Earlier today YouWager learned that John Gibbons was hired as manager of the Toronto Blue Jays for the second time around, returning to a MLB team that recently improved their roster after a blockbuster trade with the Miami Marlins.
Previously, Gibbons managed the Raptors from 2004-2008 and had a 305-305 record, making him the third winningest manager in franchise history.
The 50 year-old manager succeeds John Farrell, who spurned the team for his dream managing job for the Boston Red Sox. However, Gibbons takes over an incredibly different team from the one Farrell managed.
The surprise announcement came a day after Toronto completed a mega deal in which they acquired All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes and pitchers Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle from the Marlins. The Blue Jays agreed to the trade last week and commissioner Bud Selig approved it Monday. Toronto, extraordinarily busy in this offseason, also announced the signing of free agent outfielder Melky Cabrera.
The Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos had said he wanted someone who was familiar with the organization and city. Anthopolous was an assistant GM when Gibbons managed the team. Gibbons joins Cito Gaston as managers serving two stints with TOronto.
Gibbons joined the Blue Jays’ coaching staff ten years ago as a bullpen catcher and was promoted midseason to first base coach. He served in that capacity until replacing Carlos Tosca in 2004. Before joining Toronto the first time, Gibbons spent 11 MLB baseball seasons working with the New York Mets.
