Former Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons is throwing his hat in the ring for the many managerial openings across Major League Baseball, per MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (via Twitter).
Gibbons last managed a major league team in 2018 when he led the Toronto Blue Jays to a record of 73-89. It was the final season of a 6-year stint in Toronto during which the Blue Jays went 488-484, winning the AL East with a 93-win season in 2015. Toronto came within two wins of reaching the World Series, falling in six games to the eventual World Series champion Kansas City Royals in the ALCS.
They made the playoffs twice in Gibbons’ tenure, also capturing the Wild Card in 2016. The Blue Jays won that WC game in thrilling fashion when Edwin Encarnacion walked off Ubaldo Jimenez in the bottom of the 11th with a 3-run home run. That game is more famous for the decisions made in the opposing dugout, as Buck Showalter never got uber-closer Zack Britton into the ballgame, despite owning a 0.54 ERA across 69 games on the season. Showalter’s decision certainly played a role in the expansion of the fireman concept in contemporary bullpens, as teams are far less likely these days to save someone like Britton for a save situation that may never come.
Gibbons’ teams performed well in the postseason, winning not just the WC game but also sweeping the Rangers in the ALDS. Losing two straight seasons in the ALCS won’t etch Gibbons name anywhere in Cooperstown, but it was an achievement nonetheless. He helped end a 22-year postseason drought that extended from their World Series victory in 1993 until the division title in 2015.
Of course, Gibbons was well aware of the drought, as his first and only other managerial experience came with the Blue Jays from August 2004 until June of 2008. Those Blue Jays teams were always competitive, despite never reaching the postseason. His entire Blue Jays tenure ended with a record of 793-789, a .501 winning percentage.
There are a number of managerial vacancies around the MLB at present, including high profile offices in New York and Chicago. The Royals, Padres, Pirates, Giants and Angels are the other clubs hunting a new field manager. For what it’s worth, Gibbons began his professional coaching career with the Mets in 1990. He also served as a bench coach in Kansas City, and Double-A manager in the Padres system for the 2012 season.
He’s a good manager…just hope he never has to manage a team’s pitching staff in the playoffs. 2015 was ours!
You’re an idiot
Good solid reasoning!
He’ll end up with the Mets if anywhere. I still think he mismanaged our pitching staff in 2015. I guess I’m an idiot like people still drinking the AA kool aid. Goalie guy? What do you think smart one? Stick to hockey and F off. The city is filled with pathetic fans like you already. We don’t need you.
Hope the cubs cubs don’t interview this guy.
Why? Nothing wrong with Gibby.
What’s up with cubs fans and experienced managers? Dusty Baker, Lou Pinella, Rick Renteria, Joe Maddon. They hate everybody. lol
Gibby is an old school manager. He needs a veteran team and goes heavy on his gut vs analytics. Good players manager and no one messes with him or they are disciplined properly.
Sounds like a solid choice for any generation.
This is, in fact, not true. He was batting his best hitter 2nd as per analytics. He seems old school and that’s part of why he’s underrated.
Down with OBP got it right. He’s old school in his demeanour and how he manages the clubhouse but he didn’t shun the numbers. Best hitters should hit as often as possible – heck, he even led off with JB for a stint.
Yeah but Gibbons (from an Os fans’s perspective here) seemed both hard nosed and folksy outwardly, and an understanding guy toward many of his players.
He might be a good target for the Pirates. Experienced and successful manager but won’t command the price tag of a Maddon or Girardi. Runs a tight ship which the Bucs desperately need after all of the in-fighting last season. Probably not on their radar but maybe should be.
I agree. The Pirates could use a steadying hand in that dugout. They have some up and coming players that could benefit from that type of leadership.
How many titles has he won? He has had zero success.
When he had the horses, his teams seemed to compete.
So, there is no success in getting the best out of the talent at your disposal? It’s not like Toronto was over flowing with talent during his tenure. I like AJ Hinch, but talent makes him a better manager.
As many titles as Billy Beane.
For sure and Maddon has 1 WS Ring and it took him 12 years of his 15 years of managing to get it! and bye the bye Gibby has a winning record as a manager
Buck and Britton don’t really belong in this post…
Agreed. Including that part is basically saying he backed into that showdown (or play-in) game. Gibbons really was underrated.
I thought that was odd, at least in that much detail. It would have been more relevant to discuss his multiple physical altercations with his players (not that he’s necessarily in the wrong).
The Gibber has eyes in the back of his head. He can hear instructions in the other teams dug out. He reads all the newspapers and has traveled around the world. This man knows his strikes and balls. Any team, especially the Angels would be smart to hire him to a ten year no cut contract.
“This man knows his balls;” good to know
I think he means as a former catcher, he has experience handling balls and strikes and knows the good ones from the bad ones. Gibby only has to handle your balls for a moment to know if he likes them.
Really sick of the same old guys – MLB needs new management blood like yesterday.
Are you kidding? Just take the AL East where every team’s manager is on his first job.
Actually depending on what the Mets do, the NL East too.
Mattingly
Thanks JD. The way Miami plays (not Mattingly)s fault), I forgot they were an MLB team.
Really sick of these baseless comments. MLBTR needs new commenters like yesterday
you mean like last year?
I am willing to bet he doesnt get a managerial gig. Teams are increasingly looking for managers who are younger/former players/can relate to players… and guys who will work well with the analytics department. He fits none of that criteria. Maddon and Tito have rings to command some respect and are lauded for the relaxed atmosphere they foster. They’re probably the last of their era.
What wouldnt surprise me is if he is brought on as a bench coach for a younger manager. If someone hires, say, Sam Fuld, as a first time manager having Gibby brought on to help mentor would make sense. That’s what the Mets tried to do with Riggleman as Callaway’s bench coach.
He meets 3/4 of your criteria. Hes not young.
Then when they fire the young guy midstream, he takes over? I’m not sure he’d want that role. It’s not as easy as some make it look given the amount of travel to not be running the ship after doing so for so many years.
Hell, I’m throwing my hat in also
Mets might be interested if you’ll agree to a rookie contract.
I hope Gibby makes it back. I was sorry to see him leave the Jays, but we all knew what was coming and Gibby was to good a manager to sit quietly for the crap we put up with this year.
Nothing against Montoya but Shapiro and Atkins wanted a manager who wouldn’t question their decisions and Montoya had been labouring in the minors for years and this is his chance to move up and prove himself. Maybe if he lasts long enough he will grow the “cojones” to tell Shapiro and Atkins were to stick it.
But if the Jays are lucky Shapiro and Atkins will be gone after next season at the end of their contracts.
Whatever you may think of Blue Jays management, it is absolutely not the job of any field manager to tell their boss “where to stick it”.
You know what happens to those guys? They get fired.
Question their decisions? The only decision JG would be concerned of is the “mailing it in” while following orders for development plans on the young guys.
Put another way, some managers want to be in it to win it and make the moves that might win that day’s game. That was not the plan for the Jays this year and perhaps not next year. JG is a bit of a dinosaur in a sport where extinction of the old guard is pretty accelerated. He’s going to be lucky to find a spot that is suited to him and him to the team.
Waiting for the first displaced older manager to file an age discrimination suit. In this country, nothing would surprise me. I really think it’s coming.
I’m no fan of the Blue Jays, but this narrative is getting really old. Some fans along with Marcus Stroman seem to think that a rebuild should occur overnight. The Toronto front office are far from perfect, but they have slowly been putting the pieces in place to help this team compete again. It seems they have been scapegoated from the beginning. In fact, they were left to deal with the fallout of some of the bold moves made by the previous GM. Had they held onto certain players at the trade deadline they’d be faulted for not pulling the trigger. This year they decided to unload assets and were criticized for the talent they received in return. I’m a braves fan and it was hard to swallow several years ago when they tore down the roster and launched the rebuild. It was a painful process, but we are now beginning to reap the benefits of those moves. It takes time, but our future looks bright and it was well worth the wait. Scrutinize the Blue Jays front office, but be realistic. If you expect instant gratification and constantly vilify the front office that is your prerogative, but be consistent. When patient Blue Jays fans begin to reap the benefits of this process please remain on the sidelines don’t leap for the bandwagon.
*John Gibbons is a mediocre manager*
I don’t believe a rebuild happens over night, but I do believe that if you have smart baseball exec you can avoid an all out rebuild. You rotate out the older players and bring in the younger players., but you don’t strip your team of all your experienced players when your bring in an entire team of rookies. You need a balance. Yankees are a classic example of this balancing act. But this year they brought in rookies who are really good their first season but they dumped all the veterans., and then they brought in veterans who were finished but cheap ie Norris, Jackson, Richards. They also got rid of players but still were on the hook for their salaries. ie Tulowski,, Morales, Pillar, Martin.
Take a look at the possible F/A market this upcoming winter there are very few really good ones on that list and even fewer that would come to the jays in their current state.
Be realistic? Ok. Blue Jays have two infielders (Vlad, Bo), one outfielder (Gurriel), numerous question marks around the diamond and zero impact pitchers currently in the majors. That means they should expect a bad 2020, probably a mediocre 2021 and maybe, just maybe, a good 2022. Plenty of time for Boston and New York to reset with new talent. Don’t forget the loaded Rays.
It’s very easy to vilify a front office that cannot pull off trades that other GMs seem to make, or extend players (Grichuk), or sign free agents (Shapiro in Cleveland). There is your consistency.
He’ll get an interview or two, sure. Why not? What he won’t get is a job.
He is a terrible manager. 3 walks and a grand slam is his playbook. He had 2 loaded Jay’s eras and went .500. Nothing special.
He was supposed to play small ball with a lineup full of power??!!
Yeah. Sure he was.
Knock the guy all you want, and he may never amount to a good manager but let’s not forget that Joe Torre had a losing record as a manager prior to becoming the Yanks boss. 894-1003. If anything says mediocre it’s a record like that.
Great comparison as although Joe’s career as a player was much better, both were catchers.
Two managers who were catchers? Wonders never cease.
Remember when he got into a fight with Ted Lilly.
And Shea Hillenbrand. And Donaldson. And Bautista. And Stroman. The list goes on.
Did he actually fight Shea or just challenge him to a fight?
He’s lazy. He admitted to not preparing in his first year back. His canned answers after the game” those guys are tough to beat” he haw. He’s not going to work for a rebuild team, needs a veteran team.
Mets or Pirates?
Gibbons also came up as a player in the Mets organization, did he not?
I’m still annoyed that he took a certain playoff win away from Dickey, just so Price could get a win.
And Price pitched badly enough that they needed to bring their closer in. Completely messed up their mojo.
Gibbons’ best managing work happened after AA left the organization. Some commenters above want to debate his analytics vs gut. He was a guy that would go with his gut in the moment because analytics do not measure intangibles. He will check a player if he’s out of line. Tough but fair is what the Mets need. Gibbons would be a good fit there. Philly would be lucky to have him. So would San Diego.
Kevin Pillar owes John Gibbons a thank you for his career and maturity. He would be a good stabilizing force on a club. I agree that Philly would be a good fit.
If Gibbons wanted to remain manager in Toronto they should have kept him as manager. Nothing against Montoya. That is how trusted he became in that clubhouse and in that organization. AA leaving was the best thing that happened to Gibbons.
He’s out of a job. How is that the best thing to happen to him?
Who doesn’t drink beer like fish? And hump everything that moves? Are you serious?!
Reading must be difficult for you coldbeer, as Gibbons didn’t want to go through a rebuild. Probably would’ve remained manager if he wanted to stay. The point was AA had too much control over the on-field decisions. Your point comes 3 years after AA left. That means your point is very weak.
Hey, Gibby won a World Series with the Mets as a bullpen catcher? Still, yo. He’s hilarious.
Tough to judge Gibby while managing in the AL East. Each year, three teams start off a full step behind the cash rich Yankees and Red Sox. Would be interesting to see what he could do with a decent/good team in a less challenging division.
As for Gibby going to Philly, gotta remember that the Phils haven’t axed Gabe Kapler yet. One thing is for certain, should events unfold that take him to Philly, he had better have something more than canned speeches in press conferences. Philly has endured two years of Kapler’s we-played-hard drivel and are not in the mood for more of the same.