County to Jeter: That Tacky Home Run Sculpture Belongs to Us!

[Party]

The kitschy home-run sculpture at Marlins Park can’t be removed by Derek Jeter or anyone else who might buy the team, according to its owner: Miami-Dade County.

Standing 73 feet tall, the mechanical display sends marlins and flamingos whirring whenever the Marlins hit a home run. It was commissioned as part of Miami-Dade’s Art in Public Places program, which requires construction of county buildings to include art as well. The sculpture by well-regarded pop artist Red Grooms is named “Homer,” cost $2.5 million and, like Marlins Park, belongs to Miami-Dade’s government.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/loca...#storylink=cpy

So much for the Saddam Hussein-style statue removal celebration.

[Nick]

Honestly, I hope they keep it. It's big, ugly, but gives the stadium character, it's harmless fun. Plus how awesome was it to see sluggers pepper that thing during the HR Derby?

[rmc523]

Yeah, at this point keep it - it adds something to the experience. Sure it's big and you can laugh at it, but it's kind of fun and exciting for it to go off when a home run is hit. Plus what would you put there?

Here's the park without it:



It looks boring.

[fish16]

I like the sculpture. It's grown on me. I wouldnt have put it in there to begin with but im used to it now and it would look bad without it. I think the stadium is fine just the way it is. Just wish we had naming rights, more fans, and a better pitching staff to make the atmosphere actually enjoyable.