Good article, but it doesn't tell us anything that we don't already know...

 

Loria credits McKeon for team's resurgence

 

By Greg A. Bedard, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Sunday, August 3, 2003

 

Looking relaxed and content behind a pair of sunglasses in the Marlins' dugout, Florida owner Jeffrey Loria said all is well in Marlins-land right now but said, "Next year will be next year and we'll deal with that then," during a wide-ranging, impromptu interview session with reporters before Saturday night's game.

 

"It's fun coming to the ballpark knowing you're in the middle of it," Loria said. "And I credit Jack (McKeon) and the players and our baseball people for putting it together. It's a big puzzle always."

 

Loria talked at length about bringing in McKeon to replace Jeff Torborg.

 

"We knew people were going to be a little reluctant because Jeff is such a fine man," Loria said. "But we needed someone else to run the club.

 

"I don't think many of the players knew who (McKeon) was. They must have thought we were out in left field thinking about this change but you have to go with your convictions. We had heard a lot of good things from him and (General Manager) Admin (Beinfest) had as well. Admin and I concluded this is what we wanted to do."

 

Since McKeon, 72, took over the team on May 11, the Marlins have gone 44-28 to go from afterthoughts to wild-card contenders.

 

"I always get the feeling that he's in full control at all times," Loria said. "I mean, the move he made the other night when he sent (Dontrelle) Willis out in the top of the eighth (of Wednesday's 3-1 win over Arizona) and then he walked out and removed him and took him out. Many of the fans didn't understand that; I knew what he was doing. He wanted them to commit to a pinch-hitter. He thought about it even before he sent (Willis) up to bat. He was one step down the road.

 

"I couldn't care if Jack was 78 or 85, as long as he presents himself the way he does: his intensity, his knowledge, his energy."

 

McKeon's contract expires at the end of this season, which gives him something in common with many of his players. Loria deflected talk about the looming roster problems -- and the stadium issues.

 

"I don't want to go there," he said. "I don't want to think about that now because I don't want to get off the target. Right now our target is the playoffs.

 

"Our focus is the long term goals of the franchise, the potential of securing a stadium. We'll figure all that sometime down the road. Right now I'm trying to enjoy what I'm doing because I don't like to focus on something else, then I know we're going to get distracted."

nice