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Marlins players skip team's annual Fish 'N Chips charity event

Marlins players skip team's annual Fish 'N Chips charity event

Just when you thought things couldn't get any messier for the Miami Marlins this season and especially this week, Thursday night happened.

On the heels of a seven-game losing streak, which has now spanned two managers and all occurred at Marlins Park, the team held its annual Fish 'N Chips charity event at the ballpark on Thursday. The event has always been an opportunity for fans to mingle and play cards with Marlins players and other personnel while the organization helps raise money.

This year's was to be no different. In fact, here's the invitation which confirms the scheduled appearance of players:

Please join the Marlins Foundation for an evening of fun and stakes at the Craps, Blackjacks, Roulette, Poker and Domino tables as you rub elbows with your favorite Marlins players, coaches and alumni. Enjoy a night filled with hors d'oeuvres, open bars, dancing and entertainment, with the breathtaking view of downtown Miami.

However, when the event began and the fans who paid either $100 for a single ticket or $175 for the couples ticket arrived, only general manager turned manager Dan Jennings and members of his coaching staff were on hand. No players were to be found.

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Speaking Friday, team president David Samson expressed disappointment in the players decision. He added that while player attendance was optional, several had already committed but failed to show up. He did not name any names, but reliever Steve Cishek was quoted as saying players weren't in the mood to socialize given the team's struggles. Some have even speculated it was a unified effort in protest of Mike Redmond's abrupt firing on Sunday.

Any way you slice it, it's not a good look for the club overall.

There are certain obligations that go along with the territory. Not all of them would appear to be as fun on paper as this one, but every effort should be made to fulfill those obligations to represent the organization, the league and themselves in a professional manner.

But aside from fulfilling obligations, this could have been an opportunity for players to reach out and interact with the fanbase, and maybe even let loose a little bit. Release some of the stress that accompanies a long season and make good with disenchanted fans. Tell them it matters that they're falling short of expectations, but show them that they're capable of handling it and moving forward.

Clearly, none of those things happened on Thursday, and that's unfortunate. It makes one wonder just how deep the issues run in Miami, and whether there's truly any hope for an in-season turnaround on or off the field.

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!