I'm doing a little project here. I want to send Jack a letter with thank you notes and any other messages you may have to show him we appreciate what he did for this franchise, and to show we will miss him. It's important that he knows how many lives he touched in his time with the Marlins.

 

Please only reply if you are going to contribute to this to aid me in compiling the letter at the end. You can write as little or as much as you want. Include your name or initials or anything if you'd like me to include that, and don't if you don't want me to. It's ok not to.

 

So please reply when ready, anyone and just say a few words. Say what you want Jack to know you are thinking.

 

Thank you everyone

I would just like to say thank you for all you have done for the the dedicated fans of the Florida Marlins over the last three years. It's hard to believe we have been through two full seasons since the World Series win in 2003 because to me it's still fresh in my mind. Hopefully the knowledge you have passed on to the younger players will stick with them and the Marlins will continue winning and give us hope for another title.

 

Thank you for making it fun to be a fan.

 

 

Good luck with your new position.

 

 

Chefbob

Thank you Jack for helping the Marlins have three winning seasons. You will be greatly missed, and I'm glad that you were able to achieve your dream of going to and winning a World Series.

 

Good luck with everything!

 

~Angie~

Jack, what you've meant to this franchise is tough to describe in a few words, but I'll do my best to be brief.

 

Before you came, this franchise was irrelevant to everyone except the die hards. You showed the players what it took to be winners, and because of you an 83-79 season is now considered a disappointment, whereas before you it seemed a winning season, let alone a World Series, was only a pipe dream.

 

What you have brought to this franchise in your 3 years as manager won't be forgotten anytime soon by those who had to live through the dark ages of the franchise. Your press conferences, quirky nicknames, and sense of humor off the field will also be missed - it was nice to see someone with a personality managing the Marlins.

 

Take care and good luck in your new role in the organization - I'm sure you'll excel at it. If you ever get back into managing, I'll be rooting for you.

Jack,

 

You gave South Florida three memorable seasons, not only on the field, but in the community. You have been an inspiration to many and your legacy will not be forgotten. Thank you for the World Series, and thank you for your time with the Marlins. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours, and I hope you continue to stay with the organzation in a capacity that befits your professionalism and importance.

 

-Lefty

Jack,

 

The past 3 years have been unforgettable for Marlins fans. The 2003 postseason was unreal: I still can't believe how the Marlins fearlessly went into SF, Wrigley and the Bronx, came back against the Giants, won those last 2 against Prior and Wood, made the Yankees' lineup look like rookies, outpitched their nothing-but-aces rotation, and flat-out killed everybody with speed, bunting and clutch play. But what's been great as well is that, for the past 3 years, Marlins fans have been able to go into any game feeling like we can win. For the first time in our history, we were a real team. You've changed what baseball season means for Marlins fans and this will be felt long after you retire. Thanks for all the great times you've brought us.

 

Ronnie

Jack, thanks for three great seasons. I'll miss you.

 

-Rachel

When you first came here over 2 years ago, I had no idea what to expect. You came in here and completely turned around not only a team, but an entire franchise. While it was your players that actually went out there every game and left it all on the field, you were the inspiration that got this team back on track and ultimately brought long lost fans back to the stadium.

 

While no amount of thank you's will ever be enough, I would just like to tell you how much we've appreciated having you hear and being a part of baseball in South Florida for three years. There were many of us that didn't always agree with your decisions (I'll admit that I almost went nuts when you announced Beckett would pitch Game 6 on three days rest), you knew what was best for this team and whether right or wong always stuck behind your guns.

 

Thank You for everything that you have done for our Florida Marlins and we wish you nothing but the best in your future baseball endeavors. We'll all missing the cigar smoking, the forgotten names (thank you for Steve Conine btw) and your all around great interviews. You will be missed by all of us true Marlins fans and I Thank You for helping to bring baseball back to South Florida.

 

FishFan24

Jack...Thanks for the memories...the 2003 World Series...3 consecutive winning seasons...I hope the best for you...

 

You'lll never be forgotten

Jack, thanks for the wonderful 2003 season and the championship we couldnt have done it without you and thanks for the 2 winning seasons

 

-Ryan

:crying

 

Jack, you have done so much for this franchise and the sport, you were more than just a manager, you became an icon in Florida. I was at your last game sitting right behind the Marlins dugout and when I saw you walk off the field and tip your hat to all of the fans, I just knew what your decision was without ever having to hear it, I admit that I had the waterworks going and several other Marlins fans did as well, it was pretty emotional.

 

Congratulations on 1,000 career wins, your 2 National League Manager of the Year awards, and our world series victory. You've done it all as a manager, you've made history and a hundred years from now people will still be talking about how you came in and turned this franchise around and led us to that magical world series victory in Yankee Stadium in 2003.

 

Thanks for the Memories, Jack.

 

-John G.

Marlins season ticket holder

jack..... man im gonna miss you. not much really to say, just keep it simple.....3 winning seasons and a title, you will always be a marlin legend...... ya just so simple and easy going.....man im defnetley going 2 miss you jack.......... U R DA MAN!!!!!!!!! '03-05'

 

 

jay............

Trader Jack,

 

On May 11, 2003 you stepped into the Marlins clubhouse and took ahold of a flailing franchise. You captivated "Baseball" America as you brought us to our second world series title with your faith, belief, and bold moves, and to know that it isn't always by the book, but with your gut too. You've established a winning tradition to what was once a laughable franchise. You will be greatly missed. go marlins!

 

Matt Nathanson

Jack,

 

You rescued this franchise from the fringes of irrelevancy to turn them into one of the premier mid-market franchises in all of baseball. Your presence was a much needed breath of fresh air for a stale franchise, and the run you fathered is simply the stuff of legends among Marlins fans. The '03 season was magical and unforgettable, the beginning of the renaissance of baseball in South Florida.

 

You have set the standard high for the Florida Marlins organization, simply getting by will no longer be acceptable; you have left a tradition of winning that will be the bench-mark of comparison for all your successors. It was a tumultuous roller-coaster ride over these past three years, and as a fan, I wouldn't trade it for anything. You turned a group of under achievers into champions, and you brought something to the franchise that it never had had before in consecutive seasons: expectations.

 

I wished more than anything that your tenure would end on a high note, and while it may not have ended in champagne soaked glory, your final game as a Marlins manager exemplified the magic that you brought to the franchise. I am glad that you left on your terms, and I hope that your semi-retirement affords you the chance to enjoy life in the ways that only time with your family can provide.

 

A very proud Florida Marlins season ticket holder,

 

Trent Swift.

As one of the few who stuck w/ Jack all season long I want to say thanks to Jack. You know what, he left the club in better shape than he found it and thats all we can ask of a manager. He got us a WS and 3 winning seasons which is more than anyone in the Marlins organization has ever done. Yeah, the preseason expectations got to him a little and maybe he did put too much pressure on his squad. But squads who have strong veteran leadership in their locker room use that as motivation and maybe jack didn't have that.

 

Oh well, enough reflecting. Thanks Jack. and i'm glad you're still a marlin.

Jack,

 

I can truly say that you have been the best manager the Marlins have ever had. You have been like a grandfather to all of us Marlins fans. It's sad to see you go. Thank you so very much for everything you have done for our team.

 

Thanks and God Bless,

Miri F.

Jack,

 

Thank you so much for three great winning seasons, World Championship and all the wonderful Marlins memories. You will be truely missed. Thanks for everything. Go Marlins!

 

~Holly

(Season Ticket Holder)

Thanks Jack!

 

I really enjoyed watching you and your team. Best of luck to you.

Trader Jack,

 

I just wanna say thank you for all that you have done for this franchise. Three winning seasons and world series championship. I still remember that day that i read in the newspaper that you have become our next head coach and i was thrilled because i knew that something good was going to happen and it did. Thank you for all the memories and you will always be considered a part of the florida marlins family. Best of luck to you Jack.

 

You will always be remembered...

 

-Steve R.

Jack,

 

Hard to say something that hasn't already been said. After the demolition of the '97 team, I thought it would be decades before the Marlins saw the holy grail again. And in 2003, it didn't seem any different. But when you took over, you lit a fire into those guys, and they played some of the hardest, scrappiest baseball I've ever seen, with some incredible finishes. I want to thank you for taking that bunch and helping to guide them to a World Series. Beckett picking up that ball and tagging the runner for the final out is something I'll never forget it. You've been a saint for this team. Thanks, and God Bless.

 

Greg Parks

Jack --

 

You came to us on a days notice and brought with you your wit, your cigars, and most importantly the right moves to bring a team of underdogs to the playoffs. Then you took that team past the Giants, Cubs, and Yankees all the way to the WS trophy. That cemented you in baseball history and into the memories of all fans down here in South Florida. Nobody will ever forget about your teams and what you did for the Marlins.

Miami will always regard you as their honorary grandpa. Thanks for everything!

 

JR

Jack,

You have given Marlins fans hope again. You're colorful quotes and stories will be missed. You are the only manager in the short history of the Marlins to lead the team to consecutive winning seasons. And most of all, thank you, for 2003. 2003 was the greatest season in Marlins history. Every single one of us will always remember you for that. For that grand celebration after beating the Mets to clinch the Wild Card. For that amazing splendor of Jeff Conine making the greatest throw of his career to home plate to a Pudge Rodriguez waiting for the inevitable collision and holding on for a Marlins series win. For the most improbable comeback in the NLCS. For the most shocking, awe inspiring, series win over the mighty Yankees. The sound of silence in Wrigley Field and Yankee Stadium was one of the greatest of all sounds. To hear the Marlins celebrating on the two, most historic parks of all baseball. I thank you. You were truly, the one and only, ever lovable, Jack McKeon, the greatest Marlins manager to grace this team. Thank you.

 

 

---Mike

Jack,

 

Thankyou for three awesome WINNING seasons. No other Florida Marlins manager can say that. The World Series team that YOU led won't be forgotten. 2003 was unbelievable especially after what we as fans had gone through since 1997. You did what many of us thought to be impossible. I know I will miss your comical quotes and misnaming of so many people. Congrats on your 1,000 wins and manager of the year in 2003. So enjoy your new role with the Marlins, and enjoy your retirement.

 

A fellow Elonian and Marlin Fan

 

Dan

Jack,

 

Even after a tough season like this past one, it's been quite a treat to watch the Marlins under your management. The fact that winning records the past two years have been considered disappointing shows how much you were able to raise the expectations of everyone who follows this team. I'll never forget the amazing run in 2003 and the many thrilling victories in the years that followed, as well as the hilarious quotes. (Conine is now Steve to all of us.) Good luck in the future and thank you for the memories.

 

Matt

Jack I hope you know how many smiles you brought to Marlins fans over the past few years. The 2003 championship was one of those truly great sports memories, and we'll always cherish it. All things come to an end, but thanks for bringing a winning atmosphere here, and know that you'll always have friends and fans in South Florida.

 

-Chris