Conine Officially Retires as Marlin

[JJ]

Coming home was a special and somewhat awkward occasion for Jeff Conine.

Not used to being at the ballpark in street clothes, Conine found himself at Dolphin Stadium on Friday for a special occasion. The man nicknamed "Mr. Marlin" officially retired as a Marlin after he signed a one-day contract.

The 41-year-old was accompanied by his wife, Cindy; daughter, Sierra; and sons Griffin and Tucker during the official inking of his contract.

A member of the inaugural club in 1993, Conine enjoyed two stints with the organization and was a key contributor in both of the franchise's World Series titles (1997 and 2003).

"His contributions to this team, and the South Florida community, are unrivaled," team owner Jeffrey Loria said.

Conine broke in with the Royals in 1990 and enjoyed a 17-year Major League career.

A South Florida resident, Conine has been extremely active in the community, raising money for Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, Fla.

Of late, he has been training to compete in an Ironman triathlon.

Though he retired as a Marlin, the team is not retiring his numbers (18 and 19, in separate stints).

It is expected that Conine will return at some point in an advisory capacity with the team, though he has no intention of coaching or being involved in regular travel. He did say that he would entertain the idea of on-field duties, such as appearing for a few days at Spring Training or making occasional visits to Minor League camps.

"We will explore that soon," Loria said.

Conine concluded his playing career last year, as a member of the Mets. He said that it was strange to be at the park out of uniform, something he hasn't done in more than 20 years.

"Just to come full circle, it's been such a great time spent here," Conine said. "We've made our home here. I've always considered myself a Florida Marlin, even though I've worn other uniforms."

Conine played a pivotal role on the 2003 Marlins. He started that season with the Orioles but came to Florida on Aug. 31 in a trade after Mike Lowell broke a bone in his left hand.

"I really don't think we would have made it that year if it wasn't for Jeff," Larry Beinfest, the Marlins' president of baseball operations, said. "He made a huge difference for that team."

One of Conine's most prominent plays came at Dolphin Stadium in the decisive Game 4 of the National League Division Series that year, throwing a strike from left field to nab San Francisco's J.T. Snow at the plate. Catcher Ivan Rodriguez held on to the ball, and the Marlins won the series on that collision at home.

"He was a big part of that club," said Jack McKeon, the manager of the Marlins that year. "He was a clutch performer. He started out real slow, and when nut-cutting time came, he was a key player."

The memory of tossing out Snow and Rodriguez raising the ball in triumph remains frozen in Conine's mind.

"It's the best outfield play I think I've ever done," he said. "The magnitude of how it ended. That was the end of the series. I watch replays of that every once in a while."

So much went through Conine's mind in the ninth inning that day, when Jeffrey Hammonds singled to left and Snow tried to score the tying run from second.

At first Conine broke back and came in. He realized that if he dove for the ball, he risked turning a single into an extra-base hit.

"This is all going in the span of 40 yards," he said. "I tried to get it on a hop, and it took a funny hop."

Conine didn't think he realistically had a play at the plate until he saw where Snow was out of the corner of his eye.

"I held my breath," he said. "I saw Pudge jump up with the ball. Pandemonium. That's as good as it gets for an outfielder."

Conine will have another moment at Dolphin Stadium on Monday, when he will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Marlins face the Mets on Opening Day.

Source

[Swift]

I will never, ever, forget that throw.

And, for the record, even though I agree with the sentiment that he doesn't "deserve" it; they should retire his number. With a franchise like ours, career numbers like Conine will probably remain the standard and not simply mediocrity ten or fifteen years from now.

[Daft]

That throw was my greatest "live" baseball fan moment ever.

Nothing else comes close.

[Benched]

Good for him. And I agree, Swift. Conine's number should definitely be retired.

[St. Jimmy]

Bye Niner.

[Blackout Pact]

Agreed with everyone so far. I will never forget that throw and also think that the Marlins should retire his number. In terms of pure talent he probably doesn't deserve it but for the leadership roll he took in this organization over the years he absolutely does.

[Cynosure]

About Conine, I basically agree with what has already been said. I just wanted to point out this line:

"He was a big part of that club," said Jack McKeon, the manager of the Marlins that year. "He was a clutch performer. He started out real slow, and when nut-cutting time came, he was a key player."

In the quiet words of the Virgin Mary... "Come again?"