Haslem embraces Jeter ... as long as Stanton gets to stay
MIAMI — Miami Heat captain Udonis Haslem has seen one South Florida icon move on. He doesn’t want Giancarlo Stanton to follow that Dwyane Wade path. More importantly, his son doesn’t want it, either.
On the day that Derek Jeter was introduced as the new face of Miami Marlins ownership, Haslem spoke of the new culture being established 3 miles from AmericanAirlines Arena.
“Derek Jeter was saying how fond of Miami he was, I guess because he took a visit to the University of Miami,” Haslem said. “So way back then he always had a love for Miami.”
Haslem said he hopes that love includes an appreciation for what Stanton has delivered to baseball fans such as himself, with South Florida still getting over the July 2016 freeagency loss of Wade to the Chicago Bulls and, subsequently, Cleveland Cavaliers.
“I don’t know enough about the sport or the business side of things. Just hearing his name in trade rumors throughout the year was kind of surprising to me with the way he was hitting the ball,” Haslem said. “So to see him stay, I think it’s good for the organization, it’s good for the city. It’s just something to continue to build on.”
And it’s personal, well.
“Plus, it’s my son’s favorite player, my 10-year-old baseball guy,” Haslem said, “so it’s good that he sticks around.”
As for Jeter, Haslem said he values the impact of an iconic presence in a leadership role, perhaps similar to Pat Riley’s stewardship of the Heat during Haslem’s 15-year tenure.
“I think that’s amazing,” he said of Tuesday’s introductions as at Marlins Park. “Me being from South Florida, I’m a fan of all sports down here. I’ve had the opportunity to attend some Marlins games. I really get involved in what they’ve got going on. They’ve got some nice pieces.
“To have a Hall of Famer like Derek Jeter, one of the greatest guys to play the game, it’s always different when you have an owner who not only is an owner, but also been where you were as a player, and kind of understands the situation you’re in and what you’re trying to get done. So I think it’s a big move, and I’m excited about it.”