Countdown to the wrecking ball

From AP-

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Miami will play home football games at Dolphin Stadium starting in 2008, leaving the historic but decaying Orange Bowl after seven decades.

The university's trustees decided Tuesday to make the much-debated move, which could generate $2 million or more in extra revenue annually for the Hurricanes' athletic department. City officials unsuccessfully tried to keep Miami at the Orange Bowl by promising $206 million in upgrades.

"This is a painful and sad decision," Miami president Donna Shalala said.

The Hurricanes agreed to a 25-year lease with Dolphin Stadium.

Miami first played at the Orange Bowl, about eight miles from its campus, in 1937. The Hurricanes won three national championship games on that field, had a NCAA-record 58-game home winning streak from 1985 through 1994 and have drawn more than 17 million fans there over the years.

But the stadium's facade is rusting, upgrades are needed and the building lacks many amenities that modern stadiums have — such as the luxury suites and video replay screens that helped lure Miami to the home of the Dolphins.

I don't blame the Hurricanes for wanting to leave the Orange Bowl. The stadium has been in sorry shape for years, and like all old ballparks have, it has outlived its day. A part of South Florida history will die the say the OB is demolished, but anything man builds will be torn down some day.

Now the question is- Will the city of Miami build a baseball stadium for the Florida Marlins at the Orange Bowl site? Stay tuned.

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