'Mr. Marlin' Jeff Conine rejoins org as advisor

MIAMI -- Mr. Marlin is coming home.

On Thursday afternoon, the Marlins announced Jeff Conine will return to the organization as a special assistant to chairman and principal owner Bruce Sherman.

Conine, an original Marlin who was part of both World Series championship clubs, spent eight of his 17 MLB seasons in South Florida. He remains the only player in franchise history to win the All-Star Game MVP, which he earned in 1995.

"I always felt, even though I played for six different teams, that I've always been a Marlin at heart," Conine said on Friday. "To be back here representing my hometown team is where I belong. Bruce started this conversation earlier this year. The relationship's going to develop, and here I am right now, part of the family again, so very excited."

After his playing career ended in 2007, Conine joined the Marlins' front office in 2008 and served as special assistant to then-president David Samson. He also worked as a pregame and postgame analyst for Marlins games on FOX Sports Florida, occasionally providing color commentary. Conine left the Marlins when offered a reduced role by the new ownership group in 2017.

The 56-year-old Conine most recently held the title of associate head baseball coach at Florida International University during the 2021-22 season.

Conine said that Sherman reached out to him personally over the summer, and they met again after the season.

"The conversations were cordial and productive, and we decided that this is going to be a beneficial relationship," Conine said. "I'm happy to be here, and hope I can lend whatever I can to take us back to where we should be [as an organization], which is in the postseason."

His role will be similar to the one before, except working closely with Sherman and current Marlins leadership on a variety of projects and initiatives pertaining to the organization’s operations. Conine, whose annual golf and poker tournaments have raised over $7.5 million since 1995 per his LinkedIn, will also participate in special appearances throughout the year with Marlins Members, fans and partners, and at key community outreach and Marlins Foundation events. He will be available to provide guidance and assistance to players at all levels of the organization.

That began on Friday afternoon, when Conine and Sherman were on hand for the annual Home Plate Meals Thanksgiving Distribution sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

"Jeff is an icon of the Marlins organization, and we are excited to bring him back ‘home,’” Sherman said in the release. “His perspective and knowledge of the history of the Marlins franchise and the South Florida community will be invaluable. We look forward to seeing him more at loanDepot park and engaging with our fans and partners.”

Conine's son, Griffin, is a Double-A outfielder in the Marlins' system and is the club’s No. 24-ranked prospect.