Former Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria and Derek Jeter.Photo:getty (2)
getty (2)
FormerMiami Marlinsowner Jeffrey Loria still isn’t feelingDerek Jeter’s design aesthetic, specifically the Hall of Fame shortstop’s 2018 decision to move the colorful home run statue that sat just beyond the center field fence at loanDepot Park.
On Monday, Loria, 82, had strong words about the former New York Yankees star, telling theMiami Heraldthat “Jeter came in and destroyed the ballpark” when the sculpture was moved outside of the stadium formerly known as Marlins Park.
When Loria owned the team, he had a creative vision for the stadium, formerly known as Marlins Park, notesUSA Today. The venue opened in 2012 with aquariums and a sculpture behind center field with aquatic figures that moved each time a Marlins player hit a home run.
A general view of Marlin’s Park through the fishtank behind home plate.Mike Ehrmann/Getty
Mike Ehrmann/Getty
In Monday’s interview, Loria said that “destroying public art was a horrible thing to do… Now it will rot outside where it is, condemned to neglect and outdoor decay.”
Loria is still not pleased that Jeter and his business partners placed the installation outside of the stadium once he left. The Red Grooms-designed sculpture stands about two stories high and cost $2.5 million, reportsThe Associated Press.
A general view of the sculpture in center field at Marlins Park.Rob Foldy/Getty
Rob Foldy/Getty
“I was fastidious about all the color we put into the building and it was changed; it didn’t have to be changed,” Loria told theMiami Herald. “They covered up all the (colorful) tiles, which we broughtin from Europe. To me, it reflected the culture of Miami. Now it’s all blue. It’s ridiculous. The amenities like the fish tanks behind home plate — they were there for the kids — and they got rid of them. It’s silly.”
Former Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria.Rob Foldy/Getty
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Jeter is no longer involved with the Marlins. In February 2022, he left Sherman’s group and stepped down as CEO.
Derek Jeter.Mike Stobe/Getty
“We had a vision five years ago to turn the Marlins franchise around, and as CEO, I have been proud to put my name and reputation on the line to make our plan a reality,” Jeter wrote in a statement, perESPN. “Through hard work, trust and accountability, we transformed every aspect of the franchise, reshaping the workforce and developing a long-term strategic plan for success.”
source: people.com
