There's a lot about the Marlins that is limited. The payroll, obviously; the chances of making the playoffs, usually; and the bullpen, sadly -- not to mention the invisible force field we imagine keeps Renyel Pinto within 100 feet of an Affliction store (and away from courthouses) at all times.
Even the promise of that rickety bullpen, however, isn't as limited as the run of Marlins-themed Vans shoes that drop Friday exclusively at Shoe Gallery downtown. The company's high-end Vault by Vans label has produced just twelve pairs of Marlins Chukkas, which come numbered in a custom box along with an authentic team jersey -- and a suggested retail of $300.
If that price sounds shocking, it's time to up your shoe game and grab a pillow. Shoe Gallery owner Danny Waserstein says eager inquiries about the Fish kicks have been pouring in for weeks, from a mix of die-hard Marlins fans and sneaker fiends.
"People won't be camping out outside the store as long as they did for the release of the Jordan 23s or when Kanye West released his shoes," said Waserstein, whose shop is set for an onslaught, "but there'll probably be a couple people spending Thursday night outside. They'll absolutely sell out Friday morning."
As part of its Vault x MLB project, Vans has already released limted editions for certain teams in other other major markets like the Red Sox, Orioles, Phillies, Cubs, Angels, Dodgers, White Sox, and Nationals, whose browbeaten fans hilariously wondered why they would even be awarded such a thing. Each release is a different design, picked out by the local store -- so we can thank the venerable Shoe Gallery for not choosing these (oh, Mets).
Vans exec Chris Overholser told us that the Boston release sold out in 30 minutes (a few of which are now on eBay for $1,450) and that there's also one obsessed sneaker lover who's out to get one of each release to collect an entire Vault x MLB set -- probably, Overholser guesses, by paying someone he knows from sneaker conventions (!) to stand in line in each city.
We could only dream Jeffrey Loria was as obsessed with hoarding talent.
Sports
Janie Campbell is a Florida native who believes in the pro-set and ballpark hot dogs. Her work has appeared in irreverent sports sites around the internet.
