John Gibbons is a former Major League Baseball player and manager. He was born on June 8, 1962, in Great Falls, Montana. Gibbons began his professional baseball career in 1980 when he was drafted by the New York Mets in the first round of the amateur draft. He played in the minor leagues for several years before making his major league debut in 1984.
Gibbons played as a catcher for the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, and the Montreal Expos. He played in the major leagues for 18 seasons, from 1984 to 2002. During his career, he had a batting average of .247, hit 24 home runs, and had 127 RBIs.
After retiring as a player, Gibbons became a coach and manager. He began his coaching career in 2002 as a bullpen catcher for the Kansas City Royals. In 2004, he was hired as the bench coach for the Toronto Blue Jays. In 2005, he was promoted to manager of the Blue Jays.
Gibbons managed the Blue Jays from 2005 to 2008 and again from 2013 to 2018. During his tenure as manager, he led the Blue Jays to two American League East division titles and two appearances in the American League Championship Series. He was known for his fiery personality and his willingness to stand up for his players.
In addition to his time with the Blue Jays, Gibbons also served as a coach for the Kansas City Royals, the San Antonio Missions, and the New York Mets. He was highly respected by his players and fellow coaches for his knowledge of the game and his ability to motivate his team.
Gibbons retired from baseball in 2018 after the Blue Jays finished the season with a record of 73-89. He finished his career with a record of 793-789 as a manager. He was known for his ability to develop young players and his willingness to take risks on unproven talent.
Overall, John Gibbons had a successful career in baseball as both a player and a manager. He was respected by his peers and loved by his players. His fiery personality and willingness to stand up for his team made him a fan favorite. He will be remembered as one of the greats of the game.
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