April 22, 2004

Samson: No, this time, really

All those of you who had May 6 in the "When will the next Florida Marlins 'final' stadium deadline be?" poll, collect your winnings. Marlins President David Samson said yesterday that he's extending his May 1 deadline for five days so that Miami commissioners can vote on a plan for a $325 million retractable-roofed stadium near the Orange Bowl. Samson also said he intends to submit a stadium plan to the state legislature before its annual session ends at the end of next week, despite the fact that legislative leaders have said in no uncertain terms that the Marlins ain't getting that $60 million in sales-tax rebates they're asking for.

The Marlins have other problems as well: the $325 million estimate has been criticized for being too low (other retractable-roof stadiums have ranged from the $266 million to $517 million), and even with the state subsidy, the team would still be $55 million short of their goal. But at least they can always count on the Phillies' bullpen.