Blue Jays to formally announce John Gibbons not returning in 2019

According to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, the Toronto Blue Jays will formally announce today that manager John Gibbons will not be returning for the 2019 season.

The news will come as no surprise as the move was widely speculated and has been rumoured for some time. The announcement will allow Toronto Blue Jays fans to give John Gibbons a proper sendoff as he manages his final home game at the Rogers Centre later this afternoon versus the Houston Astros.

Gibby is in the midst of his eleventh season at the helm of the Blue Jays albeit in two different tenures. He has been the manager since 2013 and guided the Jays to the postseason in back-to-back to seasons in 2015/16. Gibbons ranks second in franchise wins and games managed only behind Cito Gaston.

Gibbons spoke to Davidi to reflect on his time north of the border and quipped that he is not ready to hang them up and would like to keep managing.

"“I’ve really enjoyed Toronto. Good thing, because I’ve been there long a while now, and I’ll never forget it. I may even come back and visit someday when my coaching career is over. Maybe I’ll go to TIFF.”"

"“I’ve been here in Toronto a while, so I have a special connection to the #BlueJays. You know, I was always a Met as a player and then for a number of years as a coach, so I’ll always be a Met. But now I’ll always be a Blue Jay, too.”"

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Gibbons will be remembered for being a players manager who always backed his troops. The 56-year old has become the face of the Blue Jays and although sometimes criticized for his laid-back approach to managing, he will be missed by many.

He is the type of manager that players want to play for and I for one will miss the Texas native in the Jays dugout next season. Don’t be surprised if he gets tossed in his final game and goes out on his own terms. Best of luck in your future endeavors Mr. Gibbons, you will always be a Blue Jay.