Valentine's Day: Bobby Named Red Sox Manager

_{Needless to say, Bobby Valentine is a little different than Terry Francona.}

Everything had become too weird, so I hunkered down for another Salinger Seclusion. My last SawxBlog post was a long 37 days ago, and I again contemplated retiring this blog after its great seven year run. The Red Sox, stuck in a purgatory tailspin since September, had obtained the uncanny knack for making the bad, worse. There's no more Tito. There's no more Theo. There's no more Papelbon. There's no more Heidi even. It's a brave new world staring back at the fans, and the winds of change have been blowing ferociously since the September Collapse.

Change can often be good, is always needed, but more importantly - it's inevitable. All things must pass. That's what's helping me accept the weird. The organization is no longer headless, and with Bobby Valentine as our Manager we can start moving forward and make the past exactly that. Do I think Bobby's the best guy for the job? No. Do I think he'll be our Manager three years from now? No. I do think he'll be good for the Sox in the short term. Valentine's anything but stoic, and his presence will energize the players and fans alike. The one group who must be absolutely beaming today is the Media. Bobby's a great interview, and will be a breath of fresh air in comparison to the rote clichéd answers given by Francona. His run may be short, but it's sure to be memorable.

Regardless of how well Valentine does he's going to feel like a sneaky Step Dad to me. Tito developed so much good will over the years and felt like a kind patient Father. Everybody loved Tito. Bobby's going to come off, initially at least, as a cheap silicon snake salesman, smiling his way through both the good and bad. It'll take some time to earn my trust.

Everything is still weird, possibly weirder today than it was yesterday, but for the first time in two months Red Sox fans are thinking and talking about the future, which has to be a good thing - it's time to turn a new leaf over.

Comments

[Kris Chandler]

While I'm not trying to poke holes in your post, I think you've overlooked a key factor here: the man has the potential to take the Sox back to the series. Supposed curses aside, did you (or anyone for that matter) expect Tito to have the success he did? Hell no. And, to that point, should Valentine return the Sox to the promised land, that will engender quite a lot of good will from RSN, and most likely ensure a longer tenure. I could care less how good an interview he gives, so long as he manages the team back to the post-season. Luckily, MLB has granted the Sox, and other imperfect teams, the ability to have historic collapses and still make the post-season.

[Raoul]

I'm just not sure how I feel about this. My initial reaction is I really don't like it. I don't think Valentine will be a great fit. I still think no matter who the manager is that they'll make the playoffs. This team is just too talented and will be wanting to prove something next year. Again, I'm on the fence here. I think he's just too much of a prick for the players to WANT to work for him. Then again, maybe that's what they need. Who knows? I'm flip flopping on this like crazy.

[Derek Hixon]

I'm with you Raoul. I've been flip-flopping a lot with this too. Kris, I'm not sure why you believe so much in him? He only has a .510 winning percentage as a Manager, and has only taken two Teams to the playoffs in 15 years in the MLB.

I think the most important part of him is that he's a strong personality, with all that happened at the end of last year is needed now. Francona was so chill and laid back that - while it helped him succeed (and be the best Manger in Red Sox history), it also was part of his demise. Valentine can handle the media and big stage, which is needed in Boston and part of the job.

I think Bobby will be a welcome change ultimately, I just worry his bark may wear out his welcome sooner than later. The Team's talented enough to make the playoffs regardless of the Manager, and I hope his fresh blood will give a new vigor to the Team. I'm cautiously optimistic with it all, but do think it's a step in the right direction - just seems more short term than long term.