Report: Kirk Gibson to interview for Dodgers manager job
The Los Angeles Dodgers will reportedly interview Kirk Gibson for their managerial opening, reports ESPN’s Jim Bowden.
Gibson is best known for hitting a walk-off home run off of Dennis Eckersley in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, which helped the Dodgers capture their most recent championship title.
Gibson began his coaching career after five seasons as a television analyst for a local station in Detroit, where he also played from 1979 to 1987. He served as the Tigers’ bench and hitting coach from 2003 to 2005 before being hired as the Arizona Diamondbacks’ bench coach prior to the 2007 season.
He took over as the team’s interim and later permanent manager after the firing of A.J. Hinch in 2010. In 2011, the Diamondbacks finished the year with a major league leading 94 victories before losing to the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Division Series in five games. Gibson was fired by Arizona following a last place finish in the National League West division in 2014. He compiled a 353–375 record over five seasons.
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In April, Gibson announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.
The Dodgers are looking to replace Don Mattingly after the two sides mutually parted ways after the team’s loss to the New York Mets in this year’s NLDS.
Former San Diego Padres bench coach Dave Roberts interviewed for the job on Monday, and former Anaheim Angel Darin Erstad is expected to interview this week. Other former players and coaches that will be considered include Bud Black, Gabe Kapler, Dave Martinez, Ron Roenicke and Tim Wallach, according to ESPN.
Mattingly has been hired as the Miami Marlins manager and was introduced on Monday.
- Christopher Chavez
