(the Marlins’ David Samson displays his physical attributes to a stunned Miami press corps)
From the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson.
On a day he was harshly criticized by Miami’s city manager, Marlins president David Samson said Wednesday the team has been contacted by officials from seven cities since receiving permission to explore relocation, but has not scheduled any meetings.
In an interview with 790 The Ticket’s Joe Rose, Miami city manager Joe Arriola blasted Samson, saying, “As long as we have a little boy doing a man’s job, the stadium is not going to happen in this city.”
Samson, in a subsequent interview with The Herald, said, “It is very sad to me that an appointed city official finds it necessary to continue to comment on my physical attributes.”
Samson said no political official from South Florida has contacted the Marlins since the team announced Nov. 22 that it has been given the go-ahead to meet with officials from other cities.
Samson would not disclose the seven cities, but officials from Portland, Ore., and East Rutherford, N.J., have publicly confirmed contacting the Marlins. A businessman from Puerto Rico also has expressed interest in luring the Marlins.
In his radio interview, Arriola said Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman — who met with two Marlins officials last December — told him that he has not heard from the Marlins recently. However, Las Vegas is known to be one of the cities that has expressed interest.
MLB privately regards Las Vegas and Portland as the most likely options for relocation if the Marlins move. Samson said he didn’t know if he would meet with officials from Las Vegas or elsewhere before the end of the year, and he declined to estimate the likelihood of the Marlins leaving South Florida.