7:59pm: Conine will not, in fact, be the Marlins’ next manager, a front office source now tells Nightengale (via Twitter).
7:19pm: Jeff Conine “appears to be” the Marlins’ choice to replace Mike Redmond as manager, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale tweets. In a later tweet, Nightengale cautions that Conine’s choice is not official and that the “mystery continues” until the Marlins confirm his hiring. Conine currently works as a special assistant to Marlins president David Samson.
The Marlins are expected to formally announce their new manager tomorrow at 10am Central. Brett Butler, Bo Porter, Wally Backman and others had been connected to the job.
Conine played parts of 17 seasons with the Royals, Marlins, Orioles, Phillies, Reds and Mets and spent a big chunk of his career in Baltimore, but he’s best known for his play during the early years of the Florida franchise, which earned him the nickname “Mr. Marlin.” The Marlins picked him in the 1992 expansion draft, and he was among the better players on the Marlins’ inaugural 1993 team, finishing third in NL Rookie of the Year balloting. He made the All-Star team in his next two seasons in Florida and played on the Marlins’ World Series team in 1997, and, after being traded, rejoined the team months before they won the World Series again in 2003.
Since the end of his playing career in 2007, Conine has worked in broadcasting in addition to his duties with the Marlins front office. He has no managerial experience.
Redmond was fired earlier today after the Marlins made big commitments to Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich this offseason and acquired players like Mat Latos, Dee Gordon, Martin Prado, Dan Haren, Mike Morse and Ichiro Suzuki, only to start the year 16-22. Conine will inherit Stanton, Yelich, Gordon and a talented, though injury-wracked, young rotation.
Mr. Marlin.
Billy the Marlin.
classic marlins move…. “appears to be”
Loria should become the manager
Well I was close, not Loria but Dan Jennings
So when Loria realized he couldn’t boss around the guy with no experience, he hired a new guy with no experience.
Good Choice, How long will he last ?
While it would be great if it Mr. Marlin were hired (and it would get the fans excited), his Marlin reputation would take a huge hit if the team became worse under his leadership.
Perhaps we’ll let Giancarlo choose the next manager like LeBron chooses his coaches in the NBA?
If this ends badly, Loria might as well sell the team. Firing Mr. Marlin would have to be the last straw.
The one that needs to go is Loria.
I would consider interesting trades for Showalter and Russell
It will be me……………..I have 2 yrs. managing “Little League”!
And a fan of Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
He gave Girardi a shot when he barely had a year of experience as a bench coach. Conine was exactly the kind of player that turns into a good manager.
I agree.
Fredi Gonzalez