MAJOR LEAGUES Marlins respond to McKeon's challenges

Florida has the best record in baseball since Jack McKeon became manager.
By HAL BOCK
ASSOCIATED PRESS
For the Florida Marlins, this wild-card playoff race does not include lassos or guns. It was not always that way for other teams Jack McKeon managed over a lifetime spent in baseball, trying to make players better.
McKeon was relaxing at home in North Carolina in May, out of baseball for two years, when the distress call came from the Marlins. Another repair job needed. McKeon has a history of picking up the pieces.
So he put aside his AARP card and, at age 72, became the third oldest manager in baseball history. Only Casey Stengel (75), who some suspect was born in a dugout, and Connie Mack (88), who had the good sense to own the team he managed, were older.
Relishes return
The issue of age is no issue at all for McKeon, puffing contentedly on a cigar, relishing his return to the ambiance of the clubhouse.
"Once it's in your blood ...," he said. "It's what I've done all my life."
The Marlins were drowning, six games under .500 when McKeon arrived. They were 21 games over .500 going into the weekend.
"I'm a developmental guy," he said. "I teach them how to become better. I give them my knowledge. I don't need an ego boost. I love these kids but I discipline them. I want you to be good. But it's tough love.
"This is a very good club with a lot of young guys who were never able to challenge. My job was to convince them, 'Hey, we can make it. Dig a little deeper. Shoot for the moon. You don't get anything handed to you.' "
Familiar message
It is a message McKeon has delivered before in some of baseball's more obscure places like Missoula in the Pioneer League, Fox Cities in the Three-I League and Wilson in the Carolina League. Later, he became Dr. Fix-It in major league stops at Kansas City, Oakland, San Diego, Cincinnati and now Florida. He is a storyteller of Stengelian proportions.
There was Juan Vistuer, a player he had in the Carolina League whose base-running left something to be desired.
"He kept running through stop signs," McKeon said. "I told him, 'You keep doing that, I'm going to shoot you.' " Then he found a store selling blank revolvers for $3.95. "I kept it in my back pocket," the manager said.
Sure enough, in the next game as the runner whizzed by him, McKeon whipped out the pistol.
"Bang! Bang! He went down on the ground holding his head and then peeking out," the manager said. "Taught him a lesson."
Then there was the lasso.
Got a warning
McKeon had Sandy Valdespino in another minor league stop and was growing frustrated with his base-running. Valdespino took off one time too often and McKeon warned him.
"I told him I was going to tie him down," the manager said.
The next time Valdespino reached base, out came the rope, held by the first base coach.
"We had the lasso on him through ball one, ball two, ball three. Then after the batter took a strike, we took it off," McKeon said.
Another lesson.
Who better, then, to teach the Marlins how to win? His energized team of youngsters has charged out of nowhere to challenge for the National League wild card berth.
"I didn't do anything," McKeon said. "The players did it. They were starting to mature. I asked them to work harder, play smarter. I don't have a magic formula. I love challenges. I try to motivate guys, pat them on the back, wind them up, let them go and just stay out of the way."
Best mark since May 23
The Marlins positioned themselves for an exciting September by posting the best record in baseball since May 23, two weeks after McKeon arrived. There are six games remaining with Philadelphia, three this week, three more next week, that will probably decide the wild card race. McKeon relishes it, especially since Florida has won eight straight from the Phillies.
This is exactly what he hoped for when the Marlins called. There was a family discussion and unanimous approval.
"They said, 'This is what you like to do. Go do what you like to do,"' McKeon said.
And what about next year, when he'll be 73?
"If they want me, we'll have another family meeting," he said. "I know what they'll say. 'Go for it!"'