Gibson Named Arizona Diamondbacks Interim Manager
Kirk Gibson, arguably most remembered for one of baseball’s most memorable home runs in World Series history was named interim manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks after AJ Hinch and general manager Josh Byrnes were fired from their respective positions.
Gibson, a veteran of 17 seasons playing for the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates, has been a bench coach for the Tigers, and the Diamondbacks, and for the last season, has been a hitting coach for the Diamondbacks.
Arguably the most famous event of Gibson’s career occurred during Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. Gibson, bothered by two bad knees, came up as a pinch hitter with two outs and Mike Davis on first base. Dennis Eckersley, the Oakland A’s closer, who had not allowed a home run for over two months, made several outside pitches to Gibson, prompting him to foul off several pitches. Eckersley made a slider pitch on a 3-2 count to Gibson, which Gibson knew from a scouting report Eckersley would do on a full count, and Gibson hit the pitch over the 360 sign in right field.
See the video here for the full call from the NBC national broadcast from Game 1 with Vin Scully and Joe Garagiola.
http://www.sportzu.tv/video/kirk-gibsons-88-home-run
Gibson should bring a new dynamic to the Arizona ballclub, emphasizing a more intense approach. According to the Detroit Free Press, Gibson said that in his six years as a coach, he has learned a lot he’d apply as a manager.
“I understand now how important relationships with the players are as a coach, and even more so as a manager,” Gibson said. “I’ve always possessed good team qualities. I’ve always wanted to do well for the team.
“But if you don’t have relationships, the players will tune you out. If you don’t have relationships, it’s hard to motivate.
“As a player I was very rough and very forceful, and I was probably that way when I started coaching. I didn’t understand how the game had evolved and changed. It’s important to understand that.”
Good luck to Kirk, as he inherits an Arizona ballclub in last place in the National League West. His first game as manager will be against, who else, the team he provided the greatest memory in its franchise, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
