Though I won’t be making the trip north from Jupiter to Viera’s Space Coast Stadium on Friday when the St. Louis Cardinals take on the Washington Nationals, the park and its lease have been on my mind.
As I have mentioned a number of times, baseball on the Atlantic coast of Florida is approaching extinction. After departures of the Dodgers, Orioles and Yankees, only St. Louis, Florida, the Mets and Washington remain.
Expanding the aperture to include Orlando pulls Atlanta and Houston into the mix, but it also means a drive of almost three hours from the Cardinals home in Jupiter.
That is an additional hour over the trip to Viera, already considered too far for minor leaguers to travel. Lost camp time is at least as important to opposing clubs as the additional transportation, meals and lodging expense.
This past weekend, I read an article about the situation in Viera entitled “Baseball’s uncertain future on Space Coast.” From it, I picked up several interesting tidbits.
Last year, the Nationals officially informed Brevard County officials of their interest in relocating prior to the conclusion of their 2017 lease expiration. Possible destinations include Orlando, the Gulf Coast or perhaps Arizona.
The Nats were reportedly wooed by Mesa, Arizona officials as a fall-back had the Cubs not agreed to stay. Shortly after, the funding for the Cubs’ new park was approved by voters. Chicago was using Naples, Fla. as leverage.
Fort Myers apparently has been pushing for Washington to move to Florida’s West Coast.
Though the Astros are committed to Kissimmee through 2016, they and the Nats have also been in discussions with Osceola County. A new complex that could house both teams is under construction near DisneyWorld.
With little to no hope of these towns luring new teams to the vacated East Coast locations, the Cardinals are running out of opponents to face. No matter how good their next lease offer might be, the distance factor could cloud their future in Jupiter beyond 2017.
The Cardinals and Marlins are angling to use a potential Washington move as leverage with their Palm Beach County landlord. The forecast for East Coast Florida baseball remains uncertain.
Follow me on Twitter.
Follow The Cardinal Nation Blog on Facebook.
OT but hilarious.
http://www.kfns.com/JoeSportsFan/Story.aspx?ID=1385425
Second photo by Franklin photoshopped by Matt Sebek:
http://twitpic.com/49rhj7
I’m working up my new gravitar.
The picture has been taken down. Too bad, it was hilarious.
I saved the picture on my hard drive. If someone wants me to email it to them, let me know.
This ones for you crdswmn
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/spring-training/tony-la-russa-baseballs-oldest-manager-at-66-1323380.html
Are the Phillies so loaded they are no longer considered a major league team? That would be the only way to exclude Charlie Manuel, who is older than TLR. Not good research at all…
Manuel is only 9 months older and he doesn’t dye his hair.
RIght. Just looking at the two, there should be no confusion.
older and wiser?
it is amazing that the writer and copy people didn’t catch that mistake since the whole premise is that TLR is the oldest active mgr.
I would guess someone made that remark to the writer (TLR is the oldest) and he was lazy to confirm that.
However the article actually painted TLR in a flattering way and didn’t offend me (;>)
Maybe I am just jaded, but every year, there is a story with the same exact theme. TLR heads home tired after a long season and something inspires him to return. Last year, it was the selfish joy of managing Pujols, I think.
I thought it was passing McGraw.
Many of us assume that, though as far as I can recall, TLR hasn’t said it.
Maybe Tony shaved a year.
Ian Snell retired this morning.
Too darn bad the Redbirds left St. Pete and all the rich heritage, tradition and history of their long time Spring Training home.
Glad I was able to attend a few games at Al Lang before they made the move to Jupiter.
I’m sure they had good reasons at the time but Jim Vail and I used to paraphrase the old time nursery rhyme
“Cardinals moved to Jupiter and got a little stupiter”
If making money is the goal, they probably got smarter.
Having said that, I liked Al Lang, too, and especially the St. Pete/Clearwater area. Having the minor leaguers in another facility across town had to be a PITA for all involved, however.
May Jim rest in peace.
Yeah I’m sure it is a much better facility and maybe that couldn’t have happened in St. Pete.
Hopefully , somehow it will work out in Jupiter long term so they have enough teams to practice against without making 3 and 4 hr. bus trips.
What’s PITA ?
Pain in the… behind.
Looks like the Cards/Marlins reached a 10 year extension to keep both in Jupiter, FL till 2027. Got that off Stltoday.com. Pending appropriate approval.
I like that the Cards are in Jupiter (near Miami) but it sounds like they are going to be playing a lot of games against themselves if the Nationals leave. I wonder if they have an out clause if everyone else leaves town.
Yes there is an out clause if either the Mets or Nats leave. The latter seems quite possible.
The fact that an ESPN writer could physically see all 15 Cactus League teams in one day speaks volumes about the disadvantages of playing in Florida.