Kirk Gibson
After being diagnosed this year with Parkinson's disease, it might seem improbable that Kirk Gibson would want to manage a ballclub.
But apparently he has some interest.
Gibson, who hit the most famous home run in Dodgers history in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series against the Oakland A's, was interviewed by the team last week for its vacant managerial position, sources tell Jim Bowden of ESPN.
Gibson is one of several candidates to replace the fired Don Mattingly, according to the Los Angeles Times. Others include Gabe Kapler, Ron Roenicke, Tim Wallach, Dave Roberts, Darin Erstad, Bob Geren and Bud Black.
Gibson played for the Tigers from 1979-87 and for the Dodgers from 1988-90. He managed the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2010-14, compiling a record of 353-375.
In April, while appearing in the broadcast booth on Opening Day with Mario Impemba, Kirk Gibson first realized that something was very wrong. He had difficulty speaking and he couldn't smile. He soon discovered that something was that he had Parkinson's disease.
Gibson now takes medication and has a team of doctors and therapists. He returned to the broadcast booth later in the season after taking a hiatus to deal with his illness.
Scott Miller, a national columnist with the MLB's Bleacher Report, recently wrote a feature on Gibson's battle:
As ever, he is living his life pedal to the metal. He is attacking Parkinson's as if ripping into that Dennis Eckersley backdoor slider in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series in Dodger Stadium. Or the Goose Gossage fastball in Game 5 of the 1984 World Series in Tiger Stadium.
