The Toronto Blue Jays are favored to win…

The Toronto Blue Jays are favored to win the World Series. The Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers are tied for second. The odds makers are basing their prediction on talent alone.

In a seven games series a good manger can make a big difference between a team winning or losing. The baseball manager ability to run a baseball team, make the right substitutions, when to use the bull pen and when to use pinch hitters plays a big part in the outcome.

Between Mike Scioscia and John Gibbons who would you bet on? Scioscia is a two time manager of the year in the American League and has won 1 World Series title as the manager of the Angels. He has managed over 2500 games in his career. John Gibbons has managed 602 games and has a .500 record.

The Blue Jays starting rotation and hitters are very good. Gibbons use of the bull pen and the team speed will make the difference between the Blue Jays winning or losing during the regular season and the playoffs.

The impact players on each squad should also be factored into your decision. Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton have been in the playoffs on a regular basis also were the focal point of their team’s success. The Blue Jays don’t have an everyday player who was the star for their team during a playoff run.

My pick would the Los Angeles Angels as the World Series favorite.

Do you believe the Blue Jays should be favored?

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John Gibbons is returning as the Toronto Blue Jays manager

John Gibbons was manager of the Blue Jays from 2004 – 2008 and his record was 305 – 305. He had a great year in 2006 with an 87 -75 record.

I earlier wrote John Gibbons lied about his tour of duty in Vietnam. I have to apologize to John Gibbons. It was Tim Johnsons who lied about his tour of duty in Vietnam. Tim did that in 1999 spring training.

Alex Anthopoulos wanted to hire someone he was familiar with during his days as an assistant G.M. to J.P. Ricardi. I question the validity of this hire. John Gibbons was an in-your-face tough guy who had 2 major blow-ups with players (Shea Hillebrand and Ted Lily). Most of the Blue Jays’ best players are Latin American players who will not respond well to a manager who gets in their face and yells at them. Those days are over.

Every candidate mentioned for the Toronto Blue Jays job was white. They never considered Sandy Alomar Jr. Maybe baseball should implement the “Rooney Rule,” which has increased the hiring of minorities as NFL head coaches. The rule is that for any head coaching position available the team must interview at least 1 minority candidate. Baseball should do the same to increase Black or Hispanic hires.

Alex Anthopoulos made a few great player moves but made aquestionable decision when hiring his manager? Did John Gibbons improve his leadership skills during his 4 years away from managing? I understand it hurt that John Farrell used the Toronto Blue Jays as a training ground and always wanted to be the Boston Red Sox manager.

I am sure after being passed over for many Manager positions that Sandy Alomar Jr. would have committed to being the Toronto Blue Jays manager for a long time.

Do you like the John Gibbons hiring?

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