Mar 08, 2008 04:30 AM Richard Griffin Inquiring minds want to know: What's up with the Jays' seemingly lame-duck manager? By this time last spring, John Gibbons had already received a one-year extension through '08. He didn't even have to ask for it. This year, he soldiers on with no security in sight, despite being the 10th-longest tenured manager in the majors. There's a significant difference in Gibbons' situation over the last 12 months. A year ago, the GM's job was secure but the manager's wasn't. Players needed to know Gibbons was in charge. Fast forward to this year. Gibby's now linked undeniably in a three-legged race with J.P. Ricciardi and the finish line is about 90 wins away. Unless the two men pull together in synchronized lockstep, they will both come out losers. As such, a show of good faith to the manager in the form of a contract extension is unnecessary for Ted Rogers, even foolish. He's not asking for one, anyway. If you are still mulling the first paragraph regarding the duration of Gibbons' relative service in the top 10 as an ML skipper, join the club. The 45-year-old Texan has been at his job longer than 20 other managers and his total of 536 games managed in a Jays uniform trails only Cito Gaston and Bobby Cox, while his 270 victories are 11 behind Jimy Williams for third in franchise history. As for the nine other managers currently with more service time in the same place, they are Cox (Braves), Tony La Russa (Cards), Mike Scioscia (Angels), Ron Gardenhire (Twins), Eric Wedge (Indians), Ned Yost (Brewers), Clint Hurdle (Rockies), Terry Francona (Red Sox) and Ozzie Guillen (White Sox). The Star
