Marlins Park no longer has fish tanks behind home plate

Perhaps the last remaining tie that the Miami Marlins have to the Jeffrey Loria era has vanished.

The millionaire art dealer and then-team owner incorporated some of his unusual design ideas into the construction of Marlins Park, which opened in 2012. Among them, the widely panned "home run sculpture" in left-center field and a pair of fish tanks behind home plate. 

After Loria sold the team to a group fronted by Bruce Sherman and CEO Derek Jeter, the Marlins have changed the team's colors and uniforms, done away with the sculpture and now, have removed the fish tanks. 

A photo tweeted Thursday by local TV reporter Mike Cugno provided proof.

No more fish tanks at Marlins Park anymore ???? pic.twitter.com/BKgGqYgYPH

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The fish tanks were on either side of home plate, near the on-deck circles. One tank held more than 600 gallons of water, the other held more than 450, and they were protected by glass that was supposedly bulletproof.

From the time Marlins Park opened in 2012 through last season, live fish swam in a tank located behind home plate. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images)

But as it turned out, not exactly baseball-proof. 

Perhaps the most famous moment in fish tank lore came during the 2017 season, when then-Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto fouled off a pitch that cracked the protective glass in front of the tank. 

Fortunately, the grounds crew was able to repair the damage quickly with — what else? — a little duct tape, and the game was able to continue. 

This season, however, that won't be a problem. While the Marlins remain, the other fish will have a new home.

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