Toronto — Canadian Press Published on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2006 8:40AM EDT Last updated on Monday, Apr. 06, 2009 10:38PM EDT
Blue Jays manager John Gibbons says he overreacted in a blow-up with left-hander Ted Lilly that featured angry words on the mound and a physical confrontation in the tunnel.
"It was embarrassing. It shouldn't have happened, but I've got to live with it now," Gibbons told the Fan 590 Tuesday morning, in his weekly appearance on the all-sports radio station.
"I overreacted, no question about that," he added. "I'm not proud of that. That's not who I am. But I am a passionate guy. ... It should never get to that point, but it did happen. I can't run from that, I can't make excuses. I've got to live with it now."
Lilly and Gibbons got into an argument on the mound Monday night when the manager came on in the third to remove Lilly, who gave up two homers and five runs as an 8-0 Toronto lead disappeared against Oakland.
The two then clashed in the tunnel leading out of the dugout after Gibbons followed his pitcher off the field.
There was unconfirmed talk that Lilly had taken a swing at Gibbons. Both denied punches were thrown. Lilly will not be punished, the team said.
"You want competitors out there. I got no problem with that," Gibbons said. "Everything just escalated to the point where you wish it hadn't, but it did. Nothing we can do about it now but hopefully it's over."
Oakland won the game 12-10.
Despite the confrontation, Gibbons said he has a "great relationship" with Lilly.
"He's a great guy. He wants to win."
The incident comes amid mounting frustration in Toronto over a season slipping away and about a month after Gibbons challenged Shea Hillenbrand to a fight during a team meeting after the disgruntled infielder ripped the team.
Hillenbrand, who was later designated for assignment and traded, backed down but this time Gibbons found a taker in Lilly.
Lilly, who is making $4 million (U.S.) this season, is eligible for free agency in the fall.
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