Sanctuary for Bobby Valentine – He Needs It

Bobby Valentine needs to learn to be quiet.  The latest proof of this is his recent statement that he did a good job in managing the 2012 Red Sox. The drama surrounding the firing of Terry Francona and Valentine’s hiring made for good copy but, this is my opinion and my opinion only, Valentine was the hire of choice from the outset due to his connection with Larry Lucchino. With that in mind, Bobby felt he had a long leash in fulfilling his managerial duties.  Putting his challenge in context, he did have a sorry group with which to start.  There was plenty of talent, very low morale and no shortage of well-paid egos.

August 14 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine (25) in the dugout during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

This being the case, the Valentine hire was star crossed from the starting gun. His known bombast and “my way or the highway” did not bode well for success.  They needed Dr. Phil, not the Navy Seals.  From day one he clashed with his players, publicly denigrated them and overworked his mouth. I guess one should not be surprised that one who claims to have invented the wrap sandwich, which had been in existence for hundreds of years, would have no trouble with self-approval.

Cut to the season’s end – exit Mr. Valentine. No long thought process, no suspense – just “you’re fired. Get out.” So, once again, Mr. Valentine found himself on the discarded manager pile, where he had been twice before. Then, something unusual. Bobby was quiet. There was no reappearance on ESPN, rumored managerial or coaching hirings, nothing.  Just recently, I mean like yesterday, suddenly, without a prior leak, he emerged as the executive director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Sacred Heart College in Connecticut , Valentine’s point of temporal entry.  (One would think the Vatican had enough controversy to handle at this point without adding him to the incense pot.)

"During a recent  interview with WEEI, Valentine glibly alluded to his days as Red Sox manager. “I thought I did a hell of a job in Boston,” Valentine said."

“I thought what had to be done there was done except for winning a pennant. But Connie Mack wasn’t going to win with that team.”  The blog Big League Stew added ” Of course he didn’t do a “hell” of a job with the Red Sox, unless that means he contributed to the hell that was 2012”  I guess he thinks the Sox would have wound up in the National League cellar as well as the American league if he were not there. What a silly twit.

Gentle reader, please do not waste any precious time digesting Mr. Valentine’s remarks. He is a loser, will always be a loser and should be ashamed of himself for belittling the team he publicly humiliated. The Sox were down, no doubt; but shame and name calling were not on the recommended list for possible cures. I could go on for another few thousand words concerning the disservice and mismanagement by Mr. Valentine but you get my point.  Do you think he went to Sacred Heart to have absolution readily available? Please don’t write in screaming sacrilege. I am a Roman Catholic myself, but I am also a journalist of sorts, and the irony here was too good to ignore.  So Robert John Valentine , go forth and sin no more – and shut up.