Could the MLB have a Canadian skipper for the first time in over 80 years?
It has been over 80 years since a Canadian managed an MLB team, but with a flurry of managerial changes across the league there is speculation that Rob Thomson or Stubby Clapp could become the first in the modern era.
Since the last time their was a manager from north of the border, baseball has come a long way in this country. Canada has seen two MLB teams, two World Series wins, a Hall of Famer (Fergie Jenkins), two Cy Young winners (Jenkins and Eric Gagne), and two MVP (Justin Morneau and Joey Votto).
Here is a look at a few of the Canadian managerial candidates and how they could eventually break dry spell.
HISTORY
There have been two Canadian bench bosses at the Big League level, including George Gibson (London, Ont.) and Arthur Irwin (Toronto).
Irwin: 416 W-427 L (Washington Nationals 1889; Boston Reds 1891
Washington Senators 1892, 1898-99, Philadelphia Phillies 1894-95, New York Giants 1896)
Moved to Boston at the age of 15 to play with the Worcester Ruby Legs and played a part in an important innovation in baseball, the fielder’s glove. According to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, Irwin broke two fingers but used a buckskin driving glove and some padding to protect his hand so that he could continue playing.
He would become a player/manager with the Washington Nationals and would lead the Boston Reds to an American Association title in 1891.
Gibson: 413 W-344 L (Pittsburgh Pirates 1920-23, 1932-1934; Chicago Cubs 1925)
Nicknamed “Moon”, Gibson was a catcher in his playing days with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Giants and held a reputation as a reliable defender. He established a major league record in consecutive games behind the plate at 133 as a part of the 1909 Pirates World Series championship team.
Gibson was the last Canadian to be a full-time bench manager in the MLB.
Both men have a home in the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, for their accomplishments both as players and as managers.
Here are Canadians that could be considered for a job in the MLB sooner rather than later.