ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Around the Toronto Blue Jays clubhouse at the end of grind, with all 162 games on the ledger, there were high-fives, hugs and goodbyes, some for the winter, some for far longer.
“It’s bittersweet,” right-fielder Randal Grichuk said of the mixed emotions after a 9-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays capped off a transitional 2018 season. “Everybody wants to go home, see their families, see their friends, be able to relax the body. A lot of bodies are beat up. But we’re going to miss each other. It’s a family and we enjoy being around each other, creating those memories and creating those bonds. … But spring training will be here right around the corner.”
Next spring in Dunedin, Fla., will certainly be different, when the Blue Jays will have a new manager to lead the slate of kids they hope will form their next core.
Russell Martin employed many of them in the season finale as the acting manager in place of Gibbons, who “was nowhere to be found today,” the veteran catcher quipped.
“I told Gibby, ‘Today is my day,’” Martin said with a smile.
Gibbons was in his office post-game, greeting a steady stream of players, staff members and coaches popping in to offer their gratitude and best wishes, dishing out some positive words in return.
“He’s one of my favourites,” said Martin. “I’m going to miss him. He’s a special guy.”
Martin enjoyed his taste of life in the manager’s chair Sunday, a “cool experience” that gave him a new appreciation for all the preparation and thought that goes into running a ballgame.
“You’ve got to be ready 20 pitches in advance, almost,” he said.
Martin made out his lineup Saturday night after asking players whether they wanted to play and, in some cases, asked them where they wanted to hit, although he didn’t follow through on his promise to check curfew Saturday night.
Kevin Pillar opted for the leadoff spot, Martin wanting to help him get his 40th double of the season, and once he got it in the fifth, Jonathan Davis came in as a replacement.
“I was praying that ball wasn’t going to leave for him — probably the only time I’m going to feel that way,” said Martin. “Forty doubles is impressive. Hitting .250 with 40 doubles, I’m super happy for him.”
The other stuff was a little more complicated.
As Sam Gaviglio came back to the dugout after the fifth, Martin went to shake his hand, signalling the end of his outing. The right-hander refused, Joe Biagini was put on hold in the bullpen, and Gaviglio came out to get two more outs in the sixth, finishing his final start having allowed five runs on six hits and three walks in 5.2 frames.
“I was happy to see that attitude, he wanted to get back out there and leave it all on the field,” said Martin. “I like that kind of attitude.”
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Said Gaviglio: “It’s a little bit easier talking to him than Gibby about that. I’ve had some conversations with him before and he let me go out there for that sixth.”
Martin ended up making two mid-inning pitching changes, pulling Gaviglio after a two-out walk to Jake Bauers in the sixth, and then replacing Biagini after he’d allowed three runs in the seventh.
“It did feel awkward getting the ball from a teammate,” said Martin. “That’s weird, definitely weird.”
It all added some levity to the club’s 89th loss of a season that triggered a rebuild which is sure to include bumpy times ahead.
“I love it,” Grichuk said of Martin’s managing. “He might have a future in it one day when he’s done playing. He’s a great guy, he’s definitely easy to play for.”
