John Gibbons to be Extended

[Mkdaman1818]

As per Jon Heyman

 

https://www.fanragsports.com/news/heyman-jays-finalizing-extension-manager-john-gibbons/amp/

[Mkdaman1818]

Love the move by the way

[L54]

Hell ya. I love Gibby.

[KingKat]

Love the move by the way

 

Yeah I like it too. I don't think he's a great strategical manager but so many of them are really bad that he's probably above average. More importantly, this team seems to operate pretty much drama free despite some strong personalities. In fact, it seems like there's been progressively less drama and rumor and innuendo through Gibbon's tenure. Part of that is probably due to some changes in team chemistry, part of that is simply due to winning but as near as anyone can really tell from the outside, he does seem to be a guy who manages these egos very well.

[HERPDERP]

I still remember the surprise waking up that morning and hearing we hired Gibby. Didn't quite understand it. But I honestly can't see anyone else fit for the role (maybe Butterfield)

[Captain Adama]

Eh, we could do worse.

[TholesWeirdEye]

Yeah I like it too. I don't think he's a great strategical manager but so many of them are really bad that he's probably above average. More importantly, this team seems to operate pretty much drama free despite some strong personalities. In fact, it seems like there's been progressively less drama and rumor and innuendo through Gibbon's tenure. Part of that is probably due to some changes in team chemistry, part of that is simply due to winning but as near as anyone can really tell from the outside, he does seem to be a guy who manages these egos very well.

 

Gibby only really had issues with players known to be *******s. It's not like there's anyone available that can really offer more than what Gibby can do.

[Mkdaman1818]

The most amazing thing I've seen from Gibby his is willingness to give analytics a try and factor it into his decisions as a manager. I never thought he'd show that flexibility, but he's done so with the FO, and his players.

[GreekFatAss]

I get the sense that Gibby has grown on Shapiro and Atkins.

[Sammy225]

He makes me smile with his interviews....

[fatcowxlive]

f*** yeah!!! Hopefully we can pick up a ring for him, he has that Blue Jay passion oozing out of him

[KingKat]

Gibby only really had issues with players known to be *******s. It's not like there's anyone available that can really offer more than what Gibby can do.

 

I don't even know who he really has issues with. We all know about the incidents with Lilly and Pillar but Lilly has stated that they actually had a great relationship and that incident was not typical and Pillar has been treated more than fairly by Gibbons since their one incident. Gibby reminds me of my little league coach. Super nice guy but one time I ignored a sign and even though I scored on the play he got mad and benched me. It was just what he felt he had to do because I had crossed a line. It didn't linger between us at all. He even asked me to hand in the lineup card in the championship game later in the season.

[Pendleton]

What a beauty!

[Terminator]

I don't even know who he really has issues with. We all know about the incidents with Lilly and Pillar but Lilly has stated that they actually had a great relationship and that incident was not typical and Pillar has been treated more than fairly by Gibbons since their one incident. Gibby reminds me of my little league coach. Super nice guy but one time I ignored a sign and even though I scored on the play he got mad and benched me. It was just what he felt he had to do because I had crossed a line. It didn't linger between us at all. He even asked me to hand in the lineup card in the championship game later in the season.

 

Hillenbrand as well but everything else I've heard is that the players love him.

[Terminator]

Not a fan of this. Not a huge deal to me and I like Gibby as a person and a player's manager but he doesn't think outside of the box enough for me. I'd prefer someone more sabremetric friendly.

[KingKat]

Hillenbrand as well but everything else I've heard is that the players love him.

 

Ah yes... I knew I was forgetting someone. I think Hillenbrand might have been a legit clubhouse cancer but that's easy to say when you're just speculating from the outside.

[KingKat]

I'd prefer someone more sabremetric friendly.

 

In a vacuum, I would agree with this but I don't think it would be a good idea to make a change now.

[Sammy225]

Hillenbrand as well but everything else I've heard is that the players love him.

 

Little run in with Lawrie before Bautista stepped in... But lawrie was just an idiot,

[Terminator]

Ah yes... I knew I was forgetting someone. I think Hillenbrand might have been a legit clubhouse cancer but that's easy to say when you're just speculating from the outside.

 

Yeah going and writing on the chalkboard to play for yourself the ship is sinking is pretty bad. lol Here is his wiki entry:

 

On July 19, 2006, Hillenbrand criticized the Blue Jays organization for failing to congratulate him on his recent adoption of a baby girl and not playing him upon his return. He was also disgruntled about sharing first base duties with Lyle Overbay and third base duties with Troy Glaus while being made to play as a designated hitter.[2] Hillenbrand refused to sit with his team in the dugout during that night's game. After the game, an argument in the clubhouse took place between Hillenbrand and manager John Gibbons over Hillenbrand allegedly writing defamatory comments about the team on the clubhouse billboard ("This is a sinking ship" and "Play for yourself") after batting practice. This led to a confrontation between Hillenbrand and Gibbons. Gibbons threatened to quit as team manager if Hillenbrand ever played for the Blue Jays again. Hillenbrand never again played for the Blue Jays.[3]

[BJBirdy]

Yeah I like it too. I don't think he's a great strategical manager but so many of them are really bad that he's probably above average. More importantly, this team seems to operate pretty much drama free despite some strong personalities. In fact, it seems like there's been progressively less drama and rumor and innuendo through Gibbon's tenure. Part of that is probably due to some changes in team chemistry, part of that is simply due to winning but as near as anyone can really tell from the outside, he does seem to be a guy who manages these egos very well.

 

This post pretty much sums up my opinion as well. When the team was struggling in 2013, then again in spurts in 2014 and 2015, I never put the blame on him but I wouldn't have been opposed to the Jays finding a replacement for him.

 

But looking at things now, I'm happy he's the manager because under his guidance when have you ever heard about any sort of clubhouse drama? (Other than the Hillenbrand and Lilly incidents of 2006, which is long enough ago that no one should be able to use that against him in 2017).

[Terminator]

Little run in with Lawrie before Bautista stepped in... But lawrie was just an idiot,

 

I think he and Donaldson got in to it once as well. Some of these are barely worth mentioning.

[intrigid]

Always a likeable manager and great with team chemistry. His strategic ability seems to improve every season as well. His stock is rising.

[TholesWeirdEye]

I think he and Donaldson got in to it once as well. Some of these are barely worth mentioning.

 

Yeah they had words after Donaldson came back to the bench but they were cool after the game. Just a heated "discussion"

[Terminator]

Yeah I like it too. I don't think he's a great strategical manager but so many of them are really bad that he's probably above average. More importantly, this team seems to operate pretty much drama free despite some strong personalities. In fact, it seems like there's been progressively less drama and rumor and innuendo through Gibbon's tenure. Part of that is probably due to some changes in team chemistry, part of that is simply due to winning but as near as anyone can really tell from the outside, he does seem to be a guy who manages these egos very well.

 

This is a good take. We've got some strong personalities on this team but I've never heard of a blowup between players (I'm not going to count the Sanchez/Stroman bromance).

[glory]

Damn. Why Shapkins?

[RealAccountant]

Gibby is very flexible, and this is a lot to do with it. He is open minded and listens to management

 

Way to go, great news.

[glory]

Gibby is a yes man. He will listen to whatever management wants.

 

Yes man + players like him = good manager.

 

I think the only push back he gave to management was with Aaron Sanchez. And he was right. In fact, he was right about Sanchez all along. Actually, I don't think Gibby gets enough credit for how he handled that whole situation. It could have been a really big issue with the team. Correct me if I'm wrong and there were other situations.

 

Also, going to Stroman in big games has worked out as well. I think he had some say in those decisions.

 

He also hit Tulo, Donaldson and Bautista leadoff which basically means he's Bill James compared to most other managers.

 

You will just have to put with the manager-y things he does once in a while like give Pillar a shot at leadoff to "see what he's got".

 

To give the hick some credit, he was a better manager in 2016 than 2015. His managing in 2015 was some of the worst I have ever seen. That was a 100 win team that needed a damn miracle just to get 90. He did improve last season though.

 

The fact that he is being extended means he buys in to what the front office is saying and the front office is comfortable with him doing what they want him to do. If he turns into the Jays version of Clint Hurdle, then so be it. Just keep the derpy things to a minimum.

Edited March 21, 2017 by glory

[Captain Adama]

Damn. Why Shapkins?

 

I totally get your gripe with Gibbons. But IMO at this point, evidently players enjoy playing for him and management enjoys him as well. Getting rid of him would likely cause more harm in the clubhouse than good than by hiring a more sound manager. Getting rid of Gibby after 2 deep playoff runs also sets a bad precedent that success is not rewarded in the organization and could prevent players or other regarded FO associates from wanting to work there.

 

Also, really you look at a lot of managerial decisions basically in every game and you realize that it can get much worse than Gibby. And there's really only a handful of options that I can think of that would be better than Gibbons tactical-wise.

[Laika]

This is great. Gibbons might be my favourite personality on the Blue Jays. Certainly top 5.

 

I don't really care if he's a good tactician, as long as he's not a bad one. I've come around pretty hard to the idea of a "clubhouse manager" being very important.

[Laika]

Everything about this organization just tickles me Blue these days.