Gibson among best new managers

There have been plenty who are skeptical of Kirk Gibson’s managing style, but no one is questioning the results.

In Kirk Gibson’s first full season as manager the Arizona Diamondbacks were expected to struggle like they did last year. Instead, they are right in the middle of the National League West race.

Sports Illustrated took a look at how all the first year managers are doing and put Gibson at the top of the list.

Gibson is an early candidate for the National League Manager of the Year, and will continue to be mentioned for that award and will remain a contender for the award as long as the D-backs continue to have success.

Gibson brings a new fire and passion that has been absent from D-backs baseball the last few years. He manages with the same intensity that he played with as a member of the Dodgers and is not afraid to get in a players face or to do whatever is necessary to get his point across.

Plenty of people questioned Gibson’s unorthodox managerial tactics, but the first year skipper is having success and seems to mesh well with the group of young Diamondbacks.

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