Insider: Gibbons works to hold temper, job with Blue Jays

How can a poor man stand such times and live?

The roster of and the skinny on a whole bunch of managers who might be closer to joining Pirates of the Caribbean and walking the plank than to returning to find their desks intact in the same place next spring:

Dusty Baker, Cubs: This has been more interminable than the tired saga of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' baby. The best thing about the season ending is that it brings on the thrill-a-minute month of October. Next-best-thing is that it finally will bring the divorce papers to Wrigley Field. Nobody is saying anything official, but indications are the Cubs simply will not renew Dusty's contract, allowing him the dignity to remain a manager who has never been fired and allowing them a chance to see if they can get it right this time. Some folks think Florida's Joe Girardi will have a soft landing in Chicago, but don't count out others, like Atlanta third-base coach Fredi Gonzalez and Cubs broadcaster Bob Brenly.

Mike Hargrove, Mariners: Though GM Bill Bavasi has indicated that Hargrove will be welcomed back, the organization has yet to promise Bavasi that officials won't change the lock on his office. Regarding Hargrove, you can find more energy in your local cemetery than in the Mariners clubhouse. The Mariners just sacked bench coach Ron Hassey, one of Hargrove's best friends (which falls in line with Bavasi's signals, because if a Hargrove firing was imminent, he probably wouldn't have fired Hassey during the season, he would have just dropped the ax on the entire staff afterward). Whatever, but if there is a major housecleaning, Dusty Baker could become the next manager.

Frank Robinson, Nationals: He did more with the Nats than anybody ever dreamed a year ago, yes. But with new ownership and new president Stan Kasten, F. Robby has about as much of a chance of returning as Lincoln does of stepping out of the memorial and returning to government. Three names who will be discussed when the job opens: Bob Boone, Davey Johnson, Lou Piniella.

Joe Girardi, Marlins: The guy is going to be the NL Manager of the Year, but he has alienated so many within the organization that the biggest surprise will be if he is allowed to sleep over for 2007. Girardi has two years left on his contract -- so expect the Marlins to establish their very own placement office to help get this guy moved out of their hair. Atlanta's Gonzalez interviewed the last time the Marlins had an opening.

Felipe Alou, Giants: All indications are that he will be eased out after the season. Two current coaches might be considered -- Ron Wotus and pitching coach Dave Righetti, as well as Angels pitching coach Bud Black and former manager Jim Fregosi.

Buck Showalter, Rangers: Best bet is that he stays for at least another season. But owner Tom Hicks recently has started with the crazy talk, uttering nonsensical things like how much the Rangers miss outfielder David Dellucci's leadership. Which did a nice job at once of insulting Michael Young, one of the biggest gamers around, and Showalter.

Eric Wedge, Cleveland: GM Mark Shapiro is squarely in his corner. But after a disappointing '06, the pressure will be immense in '07 -- especially if the Indians increase their payroll, as their owner has promised.

Phil Garner, Astros: He's in his post-World Series honeymoon period now and will survive this disappointing season. But a slow start in '07 will bring the heat.

Buddy Bell, Royals: Has earned the job for '07 with the way the Royals have improved during the season. But anytime a GM who didn't hire the manager is in place -- Dayton Moore, in this case -- the skipper is advised to stay away from losing streaks.

Charlie Manuel, Phillies: See Bell, Buddy, and K.C. Phillies GM Pat Gillick inherited Manuel, and though Manuel should keep his job given the Phillies' remarkable late-season run, they are always going to be just another losing streak away from the Piniella rumors starting as long as Gillick is there.

Bruce Bochy, Padres: Though he's the winningest manager in San Diego history, there has been an undercurrent of change ever since owner John Moores hired Sandy Alderson as president. Bochy should be safe, but if the first-place Padres somehow miss the playoffs, it would not be a shock to see Bochy and GM Kevin Towers let go. Then? The possibilities are almost too alarming to consider, but Alderson has hired former Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta as a consultant, and if by chance he's promoted, former major league skipper Terry Collins is a favorite of DePo's.

Giving them something to talk about

Padres setup man Cla Meredith with a final word on Monday's shocking game in which the Dodgers hit four consecutive home runs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game, becoming the first team since Minnesota in 1964 to do it:

"After the very first one, it was like, 'All right, we're all right.' After the next one it was, 'All right, we're all right.' After the next one it was, 'All right, we're all right.' Then after the next one it was, 'Aw, s---!'"

The lineup

Luis Gonzalez, who was told by Arizona officials that they will not bring him back next season, lists the five things he will most miss about playing for the Diamondbacks:

1. "The clubhouse guys."
2. "Running out to left field and the same fans being out there all the time."
3. "My traditional stops on the way to the ballpark -- Starbucks, restaurants I'd stop at and eat, the same drive to the yard every day."
4. "A bunch of my teammates."
5. "I think most of all, I'll miss the fans. It's a bond not just as a ballplayer, but as a person. My family and I have done so much charity stuff, and I've never sheltered myself. We go out in public and do what we want to do. People in town have watched my kids grow up (Gonzalez has triplets who now are 8)."