DaGreatOne Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 Posted on Sun, Feb. 29, 2004 A tip of the cap in appreciation of classy fans Twenty questions with Marlins outfielder Jeff Conine DAN LE BATARD [email protected] JUPITER - Twenty questions with Marlins outfielder Jeff Conine: 1. During the playoff run last season, you received a standing ovation walking into a hair salon. You have a story to top that one? ``Yeah, right after the San Francisco series, in the Pines Ale House. It was kind of surreal. I go in after the game when I threw J.T. Snow out at the plate. Not one person came up to me during dinner for an autograph or picture or conversation or anything. Not one. ``But then the highlight of the play comes up on all the televisions on SportsCenter, and, one by one, people start standing up and applauding until the whole place was standing, every single person. It lasted five minutes. They didn't want anything from me. They just wanted to express their appreciation. It's the coolest moment I've ever had in baseball. ``I think about it now and the hair stands up on the back of my neck. And you know what? When I got up to leave, they did it again. And nobody asked me for anything the entire night.'' 2. Have any irrational fears? ``Other than spiders coming to eat me in the middle of the night? No, but I do fear speeding tickets, believe it or not. I'm very careful about that. Second day I had a license, I got a ticket and my dad blew up, rightfully so. And I still carry that around with me. I've never gotten a ticket since then.'' 3. You hate that ''Mr. Marlin'' nickname, don't you? ``[Laughter]Yes and no. It's flattering to be associated with this community. But it gets taken too far and people actually refer to me as Mr. Marlin instead of my name when talking to me. It's awkward. I feel like the mascot, like I should be wearing Billy's head. It's not a cringing dislike of it, just an embarrassing dislike.'' 4. Best free thing you got this offseason for being a champion? ``An all-expenses-paid trip to the White House. That one is tough to beat, you know? But look at this [he tries on a new pair of $200 Oakley sunglasses]. I got four pairs of sunglasses and a watch just today. We get boxes of free stuff every day. Look at this [he holds out an envelope full of $20 bills]. Meal money we don't really need. What a country. It's a beautiful thing, being a major-league baseball player.'' 5. Most annoying thing in the world? ``[Laughter] Present company excluded? Excuses. Can't stand them. Take responsibility for your actions.'' 6. Three pitchers you never want to see again? ``John Smoltz. Tim Wakefield, believe it or not. And who else do I despise? Andy Pettitte can go away right now, and I'd be real happy. I just can't hit him, but I bat .400 against Greg Maddux. Baseball doesn't make any sense.'' 7. Most extravagant thing in your home? ``My memorabilia room isn't opulent, but it is pretty impressive. I've got things in there like a 1936 silver certificate signed by Babe Ruth. I guess the most extravagant thing is my 500-gallon fish tank for tropical fish. It shares a wall with my master bedroom.'' 8. Five adjectives you'd use to describe yourself to a stranger? 'Intense. Dry. Loyal. It's tough to pick adjectives that don't pat me on the back too much. Patient. Perfectionist. That one's particularly tough, being a perfectionist when you are as far from perfect as I am. It creates a lot of problems in my life. And let's throw in `media-friendly' because of some of these questions.'' 9. Your funniest Jack McKeon story? ``I'm in Shea Stadium. I've been with the team for a few weeks, feeling pretty good about myself. And he calls me Steve.'' 10. You are in remarkable shape for a 37-year-old. You are on a unique diet that matches up foods with your blood work. What are some of the diet's oddities? ``I can eat unlimited amounts of things you wouldn't think are good for you. Cashews. Eggs. Olive oil. Cheese. Peanuts. I can eat a pound of cashews every day. It's just food that matches with my body. When I came to spring training, my blood work was pristine, legendary, so good the doctors couldn't believe it. But I can't eat something like broccoli. I really like broccoli and was eating the hell out of it because I thought it was good for me, but it isn't.'' 11. One thing people are always surprised to learn about you? ``That I have a great sense of humor. People think I'm mean because of what I project, always serious. I scare people. People don't think I'm approachable. Even my wife's friends who have known me for years aren't sure that I like them.'' 12. Articulate the differences between your dugout and the Yankees dugout during the World Series? ``I guarantee you Ruben Sierra wasn't shouting lines from Slap Shot between every pitch. It was just genuine high school in our dugout. Nothing against the Yankees. They're as professional as you'll find anywhere. But that was the difference between us and them -- the joy.'' 13. Philosophy to live by? ``Stop. Enjoy.'' 14. Life's three most underrated pleasures? ``The laughter of my children. Getting to watch the sun set in Naples, where I bought a place. The quiet on the water, with cheese and crackers and wine. A quiet dinner with your spouse. It's amazing, after you have kids, how much you appreciate the time alone.'' 15. Your family is safe. What three things do you go back into your burning house to get if I promise you a safe return? ``As many watches as I can hold. I collect them. I've got a problem. They are works of art, and I love them. My World Series rings. And all the pictures I can grab off the walls. That's more than three things, isn't it?'' 16. Two celebrities who need to go away? ``Britney Spears. She has no talent. Get her out of here. Michael Jackson would be a little too obvious. I'm sick of hearing about that clown, but let's go with Keyshawn Johnson.'' 17. Seven games -- the 1997 Marlins versus your 2003 Marlins? ``2003. Just because of the intangibles. We're going to get the bounce we need. We had the mojo. Talent? The '97 team might have been more talented. Or the talent was more established. But we had magic. And I'll take magic over talent every day.'' 18. Someone inside or outside of sports you would pay a substantive amount of money to watch working at their craft? ``I'd pay money to follow the President around. It fascinates me, how much this guy has on his shoulders.'' 19. The one trait most responsible for you being good at baseball? ``Desire.'' 20. People know about the pain in football. People have no idea how much pain is involved in baseball. How would you best articulate it to someone who doesn't understand? ``Your nicks, cuts, bruises, soreness, strains -- and you get a ton of them just from swinging hard or foul balls off your body or diving -- never get a chance to heal because you are always going out there the next night. If you sprain an ankle July 30, you are going to feel it the rest of the season because it never rests. By the end of the season, you have such a range of problems that you need a month to just fall in bed and convalesce.'' The Jack Mckeon story calling him Steve is pretty fun. :lol Article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marlins2003 Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 5. Most annoying thing in the world? ``[Laughter] Present company excluded? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beinfest4Prez Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 9. Your funniest Jack McKeon story? ``I'm in Shea Stadium. I've been with the team for a few weeks, feeling pretty good about myself. And he calls me Steve.'' Jack gets better every day.. :lol :rofl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLCL00 Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 Haha yea the Trader Jack one stood out the most for me as well lol ~Le0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heckeroo Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 good article by steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJC Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 Steve is one hell of a playa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime Time Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 lol! That is Jack for you. So now its Steve "Mr. Marlin" Conine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest marlins02 Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 i guess steve doesnt like Britney spears or michael Jackson or meshawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miami15 Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 Steve has a good diet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hot4beckett Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 I think Conine is sooooo cool. He is so friendly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJBurnett34 Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 At first i though Conine was a mean guy because he is always serious, its hard to tell that he has a sense of humor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hot4beckett Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 I noticed that he loves the media. He seems to always be smiling and friendly. Though I haven't met him yet, I almost feel that's part of why they call him 'Mr. Marlin', and that he has been with us for a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reclusedx Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 Steve Conine is da man :lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBMarlin Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 ``I guarantee you Ruben Sierra wasn't shouting lines from Slap Shot between every pitch. It was just genuine high school in our dugout. Nothing against the Yankees. They're as professional as you'll find anywhere. But that was the difference between us and them -- the joy.'' ``2003. Just because of the intangibles. We're going to get the bounce we need. We had the mojo. Talent? The '97 team might have been more talented. Or the talent was more established. But we had magic. And I'll take magic over talent every day.'' Now that they've won it all, I often wonder if they will be able to recapture the magic of last year. Will they be able to stay just as loose, or will the pressure of being the champs change the clubhouse atmosphere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CapeFish Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 I feel like the mascot, like I should be wearing Billy's head. This had me on the floor. I can imagine him playing the outfield with Billy's head on. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtpeddler Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 I really liked the Wapokeneta part. The man is brilliant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishFan24 Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 Thats why Jeff Conine is the man! http://smilies.jeeptalk.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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