By Teddy Greenstein
Tribune staff reporter
October 1, 2003, 11:33 PM CDT
When White Sox broadcaster Darrin Jackson says Cito Gaston commands respect in the clubhouse, believe him.
Jackson played under Gaston in Toronto for only part of the 1993 season, but the manager made a lasting impact on him.
"To me, he's in compete control and command of his environment," Jackson said.
White Sox general manager Ken Williams, who also played for Gaston, said Monday he also holds the two-time World Series champion in high esteem.
So high Williams already has spoken to Gaston about the Sox's managerial opening, according to a source close to the situation.
Williams was in meetings all day Wednesday and Gaston could not be reached for comment. He was said to be traveling from Toronto to his home in Oldsmar, Fla.
The source said he believed Gaston, 59, wants to return to managing, feels comfortable with Williams and views the Sox job as very attractive.
If Williams offers him the job, the source said, Gaston will base his decision largely on his comfort level with the organization and contract terms.
Like pending free agent Roberto Alomar, who said Saturday that Gaston was "like a dad to me," Jackson would applaud such a move.
"I've had a few managers," said Jackson, who played for eight teams during his big-league career. "I really enjoyed my time with Cito. He went about everything in a very professional manner."
Jackson remembers how Gaston reacted to an incident in 1993, when umpire Durwood Merrill ejected Jackson after he lightly protested two pitches in the second inning of a game.
"Cito came into the clubhouse and said, 'Are you all right now?'
"I said, 'Yeah.' He said: 'We can't have you thrown out that early in the game. We need you.' He patted me on the shoulder and walked away.
"I knew exactly what he meant. I was a wasted player at that point."
Jackson never got ejected from another game.
"He makes sure his players act like big-leaguers," Jackson said.
Despite guiding the Blue Jays to World Series titles in 1992 and '93, Toronto dismissed him late in the 1997 season.
He was considered for subsequent managerial vacancies in Milwaukee and Cleveland. The Brewers hired Davey Lopes and the Indians gave the job to Charlie Manuel.
"I thought I was a good fit for [Cleveland], but they got back to me in a way I didn't think was quite right," Gaston told the Toronto Star in August.
"And it was during the time when [baseball was] talking about interviewing minorities more. So I thought some of the teams that were calling me for interviews were just covering their backs by doing it. I didn't feel like they could use me for that. If you want me to come for an interview, be serious about it or don't my waste time."
Anaheim was serious about hiring him, but Gaston turned down its interview request, citing family concerns.
"I was having problems at home and my wife did not want to go out that way to Anaheim," Gaston, who since has divorced, told the paper. "They said [later] if I showed up, I had the job. But you never know."
Gaston returned to Toronto in 2000 to be the team's hitting coach. He lost his job Oct. 6, 2001, the same day the Jays released third-base coach Terry Bevington, a former Sox manager.
Gaston said he turned down an offer to become Boston's hitting coach after the 2001 season because he didn't want then-manager Joe Kerrigan to be looking over his shoulder. The Expos wanted to hire him in the same capacity.
"In Montreal, we just couldn't get together on a good figure," Gaston was quoted as saying. "I couldn't afford to go there for what they wanted to pay me. I've had some offers, but not like you'd imagine I should have, really."
Gaston returned to the Blue Jays as a special assistant to team President Paul Godfrey for the 2002 season.
"I'm a big fan," Godfrey said Wednesday. "He's not only a perfect gentleman but a great baseball man. I don't want to be too praiseworthy and hurt his chances [with the Sox.]"
Copyright © 2003, The Chicago Tribune
