An Open Letter: Dear Marlins players

Keep the faith. Know that we, diehard Marlins fans, are here with you.

Playing regularly in front of a somewhat empty stadium must be disheartening. Hitting a homer only to yield a tepid cheer, getting pulled from the mound after 7 ²⁄₃ innings of one-run ball without receiving a booming applause for your efforts, or hearing your “home crowd” acknowledging opposing players’ success more than your own…these are all less than ideal situations. I imagine this gets discussed among yourselves, among fellow baseball players, possibly even among family. It’s embarrassing for us, too.

I could fill a book on the state of Miami baseball—a painful outline on why so much of the fanbase feels betrayed, followed by a discussion on what about the city’s culture may not be best suited for the beautiful game of baseball.