Multiple reports have Bobby Valentine as being on the verge of being named the new manager of the Boston Red Sox, and it says here that he is an excellent choice for the job. Here’s why, as viewed through two encounters 10 minutes apart a year and a half ago.
• Where: On the field at Fenway before the 2010 Cape League All Star Game
• Encounter 1: Special guest Bobby Valentine and a group of Japanese students who just happened to be touring the ballpark at the time – conversing comfortably in Japanese and clearly excited to make the connection
• Encounter 2: An interview conducted by yours truly with Valentine, who was gracious and generous with his time despite never having met me before, and then made it clear when the microphone was shut off that the interview was over and he was on to the next thing. Not rude, per se, but clearly a man in control.
Conclusions:
• Valentine is genuine in his love for the game and the people who support it, and him. This should play extremely well here – at least until things go south, be it in three months or three years. And I bet his ability to deal directly with Daisuke Matsuzaka on the latter’s own terms turn this overseas question mark into an exclamation point.
• Valentine is neither camera- nor microphone shy, and he will keep the Sox relevant and entertaining. Never mind that he will be the best thing to happen to pre- and post-game interviewing – and thus to NESN, perhaps a more important asset in ownership’s portfolio than the ballclub itself – since Bill Parcells.
• Valentine is decisive, and coupled with his reputation for out-and-out baseball “smarts,” this should – for better or for worse – set a tone in the dugout and clubhouse that clearly was lacking at the end of last season.
Is he opinionated? Certainly. Is he 10 years removed from the big league scene? Yes. But neither of these need be detrimental to the cause, since his ultra-confidence and apparent hunger to win in the majors may be just what the doctor ordered. (Plus, it’s not like he was home playing Parcheesi for the last decade, having managed and won in Japan for much of that time.)
So even as we as observers wonder about the process and the ultimate authority of new GM Ben Cherington, let’s celebrate the fact that the Sox seemingly have landed a good man for the job. It’s Valentine’s Day, so let’s show him, and the team, a little love.
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