Person familiar with decision: 80-year-old Jack McKeon hired as Marlins' interim manager
6/20/2011MIAMI — Jack McKeon has a new job at age 80 — interim manager of the Florida Marlins.
The Marlins held a news conference Monday to reintroduce McKeon, who retired as the Marlins' manager six years ago.
McKeon 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.
The last-place Marlins took a 10-game losing streak into Monday night's matchup at home against the Los Angeles Angels.
McKeon most recently had worked part time as a special assistant to owner Jeffrey Loria. His return came with the Marlins trying to end a three-week free-fall that has seen them go 1-18 in June.
The Marlins are hoping history will repeat. 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.