[VERVE]

I had not realized John Gibbons was such a "young" (42 yr old) manager the first time around for the Jays. No excuses, but it might explain how he could be viewed as one of the guys which if not handled well, could back fire when he has to be firm while wearing a different hat.

In terms of his coaching, if my memory serves me right, I remembered he wanted his players to make the pitchers throw alot of pitches and they did it well later on while being patient at the plate. It was similar to the Yankees's approach. As well, he did not encouraged aggressiveness at the bases much(such as stealing bases) and not pressuring the oppositions pitchers often. Not sure however, if it was Gibbons or Gaston that a few suicide squeeze plays... (recalling one against Pettitte).