The Toronto Blue Jays have replaced longtime manager John Gibbons with Tampa Bay Rays bench coach and one-time Montreal Expos player coach Charlie Montoyo.
The franchise announced the news at 4 p.m. on Thursday as rumours of their new hire swirled online.
Welcome aboard, Skip!
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 25, 2018
We're excited to name Charlie Montoyo the 13th Manager in #BlueJays history. pic.twitter.com/IM7T1rvEYS
With 18 years of experience as a minor-league manager, the 53-year-old Puerto Rico native comes to Toronto with a solid pedigree.
He was coach for the Puerto Rican 2009 World Baseball Classic team, as well as the World Team in 2010. He also led Tampa's Durham Bulls to a record 633 victories as manager during his time with the team.
Opinion among Blue Jays fans on Twitter is divided (as opinion so often is on Twitter) but, for the most part, people who know baseball are thrilled by the news.
FINALLY! Charlie Montoyo gets a chance to manage. About time--should have been years ago. Got to know him well researching, 'Where Nobody Knows Your Name.' Outstanding manager; better person.
— John Feinstein (@JFeinsteinBooks) October 25, 2018
Many are excited that Toronto is getting what MLB columnist Richard Griffin calls "an old-school baseball mind with an appreciation for analytics," especially after a killer season with the Rays.
Charlie Montoyo's first words to #Bluejays fans: “Managing a team that represents an entire nation is incredibly special. My family and I look forward to working towards the ultimate goal of winning a championship for this city."
— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) October 25, 2018
The fact that he's bilingual is also being hailed as an asset, given how many young Spanish-speaking players are playing major roles within the franchise and league.
Charlie Montoyo:
— Jonah Birenbaum (@birenball) October 25, 2018
- Extensive managerial experience in the minors
- Spanish speaker
- Longtime Rays instructor, which implies, at worst, an openmindedness regarding analytics
- Former Montreal Expo
I dig it.
Montoyo's contract is for three years, plus a club option in 2022. He and his wife Samantha have two children and will undoubtedly soon experience what winter is like in Toronto after many years spent in Florida.
by Lauren O'Neil via blogTO
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