Jeter discusses park enhancements, team

MIAMI -- From the new logo, colors and ballpark enhancements made in the offseason, the Marlins are building a franchise that reflects the energy and diversity of Miami.

On Tuesday afternoon the organization gave the media a preview of what fans will experience when they step inside Marlins Park on Opening Day on Thursday, when Miami faces Colorado at 4:10 p.m. ET.

“When people walk into this stadium, this park for the first time, we want them to really notice it is a completely different park,” chief executive officer Derek Jeter said. “Whether it’s the logo, the colors, the branding, the new zones we have, we want people here, who come to Marlins Park, to say, ‘You know what? The new ownership group said they were going to make some changes, and they have made some changes.'"

The ownership group headed by Bruce Sherman and Jeter made the changes based on feedback from fans.

The most obvious change is the removal of the colorful home run sculpture, which will be located outside Marlins Park in 2020. In its place in center field is a multi-tiered party zone, and down the right-field line is a Standing Room Only section.

The outfield walls are now blue instead of lime green, which had been the primary color since the retractable-roof ballpark opened in 2012.

The dining experience also received a makeover, with upgraded concessions. There’s a 3-o-5 menu as well, with the prices of select food items at $3 and $5.

Fans looking for the popular Bobblehead Museum will find it down the right-field line instead of on the concourse behind home plate.

“We want fans to enjoy themselves, but at the same time, we want them to rally around the group of players they have in the organization, because there is a lot of excitement going on,” Jeter said. “We have to get our house in order here, but at the same time, we also have to make sure we improve on the baseball side.”

The Marlins remain committed to building from the Minor Leagues on up, and the process is requiring time and patience.

After the Marlins finished 63-98 in 2018, Jeter is looking for progress and improvement. The Marlins still have a young squad, with many unproven players, but they do have a promising rotation that will feature four starters who were rookies a year ago.

“I get it that everyone gets judged by wins and losses,” Jeter said. “It’s no different here. We want to win more games than we lose. But it’s a mindset. It’s a mindset for our players.

“There’s a different vibe there. Guys are excited to be here, and they’re embracing the opportunity they have to compete. That’s on a daily basis.”

From the Minor Leaguers to the big leaguers, Jeter notes the Marlins will reward players who are performing. That helped earn Garrett Cooper, who hit .395 in Spring Training, the right-field job. Right-hander Trevor Richards was a standout in the spring, and he now will be the No. 2 starter.

“I said it from the first time I met with them last Spring Training,” Jeter said. “This organization will be built on competition. The best guys are going to get the opportunity to play. We had a lot of guys take advantage of that, and they enjoy competition. It brings out the best in people sometimes.”

Stadium security has also been addressed since last season. Outside gates are now in place surrounding the West Plaza, which had been open to foot traffic in the past.

Inside the park, safety netting was extended, shielding fans from foul balls and bats that may otherwise sail into the seats.

“We’re always going to invest, and this is an investment in our fans' safety and security,” Jeter said. “It’s up to the standards of Major League Baseball and the Department of Homeland Security Safety Act."

After making numerous trades, and without a winning season since 2009, Jeter understands that the organization must continue to win back support.

“We want our fans to come out and support us,” he said. “It’s a lot easier to play when you have a full house and the people are behind you. But we also get the fact that we have to continue to mend those relationships in the community. I’ve said that since Day 1.”