Advertisement

Fennelly: Derek Jeter, owner of Marlins rather than Rays? Sigh

 
Derek Jeter appears interested in buying the Marlins. Well, it’s fun to at least imagine him running the Rays instead.
Derek Jeter appears interested in buying the Marlins. Well, it’s fun to at least imagine him running the Rays instead.
Published April 8, 2017

Don't tell me: The first thing he's going to do is raise the outfield walls.

There is a report that Derek Jeter, Tampa's Derek Jeter is the face, front and center, of a group interested in purchasing the: Miami Marlins.

Jeets, what about us?

Yes, the Rays are owned, majority wise, by Stuart Sternberg. And Sternberg has done mostly right by Tampa Bay. But that won't last if he doesn't strike oil on one of those 311 potential stadium sites.

By the way, Jeter's you-can-see-it-from-space Davis Islands mansion will not work as a stadium site.

He's living in it.

But didn't the dreamer in a lot of us once think Jeter was our safety valve?

Wasn't he supposed to be the one to ride to the rescue if Sternberg sold — Jeets saves the day?

With Lightning owner Jeff Vinik adding some financial muscle.

Dream ticket, right?

A guy could dream, couldn't he?

But Sternberg remains steadfast about a stadium here.

And now Jeter apparently wants to buy: the Marlins.

Tampa guy. Miami team.

Drat.

Look, there is no hard evidence to suggest Jeter would be interested in the Rays if they were available. Why would Sternberg sell if he thought there was a chance to build?

On the other hand, that the mortal-lock Hall of Famer wants to own a ballclub isn't exactly a secret.

If Michael Jordan can largely own the Charlotte Bobcats and Magic Johnson can be the ownership face of the Dodgers, Derek Jeter can do it, too. And well.

He is a winner. He is a professional. He is a savvy businessman with an impeccable reputation.

"I know he loves the game," Jeter's former teammate and Yankees manager Joe Girardi told media when New York was at the Trop this week. "I think he'd be a great owner."

"I don't know what he wouldn't be good at," said Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin, another former Jeter teammate. "He makes rational decisions. He's the kind of guy who it seems would surround himself with good people. He'd be able to put the pieces together. He's a winner."

That championship aura.

In Miami.

Not Tampa Bay.

Drat.

Jeets! What about us?

The Captain hardly visited his old team at spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field, a place that just crawls with old Yankees serving as special instructors. Not his scene. Think Jeter wasn't there because the Yankees think A-Rod can teach the shortstops better? Jeter hasn't been at Yankees spring training because he doesn't want to be. He doesn't want to instruct a team. He wants to purchase one.

I can't see Jeter wanting to be a figurehead. I could never see him under Sternberg.

Oh, and the Marlins already have a new ballyard.

Drat.

The Marlins need a savior. They need a face.

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter

We’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

Derek Jeter to their rescue.

Not ours.

Drat.

Couldn't he show a little patience and save the Rays when Sternberg throws up his hands over no ballpark? In steps The Captain to get it done.

Maybe his group's Miami bid gets turned down. Maybe Jeb Bush and his crew get the Marlins. They're bidding, too. Maybe Jeb beats Jeter in the debates.

Remember when Derek Jeter was the guy to rescue the Rays for Tampa Bay if Sternberg ever sold the club? Yeah, that was the idea. Unless, of course, Jeter couldn't get the stadium built, either. Then he'd sell to someone who …

Forget the whole thing.

Enjoy the Marlins, Jeets!