MIAMI -- The Miami Marlins promoted Mike Hill to president of baseball
operations and Dan Jennings to general manager before Sunday's season finale
against the Detroit Tigers.
The news was announced in a press release from team owner Jeffrey Loria, who was
not at a noon media conference in which Hill and Jennings answered questions.
Hill had been general manager under former President/Baseball Operations Larry
Beinfest, who was fired Friday. Jennings was assistant GM.
Hill and Jennings worked together as young employees with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Both have been with the Marlins for a while -- Hill 11 years, Jennings 12 years.
The Marlins, 61-100 entering Sunday, finished last in the NL East for the third
consecutive year.
"I think we're going to try and change a few things," said Hill, wearing his
2003 World Championship ring. "We need to get better -- that's the bottom line.
We need to win more ballgames.
"I think the future is bright here."
Hill cited young talent, especially pitching, as reason for optimism. He said
manager Mike Redmond would be part of the process going forward, though coaching
staff changes could be coming.
Jennings, whose background has been player development, thinks the Marlins can
emulate teams in this year's postseason.
"When I see Pittsburgh, when I see Oakland, when I see Tampa Bay, when I see
Cleveland … I look at those clubs, and they're kind of the blue-collar grinder
teams that have to go out and they create their own mindset, almost a chip on
their shoulders the way they play," Jennings said.
"They have one or two All-Star caliber players, but for the most part they're
the blue-collar guys that, based upon the right guy in the manager's seat, the
staff and the right mindset of the players coming, good things occur."
Sunday's announcement and media conference came two days after Beinfest was let
go.
"I spoke to Larry this morning and he gave me his blessings and I thanked him
for our time together and we're good," said Hill, clearly getting a little
emotional.
Charlie McCarthy can be reached at mac1763@bellsouth.net
or on Twitter @mccarthy_chas
