Book Project Update #1--Interview with Mr. Gillick

I had an opportunity to speak with Mr. Pat Gillick on the phone earlier this month to talk about my book project. Gillick, a special advisor with the Phillies, was very cordial and took the time to go over the questions I had. After briefly introducing myself and talking about the British Columbia area codes and hard vs. soft covers, we got right down to business.

Here is an excerpt of the interview.

KP: I've read before in the papers, in both the New York Times and Seattle Times where you were quoted as saying Tom Candiotti did his job in Toronto. Can you elaborate more on how he helped your club in '91?

PG: The thing about Tom is he was realy the ultimate professional. He was someone who set a standard on our club by example, the way he conducted himself in the clubhouse, on the field. He set a great example for the other players on the club. Tremendous work ethic. Great passion for the game. He was not only an excellent player, he was an excellent teammate, and therefore really a joy to have on the club.

KP: Was there a lot of concern that Candiotti had pitched in Cleveland where there was no history of success, going to Toronto where there was a winning tradition?

PG: From an experience standpoint, Tom was a little bit different style of pitcher in that he was a knuckleballer and the rest of the people we had were fastball pitchers. As far as their style of pitching, they had very different styles, which was one reason we liked to have Tom on the club, was the variation of styles.

KP: Did he take any of the young pitchers under his wing? Like Guzman or Timlin or Wells?

PG: I don't recall any specific players but again, Tom was a real professional on the field and so consequently had an impact on a number of players on our club. He was always a very positive, upbeat person.

KP: When the media and fans in Toronto talk about your acquisitions, like Cone or Henderson, they say it's a success because the Jays won the World Series with those guys, but Candiotti was a bust. How do you respond to that?

PG: The 1991 series against Minnesota, I don't think Tom had a particularly good series. I think that's what they were focussing on. He didn't have the type of series we expected of him. But, all in all, we were happy with Candiotti in the way he performed and conducted himself. ... I thought probably in 1991 we were going to go a little bit further than we had in '85 and '89. But it was a thrill, not only for me but the players and the fans, to go back to the playoffs after being out of it for a year in 1990.