Mr. Marlin is retiring as of today. He did a lot for this franchise and I hope he returns in some capacity in the future. I wanted to take this chance to let all of you say something to Jeff. Please post your letters to Jeff here. I'm going to be collecting them all and will be mailing him everything you have to say. Whatever you've wanted to say to Jeff Conine, here is your chance. Feel free to write as little or as much as you want. If you do not include your name, I'll just put your screen name as the writer of the letter. It's time we show Mr. Marlin how much we appreciate him.

 

Please reply with your letter, and nothing else in order to simplify collection of the letters. Thank you.

Thanks for the memories Niner! There have been a number of great players pass through the Marlins organization over the past 15 years, but none have made the same impact on this franchise and this community like you have. I look forward to the day you become the first Marlin to have his number retired. Congrats on a great playing career!

Thank you for 1997 and 2003, you truly are Mr. Marlin and we're all gonna miss you. You're one of the classiest players in the majors and a total professional.

 

 

P.S. You ended your career the right way....with a marlins victory!

 

 

Fernando.

Dear Jeff,

 

 

I make no bones about it, but you have been and probably will forever be my all time favorite Marlin. I remember playing baseball when I was younger and always imagining playing as yourself out in left field. As today marks your last day as a player in the Major League, I can sit back and say that I was privileged to follow you from that day in April when you went 4-4 against the Dodgers to the All-Star game winning home run in Texas, to the throw you made to Pudge Rodriguez to end the NLDS in 2003 to your final at bat today. I've admired your hard work and dedication and I want to thank you for the thousands of memories you have created for us Marlins fans over the years. You were the first and best Mr. Marlin that this team could have ever hoped for.

 

#19 Forever!

 

Thank you for the memories and wishing you the very best of luck in everything you do,

Richard

Dear Niner,

 

Thank you so much for all the wonderful memories. I will never forget that throw you made to Pudge in the NLDS. Thank you for everything and good luck.

 

Holly

Dear Niner,

When I moved to Miami when I was 6, I was playing ball in the street with some older kids. One kid goes “I’m Gary Sheffield, you can be Jeff Conine�… that’s when you became my favorite player. Ever since then, you’ve had a special place in my heart. I still remember you with that pinch homer in the 96 All-Star Game. I remember you being the heart and soul of the 97 team. And I remember being heartbroken when you were traded away. And I remember being ecstatic when I heard that you were coming back. I remember you throwing out JT Snow at the plate, catching the last out of the NLCS, and you running out onto the field after the last out of the 2003 World Series.

 

In the history of the Marlins, there have been guys with more skill than you, but never any with more heart and classiness. You were the most important player in the history of the team and will always be Mr. Marlin. My little kids #19 jersey will always hang on my wall. Thanks for all the memories.

--Rab Bethan

Congratulations on a fantastic career.

 

There will never be another "Mr.Marlin".

 

Enjoy your retirement with your friends and family.

 

Regards,

 

Pete

Dear Jeff-

 

Thanks for contributing to so many great moments in South Florida sports history over the past 15 years or so. I know all Marlins fans will always appreciate what you did for this team over the years, and we hope you will stay in South Florida for years to come.

 

I certainly would like to see you have your number retired by the franchise.

 

Thanks for everything,

Rob

Dear Jeff,

 

On Opening Day in 1993, you turned my little not even four-year old self into a life long baseball fan. When you helped to open Danny Berry's Baseball League at the JCC, I became a baseball player. In 1997 you brought a World Series to Florida for the first time. In 2003, I watched with glee as you stonewalled the Phillies time and time again in September en route to the Wild Card. In October, I watched with utter amazement at how you were seemingly a part of every big play. The greatest joy of all was watching the Marlins celebrate on the field in Yankee Stadium, shocking the world with you right there along for the ride and making the magic happen. You will always be Mr. Marlin to all of us and a good guy to everyone who has met you. Your career has made the Marlins relevant time and time again and I only hope the best for you in your retirement. No amount of words can ever thank you for what you've done for this franchise and this city.

 

I will miss seeing you on the field and wish you all the best in your future endeavors,

 

Thanks for everything,

Mike

Dear Jeff,

 

You have been an amazing ball player to watch. Ever since I was in 5th grade (in '93), you were my favorite baseball player. Thank you for everything you have ever done for this organization, Mr. Marlin.

 

- Miri

 

PS: At least I can still enjoy some good food at your awesome restaurant.

Mr. Marlin,

 

When I became a Marlins fan in 2001 you were only a memory in the eyes of baseball fans in Miami. I never got to see you play in a Marlins uniform up to that point. 2003 came along and I still remember waking up around 9 am in the morning, turning on SportsCenter and seeing "Marlins acquire 1B Jeff Conine" scroll across the bottom of my screen. I remember walking to my kitchen in complete shock not saying anything. I can still remember where I was when you came to bat for the first time that season and the goosebumps that ran through my body as you received a standing ovation.

 

That last series against Philly was one of the most exciting three days as a Marlin fan. (You should hear the names they still call you) You confirmed everything I had heard about you in previous years that series and in the playoffs. I was sitting in the outfield upper deck as you named JT Snow at home.

 

Niner, I wish you all the best in your retirement years. Congratulations on a career anyone could only dream of. You deserve all the great things that have occurred and will occur in the coming years.

 

If I could ask for anything from you is that you stay connected with the club and the fans. You mean something very special to this community. Hopefully one day your number 19 will hang from the rafters of a new ballpark.

 

I'll be rocking your jersey tomorrow in your honor.

 

-Festa

Dear Jeff,

 

Thank you for all of your wonderful achievements both with the Florida Marlins and all the other teams you were with.

 

Enjoy your retirement and don't stay away from South Florida too long!

 

 

Yenta

Thank you for everything. You will always be the heart of Florida Baseball.

 

-A.J.

Sign a contract with Florida before retiring.

One more year Jeff! We could use you!!

Dea Jeff,

I was at the game today (Sep 30, 2007) and I was very upset. Nobody applauded your achievements in your final at bad. As a Marlins fan, I did. What you have done for South Florida rivals that of many others in all sports in your sportsmanship and gameplay. You will truely be missed. But please, come back to the Marlins for one last hurrah!

Mr. Marlin thanks for all the great memories. From opening day all the way to the 1997 Championship as the team grew you were there. I was sad to see you go shortly thereafter and couldn't believe it when you returned in 2003 for another title. Though your path parted again I still cheered for you, thanks for all you've done and I hope some day you work again the Fish.

Dear Jeff,

 

 

Even before the championships you were and will always be my favorite baseball player of all-time. You were my first baseball card that I can remember. You were my first professional athlete autograph, at about 1994 you were at an autograph signing with other marlins(Gary Sheffield, Kurt Abbott. etc) in Key West at the Casa Marina hotel. After that I was a hooked on baseball and the Marlins. When I was in little league I played Left field because of you. You are going to be sorely missed by us Marlin fans. I think it would be cool if the Marlins would offer you a "fake contract" so you can then retire right after signing it to be able to retire a Marlin. Congratulations on your great career!

 

#19 will always be TEAL and BLACK

I will also be wearing my Conine Jersey on Monday,Oct. 1st 2007 to pay tribute to Jeff Conine for all he has done for the Marlins and South Florida.

 

 

Fan Forever,

Luis

Sign a contract with Florida before retiring.

Dear Jeff,

 

Thank you for all the memories. You are one of my favorite players regardless of who you played for. Players like you are hard to come by nowadays and I will always remember the good memories. I hope to see you affiliated with the Marlins sometime soon in the near future, in one fashion or another. Take care of yourself and know that you do have many fans who will miss watching you play on a daily basis.

 

Max

Jeff, you actually made it a good thing to be a Marlins fan. I hope, when they build the new ballpark, they put a statue of you in front of the main gate.

 

Thank you, Mr. Marlin.

Congratulations on a wonderful career and on helping to put this franchise on the map. There will never be another "Mr. Marlin". The throw you made that beat the Giants in the '03 playoffs will be one of my greatest sports memories ever. Thanks for conducting yourself as a professional and demonstrating what being a baseball player is all about.

 

You are forgiven for playing for the Mets.

 

See you at Conine's Clubhouse Grill,

 

-Chris

Congratulations on a wonderful career and helping to put this franchise on the map. There will never be another "Mr. Marlin". The throw you made that beat the Giants in the '03 playoffs will be one of my greatest sports memories ever. Thanks for conducting yourself as a professional and demonstrating what being a baseball player is all about.

 

You are forgiven for playing with the Mets.

 

See you at Conine's Clubhouse Grill,

 

-Chris

 

you will always be MR MARLIN,,, COME HOME,,, BECOME A COACH FOR US

Jeff -

 

Thanks for all the memories.

 

At the top of my list is your laser-beam throw in the 2003 NLDS that nabbed JT Snow at the plate and sent the Marlins on to NLCS and WS victories!

 

Best wishes, and we'll see you around SoFla for many years to come.

 

BR

Jeff,

 

I respect you for all you have done for the franchise and the community. My only wish is that it could have ended better, both on your part and that of the organization.

 

Trent