ultimopain Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-o...ov=ap&type=lgns Orioles, Conine agree to one-year contract By DAVID GINSBURG, AP Sports Writer December 21, 2005 BALTIMORE (AP) -- Jeff Conine is headed back to Baltimore. The Orioles and Conine agreed Tuesday on a one-year, $1.7 million contract that allows him to earn another $650,000 in performance bonuses next year based on plate appearances and games. Details of Conine's agreement, which also includes a team option for 2007, were disclosed by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced yet. His decision to sign with Baltimore was first reported by The Sun on its Web site. "(Conine) is a guy we targeted all along," Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo told The Sun. "When we talked about the chemistry of the ballclub, we wanted him to be back. It looks like he's going to be in a lot bigger role, and we are comfortable with that. Right now, I see him playing some first base and left field, but he's also going to DH." The 39-year-old Conine played with the Orioles from 1999-03. He hit .304 with three homers and 33 RBIs in 131 games with the Florida Marlins last season, including .327 in 65 games after the All-Star break. The 1995 All-Star game MVP brings a solid bat, the ability to play several positions and, most importantly, leadership in the clubhouse. During his previous stint with the Orioles, his presence on and off the field were almost as important as his impressive statistics. Conine hit .291, .284, .311 and .273 in his four years in Baltimore. His best season was 2001, when he supplemented his .311 batting average with 14 homers, 97 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 139 games. He played third base, outfield and first base that year. Conine was traded from the Orioles to Florida in August 2003, beginning his second stint with the Marlins. He is a lifetime .288 hitter, with 198 homers and 968 RBIs in 1,781 games. In 2005, the Marlins used him as a starter in left field for much of September and as a defensive replacement at first base. Conine batted .309 (88-for-285) in the 74 games he started. If he is traded, Conine's salary would increase by $250,000 annually. --------- Good luck Jeff. One of my favorite players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuickGold Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 Good luck Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 This is painful! Good luck Steve, I'll keep an eye on your stats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiambiNYY25Fan Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 I am going to try and get Conine to do a signing at my store (Batter's Box) now that he will still be local for February and March.... keep an eye out for more news. I had this in mind if he was going to sign with the Orioles because of all the loyal Marlins fans, I know they would come to a Conine appearance. He is also a spokesperson/supporter of the Joe Dimaggio's Children's Hospital so we are thinking about paying him a few hundred and maybe have like a $5 per autograph with all proceeds going to Joe D hospital. I think it can definitely happen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSwift25 Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 Well, it is only a one year deal...maybe he can come back for one last hurrah? :confused Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_eob Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 Twice a Marlin, always a Marlin! Thanks for the Memories Niner. Best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest markotsay7 Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 sh*t, for that money we couldn't have made a legit run at him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 It wasn't about the money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest markotsay7 Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 It wasn't about the money Honestly though, I would have sat him down and said, "Jeff, we know this team is crap, but we need and want you and your veteran leadership on this club. What does it take?" Cut the freaking Mermaids if need be. Play without a bench coach. I would have given him anything he wanted. Donations to charities or his restaurant or anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floridafan13 Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 I wish Jeff would have retired a Marlin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HanleyDavidson Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 i dub thee mr.oriole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Accord Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 Awww man, thanks for the memories Steve . I was looking forward to seeing him get his 200th career homer as a Marlin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultimopain Posted December 21, 2005 Author Share Posted December 21, 2005 I seriously think my attendance at Orioles games will double now. Welcome back to Charm City, Jeff! You'll go to two games now?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugg Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 At least it wasn't Atlanta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EndLine Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 Good Bye Steve! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarlinFan10 Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 Hopefully Conine will finish in style in Baltimore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollyberry Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 Good Luck Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish4Life Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 I am going to try and get Conine to do a signing at my store (Batter's Box) now that he will still be local for February and March.... keep an eye out for more news. I had this in mind if he was going to sign with the Orioles because of all the loyal Marlins fans, I know they would come to a Conine appearance. He is also a spokesperson/supporter of the Joe Dimaggio's Children's Hospital so we are thinking about paying him a few hundred and maybe have like a $5 per autograph with all proceeds going to Joe D hospital. I think it can definitely happen Whate store are you talking about? GOOD LUCK JEFF! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiambiNYY25Fan Posted December 22, 2005 Share Posted December 22, 2005 Batter's Box in Coral Springs, it's a baseball pro shop and indoor batting cages... we once had a Preston Wilson signing there a few years ago, also had Lenny Harris stop by as a customer. We also have a commercial that I see air during commercial breaks on FSN during marlins games, if anybody, I think I have the best shot at getting Conine to do a signing at the store Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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