When the Mets hired Bobby Valentine as manager at the end of the 1996 season, my friend, a Production Assistant for WWOR-TV, was not happy. O-R was still broadcasting Mets games at the time, and my friend worked for the crew. He lamented the departure of the more approachable Dallas Green, and the return of the sometimes-abrasive Bobby Valentine.
Valentine, it seems, had been difficult to deal with from the standpoint of the media, even when he was merely the Mets’ third base coach in the 80s.
However, he went on to be one of the most successful managers in the team’s history, leading them to the playoffs in 1999 and 2000. And his strong-willed attitude was a hit with the fans, if not always with the media and the front office.
The media found him difficult to read. Sometimes it was hard to tell if he was joking or not. The most extreme example was the famous incident in 1999. Valentine was ejected from the game, then snuck back into the dugout wearing a fake mustache constructed of eye-black patches. It was clearly some kind of joke, considering it was blatantly Bobby V behind the disguise. Right? Nobody knew whether he was seriously trying to fool the umpires, or pulling some kind of prank.
He feuded with then-GM Steve Phillips over various issues such as player personnel. In June of 1999, Phillips fired three members of Valentine’s coaching staff, some say in an effort to force him to resign. Valentine stood his ground, and managed the Mets to the playoffs that year. After a disappointing 2002 season, in which he failed to reel in the massive egos and contracts of disastrous free agents signed by Phillips, Valentine was fired.
Bobby went on to find success in Japan as manager of the Chiba Lotte Marines. Last year, he displayed his refreshing honesty and passion as a member of ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball broadcast team.
Now, he’s back in the majors as the new manager of the Boston Red Sox. The Boston media has already begun the negative spin, showing that Valentine still has a bad reputation among reporters.
But his hiring in Boston will be great for baseball. He will bring controversy, competitive fire, and honesty to one of baseball’s most high-profile franchises. He may rub some players the wrong way at first. But, based on his track record, he will bring success to a team still reeling after their collapse in 2011.
21 comments
SaltyGary
12/1/2011-12:46am at 12:46 am (UTC -4)
He is a perfect choice for that team right now. Sounds like there is a lot of grumbling from players and I imagine that’s the exactly what owners were looking for. Playtime’s over, here come accountability.
Anonymous
12/1/2011-2:23am at 2:23 am (UTC -4)
Bingo!
Exactly why I wanted him here. But I do like Collins.
Did we EVER disagree about anything?
SaltyGary
12/1/2011-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
It’s really funny. At the start hear we probably agreed only 1% of the time and now the dynamic has reversed. It is fun disagreeing with you so we need to find something.
Anonymous
12/1/2011-2:19pm at 2:19 pm (UTC -4)
HAHA! That is pretty funny.
TRS86
12/1/2011-1:33pm at 1:33 pm (UTC -4)
Here is where I get in trouble. I like Bobby V and think he is the right guy. Where I always disagree is in his greatness above all.. the ws with the Mets was special but in 15 seasons he has yet to finish first during the regular season. You can say circumstances but it does not change the fact.
MetsFan4Decades
12/1/2011-1:39pm at 1:39 pm (UTC -4)
Have to agree with this somewhat.
I’m reading a good number of Met fans reaction to Bobby V in Boston. Their contention is if he had been hired here instead of Collins this team would have competed last year. I’m thinking…really? Did these same Met fans not see the level of talent on the field last year – particularly the pitching? What about the injuries?
Bobby V may have got us to post season when he was here but I don’t see how anyone was getting us there last year. And what would be the point in the next few years to overpaying for a manager while we’re in rebuild mode?
TRS86
12/1/2011-1:47pm at 1:47 pm (UTC -4)
Bobby would most likely not taken the job if offered. He wants to win for his status and is not looking to rebuild.
SaltyGary
12/1/2011-1:53pm at 1:53 pm (UTC -4)
Completely agree to Bobby V not wanting a rebuilding job. And to 4D’s point, if people are saying things like this on other blogs, it probably makes sense to stop going there for your sanity. As much of a man crush I have on Bobby V, thinking that the team would of had better results is silly. Collins squeezed every drop of production from last years team.
MetsFan4Decades
12/1/2011-5:46pm at 5:46 pm (UTC -4)
Well to be fair, I’m only seeing the ‘we missed out on Bobby V’ comments from the lunatic fringe on metsblog and MMO. Problem is right now, we’ve got lots of disgruntled Met fans and every time anyone is signed somewhere else, even Bobby V – you get the ‘we suck, we missed out, we were out bid’, blah, blah, blah.
Speaking of MMO….
TRS have to give you credit trying to debate over there with the infamous Bayonne. ‘Trade Nimmo’ – hahahaha
I’m in painting hell today and reading these debates during my breaks is giving me quite the chuckle.
Anonymous
12/1/2011-11:10pm at 11:10 pm (UTC -4)
saw that sparring. Just hope he doesnt follow TRS back.
SaltyGary
12/2/2011-12:35am at 12:35 am (UTC -4)
That guy is a dink. He wouldn’t last 2 minutes over here spewing his non-sense.
Paul J. Festa
12/1/2011-6:07pm at 6:07 pm (UTC -4)
Collins did a great job. Bobby V was looking for a big contract, according to rumors. If true, the team never would have overspent for a manager.
Anonymous
12/1/2011-2:22pm at 2:22 pm (UTC -4)
Yet to finish first in the regular season. Wow. That is grasping for the most microscopic of straws.
Only manager to lead the Mets to 2 straight postseasons. Went to the WS with a very flawed team.
Took a perennial loser in Japan and led them to a title.
He’s not LaRussa, but he’s surely a very good manager.
SaltyGary
12/1/2011-2:51pm at 2:51 pm (UTC -4)
Agbayani, Payton, Perez were the starting outfield. That is all that needs to be said.
Anonymous
12/1/2011-11:09pm at 11:09 pm (UTC -4)
dont get me started on this. That was not the primary starting OF that year, and it ignores having by far the best offensive 2B and catcher combo.
OK, done now!
Anonymous
12/2/2011-12:25am at 12:25 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, Derek Bell and his 125 strike outs that year were a real difference maker. That OF was mediocre at best. Having flashbacks of Payton being thrown out between 2nd & 3rd with I believe Piazza on deck or AB.
TRS86
12/1/2011-2:54pm at 2:54 pm (UTC -4)
Never said he was not good. I just don’t see him as elite the way many do. How is never finishing in 1St place straw grasping?
SaltyGary
12/1/2011-3:08pm at 3:08 pm (UTC -4)
Please ignore my man-crush that I have for Bobby V.
He had very good success with a very incomplete Rangers team and he is probably the second most successful manager for the Mets. The Mets weren’t ready to contend until ’98.In ’01 the teams downfall was only making one acquisition in Appier and standing pat and then in ’02 overeating and signing anyone willing to take a paycheck.
At the time of his firing it probably made sense. The fans as normal were overreacting and it made sense to make changes. They should of let Phillips go at the same time or even before Bobby. But to think it was Bobby’s fault that Mo Vaughn ate to much or that Alomar lost his ability to play is incorrect. He has a amazing ability to connect with ballplayers and get them on the same page. The proof will be in the pudding next year.
Hell Agbayani and Matt Franco followed him to Japan. That’s devotion.
Anonymous
12/2/2011-12:19am at 12:19 am (UTC -4)
Probably less devotion and more of that’s a paycheck.
Anonymous
12/2/2011-12:23am at 12:23 am (UTC -4)
yeah, I highly doubt that they gave up lucrative starting gigs in MLB to go be scrubs in Japan.
Though Benny might have gone just to be closer to home!
SaltyGary
12/2/2011-12:36am at 12:36 am (UTC -4)
Probably…