John Gibbons – Blue Jays Look To The Past For New Manager

Gibbons will bring back an intense brand of baseball to Toronto

The Toronto Blue Jays wanted someone with MLB managing experience to lead the new look Jays as their manager. GM Alex Anthopoulos chose former Toronto manager John Gibbons after an extensive search that included numerous candidates. Gibbons was 305-305 and five seasons with Toronto from 2004-2008.

Gibbons beat out former major  league managers Jim Riggleman, and Jim Tracy. Tracy resigned from the Colorado Rockies, and Riggleman from the Washington Nationals. Gibbons might best be known for a couple of player incidents that occurred in the 2006 season.

That’s when Gibbons challenged disgruntled infielder Shea Hillenbrand to a fight in his office and had  a physical confrontation with veteran left-hander Ted Lilly after removing Lily from  a game.

Gibbons will take over for John Farrell who was traded to the Red Sox.  Gibbons most recently managed the Double-A San Antonio Missions of the Texas League in the San Diego Padres’ organization last season.The pressure to win will be intense as Toronto.

The Blue Jays have significantly upgraded their roster with the mega-deal with Miami that sent  pitchers Henderson Alvarez and Justin Nicolino, infielders Yunel Escobar and Adeiny Hechavarria, and center fielder Jacob Marisnick, catcher Jeff Mathis and minor league right-hander Anthony DeSclafani , for Josh Johnson,, Mark Buehrle, Jose Reyes, Emilio Bonifacio and catcher John Buck. 

The team also signed free-agent outfielder Melky Cabrera and veteran infielder  Maicer Izturis. Gibbons will bring an intensity and passion to the dugout for Toronto. Time will tell how that’s received by this new bunch of Blue Jays.