Marlins President Calls Miamians Stupid, Jose Reyes Greedy

If you know anything about the sweetheart deal the city gave the Marlins to build a new stadium, you know team president David Samson basically bent Miami over a pinball machine and had his way with it. But he's far from done with the humiliation—with his remarks to a gathering of local business leaders yesterday, Samson essentially tossed Miami five bucks for cab fare and told it to clean itself up.

"I don't have to hold back now that the stadium is built," Samson told the Beacon Council, adding "we're not the smartest people in Miami. If you're in this room, you're instantly in the top 1%."

Samson recalled his meetings with officials in San Antonio and Las Vegas in exploratory efforts to move the team, and pretty much admitted that selling tickets is more important than having good fans.

If the Marlins were to move to Las Vegas, Mr. Samson said, he suggested the casinos there buy out game tickets in advance so nobody would be drawn away from the casinos.

"We don't care if nobody comes," Mr. Samson recalled with a smile. "We'll play in front of nobody, and we'll have all the money."

Oh, and remember how Jose Reyes said he came to the Marlins because "I see the plan that they have, the great young talent that they have there in Miami, and I think it's a good opportunity to win?" Yeah, no. Samson sort of blew up Reyes's spot:

"[Reyes] said 'I really want to play in Miami as long as you pay me $1 more than anyone else… I really want to make the most money I can.'"

Objectively, it doesn't make sense to hate a ballclub. It's just laundry, after all. But in their 19 years of existence, the Marlins have done nothing more than sell off beloved players anytime they win, pocket revenues without putting them back into the team, lie to their city about the money they're bringing in, and spend taxpayer cash without giving taxpayers a say. I think it's okay to hate the Marlins.

Miami Marlins president Samson criticizes elected officials, Miamians, press [Miami Today] Marlins Prez David Samson Calls Miamians "Stupid," Says He Cares More About Money Than Fans [Miami New Times]