Bobby Valentine to manage the Boston Red Sox

The Associated Press is reporting that the Boston Red Sox have hired Bobby Valentine to be their new manager, replacing the departed Terry Francona. Their source? Tommy Lasorda.

"He's got it. I just spoke to him a little while ago," the legendary Dodgers Hall of Fame manager said.

Valentine is the anti-Francona. While Francona is quiet, Valentine is loud. While Francona is mild-mannered, Valentine is full of bluster. While the players loved Francona, they, well, we will have to wait and see what they think of Valentine.

Valentine may be best remembered as the guy who, after being kicked out of a game while managing the New York Mets in 1999, sneaked back into the dugout wearing a fake mustache and sunglasses.

Valentine, who managed Texas Rangers from 1985 to 1992 and the Mets from 1996 to 2002, has never won a World Series title, losing in his only appearance as skipper of the Mets in 2000. He did manage the Chiba Lotte Marines to a Japanese League championship in 2005.

"He's matured, and I think managing in Japan helped him a great deal," Lasorda said. "Becoming the manager of the Red Sox, that's a privilege and an honor, and I'm sure he's going to do a great job."

The Red Sox are expected to hold a news conference Thursday to officially announce the hiring.

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-- Houston Mitchell

Photo: Bobby Valentine during a news conference with the Mets in 1999. Credit: Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press