As a Mets fan I still like Bobby Valentine. I admire how he managed my team, how he stood up for New York after 9/11, and the way he pushed his team to be the best team it could be (even when that was difficult to say the least). All the other stuff with Bobby V is the package deal: getting thrown out of the game and sitting with a disguise in the clubhouse, for example. Saying things that he knew were going to get people angry or talking. That's Bobby and there's no changing him.
The problem is that Yankees fans now want to break down Bobby's comments and defend their guys. They want to prove that Jeter did practice that play, that A-Rod didn't get beaten up, and on and on. The problem is that is exactly what someone like Bobby wants. You argue about what he says, you get into a debate, you rage against him and the Red Sox, and he thinks he is winning. You know what, since the focus is off his team and on these silly comments, he has succeeded exactly as planned.
So take it from a Mets fan who knows Bobby V's act - the devil is in the details. Yankees fans (and anyone else for that matter) should not get sucked in by what he says. They shouldn't get angry and bothered and want blood, because in that way Bobby thinks he is winning, and maybe he is because it is his fault the spin gets started but it's everyone else's for letting it spin out of control.
One thing is for certain, the baseball season will be a lot more entertaining with Bobby V back in the picture. Welcome back, Bobby Valentine!
Photo Credit - AP
Article comments
1 - Sportmentary
Vic, I agree with you. Valentine is getting the response he desired. He's annoying the Yankees. He should be an instant hit with BoSox fans.
2 - Victor Lana
What's even more interesting, Sport, is that Boston fans call Jet head coach Rex Ryan a "big mouth," well now they have one of their own.
3 - Charlie Doherty
Varitek didn't technically "beat up" A-Rod. He just told him to get to first base after Bronson Arroyo hit him with a pitch the Saturday before the DNC started in Boston - I was working as a student journalist at the time and wasn't sure I was even going to see this game near the end of July 2004 but was glad I did get to, so that's how I remembered when it occurred.
Anyway, A-Rod swore at Varitek and he reacted appropriately by shoving his catcher's mitt in his face. The iconic image lives on in many photos (especially now that 'Tek has retired). Can't believe you don't remember that moment, Vic!
4 - Victor Lana
You know, Charley, I just don't remember that moment. I don't remember much from that time with a baby and two jobs at the time. I think I was sleep walking through most of 2004.