McKeon lights a fire under Marlins

Sporting News, The, August 25, 2003 by Ken Rosenthal

Manager Jack McKeon is smoking a victory cigar, which is no big deal, considering he lights up for most every occasion, even his own workouts. This stogie, though, is particularly satisfying. For the second straight night, a little-used Marlins reserve has hit a walkoff homer in extra innings. "Nothing to it," McKeon cracks over his cell phone to his son in-law, former Padres pitching coach Greg Booker. "We play a little longer, but we always get them."

McKeon, 72, is entitled to the last laugh, and so is his surprising team. Mocked as a senior-citizen has-been after taking over May 11, McKeon could be elected National League Manager of the Year for the second time in five seasons. Dismissed as frauds by skeptical outsiders--including yours truly--the Marlins might steal the N.L. wild card.

This isn't merely a case of the Marlins responding to a needed kick in the rear; McKeon, their fourth manager since 1999, also was in the right place at the right time. Mike Lowell reached career highs in home runs and RBIs with 40 games left. Ivan Rodriguez recovered from a two-month slump and, entering the week, led the National League in batting average with runners in scoring position. And, two days before McKeon replaced Jeff Torborg, Dontrelle Willis joined the rotation. He has emerged as a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year.

The decision to keep Lowell, the promotion of outfielder Miguel Cabrera, the trade for righthander Ugueth Urbina--it all came together so perfectly. But after a 3-7 start under McKeon, the Marlins began this week with a major league-best 49-26 record from May 23 on. Although staff ace Brad Penny says, "I think we would have won with Jeff," the rotation's performance, in particular, suggests otherwise. Before May 23, Marlins starters were 11-20 with a 4.39 ERA. Starting then, they're 39-22 with a 3.56 ERA.

"He has been especially good for our pitchers, a lot of the starters, the younger guys," backup catcher Mike Redmond says. "He's an old-school manager. He's not going to sugarcoat anything. For sure, we needed somebody to come in and force us to realize how good we are and not to let us underachieve."

Torborg told the Marlins they were ready to win. McKeon shows them how. He locked the clubhouse during games so that players couldn't watch the action on TV in air-conditioned comfort. One week into his tenure, he ripped into the team after a listless 7-1 loss at Los Angeles. His message, according to veteran utilityman Mike Mordecai: "You want to keep enjoying this lifestyle, then wake up, look in the mirror and make some adjustments."

From publicly rebuking Penny for questioning an early removal to sparring verbally with reliever Tim Spooneybarger over an elbow injury, McKeon acts like a crusty elder who has earned the fight to speak his mind. He has managed professionally in six decades and held virtually every baseball position imaginable, including general manager of the N.L. champion Padres in 1984.

In his early days, McKeon would challenge a player who was ticked off about being replaced. "Today, I turn my head," he says. "I don't even see him or hear him. It all blows over in five minutes."

McKeon plays the role of stern parent but also makes the game simple, creating a loose environment by giving his players the freedom to perform.

He respects all players; he just hates to see major league talent go to waste. A former minor league catcher, he made $215 a month at the start of his 10-year playing career in 1949. More than a half-century later, after getting fired by the Reds, he spent time mentoring his grandson, Zachary Booker, a pitcher/catcher headed to UNC Wilmington.

"I've got nine grandkids," McKeon says. "I love watching them play, but I was getting tired of Little League softball and baseball. It's a little bit below the caliber I'm used to."

So, he's back one last time, the third oldest manager in major league history behind Connie Mack (88) and Casey Stengel (75). McKeon attends church every morning and often arrives at the ballpark by 9:30. He works out by walking, jogging and puffing on a cigar for four or five miles. Then he'll relax, read the newspaper and smoke a few more cigars.

"I marvel at that man," says Dodgers manager Jim Tracy, 47. "When I get to his age, I hope the walleye are biting, the salmon are running and my outboard is working. I will not be managing."

McKeon is managing. And winning. And vowing to keep going as long as he can. "I've had more fun this year than I've ever had in my career," he says.

That cloud you see over Pro Player Stadium? It's not the Marlins' uncertain future. It's not a south Florida summer storm. It's McKeon puffing away in the dugout, savoring one more ride.

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