much it. To Jeter’s credit, he answered questions from fans for about 90 minutes. As reporters noted, that’s something that never would have never happened with the old regime. Fans may not have appreciated all the answers they received, but Jeter did face them.
You can’t really blame the fans for being mad, either. They just saw three of their best players get dealt. That’s exactly what happened under the last ownership group. It traded away talented players and slashed payroll all the time. Marlins fans thought they were getting something different this time around. You can see why they would be upset.
In the end, though, this may be the saddest statement to come out of the entire night.
I can say with full confidence this is the best thing that will happen at Marlins Park this season. They should have charged admission and filled the ballpark to watch this.
— Will Manso (@WillManso) December 20, 2017
Yeah, it’s so bad that people think a meeting between Jeter and the season ticket holders will be more entertaining than a Marlins game in 2018.
There’s another thing you can file under funny, but true.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
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