Boston Red Sox interview Bobby Valentine for managerial position – MLB News
The Boston Red Sox interviewed former New York Mets’ manager Bobby Valentine, to possibly fill the manager’s position turned vacant when the club let Terry Francona go after the worst September-collapse in baseball history.
Ben Cherington, the Red Sox general manager, who was promoted to the position when Theo Epstein moved to Chicago Cubs in October, interviewed Bobby in Boston on Monday, November 21.
Bobby is excited to join the club, to whom he considers one of the best baseball clubs in modern sports.
“They have one of the best teams in baseball, one of the best organizations in baseball, one of the greatest venues in baseball, with a winning tradition over the last 10 years. Other than that there's really no reason why I want to be here.”
Cherington gave Bobby a chance after interviewing five shortlisted candidates. Among them, Dale Sveum, who is now a manager of Chicago Cubs, was the strongest candidate, who was interviewed two times. Originally, Red Sox interviewed Gene Lamont, Sandy Alomar
Jr., Pete Mackanin, Dale Sveum and Torey Lovullo. Mackanin and Alomar have been informed they are no longer under consideration.
Along with Cherington, the Red Sox front office was also at the location to interview the sixth candidate.
Valentine is famous for indulging into disputes and harsh talks with the players and bosses, but still got a chance to be a part of the Red Sox. Valentine has served two clubs as manager for Texas Rangers and New York Mets. Bobby played ten years at big
league level for different clubs, including Los Angeles Angels, California Angels, San Diego Padres, New York Mets and Seattle Mariners.
"This was always going to be a choice that I'm going to make with ownership," said Cherington, who was promoted when Epstein left for the Cubs. "We've known since the start of this that this was too important a decision to rush."
Valentine is the most experienced candidate that has been interviewed so far. About a week ago, Cherington was of the opinion that he will not enter further candidates in the interviewing list, but Valentine now has become the strongest candidate for the
position. The 61-year-old will have to solve the disciplinary problems, one of the many reasons for the September disaster.
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