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My initial reaction when the Blue Jays re-hired John Gibbons as manager this
week was, why? Not that he was a good manager or a bad manager, just, why? When
we opened the phones throughout the day on TSN Radio 1050, the response was
almost totally negative. T.J. Lang Jersey . Most listeners used the
“been there, done that” logic. After a couple of days of letting it all sink in,
Ive moved to the “Why Not?” camp. Gibbons has an infectious likable personality.
He also managed a Blue Jays team that had decidely less talent to a .500 record,
at 305-305 over the three full years and parts of two others that he guided the
Jays from 2004 to 2008. The one year the Jays did load up, 2006, when they
brought in A.J. Burnett and B.J. Ryan, Gibbons got them to second place with 87
victories. Yes, he did have run-ins or dust-ups as he put it on a few occasions,
but the two main ones which occurred that year, with Shea Hillenbrand and
Ted Lilly actually seemed to spark the team. In both cases, though Gibbons may
have gone slightly over the edge, he stood up for himself and the organization
and made it clear in no uncertain terms who was running the team, and his way
was the Blue Jays way. Two things really sold me on Gibbons. One was the way
that GM Alex Anthopoulos spoke so passionately about the hiring, saying he had
more conviction about this move than any other he had made as general manager.
The second was hearing John McDonald on the Bryan Hayes show this week on TSN
Radio 1050, saying how badly the players felt when “Gibby” was fired, how honest
and straight forward he was and how he ran the clubhouse. Anthopoulos also
lauded Gibbons for his handling of the bullpen, which many would argue is a
managers most important task. Clearly, if Bobby Cox had been willing to come out
of retirement, he was the Blue Jays first choice. Bobby guiding the Blue Jays to
their first division title back in 1985 before heading back to Atlanta at the
conclusion of that season to become the Braves GM and ultimately their manager
for a second time. There are certainly things about Cox that you can see in
Gibbons. Namely, his passion, his fire and his pure love of the game. There are
only a handful of players still in Toronto who actually played for “Gibby” the
first time around. Casey Janssen debuted with the Jays in 2006. Adam Lind and
Dustin McGowan are still under contract. Pete Walker, who pitched for the Jays
in 2006, was the bullpen coach in 2012 and Gregg Zaun works in the television
side of things now. Knowing Toronto, being friends with Anthopoulos should allow
Gibbons to hit the ground running with a team that is now expected to be an
instant contender. After some initial trepidation, Ive got a feeling this just
might work. I dont know if Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News knows something
we dont know or if it is just wishful thinking. He is still predicting
Ricky Romero and J.P Arencibia will be in Texas by the time the season starts.
He also believes the Rangers can land Zach Greinke and Nick Swisher. Not too
many managers get a second chance at running a club. The only ones I can
remember over the last 40 or 50 years to have multiple stints with the same club
are Billy Martin (five times with the Yankees), Danny Murtaugh (four times with
Pittsburgh), Bobby Cox (two times with Atlanta), Cito Gaston (twice with the
Blue Jays) and now John Gibbons. Of those other three, Cox and Murtaugh both won
World Series at some point after their return to their old clubs. Greg Jennings Womens Jersey . Louis Blues
have signed unrestricted free agent forward Jamie Langenbrunner to a one-year
contract. Clay Matthews Womens Jersey . Riesch finished
second, 0.2 seconds behind Anja Paerson. The Swede won the combined downhill and
slalom in 2:30.60. Vonn was third, another 0.06 back. Vonn needed to win to
capture the super-combi title. http://www.nflnikegreenbaypackers.com/james-jones-jersey
. The league said in a statement the Spitfires admit violating the leagues
recruitment policy and as a result of their co-operation in this matter
commissioner David Branch was reducing the penalties against the club. Morgan Burnett Jersey . —The Washington
Capitals are preparing yet again to go with an inexperienced goalie in the
playoffs. Tramon Williams Jersey . —Jacksonville
Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert practiced in full for the third consecutive
day Friday and will start at Indianapolis.While humming the theme to WKRP in
Cincinnati to myself the other day I asked myself, “Why are the Reds in first
place in their division, while the Toronto Blue Jays are in last in the AL
East?” A year ago entering play on Aug. 10, the Reds had a 56-61 record and a
plus-32 run differential. The Jays at the same point were 59-57 with a plus-13
differential. Entering the weekend, Cincinnati is 66-46, even with a five-game
losing streak with a plus-64 run differential and a 2 1/2 game lead over
Pittsburgh in the National League Central. The Jays are 53-58 with a minus-1
differential. Both teams have key players out with injuries. Joey Votto is
probably a week to 10 days away as he battles back from knee surgery.
Scott Rolen is in and out of the Cincy lineup with back issues. The Jays have
been hit much harder with a Major League leading 13 players on the disabled list
including Morrow, Bautista and Lawrie. Yet in terms of talent and payroll, there
isnt much to choose between these two clubs. Cincinnati is paying out roughly
$76.3 million this season. The Jays right behind them at just over $75 million.
The Reds dont play in a division as difficult as the American League East,
especially when they have the chance to beat up on also-rans like the Cubs and
Astros. The National League minus the DH isnt as tough on pitchers either. If
you look at the teams stats side by side, there is one clear difference.
Cincinnatis starting rotation of Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Homer Bailey,
Bronson Arroyo and Mike Leake hasnt missed a single start due to injury. Not
one! That quintette has a combined record off 45-30 with 67 quality starts. Randall Cobb Youth Jersey. The Jays starters
on the other hand – all 11 that have been used are (42-43) with just 53 quality
starts. Not trying to beat a dead horse, but if the Jays are going to be better
next season, they must upgrade the starting rotation either through trade or
free agency. NL MVP? If Joey Votto doesnt have any further injury setbacks, hes
right there in the running for National League MVP along with the Pirates Andrew
McCutcheon. But another player to watch down the stretch is Giants catcher
Buster Posey. Hes batting .329 with 18 homers and 73 RBIs – a remarkable
comeback for someone who missed 75 percent of last season with a broken leg. The
Cubs Alfonso Soriano has never really been the player most though he could be.
Still, its worth noting that along with Andre Dawson, hes the only player in the
teams storied history to hit at least 20 homers in each of his first six seasons
with the club and along with Albert Pujols and David Ortiz, the only other
active player to slug at least 20 dingers 11 years running. EAST WATCH A gutsy
decision by the Orioles to bring up rookie Manny Machado to start at third in
the heat of a Wild card race. Ill bet there are a lot of teams hoping Tampa Bay
doesnt make the postseason. Evan Longoria is back and their pitching rotation
has a 2.27 ERA since the All-Star break! The Blue Jays have a very difficult
home stand coming up – 10 games against the Yankees, White Sox and Rangers.
Theyve dropped 15 of the last 19. If theyre lucky, they could have Morrow,
Lawrie and maybe Bautista back by next weekend against Texas. ’ ’ ’