McKeon, 72, will return as manager in '04

MIAMI -- Jack McKeon got a new car for reaching the World Series. He got a new contract for winning it.

McKeon agreed to a one-year extension and will return to manage the Florida Marlins next season, owner Jeffrey Loria announced Tuesday during the team's World Series celebration.

"I have some good news and a little bad news. The good news is Jack is coming back," Loria said. "The bad news is there's no bad news."

The sides agreed on the deal Monday night, McKeon said.

"I always had no doubt I was coming back," said McKeon, who refused to formally announce his intentions during the season.

McKeon, 72, took over when manager Jeff Torborg was fired in May and engineered the Marlins' turnaround from last place team to World Series champions.

-- AP