BY WES ARMSTRONG – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
Remember when that large Canadian flag was draped across the outfield on Opening Day? The crowd roared, and the opposing Cleveland Indians were shaking in their boots at the display of patriotism as Canada’s team took the field for what was expected to be the first of the team’s 162 wins. That was a great moment in time. Unfortunately, that’s all it was. However, fleeting. The 2013 edition of the Toronto Blue Jays has not even come close to meeting expectations (lofty as they may have been) set for them by a wide variety of baseball people, and time and time again when teams fall short of their goals the first person to go is the manager.
Should John Gibbons be blamed for the team’s poor performance? Yes.
Supporters of Gibbons will argue all day long that he is an expert at managing the bullpen, players love him, and he has strong communication skills with the media and upper management. They will say that Gibbons has done a good job, and that the team has been hurt by inconsistency and consistently poor play by its players (most notably the starting pitchers). Furthermore, they will point to the fact that Gibbons posted a .500 record as a manager for the Blue Jays prior to this year– winning 305 of 610 games with less talented teams. These are all valid points to consider.
Although I do agree that the team has had a lot of bad luck this year vis-a-vis injuries, and unexpectedly dreadful performances by key players, and that these unfortunate circumstances cannot be blamed on Gibbons, it does not change the fact that Blue Jays fans across the country are disappointed and puzzled by the team’s poor play. It is also true that there are no specific statistics and not so many in-game situations that can directly be blamed on how Gibbons manages the team, but the key statistic that ultimately should lead to the Blue Jays search for a new manager is their won-loss record.
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Normally, I would disagree that a manager’s job should be fated by a simple look at wins and losses, but considering the talent and the hype, that’s how it needs to be if Rogers and the Blue Jays organization would like to enjoy continued success at the ticket gates.
The Blue Jays have oodles of talent. Even knowing their current record and the fact that they are on pace for a 90 loss season, I would bet that there are a lot of other teams in the MLB that would like to have the talent the Jays have. The Jays boast power and speed in bunches, and have a starting staff that in any other season would be the stuff of envy (think back to March). So, what’s the problem? Why isn’t this team dominating? I have no clear answer and I am sure that most baseball people have no idea either.
But, however unfair it is to state that John Gibbons should have the answer to the team’s problems — to the ticket-buying fans, he should. And that’s precisely why he needs to go. It may just be optics, yes. But that’s baseball.
So who out there should replace John Gibbons? Well, luckily for Blue Jays fans there is a long list of talented names that could help this team win.
1. Jack Morris: If Morris was willing to take the reins as the manager of the Blue Jays, undoubtedly the mood around the team would change. Morris is a proven winner and a fierce competitor. He would be missed as an announcer on Sportsnet, but he would definitely excite the fans and I bet he would be the alpha dog on a team filled with personalities. Letting Morris lead would be a step in the right direction. Fans are familiar with him, and this will undoubtedly help at the turnstiles, and hopefully in the standings as well.
2. Sandy Alomar Jr.: There are not many families with the baseball acumen of the Alomars. Moreover, as the current baseball thinking goes, catchers make for good managers. Additionally, Alomar boasts arguably the most beloved baseball name in Canadian history. Being a native Spanish speaker could really help the team as well. Like Morris, hiring Alomar would excite the public.
3. Paul Molitor: Molitor was an offensive machine as a player and he was often reported to play the game like he was managing. He would be a great person to have around the club at any capacity owing to his successful career and his extensive batting knowledge. He could be a fantastic mentor for Brett Lawrie. Molitor would also have the same effect on ticket sales as Morris and Alomar.
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4. DeMarlo Hale: Maybe the “old switcharoo” will help the Jays towards being more competitive. Gibbons’ fans may accept him in a new role as the bench coach as Hale takes over the managerial duties. Given that he has inside knowledge of the team due to his role as the bench coach and has had coaching roles with the Rangers, Red Sox, and Orioles, make him a solid candidate. Disgruntled Blue Jays fans may not like this move, but it could be a good one.
5. Mark DeRosa: DeRosa’s enthusiasm for the game is infectious. If DeRosa decides to end his career in the off-season, I think he could start a fine career as a manager. However, I doubt his appointment as the Blue Jays next manager would be greeted with much fanfare.
6. Gregg Zaun: It would be weird not seeing Zaun in his role as baseball’s Don Cherry in Canada, but Zaun could be an effective manager. He had a good playing career and provides insightful in-game commentary that demonstrates his knowledge of fundamental baseball. Let’s not forget that he was a catcher as well (maybe I am just secretly wanting to see he and Arencibia duke it out).
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7. Mike Scioscia: With over 2,000 games of managerial experience complemented by a World Series win as a manager and two as a player, Mike Scioscia would definitely excite the fans. It’s important to note that he has not yet been fired by the Angels, but rumours will swirl when he is (notice I’m using “when” and not “if”). Personally, I would not be supportive of a Scioscia hiring because of the poor year the talent-loaded Angels have been having with him at the helm.
8. Wes Armstrong: Yes. I know, I know. I’m unproven. I have no real idea how to win in the MLB because I have not played competitive ball since I was 12. But let’s not overlook a few important facts. Alex Anthopoulos and I are both McMaster University graduates. Therefore, we possess the secret weapon for winning at baseball (or anything else) — years and years worth of Hamilton’s drinking water. Additionally, I have managed championship teams on Tony LaRussa’s Ultimate Baseball for my 486PC and perennially field a competitive fantasy baseball team with my friends. Ticket sales would suffer greatly, but my parents would be very proud of me.
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