Bobby Valentine is the new Red Sox Manager

So today I’m getting texts and people want to know my thoughts on Bobby Valentine being named manager of one of baseball’s Cadillac teams.

The truth is, I don’t really have many thoughts on it. I kind of wished that Bobby V. would have gotten the Cincinnati Reds managerial job over Dusty Baker–but then again I find myself talking to my inner voice saying that baseball managers really don’t matter.

I think guys like Baker and Valentine are proof of that. You could stick a lot of figures surrounding the game of baseball in that Boston clubhouse and they might be able to right the ship. Whether Boston wins the series next season or finishes in fourth, I don’t think that Valentine will have a whole lot to do with it. A baseball manager’s best work is done when he quietly reminds you of the things you already know. Do I think Valentine has mastered that art? For as long as he’s been around the game it’s likely.

Just give me a guy who doesn’t rock the boat. A guy with just the right emotional balance to weather everything for 162 games. Sometimes that means just not doing anything to screw it up.

At the same time, every once in a while that’s not enough. Baker is a prime example of that with his lineup cards. A lot of people think Valentine is a proverbial dope. I guess I’m not one of those people entirely–but I think he’s an acquired taste. He’s just a guy who says stupid things sometimes. We’ve all been guilty of that at times in our workplace.

There’s a couple of good tales below on young Valentine no matter what side of the fence you sit on. In regards to my deepest thoughts on the hiring; I really don’t care. I think the guy will have about as much success as anyone that would have stepped into the position. Tim Kurkjian says it’s a home run hire. It’s Boston. The playoff field has been expanded. They’re going to spend money, and they’re likely going to win.

Meeting Bobby Valentine on New Year’s Eve | Return visit to Bobby Valentine’s