I heard this on ESPN Radio this morning when I was driving to work. Jack McKeon, now 80 years old, was named the Marlins manager this week making him the second oldest manager EVER behind only the great Connie Mack. But that's not even the craziest part of the story. McKeon got his first big league managing gig with the Kansas City Royals back in 1973. At the point in time, there was not a single member of the Marlins current 40 man roster who'd even been born yet! The oldest player Florida has, relief pitcher Randy Choate was born in the fall of 1975.
Photo Courtesy: espn.go.com
McKeon led the Marlins to their second World Series title in 2003 becoming the oldest manager to ever win a World Series. They upset the heavily favored Yankees in 6 games with a roster that included a 23 year old Josh Beckett, A.J. Burnett, rookies Miguel Cabrera, Juan Pierre and Dontrelle Willis, Derrek Lee, Mike Lowell, Brad Penny, "Mr. Marlin" Jeff Conine and Ivan Rodriguez.
The 2011 Marlins are 32-41 and have lost 11 straight and 19 of their last 20 games after starting the season 31-22.
The Marlins have cancelled their move to downtown Miami and are setting up shop in a retirement community, as they announce hiring 80-year-old Jack McKeon. SHOCKING developments at http://spnheadlines.blogspot.com/2011/06/florida-marlins-hire-elderly-manager.html
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