PHOENIX (AP) — Kirk Gibson is going to get a shot at managing the Arizona Diamondbacks for a full season.
Hired as the interim manager after a midseason shake-up, Gibson was given the permanent job on Monday. Interim general manager Jerry Dipoto also will remain with the club as vice president of scouting and player development.
A fiery former player, Gibson was promoted from bench coach when the Diamondbacks fired manager A.J. Hinch and GM Josh Byrnes on July 2.
Gibson didn’t lead any dramatic turnaround — Arizona was last in the NL West at 65-97 — but did change the sometimes laid-back attitude in the clubhouse.
New GM Kevin Towers said when he was hired that Gibson probably deserved a chance to lead the team from the start of the season.