The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Tuesday at a press conference at the Rogers Centre that they have hired John Gibbons as the team's new manager.
Gibbons will return to the position for the second time; he was the manager of the Blue Jays from 2004-2008 and had a 305-305 record, "making him the third winningest manager in franchise history," according to the Associated Press.
"This came as a big surprise to me," Gibbons said to MLB.com. "It's really a thrill and an honor to be back here. I never would have guessed this would happen."
Gibbons will replace John Farrell, who was traded to the Red Sox to take over as manager instead of staying with the Blue Jays.
"From my standpoint, I don't know that there was anybody better in terms of managing a bullpen, connecting with players, connecting with the front office, holding players accountable -- really everything you want from a manager," general manager Alex Anthopoulos said of Gibbons to MLB.com. "I don't know that there's anybody better to manage a team. I've got more conviction in this hire than any transaction we've made here."
In five previous seasons with Toronto, Gibbons had his best season in 2006, leading the Blue Jays to an 87-75 record that was second in the AL East.
"Players love playing for him," Anthopoulos said. "They'd go through a wall for him. They respected him. He had the respect of the guys in the clubhouse, he never lost that. He connected incredibly well with the front office. From that standpoint, he was a perfect fit."
Toronto quietly looked at a number of candidates, but felt Gibbons was the man to take over for Farrell, who left to take his "dream" job" with Boston. The Red Sox had previously tried to sign Farrell last season before hiring Bobby Valentine, but the Blue Jays did not allow him to speak with the Red Sox.
"I know it wasn't an easy decision for Alex," Gibbons said. "There's so many qualified individuals out there, some up and coming coaches and some fresh faces. But when all was said and done, I think I fit the characteristics he was looking for."
The choice of Gibbons surprised some in the industry, including one rival general manager, who spoke with Jon Heyman at CBSSports.com about the move.
"I don't understand the lure of John Gibbons," one rival GM said to CBSSports.com. "All he did was [tick] off Ted Lilly. The AL East has some real managing stars. Joe Maddon. Buck Showalter. Joe Girardi. Even Toronto's old guy, John Farrell. I'd say Gibbons is fifth."
During Gibbons' first stint with Toronto, he had multiple issues, including a fight with pitcher Ted Lilly and a near-confrontation with Shea Hillenbrand, which began after Hillenbrand wrote "play for yourself" and "the ship is sinking" in the clubhouse.
According to CBSSports.com, "Hillenbrand said at the time, "He challenged me to a fight, and wanted me to get up and punch him in the face."
"That's a fact," Gibbons responded at the time. "If the front office felt differently, then he wins and I lose, and I would be the one out of here. I mean it. It was either him or me."
The two did not fight, but Hillenbrand was designated for assignment after the incident. Later, Gibbons and Lilly got into an argument after the pitcher was removed from a game following a bad outing. According to CBSSports, it was reported that Gibbons pushed Lilly and that the manager was later seen with a bloody nose.
"Gibbons just went at him," Canadian Press photographer Aaron Harris said at the time. "It looked like Gibbons grabbed him and they disappeared. Then the whole dugout emptied. ... It was mayhem down in the tunnel."
The news on the Gibbons comes one day after the mega-deal between the Blue Jays and the Miami Marlins was finalized.
The trade was agreed to last week, but commissioner Bud Selig took time to review all the issues and financials involved before signing off on the deal on Monday. The commissioner's office must sign off on all transactions.
"This transaction, involving established major leaguers and highly regarded young players and prospects, represents the exercise of plausible baseball judgment on the part of both clubs (and) does not violate any express rule of Major League Baseball and does not otherwise warrant the exercise of any of my powers to prevent its completion," Selig said in a statement, according to the Associated Press. "It is, of course, up to the clubs involved to make the case to their respective fans that this transaction makes sense and enhances the competitive position of each, now or in the future."
The trade moves superstars Jose Reyes and pitcher Josh Johnson, as well as pitcher Mark Buehrle, catcher John Buck and outfielder Emilio Bonifacio to the Blue Jays for a crop of young players and prospects.
Miami received infielders Yunel Escobar and Adeiny Hechavarria, pitchers Henderson Alvarez, Anthony DeSclafani and Justin Nicolino, as well as catcher Jeff Mathis and outfielder Jake Marisnick.
The Blue Jays have been one of the most surprisingly active teams in the offseason. The team has made a blockbuster trade, hired a new manager and also signed free agent Melky Cabrera to a two-year contract last week.
The team has been stuck in the bottom of the AL East for years behind the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees, but now pose a real threat after the blockbuster deal.
"When you look at what the front office has done here lately in the last couple weeks, this gets everybody's attention," Gibbons said. "This is serious stuff now. Who wouldn't want to be here? It's a pretty special time right now."
Gibbons last managed with Double-A San Antonio Missions of the Texas League in the San Diego Padres' organization last year and also spent three season as bench coach for the Kansas City Royals. He worked on the coaching staff with the Blue Jays from 2002 to 2004 and also spent time working with the New York Mets.
