A former Toronto Blue Jays fan favourite is back in the MLB once again next season.
As reported by the Orange County Register’s Jeff Fletcher, former Toronto manager John Gibbons will be joining the Los Angeles Angels staff next season under new manager Kurt Suzuki as the team’s bench coach.
He had previously served in the same role with the New York Mets for the last two years, but parted ways with the team following the 2025 season.
Gibbons had taken a hiatus from working for teams from 2018 until 2024, though the 63-year-old Montana native still appears to have the same fire for the game that Toronto fans came to appreciate during his time in the city.
Gibbons still has a soft spot for Blue Jays
Gibbons spent parts of 11 seasons across two stints managing the Blue Jays, going about as close to an even record as you can get. Over the course of his time in Toronto, he ended up with 793 and 789 losses, averaging out to a .501 record.
His two best years came in 2015 and 2016, when his Blue Jays teams made consecutive trips to the American League Championship Series.
“The fans were always fair. If you give them a good effort and you play winning baseball, they love you… It’s fun to watch, it’s well deserved. I hope they win it all. We couldn’t quite get there, I hope they do it this year,” Gibbons told Sportsnet 590 in an interview last month during Toronto’s playoff run.
The Angels visit Toronto next season from May 8 to 10, where Gibbons will surely be well-received by the local fanbase.