Fansided

Blue Jays’ John Gibbons shows no class with ‘dresses’ comment

By Dave Stevenson

Apr 4, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons (5) speaks to an umpire during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. The Blue Jays defeated the Rays 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons (5) speaks to an umpire during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. The Blue Jays defeated the Rays 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Blue Jays manager John Gibbons proved to be out of touch by making a sexist comment after a frustrating loss.

One of the new rules in baseball is the Chase Utley slide rule, or rule 6.01(j). The rule was made to prevent plays like the one that Chase Utley injured Reuben Tejada on in the playoffs. It prevents reckless takeout slides and protects infielders like they deserve to be. It didn’t take long for the play to enrage someone, as the Toronto Blue Jays lost to the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 after a replay determined that Jose Bautista broke that rule. Blue Jays manager John Gibbons was livid about it.

While Gibbons was understandably frustrated since his team lost on a new controversial rule, that doesn’t excuse his sexist remark. Implying that being a woman is an insult is unacceptable and it’s something that Gibbons should probably be punished for. Major League Baseball has done a terrific job catering to women over the past few years to expand their fan base. If they want to remain consistent with that, John Gibbons should be fined, with the fine being donated to a women’s charity.

John Gibbons is the manager of the Blue Jays. Whether it’s fair or not, he is one of the faces of the team. Any comment that he makes will likely be tied to the team. Implying that roughly half of his team’s fan base is inferior is not a good PR move. It’s not a good move considering that Canada has recently seen an upswing in girls participating in youth baseball leagues. His frustration is warranted, but his ignorance is not.

Rule 6.01(j) says that runners must make “a bona fide slide,” which means that contact must be made with the ground before reaching the base and the runner must attempt to reach the base with a hand or foot while being able to remain on the bag.

Jose Bautista, someone who is noted for being extremely critical of umpires and replay, gave a far better comment than John Gibbons.

“We got briefed in Spring Training, you’re not supposed to put your hands up,” Bautista said, via MLB.com. “It was my first slide trying to break up a double play all season. I know I’m not going to put my hands on the ground and risk injury. I let instinct take over.”

Bautista simply misinterpreted the rules. That’s fine and hopefully, he will learn from it. Gibbons, however, has no excuse.

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