Last June, after the Marlins went on a horrific 3-22 run, manager Edwin Rodriguez abruptly resigned. The Marlins, having nowhere to turn, brought longtime adviser and former manager Jack McKeon back, though he was 80 years old and had last managed the team in 2005. McKeon was enjoying a comfortable retirement in North Carolina.
‘Trader Jack’ McKeon Says He’s Retiring
McKeon’s old-school leadership style righted the Marlins ship; they actually managed to get back to the .500 mark with a 17-10 July, but a 7-20 August put them back in the NL East cellar. Still, McKeon brought the club some respectability and respect from the players.
Monday, McKeon announced he would retire after Wednesday’s season finale:McKeon, 80, said he never really considered staying beyond this season when he took the job in June.
“When I first came down here it was with the idea of finishing the season and helping them out and doing the best I could to turn this franchise around but unfortunately it didn’t work that way,” he said.
“My family, I think I owe it to them to be with them a little bit. They were very gracious to let me come down this time.
”I enjoy it, I still enjoy managing but right now I think it’s time to let someone else do it.”
At 80, McKeon is 13 years older than Lou Piniella, who was the leadoff batter in the first game McKeon ever managed, for the 1973 Royals; Piniella retired from managing more than a year ago.
McKeon went on to say he has "no idea" who his replacement will be, but there are rumors that White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is interested in the Marlins position. Guillen is under contract through 2012; presumably, White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and general manager Ken Williams would expect some form of compensation -- likely a player -- if they were to allow Guillen to go to manage the new Miami Marlins next year.
McKeon has a 1050-988 all-time managerial record and is 39-48 this year. The Marlins finish their season with a series at home against the Nationals.
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