Jack McKeon, 85, wants to be oldest manager ever

Jack McKeon has been in baseball for over four decades, so he's seen a lot of records fall.

He's set some himself, too. "Trader Jack" became the oldest manager to win a World Series in 2003 when, at age 72, he piloted the Florida Marlins to a surprise title. Now, at 85, he's eyeing one more mark: Oldest manager ever.

McKeon, whose first managerial job was in 1973 and last managed in 2011, is intent on donning the Marlins uniform one more time in either 2018 or 2019 to set the record.

"I feel great, I’m just waiting for the day I can come back," McKeon told Kevin Kernan of the New York Post at Marlins' camp on Friday.

If he comes back, McKeon would take the record from Hall of Fame manager Connie Mack, who retired at age 87 after managing the Philadelphia Athletics for 50 years. By the end of his career, however, Mack was a shell of his former self, often falling asleep in the dugout.

That's a big difference from McKeon in 2016, who's clearly still of sound mind and remains a Marlins special adviser. In discussing his proposed comeback, he made it clear he's quite serious, and unlike other baseball comebacks by older players or coaches designed to sell tickets, this wouldn't be "just a public relations stunt."

"(One-time White Sox owner) Bill Veeck was able to do it with Minnie Minoso - he brought him back (as a player at age 54), so these guys want to bring me back so I’m happy to do it," McKeon said.

In addition to the Marlins, McKeon has also managed the Royals, Padres, Athletics, and Reds, amassing a 1051-990 record.