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Sunday, March 16, 2008

MLB: Conine to sign with Marlins, retire

The Crystalization of baseball is spreading…

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.

Repoz Posted: March 16, 2008 at 06:01 PM | 49 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
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1. Gamingboy Posted: March 16, 2008 at 06:17 PM (#2713728)

He will then sign with Baltimore and retire. Then sign with the Marlins again, and retire again. It'll represent his career perfectly.

2. PreservedFish Posted: March 16, 2008 at 06:20 PM (#2713731)

If players like Robin Ventura and Chuck Finley are destined for the Hall of Very Good, where does that put Conine? The Hall of Pretty Decent?

3. CFBF Hates Hyphens Posted: March 16, 2008 at 06:24 PM (#2713733)

The Hall of Admirably Persistent.

4. Halofan Posted: March 16, 2008 at 06:25 PM (#2713735)

Troy Percival did this last season with the Angels.

5. Sox Machine Posted: March 16, 2008 at 06:32 PM (#2713739)

Almost 2,000 hits is pretty good for a guy whose first full season was at age 27. Anybody know why he got such a late start?

6. Jim Wisinski

Posted: March 16, 2008 at 06:33 PM (#2713741)

Anybody know why he got such a late start?

Mr. Marlin can't be playing when the Marlins don't exist yet.

7. Sox Machine Posted: March 16, 2008 at 06:36 PM (#2713744)

You just blew my mind.

8. Teufel's Graveyard Posted: March 16, 2008 at 06:45 PM (#2713750)

9. hscs Posted: March 16, 2008 at 06:45 PM (#2713752)

Mr. Cub - 2528 G
Mr. Angel - 1672 G
Mr. Marlin - 1014 G

Someone needs to keep people from handing out the Mr. Your-Team-Here nickname, or shut down the Marlins.

10. Will Shave Off My Listach for an O's Win Posted: March 16, 2008 at 06:49 PM (#2713756)

Well, with Baltimore, he was their best hitter not named Melvin in the early aughts.

11. Hello Rusty Kuntz, Goodbye Rusty Cars Posted: March 16, 2008 at 06:58 PM (#2713761)

Mr. Cub - 2528 G
Mr. Angel - 1672 G
Mr. Marlin - 1014 G

Someone needs to keep people from handing out the Mr. Your-Team-Here nickname, or shut down the Marlins.

The Marlins have only been around for 11% as long as the Cubs have. If Mr. Cub history was as efficient as Mr. Marlin history, a Mr. Cub should have played over 8900 games by now.

12. Repoz

Posted: March 16, 2008 at 06:58 PM (#2713762)

Mr. Cub - 2528 G
Mr. Angel - 1672 G
Mr. Marlin - 1014 G

Mr. Schlossberg - 1 Book

13. Crispix Attacks Posted: March 16, 2008 at 07:15 PM (#2713776)

Mr. Diamondback - 1194 G

For a team that has only played 10 seasons!

Ernie Banks didn't play more than half of all games in Cub history, did he? No, I didn't think he did.

Luis Gonzalez, a throwback and exemplar of loyalty.

14. Hello Rusty Kuntz, Goodbye Rusty Cars Posted: March 16, 2008 at 07:21 PM (#2713780)

Mr. Devil Ray played in more than half of all Devil Ray games. In a month, there will be several Mr. Rays.

15. Crispix Attacks Posted: March 16, 2008 at 07:24 PM (#2713782)

Google search for "Mr. Devil Ray" finds mostly references to Aubrey Huff. Crawford will get his due soon, though.

16. Don't want the truth; just wanna see some dingers Posted: March 16, 2008 at 07:31 PM (#2713785)

I think these one-day, retire as an-X contracts are silly. Does Conine get paid for that day?

17. Russlan will never be fond of Jason Bay Posted: March 16, 2008 at 08:52 PM (#2713828)

I think these one-day, retire as an-X contracts are silly. Does Conine get paid for that day?

This is an important question because Coninie's one game salary would bump the Marlin payroll by 10%.

18. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: March 16, 2008 at 08:55 PM (#2713833)

I heard the Giants are considering sending a young pitcher to Florida to get Conine to beef up their offense.

19. Exploring Leftist Conservatism since 2008 (ark..) Posted: March 16, 2008 at 09:18 PM (#2713838)

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.

I think the ratio of versatility in 1997 was 145 to 1 in favor of 1b but, hey, it's only a fact. As for vital, either the author has a different understanding of the word than I do, or means it in the sense that in order to win a World Series it's vital to have someone standing on first, else a lot of balls wind up skittering around the left field foul territory. Other than that, Conine's 1997 (.242 / .337 / .405 98 OPS+ ) does seem a little less than vital. But good for Jeff: He did wring a very nice career out of his not overwhelming talent, had a solid three-year peak, and hung around for another decade without disgracing himself. I do wish the Mets hadn't signed him last year, but he was over 40, and like the weird guy in your college dorm who's hot for everyone's mom, Omar just couldn't help himself.

20. Sexy Lizard Posted: March 16, 2008 at 09:30 PM (#2713840)

In 1987 the Braves did this sort of thing with Phil Niekro after the Blue Jays released him, only they did it in September against the first-place iants. It didn't go too well.

21. Exploring Leftist Conservatism since 2008 (ark..) Posted: March 16, 2008 at 10:08 PM (#2713853)

It didn't go too well.

6BBs, zero Ks! It does get ugly at the end.

22. RMc's grumbling has gone far enough Posted: March 17, 2008 at 12:00 AM (#2713897)

Mr. Apostle.

23. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: March 17, 2008 at 12:10 AM (#2713902)

You want an unfortunate final start ever, I'll show you an unfortunate final start ever.

82 years before that, Cy Young wrapped up his final start by giving up eight consecutive hits.

24. Dr Love Posted: March 17, 2008 at 12:14 AM (#2713904)

Mr. Pilot

25. Howie Menckel Posted: March 17, 2008 at 12:19 AM (#2713908)

Yes, I was going to ask that.
What is the point of this - and no league loves it more than the NFL?

I'm mystified.

26. Morally Excellent Posted: March 17, 2008 at 12:20 AM (#2713910)

Another terrible final start.

That was the most done I have ever seen a pitcher.

27. Howie Menckel Posted: March 17, 2008 at 12:22 AM (#2713911)

"You want an unfortunate final start ever, I'll show you an unfortunate final start ever."

And that grand slam almost certainly was the 5th and final HR of Dan Howitt's modest MLB career, too.

An aging Julio Franco played in that game, and at least 3 players widely suspected of steroi... wait, I am so NOT going there.

28. Hal Chase Headley Lamarr Hoyt Wilhelm (ACE1242) Posted: March 17, 2008 at 12:34 AM (#2713914)

Per the box score, it was Howitt's second of the year; per bb-ref, he hit two that year and none in any later year.

29. pyrite Posted: March 17, 2008 at 12:41 AM (#2713918)

Do non-professional athletes ever sign one-day contracts to retire where they got their start? In 30 years, can I sign a one-day contact with Domino's Pizza?

30. SoSHially Unacceptable Posted: March 17, 2008 at 12:50 AM (#2713923)

An aging Julio Franco played in that game, and at least 3 players widely suspected of steroi... wait, I am so NOT going there.

And the win went to Dave Fleming, who may be the only big leaguer I ever came to bat against. (We faced a lefty on the JV team when he was a freshman. I don't know if it was him, since I didn't know who he was until several years later).

31. Gern Blanston Posted: March 17, 2008 at 01:06 AM (#2713927)

If Mr. Cub history was as efficient as Mr. Marlin history, a Mr. Cub should have played over 8900 games by now.

And won about a dozen WS titles. Grrr....

32. Nasty Nate Posted: March 17, 2008 at 01:23 AM (#2713929)

another bad last start of a career

33. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: March 17, 2008 at 01:40 AM (#2713931)

I don't have a box handy, but Mordecai Brown and Christy Mathewson faced each other in their last career starts - the Reds won 10-8 (it was Mathewson's only game with Cincy, leaving him an ERA+ of 32 and winning pct of 1.000 with the club - though that did a lot better in the trade in which they got him (also picked up HOFer Edd Roush, by far the best guy in the deal, in terms of future value) then in the one in which they originally dealt him to the Giants 16 years prior (for a washed up Amos Rusie)).

34. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: March 17, 2008 at 01:48 AM (#2713934)

Good thing Tom Glavine's coming back. Some other crappy last starts ever.

35. Howie Menckel Posted: March 17, 2008 at 01:58 AM (#2713937)

What did Carlton do?

36. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: March 17, 2008 at 02:09 AM (#2713939)

9 runs, 8 earned, in 5 innings for the Twins - he lost.

37. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: March 17, 2008 at 02:11 AM (#2713940)

Steve Carlton is "ever" on the above multi-link. His line: 5 IP, 9 H, 3 BB, 4 K, 2 HR, 9 R, 8 ER, 103 pitches.

Joe Niekro relieved Carlton, in what ended up being Niekro's next-to-last appearance ever. He got a final start a week later. Here's Joe Niekro's crappy last game ever.

ERRATA: Bob Gibson's last appearance above wasn't a start; it was a horrid relief stint. (To compound the error, Gibson is linked as the word "starts.") His real last start was only meh-bad, not crappy-bad.

38. Howie Menckel Posted: March 17, 2008 at 02:21 AM (#2713942)

What's best ever, a la the Ted Williams HR and goodbye?

39. Morally Excellent Posted: March 17, 2008 at 02:33 AM (#2713947)

I was going to say maybe this guy, but I didn't realize he made so many novelty appearances.

40. Miko Supports Shane's Spam Habit Posted: March 17, 2008 at 02:35 AM (#2713949)

34. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: March 16, 2008 at 10:48 PM (#2713934)
Good thing Tom Glavine's coming back. Some other crappy last starts ever.

You are right about "other". Gar Finnvold sealed his major league fate in that one.

41. Belfry Bob Posted: March 17, 2008 at 02:50 AM (#2713951)

Google search for "Mr. Devil Ray" finds mostly references to Aubrey Huff.

Second in Huff references only to "Baltimore is a s###hole town."

42. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: March 17, 2008 at 02:59 AM (#2713955)

What's best ever, a la the Ted Williams HR and goodbye?

Eddie Plank lost a 1-0 game in the 11th inning. That should be a tough pitching line to beat, although anticipation or a win (particularly postseason ones) would carry more "a la goodbye" weight. I thought Howard Ehmke might have been the way to go, but the bastard made two more starts.

I'm finding lots more awful final starts, like Luis Tiant and Bob Welch and Jerry Koosman and Mike Cuellar and Jim Perry and Orel Hershiser and Charlie Hough. Man. Whatever happened to riding off into the sunset, anyway?

Is David Wells done? His last start of 2007 was pretty good. So was Curt Schilling's World Series win, if that's it for him.

Here's a couple of decent, semi recent ones.

43. Dag Nabbit and his imaginary friends Posted: March 17, 2008 at 03:11 AM (#2713957)

Here's a good finale game.

But it's tough to top a complete game 2-hit shutout.

44. Howie Menckel Posted: March 17, 2008 at 03:18 AM (#2713960)

"What's best ever, a la the Ted Williams HR and goodbye?"

The best thing about this entire site is how easy it is to get people to "work" for nothing.

I do repay the favor, I guess, on hallofmerit, like which fulltime pitching HOM-inducted trio teammates were around from 1901-1979 (oops, here I go)

1949 Cleveland AL - Bob Lemon (22-10) and Bob Feller (15-12) and Early Wynn (11-7)
1950 Cleveland AL - Bob Lemon (23-11) and Early Wynn (18-8) and Bob Feller (16-11)
1951 Cleveland AL - Bob Feller (22-8) and Early Wynn (20-13) and Bob Lemon (17-14)
1952 Cleveland AL - Bob Lemon (22-11) and Early Wynn (23-12) and Bob Feller (9-13)
1953 Cleveland AL - Bob Lemon (23-15) and Early Wynn (17-12) and Bob Feller (10-7)

1966 Los Angeles NL - Sandy Koufax (27-9) and Don Drysdale (13-16) and Don Sutton (12-12)

45. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: March 17, 2008 at 01:40 PM (#2714082)

This was actually Koufax's finale. Not bad. Not what they had in mind, though.

46. RB in NYC (Now with New Running Goal!) Posted: March 17, 2008 at 01:48 PM (#2714088)

Another terrible final start.

That was the most done I have ever seen a pitcher.

That's a reference to Hentgen's start, and if I'm not mistaken, the Yankees battered him so badly that game he literally retired the next day. He was cooked, it was embrassing.

47. Crispix Attacks Posted: March 17, 2008 at 01:58 PM (#2714095)

Jose Lima's entire final season would be a good candidate...

48. The Essex Snead Posted: March 17, 2008 at 03:20 PM (#2714155)

How dare you suggest Jose Lima is finished! LIMA TIME 4EVAH!

49. Greg Franklin Posted: March 20, 2008 at 10:01 PM (#2716749)

Even at 27 he hit below average for a corner outfielder. He probably would have been better than Jim Eisenreich the year before in KC, but Jim had put together a couple of decent seasons for the Royals, so I can understand their reluctance in replacing him. Granted, this is just a guy looking up numbers on bref, someone who followed baseball closer at the time would have a better persepective than me.

The Rookie of the Year voters ranked him 3rd despite his 99 OPS+ performance at age 27, playing first base.

My take / memory is that he was a fine young hitting prospect, but that the Royals of that time were clueless (it wasn't just Eisenreich that was blocking him) and basically let him go in the expansion draft for no real reason, a la Bobby Abreu. Once he had an everyday job secured, he was able to play well at his peak, and his work ethic kept him desirable for a roster position past his peak.

The article noted he is currently busy training for triathlon, but back in the day he was a championship-quality racquetball player. Perhaps that also explains the late blooming.

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MLB: Conine to sign with Marlins, retire

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