MIAMI -- Step one in the removal process of the Home Run Sculpture at Marlins Park has begun.
On Friday, the Marlins, via their @MarlinsPark Twitter account, tweeted a photo of the early stages of the dismantling of the seven-story sculpture that has been a fixture in left-center field since the retractable-roof ballpark opened in 2012.
"See ya outside on the Marlins Park Art Walk, buddy!" read the caption on the tweet.
Less than two weeks ago, the Marlins were granted permission by Miami-Dade County commissioners to relocate the mechanically operated sculpture to outside the park. In its place, the Marlins will be adding a standing-room deck that is part of a series of stadium enhancements for 2019.
Former Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria, an art dealer, played a major role in the design of the retractable-roof ballpark. To celebrate home runs, he had New York-based artist Red Grooms create the sculpture, and it has been a much talked about centerpiece since the stadium opened.
After each home run by a Marlins player, it sprang to life for nearly 30 seconds, featuring mechanical marlins flipping and water spraying.
Because "Homer," as Grooms named it, is protected under Miami-Dade's Arts in Public Places act, the relocation process took some time. Earlier this month, commissioners came into an agreement with current Marlins ownership, headed by Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter.
Eventually, the sculpture will be placed on the plaza outside the ballpark, where it will be visible to the public.