"Derek Jeter set the team up for failure" - Ex-Marlins president David Samson slams former CEO for 'crushing' the team in worst way
Former president of the Miami Marlins, David Samson, slammed Derek Jeter yet again for his failed tenure as part-owner and CEO of the franchise. Samson feels Jeter is responsible for the bleak state of the team because of the decisions that were made when the Hall of Fame shortstop was in charge, which ultimately cost the Marlins a huge loss of revenue.
David Samson served as the president of the Miami Marlins from 2002 to 2017, when the team was owned by his stepfather Jeffrey Loria. The current ownership, headed by Bruce Sherman, had offered Derek Jeter the role of CEO and a minority stake in the franchise. Jeter stepped down from his post and sold his shares of the team in February 2022, citing differences with the ownership group.
Since then, David Samson has publicly criticized Derek Jeter numerous times for his involvement with the Marlins. On Tuesday, Samson was a guest on the Foul Territory podcast, and he launched another scathing critique of Jeter while replying to a question on the current plight of the Marlins.
"I just thought what Jeter did was set the team up for failure," Samson said. "And that's what happened. If you look at the way Jeter ran the team, he absolutely crushed them. And Jeter criticized what we did. But he was way worse than I ever was.
"All of his player moves, all of the ways that he ran the team as though he knew what he was doing—you're now seeing the fact that they have to again start over," Samson added. "And all of the revenue Derek promised never happened, so they lose a ton of money."
Since leaving the Marlins, Derek Jeter has taken up a media role with Fox Sports during their coverage of the postseason. Earlier this year, David Samson had even ranted at the ex-Yankees shortstop for his television appearances alongside former teammate Alex Rodriguez.
Marlins ownership wants to be the Rays: David Samson
David Samson also stated the present Miami Marlins owners want the franchise to follow the business model of the Tampa Bay Rays, who are widely respected for their efficiency on and off the field despite being a small-market team. Therefore, the Marlins named Peter Bendix, who had served the Rays for 12 years in various roles, as their new president of baseball operations last November.
"They hired Peter [Bendix] because the new owner does not want to be Jeter-ized, he wants to be Tampa-ized, and he wants to be the Rays," Samson said. "The problem is you need great leadership and great discipline, and the Marlins just don't have any of that."
The Marlins lost 100 games this year to finish at the bottom of the highly competitive National League East despite reaching the playoffs just a year ago.