behind the dugout

Known as “Mr. Marlin” thoughout the organization it’s no surprise that Jeff Conine wanted to retire as a member of the team he helped to World Series titles in 1997 and 2003.

Conine began playing for the Marlins in 1993 going 4-for-4 in their opening game and later winning All Star Game MVP honors in 1995.

In 1,014 games with the team Conine hit .290 with 1,005 hits and 120 home runs.

He also made stops in Kansas City, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and New York (N).

Origionally Conine was drafted in the 58th round of the amateur draft by the Kansas City Royals after seeing limited playing time with the club for two years he was picked by the Florida Marlins in the 22nd round of the 1992 expansion draft.

Finally getting a chance to play fulltime Conine played in all 162 games hit .292 with 12 homers and 79 RBI in his rookie season with the club.

He would be slected to the All Star Game the following two years and topped 100-RBI for the only time in his career in 1995 when he had 105.

Conine kept hitting and in 1996 set a career high for home runs with 26. The following season Conine was part of a Marlins team that won the World Series in their fifth year in the league.

Following the World Series the Marlins who were trying to cut their payroll sent Conine back to the Royals for a minor leaguer.

After a dismal stay in Kansas City he was sent to Baltimore where he would never seem to have a permanate position moving from first base to third to the outfield even dhing from time to time.

That’s not to say Conine was a good hitter with the team, just that they never had a permanate position for him. During his five seasons with the team his statistical lows were 13 home runs, 46 RBI and a .273 average.

Despite his success with the Orioles another team wanted Conine back. The Florida Marlins were locked in on another playoff run and acquired the 37-year old.

Of course the Marlins won the World Series again and Conine who had provided a good deal of the runs in the playoffs stayed around for two more seasons before signing as a free agent with the Orioles.

A mid season trade sent him to Philadelphia where his numbers began to decline. Last season he split time between Cincinatti and New York hitting just .254 with 6 home runs.

His numbers are eerie similar to another first basemen of his era in Wally Joyner.

Wherever he played Jeff Conine could do no wrong. He wasn’t the best player on the field but he was a guy who the fans could count on to give an honest effort everday. In addition he was a good clubhouse guy as evident by both the Baltimore Orioles and Florida Marlins repeated acquiring of his services.

Conine said he’d like to stay in baseball and the Marlins are expected to talk to him about a role within the organization.

In 17 years of big league service Conine finishes with a .285/.347/.443 line, 214 home runs, 1071 RBI in 2024 games.