Guest Orangeboy Posted June 20, 2008 Report Posted June 20, 2008 The Toronto Blue Jays became the third team this week to fire their manager, relieving John Gibbons of his duties along with coaches Marty Pevey, Ernie Whitt and Gary Denbo, the team said Friday. Former Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston, who led the team to back-to-back World Series champiopnships in 1992-93, will take over as manager. The Blue Jays were 35-59 and in last place in the American League East entering Friday's games. Toronto has lost 12 of its last 16 games to fall 10½ games behind the first-place Boston Red Sox. Gibbons, who succeeded Carlos Tosca during the 2004 season, posted a 305-305 record in 610 games over five seasons as manager of the Blue Jays. His best record was 87-75 in 2005, good for second place in the AL East, but he was unable to guide the Jays into the postseason. Gaston was manager of the Blue Jays from 1989 to 1997 and led the team to four postseason appearances, starting with a pair of AL East titles in 1989 and 1991. Joining Gaston's staff will be first base coach Dwayne Murphy, third base coach Nick Leyva and hitting coach Gene Tenace. Gibbons firing followed the New York Mets dismissing Willie Randolph on Tuesday and the Seattle Mariners sacking John McLaren on Thursday. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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