Mike Ryan Ruiz is frustrated with the Miami Marlins. The Dan Le Batard Show producer and co-host blasted the team Monday for changing its TV voice again.
What We Know: The Marlins reportedly told Kyle Sielaff on Friday that he’s out as TV play-by-play voice after two seasons. Additionally, the team dropped analyst Jeff Nelson, studio host Craig Minervini and analyst Rod Allen. Meanwhile, Gaby Sanchez will become the primary TV analyst, while Craig Mish takes over all studio hosting duties. It marks the club’s third TV play-by-play change in less than a decade. Monday, Ryan Ruiz discussed his disappointment in the Miami Marlins’ ownership. Specifically for not allowing opportunity to fester with the broadcast team and its fanbase.
What They Said: (All quotes via The Dan Le Batard Show):
Mike Ryan Ruiz upset that the Miami Marlins are changing their broadcast voice again: “Why does this franchise [Miami Marlins] always decide to not plant any sort of legacy? Kyle [Sielaff] was popular, was from South Florida, and was good and young. You may feel like the next guy can be even an improvement. But for the love of God, can this franchise put some roots down and keep something that is popular for any sort of period of time that allows you to grow attached?”
Mike Ryan Ruiz says the amount of change with the Marlins broadcast booth gives him no confidence: “The new guy may be an improvement. Whatever. I’ve got zero faith that that guy will be here in four years. Because that’s what this franchise [Miami Marlins] does. It just speaks to a larger issue with the franchise. When you have people that are popular that are being let go, you don’t want to give them the benefit of the doubt that they’re doing something for the betterment of you, the consumer.”
Mike Ryan Ruiz says baseball needs familiarity in the broadcast booth: “There is so much intrinsic value to something familiar when you’re tuning into a baseball broadcast. They started building that with Kyle [Sielaff]. Now, you have a new guy coming in, and I just don’t trust that the new guy will be there for five years. Because either he’s as good as you say and he’s going to go somewhere else, or you’re going to decide to replace him with the next hot shot radio voice.”
Mike Ryan Ruiz doesn’t believe anyone will stand up for building tradition with the Miami Marlins: “Does anyone care about tradition there? Where is the voice inside the franchise that says, “Guys, we continue to put this fan base through a lot. The one thing that is plaguing them with us is consistency. We’re gonna shake things up yet again?”
What Remains Unclear: The Marlins haven’t named Sielaff’s replacement yet. However, radio voice Jack McMullen is the reported front-runner after impressing the team on TV in August. Similarly, the club still needs a second TV analyst and, likely, a new radio voice. Ruiz, for his part, doubts any newcomer will stick around.
What It Means: Consequently, Ruiz sees the booth turnover as a symptom of bigger problems. After all, the team has now moved on from Rich Waltz, Paul Severino and Sielaff since 2017. Ultimately, the Marlins are asking a frustrated fan base to start over once again.
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