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NEW YORK -- New Marlins manager Dan Jennings told his troops on Day One that he understood there were skeptics in the room who wondered how they had hired a manager who'd never been in uniform, as a player or manager, and worried that he was nothing more than a puppet for ownership.
So Jennings took it head on, telling the players, "If I was sitting in your chair I'd feel the same way. The only thing I ask is, give me the opportunity to earn your trust and respect."
It was an uphill battle -- Marlins players say the front office was too involved even before the change was made -- but he seems to be making progress with in the clubhouse. There was also a strong concern among the players that the Marlins wouldn't be taken seriously after yet another oddball move.
And, according to someone in the room, they had some tough questions for Jennings.
"Everything they felt like they wanted to say they did say," Jennings recalled Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. "Since then, I feel we've turned the page and are focusing on what we need to be focusing on, that's winning games."
One Marlins player suggested things have improved as they've gone, and that Jennings is making better moves involving the bullpen.
Jennings' first decision had to be his toughest call of all, which was to take the job in the first place. Jennings drew laughs at the press conference when he said his own mother asked him, "Are you crazy?"
Well, turns out Jennings had a similar question for owner Jeffrey Loria when he brought the idea to him. "Have you lost your mind?" Jennings wondered. In the end, Jennings, realizing they weren't going to be able to look around in-season and knowing they were out of reasonable alternatives, said OK, perhaps largely out of loyalty.
After he agreed, the day Shelby Miller nearly no-hit the Marlins, the higher-ups decided it was time to dismiss Redmond. Due to the unusual plan to transfer Redmond's immediate boss to the job, team presidents David Samson and Michael Hill delivered the news to Redmond, with Jennings absent.
Since that day, Jennings has absorbed barbs from skeptics and cynics outside the clubhouse, too, to the point where he's advised his wife not to read or listen. Meanwhile, Jennings says he remains unconcerned about any damage to his own reputation, which has been that of an excellent evaluator and winning demeanor.
"No," he said. "I'm 31 years in the game. I'm worried about the players and that's it, honestly." There are talented players, but the team was missing its top four starters when the change was made (one of them, Mat Latos is back, and Jarred Cosart and ace Jose Fernandez are on their way back).
"I believe in this team," Jennings said. "It's a privilege to put on a major-league uniform and a privilege to crawl in the foxhole and pull in the right direction. We dug a hole for ourselves and we get to dig out of it."
The Marlins have improved, if slightly, under the new manager. After going 16-22 for Redmond, they are 13-17 for Jennings, though they are 13-12 since starting with five straight losses. His bosses remain supportive.
"He has the right temperament you're looking for and he has a relationship with the players," Hill said. "He knows the game of baseball. His 31 years in the game do count for something. He hasn't missed anything. Strategically, he's right on point."
And Loria said, "The manager is working hard and doing an excellent job. He has a PHD in baseball, so just let him do his job."
Here's a surprise: Jennings seems to be enjoying the challenge. While he says he now will wake up at 4 a.m. on occasion, replaying the game in his mind, he maintains it's worth it.
"It's starting to normalize. The boys are playing well, and I'm proud of the way we've responded," he said, "I'm having a blast."
The Marlins are not selling.
"We're in it," Jennings said. "We're not jumping off the ship, no doubt about that."
