New GM's message focuses on 'team first'

JUPITER, Fla. -- "Team first" was a message the Marlins carried onto the field Thursday to start their first full-squad workouts at Roger Dean Stadium.

Pitchers and catchers have been practicing since Sunday, and on Thursday it was the rest of the position players' turn to get Spring Training going.

Prior to getting the drills going, the players sat through more than an hour of meetings. It's the same procedure every year.

One of the speakers this year was different. Dan Jennings, now the general manager, gave a moving speech, according to those in the room.

"I think the biggest message was to place team first," Jennings said. "Not to worry about anything that has happened in the past, good or bad, and be about team first."

Jennings didn't give too many specifics because he wanted that to remain in-house.

"This game is about the players," Jennings said. "We know that. We understand it. We like our players."

The Marlins have a more experienced club this year, having brought in a number of veterans from winning clubs.

"The good thing is, the guys who we have brought in have been on good teams," manager Mike Redmond said. "They understand what it takes to win. They understand how important chemistry is. They understand what it means to be on a team. Our younger players are going to really benefit from that."