Skip to content
Phillies
Link copied to clipboard

High & Inside: NL Notes

Trying to catch Connie Mack Jack McKeon has a new job at age 80 - interim manager of the Florida Marlins.

Trying to catch Connie Mack

Jack McKeon has a new job at age 80 - interim manager of the Florida Marlins.

McKeon, who retired as the Marlins manager six years ago, becomes the second-oldest manager in major-league history. Connie Mack managed the Philadelphia Athletics in a suit, tie and straw hat until 1950, when he was 87.

McKeon, who guided the Marlins to the 2003 World Series championship, succeeds manager Edwin Rodriguez, who resigned before Sunday's loss at Tampa Bay.

McKeon took over a floundering Marlins team in May 2003 and led them to an improbable championship that fall.

Florida had three successive winning seasons under McKeon before he retired as manager at age 74 in 2005. There had been a buzz for several years that he wanted to return to the dugout.

McKeon was born Nov. 23, 1930, in South Amboy, N.J. He began his professional baseball career as a minor-league catcher in 1949 and managed 2,269 games in the minors. He returns to the dugout with a career record of 1,011-940.

McKeon will wear a uniform with No. 25.

"I've managed since I was 14 years old," he jokingly said. "I'll probably manage until I'm 95."

More trouble in La-La Land

Commissioner Bud Selig on Monday rejected a proposed television deal between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Fox Sports that voids a recent divorce settlement between team owner Frank McCourt and his ex-wife, Jamie McCourt.

Selig said in a statement the TV contract would not be in the best interests of baseball and would further divert team assets to McCourt's "personal needs."

Selig's decision fuels more uncertainty. Frank McCourt has struggled to meet team payroll since the start of the season and without money from a TV deal, Selig could seize control of the Dodgers if McCourt doesn't pay his bills.