I, for one, cannot wait to visit South Florida next season to witness the launch of Marlins 2.0. The new climate-controlled, retractable-roof stadium will be a luxurious experience for fans who have endured rain delays and oppressive humidity for nearly 20 years. There is one final chapter to be written before the soon-to-be Miami Marlins shed their “Florida” moniker and unveil a new brand, new uniforms and an ultramodern jewel of a ballpark 14 miles down Interstate 95 at the site of the old Orange Bowl.īeing a Marlins season-ticket holder from the inaugural game through 2008 (when I relocated to Seattle), I was fortunate to experience some of the most memorable moments of my adult life inside the stadium formerly known as Pro Player. For as maligned as the Miami Dolphins’ cavernous stadium is for its far-from-friendly baseball configuration, it will always be a field of dreams for fans that witnessed myriad magical moments throughout the muggy South Florida summers since 1993. When the first pitch of tonight’s Florida Marlins season opener rolls off Josh Johnson’s fingertips, the countdown clock starts ticking on the final 81 home games at the stadium formerly known as Joe Robbie. The logo will be retired when the team changes its name to the Miami Marlins next season.