Marlins adjusting to new reality after change in manager
MIAMI -- Much like the rest of the baseball world, the Miami Marlins were initially shocked when told the news of Dan Jennings -- their former general manager -- making the switch to manager.
"The first thought in anyone's mind is, 'What's going on here?'" All-Star slugger Giancarlo Stanton said. "So it's only natural for the players to have that too. At the same time, you have to realize what's positive about this and how are we going to overcome this and not just look at it in a negative way because that's kind of what the season has been based around."
The Marlins found themselves in this situation because of a 16-22 start despite postseason aspirations after various offseason acquisitions.
When Jennings spoke to the ballclub before Monday's batting practice, the knee-jerk reaction went away. Jennings, the same "Alabama guy from the south" as Stanton described him, either drafted or traded for the current roster he has faith in. He stressed recapturing momentum and just worrying about winning games.
"Better structure, better focus on the important things," Stanton said. "Not to let all the outside stuff creep in. We've got a job to do...whether it's that seven o'clock block or one o'clock block, you've got to lock in."
Reliever Steve Cishek said the team is ready to move on after a tough day of losing manager Mike Redmond and bench coach Rob Leary.
Miami accepts it must trust in each other and that it will take a total team effort. Cishek called Jennings a great speaker, one who gets "everyone's attention" when he speaks and is "pretty inspirational."
"The sun came up this morning (and) we realized we have to put all that in the past," Cishek said. "DJ was given the job and we're excited. He's a well-respected guy in this clubhouse. In that team meeting we just had he pretty much proved himself to us that he's fully committed to getting us going again. We're just excited to put everything that's been going on behind us and just worry about winning games."
Right-hander Tom Koehler met Jennings in 2008 when the Marlins took him in the 18th round of the First-Year Player Draft.
When asked whether Jennings, with no prior big-league playing or coaching experience, could handle the pressure of in-game decisions, Koehler brushed it aside.
"I don't think he's going to be exactly feeling the pressure on it," Koehler said. "Those are decisions that are affecting guys' contracts like where they're going and where they're playing, so if anything it might be a relief because now it's just a game. He's got to decide if someone has to run fast or bunt. So if anything he might be looking forward to those decisions instead of looking someone in the face and tell them they're getting optioned down."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
