Dodgers interview Kirk Gibson for manager position

The Los Angeles Dodgers have added Kirk Gibson to their long list of managerial candidates since parting ways with Don Mattingly.

Kirk Gibson is one of the biggest legends in Los Angeles Dodgers history due to his historic walk-off home run in the 1988 World Series while playing with a pulled left hamstring and swollen right knee. He may be returning to the team, as the Dodgers have interviewed him for their vacant manager position, according to ESPN. Don Mattingly and the Dodgers mutually parted ways after another early exit from the postseason. Mattingly has since been hired by the Miami Marlins.

Gibson will instantly become a top candidate to manage the Dodgers due to his history with the team and his previous managerial experience. He spent five seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks and led them to a National League West title in 2011, which was his first full season with the Diamondbacks. Gibson took over as the interim manager in 2010 after A.J. Hinch was fired.

However, Gibson’s success was brief as the Diamondbacks were eliminated in the National League Division Series and subsequently put together two .500 seasons. After that, they only won 64 games before Gibson was fired. He became a Detroit Tigers analyst for Fox Sports Detroit after being fired, and he later came down with Parkinson’s disease.

“I have faced many different obstacles in my life, and have always maintained a strong belief that no matter the circumstances, I could overcome those obstacles. While this diagnosis poses a new kind of challenge for me, I intend to stay true to my beliefs,” Gibson said.

Although Gibson is a folk hero for the Dodgers, many other candidates have interviewed as well. This includes former San Diego Padres manager Bud Black, Padres bench coach Dave Roberts and New York Mets bench coach Bob Geren.