October 2, 200521 yr Jack McKeon accepts position as advisor to Jeffrey Loria MIAMI -- The Florida Marlins today announced that Jack McKeon has informed the club he will not return as the team's manager in 2006. He has accepted a position as Special Advisor to Jeffrey Loria, the team's owner and CEO. "I want to thank Jack for all that he has done for this organization. He was instrumental in bringing a World Championship back to South Florida in 2003, and his tenure as our manager was very successful. Jack still has a lot to offer, and his years of experience as a front-office executive will be a nice compliment to our baseball operations staff. I look forward to working with him in his new role," said Loria. "I have decided that it is time for me to step down as manager of the Florida Marlins," said McKeon. "I owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to Jeffrey Loria, David Samson and Admin Beinfest for giving me the opportunity to fulfill my dream of winning a World Series. I look forward to my new role and doing what I can to help this organization return to where it deserves to be." McKeon, 74, managed the Marlins to a record of 241-207 (.538) during his three seasons at the helm, including winning the 2003 World Series Championship. This season, he became the all-time winningest manager in club history, surpassing Rene Lachemann's mark of 221 wins from 1993-96. During his tenure in Florida, he led the Marlins to three of the four winning seasons in franchise history. He was named the seventh manager in Marlins history on May 11, 2003, and led the team to a 75-49 record (.605 winning percentage) en route to a Wild Card berth and eventual World Series Championship. In his first postseason appearance as a manager, McKeon guided the club to an 11-6 mark, defeating the Giants 3-games-to-1 in the Division Series, the Cubs 4-games-to-3 in the NLCS and the Yankees 4-games-to-2 in the World Series. For his efforts, he was named the BBWAA National League Manager of the Year in 2003, becoming the first manager to win the award after being hired during the season. He was just the second manager in Major League history to win a championship after being hired during the season, joining Bob Lemon who accomplished the feat with the New York Yankees in 1978. At the age of 72 years and 329 days in 2003, McKeon became the oldest manager to win the World Series. When hired at the age of 72, he became the third-oldest manager in Major League history, behind Connie Mack (88) and Casey Stengel (75). McKeon became the first Marlins skipper to manage the NL All-Star team when he did so on July 13, 2004, in Houston. McKeon finished this season with a career managerial record of 1,011-940 (.518), and ranked seventh among active managers in wins. He won his 1,000th game as a Major League manager on Sept. 3 against the New York Mets, becoming just the 52nd Major League skipper to reach that plateau. His managerial wins came with Florida (241), Cincinnati (291), San Diego (193), Oakland (71) and Kansas City (215). He was twice named the BBWAA NL Manager of the Year, with Florida (2003) and Cincinnati (1999), and was named The Sporting News' "2003 Sportsman of the Year," an honor he shared with Kansas City Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil. McKeon's career has included 15 seasons as a Major League manager with Florida (2003-05), Cincinnati (1997- 2000), San Diego (1988-90), Oakland (1977-78) and Kansas City (1973-75). He also managed 17 years at the minor league level, accumulating a record of 1,146-1,123 (.505 winning percentage), and spent more than 20 years in baseball front offices. He served the Reds as Senior Advisor for Player Personnel from 1993-97, after 11 seasons as the Padres' VP of Baseball Operations from 1980-90. McKeon spent time as Oakland's Assistant General Manager, and as a scout for Minnesota from 1965-67. He began his career in baseball as a catcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in 1949 and went on to play 10 seasons in the minors, interrupted by military service in 1951. McKeon attended The College of the Holy Cross and Seton Hall University, before graduating from Elon College with a bachelor's degree in physical education. McKeon and his wife, Carol Isley, have four children and nine grandchildren. http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...t=.jsp&c_id=fla Sorry if already posted.
October 2, 200521 yr Thank you Jack! You will always have a special place in my heart and I will always remember what you did for this franchise.
October 2, 200521 yr Jack, Thanks for all the memories and for an incredible 2003 run to the World Series Championship. We are endeared to you forever.
October 2, 200521 yr You won a World Series with us, you got your 1,000th career win as a manager with us, and you're an icon here in South Florida. I'm really glad we won this game tonight in the style we did. Thanks for the memories Jack, you'll be missed.
October 2, 200521 yr It was pretty obvious during the postgame show he was leaving. He did say, "I'm going to miss them.........there's your answer" or something similar. Thanks for the good times Jack.
October 2, 200521 yr Best Manager Ever? Did someone actually post that? Hmmm. I wish Jack well and in '03 his whip and gut feelings worked out well for us. Anyhoe that saw Jack manage in the Reds, Padres or even before that knows he is a pretty poor manager. He has never been able to manage a bullpen and has always run into problems with communication in the clubhouse. Jack has always worn out his welcome much like Billy Martin, Mike Keenan, etc, etc. When Jack's gut feeligs work out he looks like a genius but that's no way to manage a team long term because usually thise moves just end up looking ridiculous. Thanks for the memories, sure. Great manager? Come on now. P.S. Did Jack say in the post game show that he wises these young players were here earlier in the season? Dillon was. Willingham was. Aguila was. Hermida he said would platoon with Conine but that ended after one bad game. Good luck Jack but I am not sorry to see you go. We need to move forward now
October 2, 200521 yr Jack has been my favorite Marlins manager as well. I'll miss him as manager but at least he's sticking with us, somehow. Thanks Jack!! You are, and always will be, the best!
October 2, 200521 yr Best Manager Ever? Did someone actually post that? Hmmm. I wish Jack well and in '03 his whip and gut feelings worked out well for us. Anyhoe that saw Jack manage in the Reds, Padres or even before that knows he is a pretty poor manager. He has never been able to manage a bullpen and has always run into problems with communication in the clubhouse. Jack has always worn out his welcome much like Billy Martin, Mike Keenan, etc, etc. When Jack's gut feeligs work out he looks like a genius but that's no way to manage a team long term because usually thise moves just end up looking ridiculous. Thanks for the memories, sure. Great manager? Come on now. P.S. Did Jack say in the post game show that he wises these young players were here earlier in the season? Dillon was. Willingham was. Aguila was. Hermida he said would platoon with Conine but that ended after one bad game. Good luck Jack but I am not sorry to see you go. We need to move forward now you can't keep the hate out of a farewell thread for Jack? Jack's record disaprove your point that he isn't a great manager.
October 2, 200521 yr What exactly does a "Special Advisor to Jeffrey Loria" do? I guess is a consulting role. He may evaluate trades, Free Agents, potential Manager candidates, etc.
October 2, 200521 yr Hmmmmmmm, looks like Jack may not be retiring after all. He said he'll entertain offers from other teams: The third-oldest manager in major-league history, McKeon will remain with the Marlins as an adviser -- and he's open to offers from other teams. "Sometimes you need to step back and maybe take a breather for six or seven months and get recharged," he said. "I haven't given up the thought of managing again."
October 2, 200521 yr Hmmmmmmm, looks like Jack may not be retiring after all. He said he'll entertain offers from other teams: The third-oldest manager in major-league history, McKeon will remain with the Marlins as an adviser -- and he's open to offers from other teams. "Sometimes you need to step back and maybe take a breather for six or seven months and get recharged," he said. "I haven't given up the thought of managing again." I can see him stepping in mid-season, for another underachieving team
October 2, 200521 yr Hmmmmmmm, looks like Jack may not be retiring after all. He said he'll entertain offers from other teams: The third-oldest manager in major-league history, McKeon will remain with the Marlins as an adviser -- and he's open to offers from other teams. "Sometimes you need to step back and maybe take a breather for six or seven months and get recharged," he said. "I haven't given up the thought of managing again." I can see him stepping in mid-season, for another underachieving team The 2006 Florida Marlins? :mischief2
October 2, 200521 yr Hmmmmmmm, looks like Jack may not be retiring after all. He said he'll entertain offers from other teams: The third-oldest manager in major-league history, McKeon will remain with the Marlins as an adviser -- and he's open to offers from other teams. "Sometimes you need to step back and maybe take a breather for six or seven months and get recharged," he said. "I haven't given up the thought of managing again." I can see him stepping in mid-season, for another underachieving team The 2006 Florida Marlins? :mischief2 I wouldn't mind, if JAck's replacement sucks and we are underachieving :mischief2
October 3, 200521 yr I will miss you Jack! Thank you for all the great memories. You are the greatest manager in Marlins history, and I don't think the job as Marlins manager can ever be filled with someone of your aura again. I am going to miss the Steve Conine and Paul Delucas. And 2003 season will always be what we remember you for! Your hard-nosed managing style will always be remembered.
October 3, 200521 yr I heard it on the telecast, and Hotcorner pointed it out in the game thread, but did anyone else see McKeon's comments to Minervini about the kids as a final shot to Beinfest (he does, after all, handle promotions/demotions) "I wish I had some of these kids sooner." Interesting quote to say the least, especially considering how we all clamoured for Hermida's promotion when we lost Delgado and McKeon was forced to start Aguila for several days... I don't think I'd characterize his statement quite that way TSwift (although it's possible...). Because Jack wasn't exactly known for playing the young guys brought up on the bench, even when they were here... Now he didn't have a choice with Hermida because he didn't come up 'til late. But he never played Willy during his short stint up here, didn't play Dillon, Aguila, etc. I don't think it was a shot at Beinfest, although he may have been a little miffed they didn't call up Jeremy sooner, who knows.
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