The Marlins will provide the first glimpse of their new Little Havana/South Beach look in Friday night red-carpet coming out party on Nov. 11. By 11 p.m. they hope to hear the cha-ching of cash registers racking up the first sales of Miami Marlins merchandise.
The official unveiling of the logo and fashion show of players modeling the new uniforms is by invitation only. It will be streamed live on Marlins.com and feature a performance by Pitbull.
Everyone is welcome to start buying hats, jerseys and other gear outside the ballpark after the show. The general public will be able to enter through one of the designated on-site parking garages off of NW 7th Street starting at 11:00 p.m.
It will provide the first chance to gauge fan reaction to the new look, which has brought criticism since purported leaks emerged more than a month ago. The Marlins have not confirmed the authenticity of images circulating, but team President David Samson said this week that the Marlins have been seeking a departure anything seen in the past with the ballpark and rebranding.
New manager Ozzie Guillen and former manager Jack McKeon will participate and presumably make their first appearances in Miami Marlins attire along with players Emilio Bonifacio, John Buck, Omar Infante, Josh Johnson, Logan Morrison, Ricky Nolasco, Hanley Ramirez, Anibal Sanchez and Gaby Sanchez.
Everything seems to be falling into place for the team’s coming out party, not only on 11/11 but for the grand opening on April 4 against the Cardinals, who lent more appeal to the occasion by winning the World Series.
“When the schedule came out that St. Louis was playing us April 4, we said that’s good. It’s a great team to play opening day – great tradition, great history,” Samson said. “When they won the pennant, we said, great, we’ll open against the pennant winners. Now it’s worked out even better.”
Imagine if they were to open with Albert Pujols in a Marlins uniform. A pipedream, perhaps, but apparently not out of the question.
The Marlins and Cardinals will have the major league stage to themselves on April 4, with everyone else opening the next two days. After their debut in the new park, the Marlins will leave for a six-game, eight-day trip. That will provide a chance to address the inevitable glitches from the first game
Marlins will begin merchandising binge as soon as logo, uniforms unveiled Nov. 11
