Marlins: Rodriguez will remain manager all season

[June 30, 2010]  MIAMI (AP) -- Jeffrey Loria walked into the Florida Marlins' dugout five minutes before game time, an unusual time for an impromptu team meeting.

The Marlins didn't mind. The owner was giving them what they wanted.

Ending a week of speculation, the Marlins decided to give Edwin Rodriguez -- the interim manager they summoned to replace Fredi Gonzalez -- the chance to continue leading the team for the remainder of the season. Loria told Rodriguez he was hired about 30 minutes before the game, told the team just before the first pitch, and the inspired Marlins went on to beat the New York Mets 7-6.

"It gives everybody peace of mind," left fielder Chris Coghlan said.

That would include Rodriguez. He's the first Puerto Rican manager in the major leagues, so it's clearly fitting that he got Loria's news when the Marlins were playing in San Juan, a mere five minutes from his offseason home.

"I have to say, I was surprised," Rodriguez said.

The Marlins also interviewed former third-base coach Bo Porter, now with Arizona, and had interest in ESPN analyst Bobby Valentine before deciding to stay with Rodriguez. On Sunday, Loria said the process would take "as long as it takes," adding that the organization would make sure "we get the right guy."

Loria said he told Rodriguez just before the game of his decision.

"At the end of the year we'll re-evaluate things," Loria said in the press box during the game. "What will always be my first and foremost concern are the players. I thought the continuity ... was the most important thing we could do. Edwin's going to be their manager. The coaches will continue that are in place. Continuity's important."

For now, anyway, that's what Rodriguez represents.

"We've gotten to know him very well," Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla said earlier this week. "I got to know him in spring training a little bit, but to actually see him now during the season and have him as a manager, I think he's been unbelievable. He does a great job communicating. He wants to learn from us just like how we want to learn from him. That's huge as a manager."

Valentine was once thought to be the front-runner before talks slowed late last week, then broke off.

"I wish them all the success in the world," Valentine wrote in an e-mail.

Valentine has been to the postseason in the majors twice, leading the New York Mets to the World Series in 2000, where they lost to the Yankees.

He has a long relationship with Loria, having managed the Texas Rangers when Loria owned that franchise's Triple-A affiliate. Valentine has a record in the majors of 1,117-1,072, and ended a six-year run as manager of the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Pacific League in 2009.

Before getting summoned to replace Gonzalez, Rodriguez -- who said his interview with the Marlins on Saturday was his first formal interview in a 30-year baseball career -- was managing Florida's Triple-A team in New Orleans.

"Edwin deserves a chance to see what he can do," Loria said. "And I want to give him that chance. I like his levelheadedness and I like his focus on the game."

Loria entered this season with expectations of the Marlins being a playoff contender. They entered Tuesday 36-40, in fourth place in the NL East and already 8 1/2 games behind Atlanta.

"We can make it," Loria said. "We should be able to make a charge. I haven't given up on the season. Neither have the players."

[Associated Press; By TIM REYNOLDS]

Associated Press writer David McFadden contributed to this report from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.