Pirates interview former Blues Jays manager Gibbons

Kansas City Royals bench coach and former feisty Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons interviewed Monday in Pittsburgh with Pirates officials, bringing their total to three candidates with whom they've met in their quest to replace John Russell.

Gibbons, 48, marks the second candidate with big league experience; former Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge was the other. Both toiled in the American League, where Gibbons went 305-305 in parts of five Toronto seasons in the vexing East Division.

Juan Samuel, who went 17-34 as interim Baltimore Orioles manager this season, expects to interview soon.

Gibbons coached extensively in the minor leagues, steering four New York Mets affiliates to the playoffs or league championships at four levels.

Gibbons, like Russell, was a catcher as a player. However, he has been known to display a personality much unlike Russell.

In 2006, a season in which he also clashed with declining slugger Frank Thomas and oft-petulant Shea Hillenbrand, he got into a dugout fight after yanking pitcher Ted Lilly. Gibbons wound up with a bloody nose afterward. Lilly later told reporters, "We were on the verge of something regrettable happening. We were yelling at each other face to face."

Gibbons also reportedly is a candidate in Seattle, where Pittsburgh native Jack Zduriencik is general manager.

Besides Wedge and Gibbons, the Pirates also have interviewed Bo Porter, former third base coach of the Arizona Diamondbacks and a candidate for the vacancy with the Florida Marlins for whom he coached previously.