Conine to Sign One-Day Contract

St. Jimmy · March 16th, 2008, 03:15 PM

Fittingly, Mr. Marlin will ultimately retire as a Marlin.

According to a source, Jeff Conine, one of the most popular players in Florida history, will sign a one-day contract on March 28, and then retire as a member of the Marlins.

Nicknamed "Mr. Marlin," the 41-year-old was a member of the team's inaugural roster, and he enjoyed two stints with the organization. A versatile performer who mostly played first base and the outfield, he was a vital part of the franchise's World Series titles in 1997 and 2003.

Conine, who resides year-round in South Florida in Weston, is scheduled to sign his one-day contract March 28, when the Marlins play an exhibition game against the Yankees at Dolphin Stadium.

The team also plans on honoring Conine during an on-field ceremony before their March 31 season opener against the Mets.

The Marlins, however, are not planning on retiring Conine's number. He actually wore two. From 1993-97, he donned No. 19. When he returned in a trade from the Orioles on Aug. 31, 2003, he was given No. 18.

He remained with the Marlins through 2005.

Conine is currently training for an Ironman triathlon competition, which is consuming much of his time these days. The team is leaving open the option of bringing Conine back to the organization in an advisory capacity.

Conine enjoyed a 17-year big league career, breaking in with the Royals in 1990. He also played for the Marlins, Orioles, Phillies and Reds before he finished up last year with the Mets.

Respected for his hard-nosed style of play and his professionalism, Conine finished with a .285 career batting average. He added 214 home runs and 1,071 RBIs.

Conine ranks among the Marlins' leaders in a number of categories. He is second in team history in games played (1,014), total hits (1,005), singles (688), RBIs (553) and total bases (1,579). He is the franchise leader in grand slams with six.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

FlaMarlins.com

Ramp · March 16th, 2008, 03:15 PM

now that's cool

St. Jimmy · March 16th, 2008, 03:18 PM

That would be beyond amazing if he takes the field one more time against the Yankees.

............I may cry............

markotsay7 · March 16th, 2008, 03:47 PM

So awesome.

This front office did something up right!

!NICK! · March 16th, 2008, 05:30 PM

awesome

Spork5812 · March 16th, 2008, 06:03 PM

great to see

Fritz · March 16th, 2008, 06:49 PM

Very cool. I'd love to see him get one final AB during that game.

Daft · March 16th, 2008, 08:28 PM

I wonder what the outcome of his last AB was.

If he K'd or hit a weak pop fly that may inspire him to step up to the plate one more time.

I was on an Air Tran flight with him back in September. My brother and I were in awe but we didnt want to bother him.

CapeFish · March 16th, 2008, 09:12 PM

So which number will the Fish retire for Conine?

Ramp · March 16th, 2008, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by CapeFish

So which number will the Fish retire for Conine?

They aren't retiring either

St. Jimmy · March 16th, 2008, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by DaftHunk

I wonder what the outcome of his last AB was.

If he K'd or hit a weak pop fly that may inspire him to step up to the plate one more time.

I was on an Air Tran flight with him back in September. My brother and I were in awe but we didnt want to bother him.

He flied out to center.

Blackout Pact · March 17th, 2008, 02:27 AM

This news just made my morning. Jeff Conine remains my favorite baseball player ever and it is great to see that he will retire a Marlin.

Moss · March 18th, 2008, 04:30 PM

Jim Rome was burning on this the other day.... of all the things in the sports world to be pissed off at, he picked this. Very douchy of him. (According to Rome, Conine retires as a Met because he played his last game with them)

jay576 · March 18th, 2008, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by Moss

Jim Rome was burning on this the other day.... of all the things in the sports world to be pissed off at, he picked this. Very douchy of him. (According to Rome, Conine retires as a Met because he played his last game with them)

I rarely waste my time watching espn but signing a one day contract to retire as a part of a different team does not make much of a difference when viewed from a game perspective but it is viewed as a nice move towards fans.

To be honest I am shocked the front office was willing to do this after Conine burned the team saying he did not want to babysit a bunch of kids. But way to go and do something right in the eyes of the public front office.

Moss · March 18th, 2008, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by jay576

I rarely waste my time watching espn but signing a one day contract to retire as a part of a different team does not make much of a difference when viewed from a game perspective but it is viewed as a nice move towards fans.

You and I understand that subtle difference in perspectives... Jim Rome does not.

JJ · March 18th, 2008, 10:22 PM

Rome is pretty consistent on the issue.

He hates comebacks, guys ending with different teams.

Its why he calls Jordan '45'.

I'm not a fan of one day contracts as they are pointless when you think about it. Anyone that knows about the game currently thinks about Conine as a Marlin regardless of who he retired with, the one day contract means nothing. The guys that get the one day contracts are attached to that team regardless.

Its not really a big deal though. Its throwing a bone to the fan and the players so I just let it be. No harm no foul.

March 16th, 2008, 03:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
St. Jimmy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: East 12th Street Posts: 3,578 T&B $: 522 Reputation: 2013137 My Teams:	Conine to Sign One-Day Contract Fittingly, Mr. Marlin will ultimately retire as a Marlin. According to a source, Jeff Conine, one of the most popular players in Florida history, will sign a one-day contract on March 28, and then retire as a member of the Marlins. Nicknamed "Mr. Marlin," the 41-year-old was a member of the team's inaugural roster, and he enjoyed two stints with the organization. A versatile performer who mostly played first base and the outfield, he was a vital part of the franchise's World Series titles in 1997 and 2003. Conine, who resides year-round in South Florida in Weston, is scheduled to sign his one-day contract March 28, when the Marlins play an exhibition game against the Yankees at Dolphin Stadium. The team also plans on honoring Conine during an on-field ceremony before their March 31 season opener against the Mets. The Marlins, however, are not planning on retiring Conine's number. He actually wore two. From 1993-97, he donned No. 19. When he returned in a trade from the Orioles on Aug. 31, 2003, he was given No. 18. He remained with the Marlins through 2005. Conine is currently training for an Ironman triathlon competition, which is consuming much of his time these days. The team is leaving open the option of bringing Conine back to the organization in an advisory capacity. Conine enjoyed a 17-year big league career, breaking in with the Royals in 1990. He also played for the Marlins, Orioles, Phillies and Reds before he finished up last year with the Mets. Respected for his hard-nosed style of play and his professionalism, Conine finished with a .285 career batting average. He added 214 home runs and 1,071 RBIs. Conine ranks among the Marlins' leaders in a number of categories. He is second in team history in games played (1,014), total hits (1,005), singles (688), RBIs (553) and total bases (1,579). He is the franchise leader in grand slams with six. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. FlaMarlins.com __________________ Please donate Florida Marlins - 1997, 2003 World Champions Miami Hurricanes - 1982, '85, '99, 2001 College World Series Champions Miami Marlins/Orioles - 1969, '70, '71, '72, '78 Florida State League Champions Miami Sun Sox - 1950, '52 Florida International League Champions Miami Sun Sox - 2007 Teal League Champions

March 16th, 2008, 03:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ramp whysoserious? Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 8,042 T&B $: 1,108,911 Reputation: 4337008 My Teams:	now that's cool __________________ You and your kind, all you care about is money. This city deserves a better class of criminal. And I'm gonna give it to them!

March 16th, 2008, 03:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
markotsay7 Anywhere, anytime, but you'll never know Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 2,188 T&B $: 75,484 Reputation: 1982216 My Teams:	So awesome. This front office did something up right! __________________ Questions? Comments? Concerns? Free baked goods? Up for a chat? PM me.

March 16th, 2008, 09:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
CapeFish Rookie Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cape Coral, FL College: FSU Posts: 68 T&B $: 338 Reputation: 153495 My Teams:	So which number will the Fish retire for Conine? __________________ Have A Nice Day! CapeFish Hurricane Warning \| The Marlins Ballpark News \| Panthers Daily Puck I BELIEVE!

March 18th, 2008, 04:30 PM	#13 (permalink)
Moss Kevin "Claus" Garnett Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,425 T&B $: 3,787 Reputation: 802430 My Teams:	Jim Rome was burning on this the other day.... of all the things in the sports world to be pissed off at, he picked this. Very douchy of him. (According to Rome, Conine retires as a Met because he played his last game with them) __________________ 28-6

March 16th, 2008, 03:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
St. Jimmy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: East 12th Street Posts: 3,578 T&B $: 522 Reputation: 2013137 My Teams:	That would be beyond amazing if he takes the field one more time against the Yankees. ............I may cry............

March 16th, 2008, 05:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
!NICK! Veteran Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,197 T&B $: 23,103 Reputation: 1271349 My Teams:	awesome

March 16th, 2008, 06:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
Spork5812 Rookie Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dekalb, IL Posts: 68 T&B $: 844 Reputation: 8056 My Teams:	great to see

March 16th, 2008, 06:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
Fritz I said "puck you" with a p Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lake Mary, FL Posts: 5,983 T&B $: 10,101 Reputation: 5672353 My Teams:	Very cool. I'd love to see him get one final AB during that game.

March 16th, 2008, 08:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
Daft In Deep Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 4,418 T&B $: 17 Reputation: 822757 My Teams:	I wonder what the outcome of his last AB was. If he K'd or hit a weak pop fly that may inspire him to step up to the plate one more time. I was on an Air Tran flight with him back in September. My brother and I were in awe but we didnt want to bother him.

March 17th, 2008, 02:27 AM	#12 (permalink)
Blackout Pact Veteran Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 1,249 T&B $: 105 Reputation: 400076 My Teams:	This news just made my morning. Jeff Conine remains my favorite baseball player ever and it is great to see that he will retire a Marlin.

March 18th, 2008, 10:38 PM	#17 (permalink)
Moss Kevin "Claus" Garnett