Cito Gaston is one of the few baseball legends we have in Toronto. He’s right up there alongside Joe Carter, Roy Halladay, Robbie Alomar and Dave Steib as one of the true greats this city has ever had in the sport. He was first hired by the Blue Jays organization in 1982 as a hitting coach, and almost 30 years later, as the 2010 Jays set a new club record for home runs, you can tell Cito hasn’t even lost a step.
While I have been critical of him at times, especially with his refusal to play small ball, I can still respect all of Cito’s accomplishments and what he brings to the clubhouse. While he will most surely be missed by fans and players alike, Cito’s last game at Rogers Center last night signalled the start of a new direction for the franchise. A direction many feel will be a winning one.
Cito will be taking a front office position with the club, so we’ll still get to see his calm demeanor around the ballpark on occasion, but the hunt is on for a new manager to lead this young, hungry Jays club back into the playoffs. As for last night, it was the perfect send-off for one of the most respected men in the league. Not too often do managers get to leave on their own terms, but Cito will be allowed step out of the limelight gracefully.
Last night’s 8-4 Toronto win over the New York Yankees was the icing on the cake for Cito, who spent the day fielding phone calls and signing autographs as he got to the park at 1 pm. There was a blast from the past as well, as Joe Carter, Devon White, George Bell and Pat Hentgen were on hand for the tribute, while many other players made video tributes that were shown on the scoreboard.
Even calm, cool and collected Cito couldn’t hold back any longer as the 33,000+ fans, his current team, and the visiting New York Yankees saluted him with a standing ovation. Cito was in tears as he waved appreciatively to the crowd. He likened the occasion to attending his own memorial, as several people eulogized his accomplishments. At the end of the game he was doused with water and beer by his players. Several Jays took to the field wearing eye-black over their upper lips, a tribute to Cito’s trademark moustache.
In 1992, Cito Gaston became the first black manager to win a world series. In 1993, he won another world series, joining an elite group of managers including Joe Torre, Tony La Russa, Sparky Anderson, Tommy Lasorda and Joe McCarthy. He also led the Jays to 4 division titles over the course of his career, and has had a large role in the resurgence and development of players like George Bell, John Olerud, Jose Bautista and Adam Lind. A four game set with the Minnesota Twins notwithstanding, Cito will retire with a career mark of 910-850, and should be a first ballot candidate for Cooperstown. I can’t think of a better send off than that.
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Born and raised in Northern Ontario but currently living in Toronto, Tyler wouldn't have it any other way. Home to his two favourite sports teams, Tyler revels in the day to day sports experience that is Toronto. 