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Gibbons concurs with that sentiment. “D is one of the best baseball men I’ve ever been around,” Gibbons told Postmedia on Friday. “I think teams are missing out (but) hopefully someone gives him an opportunity. They’d be greatly rewarded.”

Gibbons said that he and Hale made a pact years ago while coaching winter ball in Hawaii (Hale was the manager at Hilo and Gibbons was a coach) that if one of them made it to the big leagues as a manager, he’d bring the other up.

In 2013, Gibbons became Jays manager for the second time and Hale was hired as bench coach. Before that, Hale was the bench coach with the Red Sox and there was talk back in 2011 that he would soon be getting a shot as a MLB manager. Hale was reportedly the runner-up when the Jays hired John Farrell as manager in 2011.

“It’s disappointing that he’s not in the mix (right now),” Gibbons said. “I know he’s been interviewed in the past. He’s as good a baseball guy that you’re ever going to meet. He’s well-versed in everything and he’s one of the most beloved guys in the game. Every team you play, he’s got contacts with somebody he’s coached along the way and he’s easily one of the most-liked guys in the game. I think it’s unfortunate.”

Gibbons said to become an MLB manager, you need someone in front office to give you a chance, a sponsor if you will. In Gibbons’ case, there were two: former Jays GMs J.P. Ricciardi and Alex Anthopoulos.

“Somebody gave me a shot and D just hasn’t got that yet,” Gibbons said from his home in San Antonio.