That was 11:55 a.m. on Sunday, and the most critical parts of Gibbons' workday were just about done. He had filled out the lineup card with a series of sluggers and formidable bats, checked on the health of his players -- the middle finger on Edwin Encarnacion's left hand was hurting -- and chatted with appropriate personnel.
Some four hours later, he had watched his Blue Jays finish their sweep of the American League East-leading Yankees.
"Just as we drew it up," he said.
These days, Gibbons leaves the signs for steals, the hit-and-run and sacrifice bunts in a jar by the door and lets his counterparts and the descendents of John McGraw and Gene Mauch manage.