Inside loanDepot Park

Miami is renowned for its beaches, vibrant nightlife, fashion, and bold colors. For the first eight seasons at Marlins Park (now loanDepot Park), that distinctive Miami energy very much accompanied the baseball being played on the field.

Opening in 2012, Marlins Park offered a truly unique stadium experience. Most notably, it featured two actual fish tanks built into the backstop. Yes, really! Former Big Leaguer Gaby Sanchez was among the players brought in during the pre-opening offseason to test the tanks’ durability by throwing baseballs at the plexiglass in front of the media. Even as a Miami native, Gaby found the concept wonderfully strange.

Then there was the home run sculpture—a $2.5 million, 75-foot-tall artistic marvel that dominated the outfield. At times, you might have secretly hoped for a Marlins player to hit a home run (preferably with your team safely ahead) just to witness this spectacular creation in action. The display featured mechanical marlins floating up and around, whimsical elements swaying from side to side, water jets spraying, and a dazzling light show. The 27-second performance might have been the most fascinating moment of in-game entertainment in baseball history. Alas, the sculpture is no longer inside the park.

The retractable roof, perhaps the most essential in all of baseball given Miami's weather, resembles a spaceship when viewed from I-95 as you approach the stadium.

The park once featured a section called "Comunidad305" where fans could bring any instruments they wanted to help them cheer on their team. Fans in this section would play coordinated songs with drums, bongos, maracas, cowbells, horns—you name it! The atmosphere was electric, creating the feeling that you'd wandered from a baseball game onto South Beach.

The Miami Baseball Challenge

Let's acknowledge some realities: Miami presents unique challenges for sports franchises. The city has a large transplant population and offers countless other entertainment options competing for residents' attention and dollars.

The Marlins historically haven't drawn large crowds. I've never seen the second deck opened for any game I've worked there. They consistently rank near the bottom of league attendance, particularly in the National League.

This doesn't mean the people creating your loanDepot Park experience lack passion. Quite the contrary! I personally know the director of in-game entertainment, Conrad Bradburn, and he's one of the most creative, passionate, and enthusiastic baseball professionals I've encountered. Give him a competitive team, and he'll make you fall in love with the baseball experience in Miami. 

The Fan Experience

The Marlins have fielded some impressive teams over the past decade, only to find themselves rebuilding again for various reasons. When a team shows flashes of excellence only to suddenly lose momentum, the ballpark experience can sometimes suffer. Attendance dwindles, and a portion of those present are often there to support the visiting team.

Nevertheless, loanDepot Park offers numerous strengths. The food and beverage options are incredibly creative, reflecting Latin American and South Florida culinary traditions. The fans who do attend are vibrant and energetic, dancing through the concourses while bands play throughout the venue. Everyone present is clearly having a fantastic time.

Currently, there's little entertainment surrounding the ballpark within walking distance, but that's scheduled to change with the addition of "Miami Live!" before the 2026 season. If it's anything like "Texas Live!" or similar ballpark entertainment districts, visitors can look forward to an incredible experience.

SCENIC -- Before the 2018 season -- When Marlins Park opened in 2012, it featured bright, vibrantly colored tiles and the iconic "home run sculpture" in left-center field. The interior color scheme is now a consistent shade of blue, a change implemented under CEO Derek Jeter, who led the franchise from August 2017 until February 2022.

After the 2018 season

Then - The Home Run Sculpture -- Originally positioned beyond the outfield fence in left-centerfield, the 75-foot Marlins' home run sculpture was relocated outside the ballpark before the 2019 season. Whenever a Marlins player homered, the sculpture would come to life for 27 seconds, featuring animatronic marlins, water jets, and flashing lights.

Now

The Bobblehead Museum -- Housing up to 600 bobbleheads, the Marlins' "Bobblehead Museum" is located along the concourse at loanDepot Park. This two-sided display case continuously vibrates and features a diverse collection that would impress even the most dedicated bobblehead enthusiast.

RIP, The Clevelander -- Complete with a pool, dancers, music, and authentic Miami energy, the popular Clevelander was positioned next to the visiting bullpen for the first eight seasons at Marlins Park.

The Fish Tank -- Perhaps the most unique ballpark design element in MLB history, the Marlins featured two saltwater fish tanks as the backstop. Protected by shatterproof glass, these tanks collectively held over 1,000 gallons of water. Former Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto once cracked a layer of glass with a foul ball in 2017, but the fish remained unharmed, and the game continued without major disruption.

José Fernández, Remembered -- Known for his charisma and bright smile off the field, José Fernández was dominant on the mound, winning the 2013 NL Rookie of the Year award and making All-Star teams in 2013 and 2016. Fernández passed away in a boating accident in Miami on September 25, 2016, at just 24 years of age. His story of defection from Cuba, which included three arrests before age 15, resonated deeply with many South Florida baseball fans.

Billy the Marlin -- Present since the first game in Marlins history in 1993, Billy the Marlin and his distinctive 22-inch bill have entertained fans throughout the franchise's existence.

Ichiro Honored for Hit Number 3,000 -- Days after recording his 3,000th career hit (a triple in Denver, Colorado), Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki was presented with a framed collage featuring photos of each of his 3,000 hits by former team president David Samson and former president of baseball operations Michael Hill. Ichiro finished his career with 3,089 hits in Major League Baseball, ranking 25th all-time.

Ichiro Bats -- Ichiro Suzuki, with his unmistakable batting stance, approaches the plate during an April 30, 2017 game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ichiro spent his final three full seasons with the Marlins, wearing his signature #51.

The Visitor's Dugout & The Bat and Helmet Rack -- Prior to the 2019 season, the dugouts featured bright orange walls complemented by distinctive blue bat-and-helmet racks.

Please Wait/Por Favor Espere -- Signs held by ushers at each section, asking fans to wait until the current at-bat concludes before proceeding to their seats.

John Bormann's MLB Career -- One of only 154 players in MLB history with a single career plate appearance, John Bormann's moment came on April 30, 2017—coincidentally the same day Ichiro Suzuki was honored for his 3,000th career hit before the game. Bormann had traveled across Florida that morning after being called up from the Low-A Bradenton Marauders.