Marlins Special Assistant Jeff Conine said that he "turned down an offer from new ownership to remain with the organization in what would have been a sharply diminished role at lower pay," according to Spencer & Jackson of the MIAMI HERALD. Conine said he is "disappointed ... that I won't have a role in this organization." Conine, along with fellow Special Assistants Tony Perez and Andre Dawson, were "reportedly making $100,000 annually." Sources said that they were "offered half that to remain with the team." Conine said that he was told he would be "involved in spring training and alumni gatherings -- 'community service type things' -- but that was about it." Conine said of the reduced role, "It was diminished everything across the board. I didn't feel it was worth my time and I'm going to explore other opportunities." Spencer & Jackson note it is "possible Conine could continue working as a television broadcaster for Marlins games, but that decision rests" with FS Florida and is a "totally separate deal." Conine is considered a South Florida "baseball icon," having been on the inaugural '93 Marlins roster and a member of both the '97 and '03 World Series-winning team (MIAMI HERALD, 10/27). In N.Y., Hannah Withiam notes just two months into his ownership debut, Marlins CEO Derek Jeter has "burned a bridge with a Marlins folk hero" (N.Y. POST, 10/27).
