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Thursday, August 07, 2008

Ricciardi: Gaston to return as Jays manager

Central Imagery Tasking Office...open, for now.

“Cito’s definitely going to be back,” general manager J.P. Ricciardi said Thursday. “He’s done a good job. We’re six games over .500 since he took over. We’ve got a long way to go offensively, but he’s really laid the groundwork for some of the right stuff offensively. The guys like playing for him.”

The Blue Jays fired manager John Gibbons on June 20 and gave the job to Gaston for the rest of this season. When they made the move, Ricciardi said he would sit down with Gaston after the season to discuss his status for 2009.

Going into Thursday night’s game against Oakland, the Blue Jays were 23-17 since Gaston took over — the fourth-best record in baseball during that span. Toronto was in fourth place in the AL East at 58-56.

Gaston, 64, joined the Blue Jays as a batting coach in 1981 and became manager for the first time in 1989, replacing Jimy Williams. He led Toronto to consecutive World Series titles in 1992-93 but was fired at the end of the 1997 season.

Repoz Posted: August 07, 2008 at 07:07 PM | 11 comment(s)
Related News: General, Toronto

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1. Dag Nabbit Posted: August 07, 2008 at 07:32 PM (#2894676)

Going into Thursday night’s game against Oakland, the Blue Jays were 23-17 since Gaston took over — the fourth-best record in baseball during that span.

Fourth best in the AL. Fifth best overall.

2. Scatterbrain Posted: August 07, 2008 at 09:56 PM (#2894771)

Does this mean J.P. is still gonna be the Jays gm next year? I hope not...

3. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: August 07, 2008 at 10:00 PM (#2894775)

"“Cito’s definitely going to be back,” general manager J.P. Ricciardi said Thursday."

Poor man's probably already dead. It's not a lie if you know the truth, right, JP?

4. Cooperstown Schtick Posted: August 07, 2008 at 10:10 PM (#2894783)

In related news, George W. Bush promises more tax breaks next year.

5. Matthew E Posted: August 07, 2008 at 10:35 PM (#2894795)

Does this mean J.P. is still gonna be the Jays gm next year?

I wouldn't be shocked if he was.

6. Joey Belle needs love too Posted: August 07, 2008 at 11:59 PM (#2894842)

I would like to see Cito come back, provided JP is fired. I expect JP will get fired, and the new GM will bring his own people in. It's too bad, because Cito deserves a shot to manage, 2 World Series titles should mean a lifetime exemption from ever having to beg for a managing gig.

7. Rusty Priske Posted: August 08, 2008 at 08:59 AM (#2894936)

I think that even if J.P. goes, Cito stays.

I don't think Cito was brought in because he was J.P.'s choice. It was an 'organizational decision'.

Of course, that is just my opinion.

8. Ryan Jones Posted: August 08, 2008 at 09:12 AM (#2894941)

I don't think Cito was brought in because he was J.P.'s choice. It was an 'organizational decision'.

I'm inclined to agree with you one this one. The sudden return of Cito (and Gene Tenace), much like the Vernon Wells contract, just reeks of Godfrey's interference. I can't see Ricciardi making either move unless he was told to do it.

9. Matthew E Posted: August 08, 2008 at 09:49 AM (#2894968)

Yeah, but remember, Godfrey might not be sticking around either.

10. Ryan Jones Posted: August 08, 2008 at 09:57 AM (#2894972)

Yeah, but remember, Godfrey might not be sticking around either.

Thank you for restoring my sense of hope.

11. Sheer Tim Foli Posted: August 08, 2008 at 12:15 PM (#2895124)

As a Jays fan I don't even watch the local team anymore. I enjoy watching the Sox instead. Of course I cheer against them but I watch them. At least you feel like you are watching something that matters rather than a run for .500.

It kind of hit me the other night how weird it is to sit down and watch the same team again and again every night regardless of who they are playing and yet hope they lose. They are like my "reverse home team".

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Thursday, August 07, 2008

Ricciardi: Gaston to return as Jays manager

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