The fourth black manager in major league history may not have his job for long.
Hours after firing Jimy Williams and naming Cito Gaston as his temporary replacement Monday, Toronto general manager Pat Gillick all but dismissed Gaston's chances of keeping the job on a permanent basis."We're not going to choose anyone from this coaching staff," Gillick said. "We don't feel it's an easy transition to make from coach to manager on our ballclub."
Gaston made a successful transition from batting coach to manager Monday night, guiding the Blue Jays to a 5-3 victory over Cleveland. But Gillick said earlier there was a 99 percent chance Gaston wouldn't even be considered for the permanent post, which will be filled within 10 days.
"We think one of the problems was with Jimy making the transition from the coaching staff. That's why we would prefer someone with managerial experience," Gillick said.
"We feel it was a pitfall and we don't want to make the same mistake."
And what if the Blue Jays win seven or eight in a row under Gaston?
"We'd have to evaluate that, but we're still going to proceed," Gillick said.
Among those said to be in the running are former New York Yankees manager Lou Piniella and Bob Bailor, manager of Toronto's top farm team and and a former Blue Jays player.