Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons says the world needs to “lighten up” after coming under fire for a comment he made following Tuesday night’s controversial loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
“Maybe we’ll come out wearing dresses tomorrow,” Gibbons said.
Gibbons made the comment after a new rule governing slides and double plays cost the Jays the tying and go ahead runs in the top of the ninth inning.
The “dresses” comment did not go over well. However, Gibbons says he doesn’t see a problem with the statement.
“I cannot understand how it would offend anybody, to be honest with you,” Gibbons said before Wednesday’s game with the Rays.
“It doesn’t offend my mother, my daughter, my wife, who have a great understanding of life. I do think the world needs to lighten up a little bit.”
The new “Chase Utley rule”
With the bases loaded and one out in the ninth inning, Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion hit a grounder to third base. After taking a throw from Evan Longoria for the force at second, Logan Forsythe made an errant relay to first that appeared to allow the tying and go-ahead runs to score for Toronto.
Replay umpires in New York ruled Jose Bautista’s slide was not directly into the bag and it illegally hindered Forsythe. The call was changed to a game-ending double play that preserved Tampa Bay’s victory.
“I feel like I respect the rule, that it was an absolutely clean slide,” Bautista said. “And it’s just disappointing to lose a major league baseball game, with so much at stake every day here. We put a lot into the game since we were little kids and then to all of a sudden have everything taken away like that is just strange.”
It’s known as the “Chase Utley rule” and it’s aimed at preventing baserunners from sliding into defensive players to break up double plays. Utley, an infielder with the Los Angeles Dodgers, was suspended for two games after sliding into New York Mets second shortstop Ruben Tejeda in an attempt to break up a double play. Tejeda had his back to Utley and suffered a broken leg in the play. The play occurred during last year’s post-season. Utley has appealed the suspension.
However, it was Gibbons’ “sexist” comments that angered many on social media.
“Terribly sexist comments by Gibbons after last night’s Jays game,” Chris Cherry tweeted. “Being ‘tough’ does not require implying weakness in women.”
“If Gibbons wanted a non-sexist way to complain about the rule being too stringent he could have said the team should wear bubble wrap,” Neil Weinberg tweeted.
“What happened in the Jays-Rays game is real confusing and maddening,” Adriano Vertullo chimed in. “Gibbons was upset, but should never make comments like he did.”
Here’s a look at some of the other reaction:
–with files from The Associated Press
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