Is Bobby Valentine a good choice by the Red Sox?

[Mike D.]

In many cases, it's the little differences between the way things used to be done and are done now that I think have an impact.

Today's example...I've now read in 5 different places that Clay Buchholz was the first choice to start Sunday, but requested the extra days rest because he threw a couple of tough games recently.

Last year, I'd never have read that, not even once. The team would have presented a unified front and said "The decision was made not to move Buchholz up".

This year, the players, front office, and manager are all in "cya" mode...and hedging against each other. Meanwhile, the ownership is in "mia" mode.

Morales is starting because Valentine wants to show that HIS guy can convert from relieving to starting. Meanwhile, the Pawsox have three starters with ERA's under 4.10.

[Mike D.]

Double Post

[Therwil Flyer]

I understand the fans - casual or hardcore - and the media is as divided by Valentine as the clubhouse and staff and so there are a lot of bs arguments from both sides, but somebody please explain what the big fuss is about him not being allowed to hire his own staff?!?!

- Bogar, Tuck and Magadan were not chosen by him - Magadan is well respected not just within the organization but throughout mlb, and Tuck is even more respected and admired.
- McClure was already in the organization, but Valentine was already the manager when he got promoted to pitching coach - so Valentine had something to say about that.
- When Francona became manager he inherited a number of coaches, and that was never a problem.
- Valentine had the most success with the Mets after his guys were replaced with guys chosen by the FO.
- And finally, when was the last time you got a new job and were allowed to chose your entire team? Never? No, you took the job and made it work with the co-workers you didn't get to select, right?

But somehow all of this isn't Valentine's fault because, you know he didn't get to chose his own bench coach?! The Red Sox are now 6 games below .500. They will not only miss the playoffs but likely will finish the season with a losing record! But, yeah, this isn't Valentine's fault at all because, you know he didn't get to chose his own bench coach!

Seriously, can somebody explain this to me?

[Blue387]

Bobby V isn't be a bad manager. Now Dusty Baker, that guy is terrible.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

Bobby V isn't be a bad manager. Now Dusty Baker, that guy is terrible.

I never understood why people call Baker a bad manager. He did pretty good with the Giants, almost took the Cubs to the WS and has done an excellent job with the Reds.

I would take Baker over Valentine.

[Mike D.]

Bobby V isn't be a bad manager. Now Dusty Baker, that guy is terrible.

For in-game strategy and roster management, he's not bad. I'll give you that.

Where he has a failing is that he's a total media whore, and seems unable to communicate with his own players and coaches except through the media.

Boston is a vicious media town, so that REALLY isn't going well this year.

[Therwil Flyer]

For in-game strategy and roster management, he's not bad. I'll give you that.

Where he has a failing is that he's a total media whore, and seems unable to communicate with his own players and coaches except through the media.

Boston is a vicious media town, so that REALLY isn't going well this year.

I understand how successful the Mets were when BV was the manager there (I do I was in NY in 2000). I also do not want to talk bad about him as a person, a) because he's done some great things and b) I've never met him. He is a terrible fit in Boston! He should never have been hired and should have been let go midseason. (I'm still waiting for Larry to take some responsibility for this).

But can someone please give evidence - I mean hard evidence, not just mentioning his reputation - that he is a good in-game manager and strategist? Because what I have seen from his this season, frankly, is average at best!

[Mike D.]

But can someone please give evidence - I mean hard evidence, not just mentioning his reputation - that he is a good in-game manager and strategist? Because what I have seen from his this season, frankly, is average at best!

Well, I said he was "not bad". I never said he was "good" or even "above average". I pretty much agree with you...he's not awful, but I haven't seen anything that wows me. In the early going, he was really bad with bullpen management (especially having guys warmed up when needed) but got a bit better with that as the season went on.

[Therwil Flyer]

Bobby Valentine, Boston — Still a 50-50 proposition as to whether he stays. With the team gutted, Valentine should do well with grooming younger players for bigger roles. He’s done that with Pedro Ciriaco, for one, and had begun with Will Middlebrooks. Ryan Kalish could be the next outfielder groomed for a bigger role next season when he is completely healthy and over his shoulder surgeries. (Dustin Pedroia had the same shoulder issues as Kalish and said you don’t feel better until the following year.) Ownership is fair-minded and realizes that this mess was not Valentine’s fault. Most managers get more than one clean year to show what they can do.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/20...BuJ/story.html

Tricky Nicky is as delusional as Valentine. Amazing. Utterly amazing!

[Mike D.]

Tricky Nicky is as delusional as Valentine. Amazing. Utterly amazing!

Nicky has been in love with Valentine since before he was even hired. I think they both would rather be in NYC, and I'd love to send 'em both there.

[dominik]

I think they should keep valentine till the end of the season and then fire him just as a punishment for those players and their pathetic effort (the season is lost anyway). that is probably what the office is going to do.

[skeletor]

no...Leyland in Detroit...is terrible. has over stayed his tenure in Detroit. mis uses players.

[lito el jonronero]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0x6h0B9T84


Bobby Valentines day. Watch the 20 second video and make your own opinion. I think he is embarrassing and that it is a disgrace that a clown like that is becoming the new Red Sox manager.

During 8 years it has worked perfectly well to have a player manager like Francona. 8 years minus one month. For the Red Sox FO (or should I say ownership) thats already enough to make a one-eighty and go get a clown-drill-sergeant.

When the Boston hired Bobby V, who had won at Japan, they did not mean ridiculous half controversial personality into account, it was the same guy that had in its competitive clubs hands and did not win, was expelled from a game and returned to the bench disguised as a mustache and glasses, which made a sovereign ridiculous, in a team that needed more moral support to a "wise" manager.
Last year the Red Sox were questioned by eat and drink beer at the wrong time, threw to Francona and brought to Valentine, but returned to forget that it was this, as mandated by the game with the Mets in the midst of disappointing defeats and game schedule, that played Bonilla and Ricky Henderson cards among others.
"The manager of John Henry" sought to blame Kevin Youkilis of the new curse that lies ahead on the club, I don't know if it is true, but it seems exaggerated.
Meanwhile, the Office it is very concerned because leaked that, at a meeting with the players, some suggested the dismissal of the manager, they opened the drawer with the cockroaches, when they should be because, as ratification of the American way of dealing with things, possibly health club you want most to the gauge to the owner.

[Yankee Mystique]

Bobby V is gone after tonight's game. Never understood why he was hired.