Derek Jeter ‘destroyed’ Marlins ballpark by removing home run sculpture, ex-team owner Jeffrey Loria says

American entrepreneur Jeffrey Loria purchased the Miami Marlins back in 2002 and owned the team for 15 years before selling it to a group that featured Derek Jeter in 2017. In a recent interview with the Miami Herald, Loria claimed Jeter “destroyed the ballpark.”

One of the biggest issues that Loria had with Jeter was the fact that he got rid of a sculpture that erupted whenever the Marlins hit a home run or won a game.

“Destroying public art was a horrible thing to do,” Loria said.

Loria’s friend, artist Red Grooms, designed the home run sculpture as part of a $2.5 million contract with Miami-Dade County.

Focus on Jeter should inspire memories of Garciaparra’s peak

“it’s as if Jeter stands alone as the shortstop talent for a generation.

It’s too bad, considering that Garciaparra was every bit the player Jeter was. And in his prime, he was better.

There’s no question that Jeter brings the superior career to a debate between the two. Injuries derailed what Garciaparra could become from a legacy standpoint, and cost him the Hall of Fame”

Shortstops with most seasons of 6+ WAR, debuting 1969+: