12/13/2003 1:49 PM ET

McKeon: It's going to be a challenge

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

 

 

 

Jack McKeon took the Marlins from sub-.500 to the Wild Card and World Series title. (Kathy Willens/AP)

 

 

 

NEW ORLEANS -- Give Marlins manager Jack McKeon a cigar and an audience, and you are going to get 30 minutes of entertaining and enlightening conversation.

Florida's season may have ended on Oct. 25 with a World Series title, but McKeon on Saturday morning was in mid-season form.

 

The affable now 73-year-old manager addressed the media for 30-minutes with his typical light-hearted banter. Known as Trader Jack for his freewheeling days as a general manager of the Padres in the 1980s, McKeon remains remarkably refreshing in a game that places so much emphasis on statistics and so-called hard-and-fast rules.

 

To a career baseball man like McKeon, who broke into professional ball in 1949, the latest stats and figures are nothing but indicators. They aren't the blueprints to his managing style.

 

 

 

 

Asked what he does with all the complex statistical data, McKeon quipped: "I save that stuff for the fireplace."

 

Case in point is starting Josh Beckett on three days' rest in Game 6 of the World Series. Statistical indicators taken over the previous five years showed that playoff starters going on three days' rest were 6-20.

 

So what does Beckett do? The brash Texan went out and tossed a complete-game, five-hit shutout to clinch the championship.

 

In a magical 2003 season, the Marlins rallied from 10 games under .500 in late May to capture the Wild Card and ultimately win it all.

 

McKeon, who turned 73 in November, sees a greater challenge trying to repeat with a roster that already has lost Gold Glove first baseman Derrek Lee and catcher Ivan Rodriguez.

 

While Lee was traded to the Cubs for first baseman Hee Seop Choi and Rodriguez is testing the free agent market, McKeon is not ready to concede anything.

 

The Phillies have improved themselves by strengthening their bullpen with Billy Wagner and Tim Worrell.

 

McKeon pointed out to reporters Saturday that last year, the Phillies were picked ahead of the Marlins.

 

"OK, pick them again," McKeon quipped to the media.

 

McKeon said the World Series success should inspire the Marlins.

 

"We have so many guys who never had the opportunity to play on a winner, nonetheless, win the world championship," he said. "If they have any brains and enjoyed it as much as we all did, they will want to go out and have the same kind of fun they had this year.

 

"It's not going to happen by just showing up. We're going to have to work at it. It's tougher to play on a winner than a loser. They'll have to work a little harder."

 

Change isn't such a bad thing, McKeon added.

 

"We're still going to have enough that I think we can fool some people," he said. "We won't be considered probably the favorites. That's all right. Let the Phillies and Braves be considered. We'll be happy to sneak up again. I think you've got to make changes. You can't stand pat. Too many clubs say, 'We won last season. We're going to stand pat.' I think the Braves have probably been the most successful at changing people and being successful."

 

The loss of Rodriguez behind the plate creates a void that for now is being addressed by Mike Redmond and Ramon Castro.

 

"It's going to be a challenge," McKeon said. "In the case of Big Choi, he will pick up some of the slack over there for Lee. I talked to Pudge, two or three days ago.

 

"I told him I'm going to miss him and how much I care for him and how much I'm going to miss him. He said the same things back. When guys say those same things, you keep calling them. He's a great kid. I think the year he had took away all the sour taste in people's minds over the previous year, because he wasn't as successful because of injuries. He's an All-Star and a future Hall of Famer. I think he will have a few more good years. I hope it's in the other league."

 

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

 

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Jack Ownz All of You!

 

*bows down*

Thats impressive on Beckett to come and pitch a complete game shut out on 3 days rest. Jack Risked putting him to start (since starters are 6-20, starting on 3 days rest).

 

I will miss Pudge also. He was a great player with us despite coming off Surgery. He did great both Defensively and Offensively, and specially in the WS. If it wasnt for him, i dont think we would of won.

i love that comment about the fireplace

Jack = Man

Jack is the right man for the job for the second year, with the right mind set "we need to work harder. . . . Is harder to play for a winner. . ."

how could you not love this man :mischief

 

he made good points and he'll never disappoint you when it comes to interviews