Throughout the Diamondbacks' early season struggles, many pundits have gone out of their way to absolve manager Kirk Gibson as the scapegoat for the team's 5-18 record following Tueday night's loss in Chicago.
But Gibson, earlier Tuesday, said should shoulder some blame if things don't turn around quickly.
"If we don't start winning games in the end I should be held accountable," Gibson said during his weekly appearance on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM's Burns and Gambo show. "I have no problem with that. I should be."
Gibson understands the manager or general manager often are the first to lose their jobs in such situations -- even if Derrick Hall, Diamondbacks president and CEO, last week said Gibson and GM Kevin Towers are "absolutely not" in danger of losing their jobs.
Gibson was the National League manager of the year in 2011, when the Diamondbacks last reached the playoffs, but watched his team finish with identical 81-81 records each of the past two seasons.
"We dig every day to try and come play a better game than the night before, but it hasn't worked up to this point. I come here prepared and determined every day."
"It is tough. But I'm up for the challenge," Gibson said of trying to turn around the season. "I'm not going to give in. We keep looking for ways to avoid another loss, and I mean in the last week I think our pitching has been better. Not as good as it needs to be but better. Our bullpen has been outstanding. We have not swung the bats well with any consistency where we're able to get on a roll over the last week."
