Greatest Moments in Marlins History: #45 Skipper Jack

Mar 19, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins special assistant to the owner Jack McKeon is seen in the dugout before a spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome back to the Greatest Moments in Marlins History. Almost every year a team can look back at its season and pick what was the turning point for them that year. The 2003 Marlins could choose from a few. Moment 45 is one of those moments. Today we are bringing you the day the Jack McKeon took over the Marlins on May 11, 2003.

On May 11, 2003 the Marlins fired Jeff Torborg after starting the season off 16-22. Hours later the Marlins announced that Trader Jack would be the new manager of the Marlins. The 72 year-old baseball vet managed Kansas City, Oakland, San Diego and Cincinnati before taking the Marlins job. Jack knew it was not going to be easy to turn this team around. Stating…

"“I’m a seasoned citizen, in years and baseball experience, but I’m not a miracle worker. We’ve got a lot of work to do. Hopefully we can take this club to another level.”"

We all know that Jack became the miracle worker that year. He would go on to win Manager of the Year, turn this club into a winning team, and manage the team to its second World Series victory ever. He may not have known it at the time of his statement, but Jack did go on to become that miracle worker.

Join me tomorrow as we take a look at another 2003 moment which can be seen as a turning point for our Marlins.