“I’ve always been a fan of watching the Ironman program on TV,” Conine said. “The triathlon is something I’ve always wanted to do.”
Conine to compete in Ironman triathlon03/31/2008 4:08 PM ETBy Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
MIAMI – Jeff Conine has been part of two World Series title teams, he’s been an All-Star MVP, and sometime in 2008, he plans on becoming an “Iron Man.”
Before throwing out the first pitch before the Marlins faced the Mets on Monday afternoon in Opening Day festivities, Conine was formally invited to compete in the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
A couple of days ago, Conine, 41, signed a one-day contract with the Marlins and he retired after 17 seasons of Major League Baseball.
The man nicknamed Mr. Marlin now is following in the footsteps of Marlins president David Samson, who completed the Ford Ironman in 2006.
Conine is training to compete in Hawaii on Oct. 11.
“I want to do what David did, and finish the race,” Conine said. “He was my inspiration.”
Along with being a big league baseball player, Conine has been an avid racquetball player.
Training for a triathlon is a new experience.
The Ford Ironman consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run.
“I’ve always been a fan of watching the Ironman program on TV,” Conine said. “The triathlon is something I’ve always wanted to do.”
While Conine is exiting as a baseball player, and training for a triathlon, he is expected to join the Marlins down the road in an advisory capacity.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.