Jeff Conine’s interest in providing comfort to parents of hospitalized children is personal: He’s been there.
In 2000, his son, Tucker, was born three months premature and contracted a virus. Conine, the former Marlins baseball player, and his wife, stayed in a facility on the grounds of the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, now known as Conine’s Clubhouse.
“Cindy and I know firsthand the importance of being close to the hospital,” said Conine. “It provides all the amenities of a three-star hotel but, more importantly, gives families a temporary place to call home when they need it most.”
On Monday, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino hosts the sixth annual Jeff Conine Poker Classic, which raises money for the clubhouse, where families of children under care at the hospital can stay for free as long as necessary.
Entry is $300, for the tournament, which starts off with a party at 5 p.m. at Kuro. (If you don’t play poker, you can go to the Kuro party for $100.) The tournament begins at 7 p.m. First prize is $5,000 and a $5,250 seat in the SHRPO $3 Million Guarantee Championship. There also will be two $1,000 bonus payouts. The first will go to the chip leader at the time registration closes, while the second will go to the player who has the most re-entries.
Conine holds the distinction of being the only player to appear in the opener of the Marlins’ inaugural season, the 1997 World Series Marlins’ championship team, and the 2003 World Series Marlins’ championship team. suites for larger families.
Conine played for a total of six teams before signing a one-day contract to retire as a Marlin in 2008. He is now a Marlins TV announcer.
Go to ConinePokerClassic.org.
And while we’re talking good deeds, follow me @NickSortal
