NASHVILLE - John Gibbons wore a black shirt, jeans and a sense of humour when he sat down before the national media.
Facing 34 reporters, nine cameras and a stand that held nine microphones, Gibbons fared better Monday in his manager’s session at the 111th winter meetings at the Opryland Hotel than he did in Dallas in 2005, his first meetings.
“I would have taken the job if we hadn’t made the deal with the Miami Marlins, but it certainly makes it a lot more attractive,” Gibbons said with a smile.
Gibbons told reporters he had spoken to most players on the Blue Jays, deciding against rehashing clubhouse issues raised by future Hall of Famer Omar Vizquel in September, preferring to go with a fresh slate.
Brett Lawrie, he of the adventurous base running last season, received a call from Gibbons.
“From what I’ve been told he’s very aggressive and made some mistakes on the bases,” said Gibbons. “He’s a gung-ho kid, eager to play. He’ll run through a wall for you.”
