Jays fire Gibbons; Gaston takes charge

TORONTO, June 20 (UPI) -- The Toronto Blue Jays fired Manager John Gibbons Friday and replaced him with two-time World Series-winning skipper Cito Gaston.

The Blue Jays had a record of 35-39 under Gibbons this season.

"We were struggling, there's no question about that," Gaston said during a conference call.

"Hopefully change is good."

Gaston guided the Blue Jays to back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. His overall managerial record is 681-635.

Gibbons, who was hired in August 2004, was 305-305.

Gibbons joined Seattle's John McLaren and the New York Mets' Willie Randolph as managers fired this week.

The Jays' best record under Gibbons was 87-75, good for second in the AL East in 2006.

Also fired were third base coach Marty Pevey, first base coach Ernie Whitt and hitting coach Gary Denbo.

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