Florida Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria hoisted the World Series trophy on Tuesday as thousands of fans swarmed downtown to cheer their championship baseball team one last time.
"We shocked the world, baby! We did it!" outfielder Juan Pierre told WSVN-TV as his convertible crept along Flagler Street, the main downtown artery.
Leaning from windows along the start of the parade route, fans threw clumps of ticker tape while some commuter trains were plastered with signs declaring: "We love the Marlins."
PHOTO: EPA
When Florida won the title in 1997, the celebration was tempered as fans braced for cost cutting by then-owner H. Wayne Huizenga. The result was a last-place finish in 1998 and a steady decline in attendance.
But Loria told WSVN-TV "there's going to be no dismantling of this team."
Asked about the team's prospects next year, he said: "I can tell you one thing: We will make every effort to bring more great baseball to the fans in south Florida."
PHOTO: AP
Three parades and two rallies were scheduled in Miami and Fort Lauderdale to celebrate the Marlins, who beat the New York Yankees 2-0 on Saturday to win the title. Fans in downtown Miami arrived early to grab free towels and T-shirts with the team logo.
"I asked for the day off, but my daughter called in sick to school," said Nancy Cuellar, who was pressed against metal barricades near the end of the parade route. "It's kind of crazy. I've been a Marlins fan a long time and I came to support them for winning."
City workers shredded 2 tons of paper to serve as ticker tape while banners and balloons streamed off office buildings along the route festooned with freshly painted team and World Series logos.
PHOTO: AP
Fans began lining the parade path hours before the festivities began. A noontime rally was scheduled, followed by another drive through the Little Havana neighborhood and then a boat parade and second rally in Fort Lauderdale.
Officials estimated at least 100,000 people would attend the daylong celebration but police officers said the numbers could swell beyond initial projections.
The Marlins' run from last place in June had fans clamoring for team merchandise and paying brokers hundreds of dollars for tickets. Many of these same fans largely ignored the club for several seasons.
PHOTO: AP
Annette Massey said her family would consider buying season tickets for next year. Massey owned seats through the 1997 season, but dropped them when the team went from unbeatable to unwatchable in just one year.
"My husband is a pilot for Delta and he was in Madrid on Saturday night," Massey said. "And he had to listen to the last three innings of them winning by cell phone. It's going to be expensive, but worth it."
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