![]() ![]() In recent years, though, you’ve interviewed for managerial jobs. To me, all of that sounds like you’re at peace with where you are at. But that’s how everything fell into place. If it had been a different type of team - I’ve had 20 years with the Mets in a bunch of different jobs - it probably wouldn’t even register with me. But it’s like funny how it happened because that thought did cross my mind. But it wasn’t like I pursued it and I called the Mets. He asked me if I wanted him to give my number to Carlos. Then, sure enough, my old bench coach DeMarlo Hale - he’s been around forever and now he’s back in Toronto - called me and he said he was talking to Carlos. You know what? Maybe he will look for a veteran guy as his bench coach. Then, when Carlos got hired, a thought crossed my mind: First year managing the big leagues in New York. I was still holding that hope that maybe something will open up. How’d you then end up as the Mets’ bench coach? I was satisfied with everything in my career and the things I got to do because so many people took care of me, man, and gave me opportunities a lot of guys never get. I thought, you know, it had been, what, four or five years? So, I thought maybe that door is closed - there might be a small crack left in that thing, but there’s a good chance it’s closed. It is totally different than being on the field, whether you play or you’re a coach.īut I was realistic. When I was scouting a little bit with the Braves, you’re removed from the field. So that part I didn’t miss but I did miss the hanging out with the guys, the players, the competition once the game started and the striving to see if you can win it all - that’s what I did miss. It’s the same thing from your angle, when you’re like, ‘We gotta go talk to this guy again.’ (Laughs). But it’s overwhelming to do it every day. We talked a little baseball and we talked about everything else about the world. I became really good friends with just about everybody in the media. And I think that can wear on you a little bit. So I loved the game part of it all back then, but he’s gonna have to deal with the media, every day, twice a day, sometimes more than that. (Gerry Angus / USA Today)Ĭarlos is gonna find that out, especially being in New York, obviously, with the huge media. ![]() I still miss the game, but I did enjoy some time away because there’s a lot of BS that goes with it, too.įormer Blue Jays manager John Gibbons says he got an unfair reputation for being anti-analytics. My wife’s a wildlife photographer, so we do quite a bit of that. It wasn’t like there were not a lot of other things I wanted to pursue as far as hobby-type things or what have you. It’s a big part of your life and once you’re removed from it, there’s that void. ![]() When you’ve been in the game as long as I have, we grow old in this game. What brings you back to the dugout? What did you learn you can do without, if anything? What’d you miss? In a recent Q&A with The Athletic, Gibbons explained why the Mets were the right fit, what he expects under first-year manager Carlos Mendoza, the role of analytics in the game and the responsibility of a coaching staff in holding veteran players accountable.Įditor’s note: This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length. All the while, the thought of returning to the dugout remained in the back of Gibbons’ mind. Afterward, Gibbons spent some time as a special assignment scout with the Atlanta Braves. Toronto fired him at the end of the 2018 season. Across baseball, he’s best known for his two stints over 11 seasons managing the Toronto Blue Jays, where his wit, humor and baseball acumen were on full display. ![]()
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