In my opinion: Put down the talking Chihuahua

No one threatens the future of the Florida Marlins more than this man. No, I’m not talking about the state Legislature, Manny Diaz, Wayne Huizenga, or even team owner Jeffrey Loria. I am referring to the talking chihuahua named David Samson, who just so happens to be team president. The loudest and most obnoxious (Don’t forget the shortest!) team president in professional sports is at the helm of our beloved baseball team.

At one time or another he has said something to alienate segments of the population -- the fans, media, city officials, county officials, state officials, and now possibly the greatest player to ever wear a Marlins jersey, Miguel Cabrera. Oh, and by the way, that’s just in Florida; this doesn’t include those in the national media and in Montreal where he earned the moniker “Little Napoleon” amongst those in the Expos’ front office.

This past weekend he publicly criticized Cabrera after he was a no-show at Fan Fest, further showing what a flawed, cancerous, hateable, and inept individual and team president he can be. Souring the relationship with the best player on the team and the biggest marketing tool in the Hispanic community is completely asinine. When/if a ballpark deal is secured, signing Cabrera and Willis to long-term deals will be the first step in showing the fans that star players and their contracts will be handled differently. Because of Samson’s mouth, those possible deals may be in jeopardy.

The impact of losing Miguel Cabrera can be equaled to that of a firesale. He is that important to the team’s future, on and off the field. He has the potential to be South Florida’s Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx, Ted Williams, or (insert other baseball legends here).

But wait! This isn’t the first time Mr. Samson has threatened the future of the franchise. Samson's and former Miami city manager Joe Arriola's unique negotiating skills deserve credit for killing the Ballpark at the Orange Bowl plan. As a result of that plan falling apart, the team underwent the “market correction” and Samson took his show on the road, looking for someone to build the team a ballpark. The "correction" and relocation talks once again soured the team’s relationship with the fans, an area where the team had made serious strides over the prior two seasons.

See, there is a reason why Major League Baseball is keeping Samson and his unique people skills out of the current ballpark negotiations.

The Florida Marlins are entering a second renaissance. A cancerous individual like Samson (Hell, Loria too, but that’s for another time.) should in no way be a part of that renaissance.