Bobby V had arrived.
Valentine spent 45 minutes shaking hands, signing autographs, and posing for photos. Nobody was turned away and his smile never faded. Valentine spent as much time with patrol officers as he did with Captain Paul Ivens, the station commander.
“If you’re late, you’re supposed to bring everybody coffee,’’ one of the cops cracked when Valentine apologized for his tardiness.
“If you guys had given me an escort, I wouldn’t have been late,’’ Valentine shot back.
Everybody laughed.
Valentine was especially happy to meet Billy Dunn, the burly detective who stands watch in the Red Sox bullpen at Fenway Park and fist-bumps the relievers when they’re called in.
For regulars in the bleachers, Dunn is as well known as the players.
“You’ll keep an eye on those guys for me, right?’’ Valentine said as he signed an autograph for Dunn.
Ivens then presented Valentine with a T-shirt, a cap, and other souvenirs.
“This is a great thing,’’ Ivens said. “I can’t remember something like this in the past. It’s something special that Bobby would take the time to do this. You could tell he really cared.’’
Valentine jotted down Ivens’s cellphone number on his way out, promising he would stay in touch. He then got back in his BMW.
The car was cluttered with empty water bottles, old newspapers, and assorted pieces of clothing, evidence of a life than has been in constant motion since he took the demanding job of managing the Red Sox.
The next stop was the big firehouse on Purchase Street, home of Engine 1, Rescue 10, and Tower Ladder 3. Fire Commissioner Roderick Fraser was waiting for Valentine along with Fire Chief Steve Abraira.
Valentine was immediately hit with a question about Carl Crawford and his disappointing first season with the Sox.
“He’s the left fielder. I’ve heard of that guy,’’ Valentine said, smiling. “Don’t you worry about him, he’s going to be fine. We’re going to see to that.’’
Abraira, who was hired in November after a career in Florida and Texas, was impressed that Valentine dropped by.
