Mixing his trademark no-nonsense philosophy with plenty of humor, Jack McKeon returned to his alma mater for a question-and-answer session and to meet with the Phoenix baseball team. Details...
McKeon, still basking in the glow of the Florida Marlins’ World Series win, traded jokes and baseball stories with hundreds of students, faculty, staff and friends of Elon, who packed Whitley Auditorium to catch a glimpse of history. At 72, McKeon is the oldest manager to win a World Series and this week was named the National League Manager of the Year.
As an Elon resident, McKeon did not have to travel far to visit his alma mater. “It’s a great honor to be here. It’s been a special year for me, no question about that.”
McKeon spoke of the talent on the Marlins team this year and the dedication of the players, and he urged students to make the most of their Elon education.
“All through my career I preached to my players, ‘Your attitude will determine your altitude,’” he said. “We have a great bunch of players, and they have a tremendous attitude. You guys have a tremendous opportunity. You’re free to do many things. Don’t cheat yourself. Work hard. If you follow the path and work hard, dreams do come true. I’m living proof of that.”
Growing up in South Amboy, N.J., McKeon said his father opposed his playing professional baseball until he got a college education. During one semester at the College of Holy Cross, McKeon recalled how he would stop at the statue of the Blessed Virgin on the way to the dining hall each night and pray that his father would let him play ball. Eventually his father agreed as long as McKeon promised to earn a college degree. “I’m a strong believer in the power of prayer,” McKeon quipped.
McKeon was asked whether he preferred to play the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox during the World Series. “It really didn’t make any difference once you got to the World Series,” he said. “But deep in my heart, I wanted to play the Yankees. How we would have done against the Red Sox I don’t know. I think we matched up better against the Yankees.”
He was also asked about the prospects of keeping the Marlins team in tact for next season. “Changes are being made in all major league clubs,” he said. “It’s going to be difficult to keep the team together because of salary arbitration and free agency. It would cost $92 million, and right now the budget is $52 million.”
Concerning whether recent reports of steroid use among players will hurt the game, McKeon said he could never tell if his players ever used steroids. “Years ago, you never heard of steroids.”
He also said the Chicago Cubs fan who tried to catch the fly ball during that infamous playoff game was unfairly criticized. The episode had nothing to do with the Cubs losing that game and the chance to advance to the World Series, he said. “I think he really got a bum rap. I don’t think he should have to take the heat he’s taken.”
McKeon was also asked about parity in baseball. He said many clubs are scaling back players’ salaries to survive. “It’s not the payroll that dictates if you are going to win or not,” he said. “It’s the players you have.”
When asked about his philosophy as a manager and how he brings the best out of his players, McKeon said, “I enjoy young players. They’re dying to learn.”
He said he was able to turn around the Marlins because he let his players play and didn’t call every shot. “All I did was try to get them to have fun. I tried to get them to use their imaginations and not be robots. I tell my players, ‘I want you to be creative. I want you to expand your knowledge of the game. I want you to take chances.’”
McKeon was also asked whether former Cincinnati Reds star Pete Rose should be allowed in baseball’s Hall of Fame. “I think his stats and what he’s done as a player warrant him being in the Hall of Fame,” McKeon said, adding that the league is waiting for Rose to apologize for gambling on baseball. Once that happens, McKeon said Rose will probably be inducted.