Post by Fish Troll on Apr 8, 2008 12:54:56 GMT -5
Affectionately known as "Mr. Marlin," Jeff Conine of Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins, will compete in the 2008 Ford Ironman World Championship. On October 11, Conine, 41, will embark on his newest athletic endeavor since his recent retirement, and join 1,800 athletes in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, for the world's most challenging and prestigious endurance event.
Conine has been an avid fan of Ironman for years, tuning in each year to the annual NBC broadcast. When Florida Marlins' President, David Samson participated in the 2006 Ford Ironman World Championship, it sparked a newfound respect and interest in the event. Conine has completed several duathlons and has set his sights on this year's St. Anthony's Triathlon and Ford Ironman 70.3 Florida as training for October's big event.
“While baseball has been my life for the last 20 years, I’ve always drawn inspiration from the NBC telecast. The Ironman has been on my list of ‘life’s to-dos’ and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to race alongside some of the best athletes in the sport,” said Conine.
Conine has seen a successful 17-year major league baseball career, as first baseman/outfielder. He was a valuable member of both Marlins’ World Series Championships during two separate stints with Florida, from 1993-1997 and 2003-2005. Additionally, Conine played for the Orioles, Phillies, Royals and Reds, before he finished up with the New York Mets last year. Highly regarded and known for his professionalism on and off the field, Conine officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball last Friday, March 28 in Miami at Dolphin Stadium. Conine and his family reside outside of Miami and while he’s played for other teams in MLB, he says he’s always considered himself a Marlin.
Florida Marlins’ President, David Samson says, “As a Ford Ironman World Championship finisher myself, I am excited to have Jeff join this elite group. We have already shared a World Series Championship with the Florida Marlins and I look forward to celebrating with him the joy and accomplishment of becoming an Ironman.”
The Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, a world-class facility and the leading children’s hospital in Broward and Palm Beach counties, has been Conine’s main charitable undertaking for nearly two decades. He and his committee have raised more than $2 million through the annual Conine All Star Classic Golf Tournament, with funds used toward the needs and day-to-day operations of the Conine Clubhouse at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, FL. In honor of a friend lost to leukemia last year, Conine will raise awareness and funds for the opening of a new unit specializing in Bone Marrow Transplants at Memorial Hospital West.
Conine has been an avid fan of Ironman for years, tuning in each year to the annual NBC broadcast. When Florida Marlins' President, David Samson participated in the 2006 Ford Ironman World Championship, it sparked a newfound respect and interest in the event. Conine has completed several duathlons and has set his sights on this year's St. Anthony's Triathlon and Ford Ironman 70.3 Florida as training for October's big event.
“While baseball has been my life for the last 20 years, I’ve always drawn inspiration from the NBC telecast. The Ironman has been on my list of ‘life’s to-dos’ and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to race alongside some of the best athletes in the sport,” said Conine.
Conine has seen a successful 17-year major league baseball career, as first baseman/outfielder. He was a valuable member of both Marlins’ World Series Championships during two separate stints with Florida, from 1993-1997 and 2003-2005. Additionally, Conine played for the Orioles, Phillies, Royals and Reds, before he finished up with the New York Mets last year. Highly regarded and known for his professionalism on and off the field, Conine officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball last Friday, March 28 in Miami at Dolphin Stadium. Conine and his family reside outside of Miami and while he’s played for other teams in MLB, he says he’s always considered himself a Marlin.
Florida Marlins’ President, David Samson says, “As a Ford Ironman World Championship finisher myself, I am excited to have Jeff join this elite group. We have already shared a World Series Championship with the Florida Marlins and I look forward to celebrating with him the joy and accomplishment of becoming an Ironman.”
The Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, a world-class facility and the leading children’s hospital in Broward and Palm Beach counties, has been Conine’s main charitable undertaking for nearly two decades. He and his committee have raised more than $2 million through the annual Conine All Star Classic Golf Tournament, with funds used toward the needs and day-to-day operations of the Conine Clubhouse at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, FL. In honor of a friend lost to leukemia last year, Conine will raise awareness and funds for the opening of a new unit specializing in Bone Marrow Transplants at Memorial Hospital West.
www.ironman.com/mediacenter/jeff-conine-set-to-hit-home-run-in-hawaii
He retire one sport and join a more extreme one. If Samson somehow finished last year Ironman, I see Coine blowing Samson away this year. Conine played baseball for over 15 years while Samson is a business men, Conine should finish in the top half.
