Miami Marlins: Marlins Man makes Derek Jeter look good
By David Hill
Miami Marlins superfan had words with new team CEO Derek Jeter. It went about as well as one could imagine, and somehow, he made Jeter a sympathetic figure.
At this point in time, we have all seen Miami Marlins superfan Marlins Man. Clad in his everpresent orange, he has essentially become the Where’s Waldo of the sports universe, somehow at every important sporting event. His existence has really become a drinking game – see Marlins Man in the crowd, take a shot (not recommended unless one wants alcohol poisoning). In theory, he is a Marlins fan, but since Marlins Man appears to be everywhere but at Marlins Park.
Somehow, Marlins Man has gotten it into his head that his status as the one person who is willing to tie his identity to this woeful franchise makes him special. That he deserves preferential treatment. As such, when he was not invited to a Town Hall with new Marlins CEO Derek Jeter, he made his thoughts known. Then, the Marlins made a mistake – they invited Marlins Man to that meeting.
Chaos naturally reigned. Over the course of the meeting, he made his way to the microphone, and had a good four minutes of inanity. To begin with, Marlins Man had the gall to ask Jeter “Do you know who I am?”
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First, that is the sort of line some self important soccer mom uses when she tries to convince a teenage cashier to take her expired coupon, or some Q-list celebrity when they try to get out of being arrested. Since Marlins Man is a Q-list celebrity of his own creation, the usage of the line is not surprising, but to use it on Derek Jeter? Quite frankly, the legendary shortstop has a lot more important things to worry about than some clown in an orange visor.
Then came his list of requests. Marlins Man Mondays? Saying he has not renewed his season tickets because he does not want to pay major league prices for a AAA team? Okay, I’ll give him that one. Wanting to throw out a first pitch and to have Jeter ride around in his Marlins Mobil? At least Jeter was able to slap that one down like Alex Rodriguez seeing Bronson Arroyo‘s glove.
Give Jeter high points for meeting fans. For trying. That much. But can't get out of mind exchange of Marlins Man asking him repeatedly to ride in his Marlinsmobile and Jeter saying, "I don't know how else to say I won't be riding in that."
— Dave Hyde (@davehydesports) December 20, 2017
If nothing else, Marlins Man was able to give one thing back to Jeter. He managed to make the embattled CEO into a sympathetic figure. Anyone who had to sit through that self aggrandizement and force themselves to keep from laughing deserves a great deal of respect. Someone get Jeets a beer – he probably needs it after that.
The worst part is, Marlins Man himself was once a relatively sympathetic figure. He had an extremely negative run in with Cleveland Indians fans during a game, and it was unfortunate to see. He had appeared to be someone who just enjoyed sports and having a good time, the Andrew WK of fandom. And then, in his time speaking to a true legend of the game, tjhat facade came crashing down. “Do you know who I am?” Someone’s 15 minutes of fame has gone on for far too long.
Next: The Jeter-Marlins Man Fiasco
Miami Marlins superfan Marlins Man had a chat with Derek Jeter. It was as much of a train wreck as one would have imagined.