Getting to Know Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine

The Boston Red Sox have decided on their new manager, selecting Bobby Valentine to replace Terry Francona in the dugout.

Many know Valentine as a former manager, and ESPN broadcaster, but there is much more to know about Valentine.

Here are five things you should know about the new Red Sox skipper:

5. Quick turnarounds

In 15 years, Valentine has a 2189-1117 mark. He has never led his team to a division title, but did lead the 2000 New York Mets to the World Series. After taking over the Texas Rangers at the age of 35 in 1985 he went 53-76, but led a turnaround the next season that saw his team finish 87-75 -- a 25-game improvement.

In 1996, he took over the New York Mets team with 31 games to go. A year later, the Mets finished 88-74. In all, the Mets won at least 88 games four of his six seasons at the helm.

4. Mixed postseason success

Valentine has led four teams to second-place finishes. The best team (record wise) was the his squad that went 97-66 in 1999, and his Mets won the Wild Card. The Mets lost in six games to the Braves in the National League Division Series.

Valentine's 2000 Mets squad made it to the World Series, but fell to the New York Yankees in the Fall Classic, 4-1. That was the series marred by the Roger Clemens - Mike Piazza bat throwing incident.

3. Rising Sun

Valentine has had two stints as manager in Japan, where he has had some of his biggest success in the dugout. In 1995, he led the Chiba Lotte Marines to a second-place finish in the Japanese Pacific League, surprising fans as the team hadn't won a pennant since 1974.

In 2004, he returned to the Marines. A year later, he led the team to their first Pacific League pennant in 31 years and won the Japan Series with a four game sweep over the Hanshin Tigers.

The Marines then topped the Samsung Lions of the Korea Baseball organization to win the Asia Series.

2. In disguise

Valentine may be most remembered for the game in 1999, where he was ejected for arguing an interference call. Later in the game, he returned to the dugout in a disguise with a fake mustache and sunglasses. He was suspended and fined for the incident.

1. Inventor

Valentine may or may not have invented the sandwich wrap. He claims he did in 1980 and nobody has proven otherwise. As the story goes, Valentine came up with the plan when a toaster was broken at his restaurant, Bobby Valentine's Sports Gallery Cafe, in his home town of Stamford, Conn., and he used a wrap in place of bread.

Sources:

Robert Whiting, "Clandestine campaign led to Valentine's demise," Japan Times.

Patrick McHugh, "Bobby Valentine's Invention of Wrap Sandwich proves he's innovative, Could Benefit Red Sox." New England Sports Network.

"Bobby Valentine: Career Highs and Lows," Boston Globe.

Bobby Valentine, Baseball Reference

Major League Baseball

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