Blue Jays manager has steered ship admirably during disappointing 2017

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons has steered the 2017 ship admirably avoiding the usual pitfalls and drama surrounding a disappointing campaign.

The Blue Jays were bad from the get-go this season yet through it all they remained a cohesive unit refraining from any clubhouse implosions due to their prolonged losing, at least that we know of anyways. Manager John Gibbons should be credited with keeping the team on an even keel and all pulling in the same direction during a difficult time.

Gibbons is often the whipping boy for many naysayers who do not appreciate his coaching style but the Manager learned from his previous indiscretions avoiding any Shea Hillenbrand or Ted Lilly type distractions all the while his team was sequestered in the AL East basement all season long.

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The only real off-field event was when closer Roberto Osuna opened up about his wellbeing and the struggles he was facing and during the entire ordeal, Gibbons deflected and protected his young closer until Osuna was ready to spill the beans.

Gibbons kept his team loose and was always at the podium when the losses piled up to answer the tough questions while finding a way to see the glass half full and get behind his troops when the outcome looked bleak.

It is evident that Gibby is a players managers and is well respected within the room, the managers class was on display last Sunday during veteran Jose Bautista‘s final home game. The slugger had just batted in the bottom of the 8th yet Gibbons still pulled him off the field in the top of the 9th inning so Bautista could receive one final ovation and show of support from the 45,000 Jays faithful in attendance.

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These are moves that do not appear in the newspaper boxscore the following day and often go unnoticed by the fans on the day the day but make no bones about John Gibbons is the glue that holds this baseball team together and he will be the leader at the helm next season when the Blue Jays once again play October baseball.