Let's get ready to rumble!
After last night's 2-1 loss to Boston, the Jays' eighth loss in nine games, it's no longer a question of "if" John Gibbons is fired. The question, instead, is which Toronto player the volatile soon-to-be-former manager decides to knock out on his way out the door. Gibbons is long overdue -- it's been almost two years since his famous run-ins with Shea Hillenbrand and Ted Lilly. Here's a look at some of the leading candidates:
A.J. Burnett: This is a no-brainer -- is there anyone associated with the team that doesn't feel the urge to knock out Burnett? The right-hander has been nothing short of Burnett-esque in his contract year -- I'd like to call him inconsistent, but he's only really had one decent start, all-the-while looking as motivated as Troy Glaus ever did in a Toronto uniform.
Advantage: This one's a toss-up -- Gibbons has been a mediocre manager and Burnett is, after all, still nothing more than a .500 pitcher.
David Eckstein: Sure, Eckstein seems like a stand-up guy, but Gibbons has shown a tendency to pick on unimposing players, and at 5-foot-7 there isn't a better candidate than the Eck-factor. In Gibbons' defence, the new shortstop hasn't hit a lick and has already coughed up a couple games with his poor defense.
Advantage: Eckstein. Lilly caught Gibbons off guard and left him with a bloody nose, and I'm convinced the scrappy Eckstein is at least as tough as him.
Scott Rolen: Rolen didn't get along with Tony La Russa and Larry Bowa. La Russa and Bowa were Rolen's managers. Gibbons is Rolen's current manager. It just makes sense.
Advantage: None. This one never comes to blows, as Gibbons and Rolen instead choose to exchange words through the media over the next three years.
Shawn Camp: Mistaking Camp for "The Reign Man" Shawn Kemp, Gibbons picks a fight with the Jays reliever because he disagrees with his fathering children out of wedlock and his cocaine habit. There's no place for that on this team, he insists.
Advantage: Gibbons, as Camp is caught off guard by the accusations. If it were the real "Reign Man", however, Gibby would've been eaten alive.
John McDonald: Johnny Mac has been to nice of a guy for too long -- you just get the feeling something has to give. McDonald, for one, may instigate out of anger for losing playing time to the offensively and defensively-challenged Eckstein, while Gibbons may seek out Mac for the same reason he'd go after Eckstein -- he's generously listed at 5-foot-10 and 175 lbs.
Advantage: McDonald, because according to Toronto fans, he's just so perfect (and I can't disagree).
