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Gaston, Cox reunite when Blue Jays host Braves

Jun 27, 2008 - 1:31 PM Atlanta (39-41) at Toronto (38-42) 7:07 p.m. EDT

TORONTO (Ticker) -- Old friends reunite on Friday when the Atlanta Braves open a three-game interleague series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Once members of the same coaching staff, Braves manager Bobby Cox and newly appointed Blue Jays coach Cito Gaston square off for the first time since Toronto won the 1992 World Series in six games against Atlanta.

Before taking over as manager from 1989-97, Gaston served as Cox's hitting coach when the current Braves manager held that post with the Blue Jays from 1982-85. However, their relationship dates back to when both coaches were still in midst of their playing careers.

"It's funny, you know, Coxie and I go way back," Gaston said. "Coxie and I played together in Venezuela, and then I played a year for Bobby Cox (in 1978, Cox's first year as manager of the Braves). And of course I coached for him until 1985, when he left here. He's a friend."

Gaston has posted a 3-3 record with the Blue Jays after replacing the fired John Gibbons last Friday.

Toronto righthander Dustin McGowan (6-5, 4.21 ERA) takes the mound for the Blue Jays. He will be opposed by rookie Jair Jurrjens (7-3, 3.20 ERA), who was six-years-old when the Blue Jays claimed the title in 1992.