To young crew add Ivan Rodriguez and Jeff Conine, who have given Marlins veteran savvy.
By MARC TOPKIN
Published October 19, 2003
NEW YORK - So much has been made of how young the Marlins are, how inexperienced they are, how they don't know what they're getting into playing in Yankee Stadium in the postseason.
To that, the Marlins have two answers:
Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez and Jeff Conine.
Rodriguez, the Marlins catcher, spent 12 seasons in the American League with the Rangers, including three division series against the Yankees, before signing with Florida this year.
Conine, the Marlins' leftfielder/DH, spent the past 43/4 seasons with the AL East Orioles, playing at least 18 games a year against the Yankees, before being traded to Florida on Aug. 31.
The Marlins plan to rely on both during the Series, which started Saturday night.
"Pudge has been a tremendous asset to us in going over players that have played in the American League," Florida manager Jack McKeon said. "He's going to have a significant input with our decisions as to how we pitch some of these Yankees players. His experience in this league has been very helpful to us. I hope it continues to be the same."
Game 2 starter Mark Redman said Rodriguez can make a difference on every pitch.
"It's going to benefit our whole club since Pudge is going to be in every game, behind the plate," Redman said. "He's seen enough of the Yankees to know how they're going to approach things and everything."
Conine's experience against the Yankees and his familiarity with the DH role also are plusses. And by moving Conine to DH, the Marlins were able to improve their defense by putting Juan Encarnacion back in rightfield and shifting Miguel Cabrera to leftfield.
While Conine has made some key offensive and defensive plays, he has been just as valuable off the field.
"He's certainly been a big factor in making it easier for those young guys, making them realize what the postseason is all about," McKeon said. "I think he adds a lot in the clubhouse. The confidence, the example he has shown, the way he approaches the game, he's always mentally prepared, he's a very intense player.
"He's had playoff experience. He's a veteran, he knows how to play the game. He sets the tone by the way he plays the game and he sets an example. He's been a tremendous addition to our ballclub."
