After what has turned out to be one of worst 20 game stretches in the history of Major League Baseball (1-19), manager Edwin Rodriguez of the Florida Marlins stuck his hand into the unforgiving grab bag of reality and wrote his letter of resignation, leaving the throne wide open for the one-and-only (and available), Jack McKeon.
Yeah, thats right, Jack frickin McKeon. Pretty sure the guy is like 80 years old now and still smokes cigars like it's the nineteenth century. But sure enough, Jack Mac (nobody actually calls him that) is once again the perfect match for the Florida Marlins' interim manager position. I say 'once again', because if you weren't aware, or just not quick to catch on, this isn't the first time Jack McKeon has been hired as an interim head coach. This isn't even the first time Jack McKeon has been hired as an interim head coach for the Florida Marlins. This isn't EVEN, the first time Jack McKeon has been hired to take over and revamp a lifeless and uninspired baseball team that is struggling at nearly 10 games below .500.
Should I remind you what transpired the last time Jack McKeon graced his presence in the dugout of a struggling Marlins team, mid way through the season? Champagne showers and a parade held in their honor. Yup, they won it all. A seemingly improbable World Series victory against the New York Yankees in 2003... Dont mind me getting all nostalgic and whatnot. I was stoked.
Although the circumstances for both hirings seem fairly analogous, the 2011 Marlins are battling an issue that the 03' Marlins never had to worry about. A young, arrogant, and egotistical superstar, who is struggling beyond belief and frankly, just can't seem to grow up. If you haven't guessed him yet, I am talking about the 2009 National League batting champion and 27 year old prodigy shortstop -- Hanley Ramirez.
With Hanley Ramirez's uncongenial demeanor adding more weight on Jack McKeon's shoulders than he had ever experienced with the 2003 Florida Marlins, fans around the country wondered what type, color, and size foot he would get off to in his debut as the manager for the 2011 Florida Marlins.
So how did the ultra cool Jack McKeon handle his first lineup card of the season? He just neglected to write Hanley Ramirez's name on it...No big deal.
It was an unconventional decision with a message. Totally Jack's style.
The Marlins lost monday night, something that they have grown very accustom to over the past three weeks. McKeon justified his actions after the game by saying to the press that he didn't feel Ramirez was hustling out of the box, and doing the smaller, more general skills, to the best of his ability. The message was received by Hanley Ramirez as he rode the bench the entire night. He was then placed in the 4th spot of the Marlins lineup the next night. No hard feelings, I guess. Ramirez went 2 for 4 out of the cleanup spot Tuesday night, scoring two runs in a winning effort that snapped an 11 game losing streak. More interesting than the end of one streak though, is the start of another. Jack McKeon had won his first game of the season. Im not saying that this will certainly be the first of many, but in baseball, who really knows.
From my view, I think it's fair to say that this Marlins baseball team is young and talented, but notably unable to focus on the big picture. Their agonizing lack of diligence and discipline will always be their demise if nothing is done. With McKeon's old school fervor for the game of baseball and no bullshit attitude, these young men have a chance to evolve from athletes, to real genuine baseball players. Yes, even Hanley Ramirez
Whether Jack McKeon is able to actualize another magical comeback season for this franchise is a question of great intrigue, and truthfully, doesn't seem too wishful. But for now, I am just happy to see his old ass chillin' in the dugout again. He's a legend, a scholar, and a badass of baseball. Don't be shocked to hear some noise coming from Miami this summer. Noise of course that isn't stemming from Lebron James' and Dwayne Wade's homosexual tendencies.
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