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Gaston To Remain As Manager In Toronto

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The Associated Press

Published: August 8, 2008

TORONTO - Cito Gaston will return as manager of the Toronto Blue Jays next year.

"Cito's definitely going to be back," General Manager J.P. Ricciardi said Thursday. "He's done a good job. We're six games over .500 since he took over. We've got a long way to go offensively, but he's really laid the groundwork for some of the right stuff offensively. The guys like playing for him."

The Blue Jays fired Manager John Gibbons on June 20 and gave the job to Gaston for the rest of this season. When they made the move, Ricciardi said he would sit down with Gaston after the season to discuss his status for 2009.

Going into Thursday night's game against Oakland, the Blue Jays were 23-17 since Gaston took over - the fourth-best record in baseball during that span. Toronto was in fourth place in the AL East at 58-56.

"I think we're real close," said Gaston, who managed the Blue Jays to consecutive World Series titles in 1992-93. "We've just got to get some guys back who are on the DL and maybe if we can add here and there, I think we certainly have a chance. I'd like to be a part of it. That's great."
Center fielder Vernon Wells (hamstring), second baseman Aaron Hill (concussion) and right-hander Dustin McGowan (shoulder) are among seven Blue Jays on the disabled list.

The 64-year-old Gaston is Toronto's first two-time manager and the fourth-oldest skipper in the majors.

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