Former Toronto Blue Jays MVP Josh Donaldson and ex-manager John Gibbons have finally revealed the truth behind their infamous dugout confrontation during a 2016 game at Yankee Stadium, ending nearly a decade of speculation. The pair shared the story on the Get It Done League podcast, which also featured former Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin and host Arash Madani.
The Infamous Incident
During an August 2016 game against the New York Yankees, Donaldson struck out twice against left-hander CC Sabathia. After the second at-bat, he slammed his bat into the dugout railing, sparking a heated verbal exchange with Gibbons that required teammates to separate them. At the time, both parties downplayed the incident, with Donaldson jokingly claiming Gibbons asked what cologne he was wearing, leading to the 'Tom Ford Cologne' myth.
On the podcast, Donaldson brought out a bottle of Tom Ford cologne, prompting laughter. Gibbons then set the record straight: 'I've heard your side of the story, and it's totally wrong. But I'm going to give everybody the facts here.'
Gibbons' Account
Gibbons explained that Sabathia was 'probably the only left-hander in the league' that gave Donaldson trouble, yet Donaldson insisted on playing as the designated hitter. 'Your first at bat, I think you were sword fighting, it was three pitches,' Gibbons said. 'You step out of the box and you look right at me and you walk back to the dugout then disappeared. Right next at-bat, same thing... second time, same thing. As soon as you turn out of the box, you're looking right at me, and I go, “What is this?” Then you're walking down and you take that bat whack right next to me.'
Gibbons said they exchanged 'a few choice words' before shortstop Troy Tulowitzki stepped in as peacemaker. Donaldson admitted he was frustrated after 'getting his doors blown off' by an 88-mph pitch from Sabathia and acknowledged he probably should have taken the day off.
Original 2016 Statements
In 2016, Donaldson told reporters: 'I was coming back to the dugout and hit my bat against the thing. Gibby asked me what kind of cologne I was wearing. I said, “It's this new cologne called Tom Ford, I just got it.” He got pretty close to me and got a good whiff of it, and I was like, “Hey man, back up.” I was like, “I'll give you some after the game.”' Gibbons' original version was that he told Donaldson: 'Get a new bat, that one ain't working,' and after the second strikeout, 'You should have listened to me.'
The revelation on the podcast provides closure for Blue Jays fans who have long wondered about the true story behind one of the team's most memorable dugout clashes.
