Unlike some managers of the past, Bobby Valentine is a decent human being. However, he was clearly the wrong choice in the chaos that enveloped the Red Sox a year ago and has continued for most of the 2012 season.
Valentine had several strikes against him. Instead of the disciplinarian they needed (was Lou Piniella available?), they got what was basically a PR man, smiling and pretending over the winter that nothing was really wrong. He had been away from the majors for 10 years,during which time the power of managers has eroded to the point where many players routinely try to tune them out. He was not even the first choice of GM Ben Cherington, who supposed wanted Dale Sveum. Finally, THE TRADE and continuing injury problems left Bobby with basically a group of journeymen and triple-A ballplayers. A West Coast trip that began, fittingly enough, with Alfredo Aceves blowing another lead, was the last thing Valentine and the Sox needed. Even the 67 team had a 2-7 trip to the coast just before Tony C’s tragic beaning.
If the team does replace Bobby V, they must be very careful who they bring in. John Farrell is an obvious choice. He knows the Sox situation and is used to working with younger players. But Toronto will want compensation, and that might be tricky. The worst thing they could do is bring in a retread like Eric Wedge. The time has come to look in a new direction, perhaps even someone in their own organization.
For the first time since the mid-60’s, management seems committed to rebuilding from the ground up. Red Sox Nation may have to go through some growing pains; rebuilding seldom happens overnight. Who the Sox bring in to oversee the process may determine their future for many seasons ahead.
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