Former Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons will interview for the Houston Astros‘ vacant managerial role on Thursday, according to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi.
The interview was first reported by Mark Berman of FOX 26 in Houston.
With one month to go before spring training begins, the Astros are searching for a manager after firing A.J. Hinch in the wake of MLB’s findings from the 2017 sign-stealing scandal. Hinch guided the Astros to a World Series title in 2017, as well as another American League pennant in 2019.
Gibbons, 57, garnered all 11 years of his managerial experience with the Blue Jays. His career record was 793-789 (.501).
It was a two-part tenure: first, he took over mid-season in 2004 and was fired mid-season in 2008. Then, he took over in 2013 and lasted through 2018, at which point the Blue Jays announced he wouldn’t be retained (even though he was signed through 2019).
Under Gibbons, the Blue Jays had their most successful seasons in decades — reaching the ALCS in 2015 and 2016.
Though he was born in Montana, Gibbons played his high school baseball in San Antonio, Texas.
Whoever takes over as manager for the Astros will be handed the keys to a team in win-now mode, led by reigning Cy Young winner Justin Verlander and MVP runner-up Alex Bregman.
Former Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter has also reportedly interviewed for the managing job. The 63-year-old has had managerial stints with the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Houston is also searching for its next general manager, as ex-GM Jeff Luhnow was also fired for his role in the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal.
[relatedlinks]