Legendary Blue Jays manager finally returns to baseball in Toronto with a twist

Many Toronto fans have actually been waiting for this for a long time and it has now finally come true. Legendary Toronto Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston is stepping back into the game of baseball after almost a 10-year hiatus. However, it isn’t with the Blue Jays as he accepted the role as special advisor for the Intercounty Baseball League’s Toronto Maple Leafs for the upcoming season. In doing so, Gaston will be attending some of their games in 2025 to share his expertise with Maple Leafs’ manager Rob Butler in the process.

Gaston still lies in the hearts of many Jays and their faithful as one of the most prominent and successful managers in franchise history. He remains to this day as the only Jays ‘ manager ever to lead the team to a World Series Championship. Just for good measure, he actually guided Toronto to back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993. In the process, he also became the first African-American manager to win a World Series in MLB history.

In total, Gaston spent a franchise record twelve seasons in the capacity of a manager with the organization, spanning from 1989-1997 and a second stint between 2008-2010. His 894 career wins with the Jays also ranked him first on the all-time list, a good 101 wins ahead of second-place John Gibbons. Gaston’s .516 winning percentage puts him fifth overall in franchise history for managers that had spent at least one full season with Toronto. His accomplishments with the organization has been deservingly recognized with his addition to the Jays’ Level of Excellence in 1999.

Following his retirement from his role as manager in 2010, he remained as a special advisor with the Jays up until the 2015 season. That was when Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins eventually took over at the conclusion of the season.

Gaston will always be remembered for his nonchalant, soft-spoken attitude while coaching and managing the Jays. His words and care for the team was generally well-received by the players during his time. Very rarely would you ever see him throwing a rage in the dugout or challenging umpires to verbal confrontations as he gave his utmost respect to the game and all of those around him.

The fact that he is now back in action despite being 80 years old, it really makes one wonder what Gaston could have done with the current version of the Blue Jays if he was given a chance. Nevertheless, it is a great sight to see him back with Toronto baseball as he hopes to help bring further success to the next generation.