Blue Jays: John Gibbons endorses Stubby Clapp as his successor

Toronto Blue Jays skipper John Gibbons has gotten behind Canadian Stubby Clapp to be his successor as manager of the Jays in 2019.

If John Gibbons seated beside General Manager Ross Atkins at his termination press conference did not speak volumes of the manager’s character, how about Gibby now publicly supporting who should take over the post he has held since 2013.

Gibby recently endorsed Stubby Clapp to his good pal Bob Elliott of the Canadian Baseball Network to be the next manager of the Blue Jays. The second-winningest manager in team history acknowledged that Clapp is not only Canadian but can handle young players and knows the Jays farm system. The Memphis Redbirds manager must have made a good impression on the Texas native.

"“You know what they should do? They should hire Stubby Clapp,” Gibbons said. Gibbons knew Clapp as a minor league player his first go-round and in his second Clapp was a coach at triple-A. “He’s Canadian. He can handle young players. And he knows the system.”"

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Clapp boasts a career 264-178 minor league managerial record while being awarded back-to-back Manager of the Year honours the past two seasons in the Pacific Coast League. The 45-year old is currently roadblocked by big league manager Mike Shildt with the Cardinals so Clapp will have to leave the organization if he wishes to pursue a managing opportunity in the majors.

In a recent interview with The Cardinal Nation, Clapp reiterated his desire to one day manage in the big leagues but he is definitely taking it one day at a time.

"“Obviously, I am in this for a reason, that is to work at the highest level and try to be the best I can in order to help players be the best they can. Any opportunity to coach in the major leagues, that would be achieving a dream, so that is what I would love to do. I would love to work in the big leagues, but that stuff is beyond my control right now.”"

The Canadian sparkplug is a decorated International player having represented his country in a number of events over the years. He has been a minor league hitting instructor in the Blue Jays system previously and is definitely deserving of the opportunity to take over the helm.

Although Clapp does not have a Cleveland connection, he does have the current manager pulling for him, hopefully, the Jays brain trust will take note.