Playing a special Red Sox Managerial Search edition of Nine Innings while wondering what our old friend Maurice thinks of Bobby V. ...
1.Bobby Valentine, Red Sox manager? With only a hint of trepidation that comes from hiring such a force of unfiltered personality, I like it. I do. Given his polarizing nature, perhaps it's not an easy decision to come to, particularly when there were other appealing candidates. John Farrell would have been ideal, but his current employers seem to appreciate his work. Dale Sveum, who would have provided some element of continuity from the Epstein/Francona years and their organizational philosophies, would have been a fine choice. Sandy Alomar Jr. is going be a smart hire for another franchise soon. Gene Lamont? He's about as appealing as someone named Gene Lamont can be. In a perfect world, the Red Sox would have woken up before September ended, personal circumstances wouldn't have been a factor, and Terry Francona would still be here. But he's been gone for nearly two months now, and the Red Sox are overdue in finding his successor. Bobby V. has some similarities to Tito -- he's a skilled tactician who has seen the game through various prisms, from a promising prospect to an aging journeyman to a young manager and much more. And in other meaningful ways, he's nothing like Tito at all -- whereas Francona protected his players even beyond the length of their loyalties, Valentine is incurably and almost offhandedly candid, and those postgame media sessions will be must-watch on NESN. The Bobby V. Era will be different than the relative peace of the Tito Years (April 2004-August 2011, anyway). He will be unnecessarily controversial at times, he will say and do quirky things, and he's not the disciplinarian some perceive him to be (2011 chicken and beer Red Sox = 2002 pot and limos Mets). But Bobby V. is a bright, skilled manager who will draw good things out of this team. Works for me. Here's hoping he works for the Sox.
