MIAMI (AP) – Derek Jeter says he will help develop a winning culture with the Miami Marlins that will emphasize hard work, discipline and no excuses.
The turnaround won’t happen overnight, he said, but added the new ownership group believes in the market and the fan base.
Jeter and new controlling owner Bruce Sherman spoke publicly for the first time Tuesday about their group’s $1.2 billion purchase of the Marlins. Their news conference came two days after the Marlins concluded their eighth consecutive losing season, the longest streak in the majors.
Jeter, who played on five World Series champions with the New York Yankees, will lead baseball and business operations for a team that hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2003. He has about a 4 percent stake in the ownership group and said he will surround himself with qualified people.
“I’m not coming in here thinking I know everything about team ownership. I do not,” Jeter said. “One thing I’m good at is knowing what I do not know.”
