ANAHEIM, Calif. — John Gibbons wanted to dial things down once last season ended so he told the New York Mets, for whom he’d served as bench coach in 2024 and 2025, that he was stepping away from the role.
His plan was a return to scouting, something he’d done after parting with the Toronto Blue Jays at the end of the 2018, and he was speaking to old friend Alex Anthopolous, president of baseball operations and GM for the Atlanta Braves, when something different came his way.
“Alex said, ‘Perry might be calling you, because they’re hiring Zuk, so at least take the phone call,” recalled Gibbons, referring to Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian and his new manager, Kurt Suzuki. “I said, alright, I hit it off with Zuk and then they offered me the job. Of course, I knew Perry (from their time together in Toronto), I had that connection. In New York, I had no connection, so I said, you know what, I can give it another year. For some reason, though, I always end up in the most expensive cities — Toronto, New York, Anaheim. I’d like to save a little money, you know?”
Cost of living aside, Gibbons is relishing the unexpected opportunity to mentor another rookie manager, just as he did in New York with the well-respected Carlos Mendoza.
Though little in Anaheim is certain beyond this season — Suzuki received only an unusual one-year deal, matching him up with the expiration of Minasian’s contract at season’s end – the Angels feature some intriguing pieces, especially if Mike Trout can maintain his early-season resurgence.
Suzuki – who spent 16 years in the majors and was part of the 2019 Washington Nationals team that featured current Blue Jays Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin — has his club off to a 12-14 start, while leaning on his bench coach.
“I knew him as a player. I loved the way he played, he always had that energy and enthusiasm and I’d always heard he’s a wonderful guy. That’s 100 per cent true. He has such a good feel,” said Gibbons. “I’m just here, really, to not let him step in any potholes or anything like that. If he asks me my suggestions or what I think, I tell him.
“But it’s much easier going home at the end of the night when you don’t have to make those decisions. We hit it off and I tell you, he’s a natural. I think he’s going to do this a long time, just like Mendy. Mendy does a great job in New York. They’re under the gun right now, obviously, but that’s not his fault, I can guarantee you that. It’s been enjoyable.”
At 63, Gibbons is far from an outlier on a veteran-filled staff for the 42-year-old Suzuki, which also features bullpen coach Dom Chiti (67), pitching coach Mike Maddux (64), hitting coach Brady Anderson (62), assistant pitching coach Darryl Scott (57), third base coach Keith Johnson (55) and assistant hitting coach John Mabry (55).
Suzuki also has contemporaries like first base coach Adam Eaton (37), catching coach Max Stassi (35) and infield coach Andy Schatzley (41), seeking to blend old and new schools.
The biggest difference Gibbons sees in the manager’s role from when he last held the role with the Blue Jays eight years ago is how many more people are involved in game-planning now, with so much more information to process, for both coaches and players.
“There’s huge input from the front offices — in New York, man, it was full blown, as much as anywhere,” said Gibbons. “Here, Perry’s got that good balance. When you look at our coaching staff, it’s a bunch of old farts that have been around for a while. He believes in the analytics, but he also understands the other side of it.
“I still think the game’s the same way it’s always been,” Gibbons continued, “you have to use good judgment, common sense and sometimes you can get carried away with all that info. It used to be in the game that when a guy was struggling, you’d say, hey, simplify things, clear your mind, just go out, play or whatever. Now, these guys got no chance of doing that with all the info that’s thrown at them.
“Sometimes simpler is better. And I’ll be honest with you, I think it’s the games got out of hand with all that. I don’t think it’s a better game because of it. Guys are naturally bigger, stronger and more athletic because everybody’s evolving, in all sports. But if you don’t buy into it, you got zero chance.”
To that end, he tries to be a counterbalance, using insights into human beings gained over four decades in the game.
At the time of his hiring in November, Minasian pointed to the way Gibbons can help Suzuki, the impact he makes in a clubhouse and the ability to think strategically in the dugout during games, to see what’s coming before it happens, as reasons behind the hiring.
So, Gibbons is back in uniform to provide all those things, although for how much longer beyond this year he’s not sure.
“I didn’t think I’d … still be in the game right now, to be honest with you,” Gibbons said. “When I got out, I scouted with Atlanta and then I did my podcast, then I got back in and I’ve really enjoyed it. The travel and all that stuff beats you up pretty good. I may not look it, but I am getting a little older, you know?
“How much longer? Probably not a lot. I’ve had a good run. So many people have taken care of me and given me good opportunities in this game and I’m thankful for that, so we’ll see.
“I want more out of life, too, as you get a little older. I love baseball. It’s been my whole life. But there’s also more to life. … I hope.”