Toronto Blue Jays Manager Under Fire For ‘Dresses’ Comment [Video]
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons is under fire for comments he made after a controversial call that went against his team.
The problem stems from a new rule implemented by Major League Baseball, which prevents players from sliding into bases in such a way that could injure fielders.
In Tuesday night’s game between the Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays in Florida, the rule came into play. Trailing 3-2 in the top of the ninth inning, slugger Jose Bautista was on first base with Edwin Encarnacion at bat. Encarnacion grounded the ball to Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, who shoveled the ball to second baseman Logan Forsythe to start a double play. Forsythe’s throw to first base was wild due to Bautistas’s slide, allowing two runs to score and give the Blue Jays the lead.
Rays manager Kevin Cash disputed the call, and after reviewing the play, the umpires ruled that Bautista had interfered. As a result, it was ruled a double play which ended the game, and the Rays had beaten the Blue Jays, 3-2.
Gibbons was angered by the call. “Maybe we’ll come out wearing dresses tomorrow,” USA Today quoted him in a post-game interview. ”Maybe that’s what everybody’s looking for.”
His comment was met by anger from women who considered his comment sexist.
Dear John Gibbons: not only am I plenty tough while wearing dresses to work, I can also run in heels. Call me when you can do the same #Jays
— Laurie (@mcsmartypants) April 6, 2016
I have so many questions for John Gibbons… Can you not be tough, athletic while wearing a dress? https://t.co/HYroCND0bq
— Allie Krummann (@akrumms) April 6, 2016
I don't disagree that it was a tough call, but there's no reason to insult women (and people that wear dresses), John Gibbons. #GoJaysGo
— Melanie Alexander (@RubyABegonia) April 6, 2016
MASN's announcers laughed off the John Gibbons "dresses" quote and @camdenchat isn't pleased https://t.co/wRondarkcG pic.twitter.com/UzH2sIhQh5
— SB Nation MLB (@SBNationMLB) April 7, 2016
Sports Net Canada interviewed the Blue Jays skipper about the controversy, who laughed it off.
“Honestly, I understand there’s an uproar, I don’t get that, and I never have, that’s not the way I think. I tried to inject a little humor into kind of a tense situation, that’s kind of who I am. No ill intent. But I do think we need to lighten up in the world.”
When pressed, Gibbons said that his mom, wife, and daughter all thought it was funny. Asked if he thought the comment might change perceptions of him, Gibbons replied, “I know who I am, I know where my heart is. What I do is I show up every day and do the best job I can, try to treat people the way I want to be treated. It amazes me in the world nowadays how simple things, try to calm a situation down, add a little humor to something, it gets thrown out of whack. No malicious intent on my side.”
The new slide rule is nicknamed “the Chase Utley Rule,” after Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley. Last October, when the Dodgers were playing the Mets in the playoffs, Utley was about to slide into second base to break up a potential double play. But knowing that he would be out, he slid into Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada, and fractured a bone in his leg.
The new rule to prevent such plays was instituted by Major League Baseball in February.
Gibbons is in the fourth year of his second stint with Toronto. He managed the Blue Jays beginning in late 2004, and was fired in mid-season 2008. Four years later, Toronto management was looking for another manager, and they surprised the baseball world when they re-hired Gibbons, who returned to be the Blue Jays skipper.
Last year, Toronto won their division at 93-69, and reached the playoffs for the first time in 20 years.
What do you think? Should Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons apologize? Or, should people just let his comment go?
[Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images]
