It took Brian Butterfield a full week to get over the fact he had been passed over for a third time in the quest for his dream job, managing the Blue Jays.

It has not always been thus, but over the course of 11 seasons as major-league coach for the Jays, under four different managers, the native of Bangor, Me., discovered he had wanted no job as much as that of running the Jays.

“For 72 hours after the manager (John Gibbons) was named in Toronto (last Tuesday), it stung,” Butterfield admitted. “I even texted (Sox manager) John Farrell and said, ‘I’ve got to be honest with you, I’m really disappointed and I need another couple of days to shake this off.’ He was very understanding and texted back and said, ‘I understand the letdown 100 per cent. You take your time and enjoy your family for Thanksgiving and when you’re ready to go, we’ll talk on the phone.’”

Now Butterfield says he is over the disappointment and ready to throw himself with the same passion into his new job, coaching third base for the Red Sox, that he was ready to give the Jays as manager.

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At the time Butterfield accepted the offer from Farrell the week after the former Jays skipper abandoned ship with a year left on his contract to pursue his dream job in Boston, the Jays’ coaches had already met with GM Alex Anthopoulos about the uncertainty of their futures.

They were advised bluntly at that time by the always up-front GM that if they could line up another MLB job, they should. There were no guaranteed positions under the new manager. Butterfield, who had been passed over twice before — the first time Gibbons was fired and then when Cito Gaston left — made sure the Red Sox understood that if the Jays job became his, he could return to Toronto.

“I did have an interview,” Butterfield said. “I flew into Toronto the night that Michigan faced Nebraska (in college football, Oct. 27). I was ticked off I missed the Michigan game and they got beat that night. But I flew in and it was really nice. I spent some solid time with Alex, spent some time with Paul Beeston, which was nice. I was very pleased just with the whole process.”

But it was not to be for Butterfield. In his mind, this time it was either the manager’s post or else; even before the meeting with Anthopoulos, he knew he had to leave to reach the next level.

“It was tough,” he said. “I’m not sure that people that haven’t walked in my shoes understand how much I love Toronto. I love the city. I’ve met some of the finest people ever in that city. I built some great relationships. I love the players that I was blessed to be working with. I’ve worked with some great coaches. I love the front office. There’s absolutely no hard feelings on my end. I feel like I’m indebted to Toronto and I’m indebted to that organization. Wonderful experience.”

But Butterfield has not given up on the dream to manage. He just knows now that it’s likely it won’t be with the Jays. The 55-year-old still wants his own team in the bigs and finds himself constantly annoyed at those who smugly suggest that he is, and will always be, a coach because he becomes too close with his players — and that never flies when you’re in charge.

“Nothing against anyone in the media, but the times you are allowed in the clubhouse are during very loose hours,” Butterfield said. “Critics have yet to see me on the back field run a team defence, run an individual defence. They have yet to see me behind closed doors with a group of players, infielders or an individual. Those are the intimate hours that they don’t have access to.

“For me, critics are way out of school in saying that I won’t do this or won’t do that. I’m very demanding of my players. When I hear anybody say I’m too close to the players, I think managing and coaching is building relationships with players. Don’t necessarily think of relationships as being soft. I have a great relationship with my sons, but it ain’t always easy love. There’s a lot of tough love and discipline that goes on behind there. Don’t get fooled by that relationships word.”

Butterfield leaves with no hard feelings towards anyone, especially the new manager with whom he worked the first time around. Gibbons calls Butterfield “maybe the best coach in baseball.”

“I consider Gibby one of my finest friends in baseball,” Butterfield said of the man who beat him out twice, going back to the firing of Carlos Tosca. “I’m extremely happy for him. He’s a great baseball man and an even better human. I think the organization did itself well. I think Alex made a great choice, I really do.

“I wanted to be a Blue Jay the rest of my career, but now I’m a member of the Boston Red Sox and it’s not like that’s a bad situation. This is a great organization. I’m back to where I grew up. I’m back to my roots. I’m closer to home. There’s an awful lot to be thankful for.”

Butterfield did not have to think about it for very long when asked what memories stand out for him regarding Toronto and the fans in the city.

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“One of the greatest moments, my wife and I were walking to the bank the morning of a game,” Butterfield recalled, the emotion likely fogging up some cellphone tower between Maine and Toronto. Two cars within a couple of minutes stopped and rolled down their window. A couple of guys were pumping their fist in the air saying, ‘Butterfield, you’re the best.’ Jan just looked at me, smiled and said, ‘This town is unbelievable.’ I don’t know what to say. Heartwarming. I don’t think I’ll ever be in a situation like that where people are receptive and appreciate you like that town did with me.”

Butterfield then excused himself. There was important work to do. He and his son are clearing brush near the top of the mountain on his 22 acres in Bangor to make room for the home he plans to build for himself — with a view of Mt. Washington — whenever he gets that manager’s gig. The dream is alive.

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