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Whether it’s a memory, a quote, a GIF or just a few kind words, everyone had something to say when it came to John Gibbons’ final home game with the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday. He exited to an ovation and egged the fans on in his moment in the spotlight.
Here’s some of the best things said about Gibbons:
Favorite John Gibbons moment: Rain delay, 8th inning, Game 6, 2015 ALCS. I interview him live in the dugout for Fox. I’m under the dugout roof. He is exposed to the rain. He proceeds to lay out his pitching plans for the rest of the game as if he is ordering lunch. One of a kind.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 26, 2018
Spotted the longest tenured #BlueJays , Kevin Pillar sneak in for his manager’s farewell press conference. pic.twitter.com/jhiUHeRWj5
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) September 26, 2018
Thank you John Gibbons for leading our @BlueJays and for all the great memories. I want to wish you good luck in the future! Toronto will miss you, Gibby! Proud to proclaim today as John Gibbons Day in Toronto. #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/ZwtJuJjTD9
— John Tory (@TorontosMayor) September 26, 2018
Gibby seriously is the best! Not only did he put his players first, their families too! He ALWAYS made sure to say hello with his sly grin and often would stop and take time to ask personal questions relating to our family and me specifically, that is NOT normal in baseball...
— Kristin Smoak (@KristinSmoak) September 26, 2018
Goodbye, Gibby. Thanks for all the memories. Thanks for all the GIFS. pic.twitter.com/t49W0dCpOy
— Gibby GIFS (@GibbyGIFS) September 26, 2018
Asked what kind of reputation he’d like in baseball, Gibbons said:”A good, honest, straight shootin’ guy”..then added, “integrity, that never hurts.”
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) September 26, 2018
John Gibbons: "I've been here a long time. I've had some great times, and I've had some tough times. It's kind of sad. It's sad in a way. But it brought back a lot of good memories."
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) September 26, 2018
Gibbons paused for a moment, then added
"I'm not gonna cry. My lip might shake a little bit."
This is quite the scene: all the Blue Jays players and coaches were still in the dugout waiting for John Gibbons to finish his interview. pic.twitter.com/rtTl4Oi1Fq
— Minor Leaguer (@Minor_Leaguer) September 26, 2018
Looooooooool pic.twitter.com/18IK2Qq1Ma
— Andrew Stoeten (@AndrewStoeten) September 26, 2018
I told Gibbons last week in Baltimore he was five wins away from guaranteeing a record above .500. His reply at the time was, "Well it's not like it's going to go on my tombstone." #BlueJays
— Gregor Chisholm (@gregorMLB) September 26, 2018
John Gibbons, while making a pitching change, notices he's on the jumbotron and gets Jon Berti to smile with him. #GibbyTheBest pic.twitter.com/31E0MjGk2c
— Faizal Khamisa (@SNFaizalKhamisa) September 26, 2018
Every coach in every sport is likely going to be let go at some point. Not many of them get the heartfelt sendoff Gibby just did. Says a lot about him, I think
— Doug Smith: Raptors (@SmithRaps) September 26, 2018
Goodnight, Gibby. pic.twitter.com/0HNrfZS1Fh
— Gibby GIFS (@GibbyGIFS) September 26, 2018
Gibby was the first big league manager I ever had in MLB spring training and my last one in Toronto. He always kept in touch my entire career and is still one of my favorite guys to be around. Thank you Gibby. You’re a BEAUTY!!!
— Jp Arencibia (@jparencibia9) September 26, 2018