Inductee: Jeff Conine
The very first inductee for the Good Guy Hall of Fame is going to be the person who inspired it in the first place—Jeff Conine.
When I was a kid, we had season tickets to the Florida Marlins. I grew up knowing that he was Mr. Marlin, that he was the man who embodied the team and the franchise entirely. He was at every community event with the fans and was my role model on the field.
The man played baseball for 17 years, earning MVP titles, two World Series rings, and an outstanding reputation as both a first baseman and a left fielder. His career batting average was .285 in almost 7,000 at-bats, he had over 1,000 RBIs, and almost 2,000 hits. He still holds the Marlins franchise record for grand slams with six and is the only Marlin to have won an All-Star MVP. This guy was the real deal on the field. But, he was also just as impactful off the field and in the community.
In 2004, Jeff Conine was the recipient of the Marlins All-Heart award which, according to their website, “best exemplifies the team's commitment to the South Florida community by making a positive impact and serving as a role model for others.” I’d argue that he should’ve won it every year he was a part of the team.
But, “Niner” goes beyond that. He didn’t just perform well in his obligation to the team, he went a step further and created his own ways to serve his community. Jeff Conine and his wife chose to serve Joe Dimaggio Children’s Hospital.
They were board members for the foundation that oversees fundraising for the hospital. The Chairman of the board explained that it wasn’t just the name-dropping, they were “physically present at hospital meetings and events.”
When I was a kid, we had season tickets to the Florida Marlins. I grew up knowing that he was Mr. Marlin, that he was the man who embodied the team and the franchise entirely. He was at every community event with the fans and was my role model on the field.
The man played baseball for 17 years, earning MVP titles, two World Series rings, and an outstanding reputation as both a first baseman and a left fielder. His career batting average was .285 in almost 7,000 at-bats, he had over 1,000 RBIs, and almost 2,000 hits. He still holds the Marlins franchise record for grand slams with six and is the only Marlin to have won an All-Star MVP. This guy was the real deal on the field. But, he was also just as impactful off the field and in the community.
In 2004, Jeff Conine was the recipient of the Marlins All-Heart award which, according to their website, “best exemplifies the team's commitment to the South Florida community by making a positive impact and serving as a role model for others.” I’d argue that he should’ve won it every year he was a part of the team.
But, “Niner” goes beyond that. He didn’t just perform well in his obligation to the team, he went a step further and created his own ways to serve his community. Jeff Conine and his wife chose to serve Joe Dimaggio Children’s Hospital.
They were board members for the foundation that oversees fundraising for the hospital. The Chairman of the board explained that it wasn’t just the name-dropping, they were “physically present at hospital meetings and events.”
The Conines started the Conine All-Star Golf Classic, an annual event that brings together the celebrity world and the community in order to raise the most money for the kids.
They’ve raised SO much money that the board let them help decide how it would be spent. One of their most famous and meaningful choices was the Conine Clubhouse. It’s a place where families can stay for free while their children are hospitalized…absolutely free of charge. It is one of the most impactful additions to the hospital and Jeff’s pride and joy. The Conines have added a number of other amenities like playgrounds and gardens as well.
He then added the Jeff Conine Celebrity Poker Classic, which is also for celebrities and athletes connecting with the community, to raise tons of money for……you guessed it, Joe Dimaggio! The Conines do an enormous amount for the community purely because they are passionate about helping kids.
Jeff Conine was arguably one of the most well-rounded “good guys” in baseball. And maybe even sports as a whole. Jeff Conine was a role model both on and off the field. He deserves an endless amount of recognition and appreciation. Thank you, Mr. Marlin. You’ve made both baseball and the world a better place. Welcome to the Good Guy Hall of Fame!
They’ve raised SO much money that the board let them help decide how it would be spent. One of their most famous and meaningful choices was the Conine Clubhouse. It’s a place where families can stay for free while their children are hospitalized…absolutely free of charge. It is one of the most impactful additions to the hospital and Jeff’s pride and joy. The Conines have added a number of other amenities like playgrounds and gardens as well.
He then added the Jeff Conine Celebrity Poker Classic, which is also for celebrities and athletes connecting with the community, to raise tons of money for……you guessed it, Joe Dimaggio! The Conines do an enormous amount for the community purely because they are passionate about helping kids.
Jeff Conine was arguably one of the most well-rounded “good guys” in baseball. And maybe even sports as a whole. Jeff Conine was a role model both on and off the field. He deserves an endless amount of recognition and appreciation. Thank you, Mr. Marlin. You’ve made both baseball and the world a better place. Welcome to the Good Guy Hall of Fame!
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