First Bobby Valentine said he was banning alcohol in the Red Sox clubhouse.
Photo: John Tlumacki/Boston Globe
Then Terry Francona said Valentine’s beer ban was a “P.R. move.”
Then Valentine said it wasn’t a P.R. move.
It’s Francona’s turn to weigh in, but I think that’ll probably be the end of the matter.
On to the Yankees, there hasn’t been much news except the presence in Tampa of Pettitte. He’s not there in an official coaching capacity, but said he’s available to answer questions and just generally hang out. Apparently, Bernie’s set to make a guest appearance too. With Lou Pinella joining the boys in the YES booth this year, it’s feeling like reunions are all the rage in Yankeeville. Who’s next? Maybe Posada will show up next spring.
Tags: Andy Pettitte, Bernie Williams, Bobby Valentine, Red Sox, Terry Francona, Yankees
How could you forget another camp special attendee’s name?
I will be there a week from Friday!
You must be really excited, John. We’ll look forward to your reports.
I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s where Jorge eventually ends up. That’s a pretty darn full broadcast booth! The beer in the clubhouse thing is laughable. They’re men! Not children. Of course, they need to act like men and not children for this to work, but you get my point. (PS, I think it was a PR move. How is it not?)
I think there’s a real interest on Valentine’s part to right the ship, Jeff. The ban is probably for real…until it isn’t and then everybody will go back to their usual way of doing things.
As your friendly neighborhood Sox fan, I think it’s interesting. Bobby V is, in many ways, the antithesis of Francona. He was hired for those differences as much as for his ability to get the media spotlight, I’m sure. If we’re all watching The Bobby V Show, we’re not watching the owners or listening to the whining of the minority of players. Don’t get me wrong, Francona will always have a spot in my heart for 2004 and 2007, but it’s clear that *something* wasn’t working. When you’re switching things up, you might as well switch EVERYTHING up about the management, and Valentine was probably the best choice.
Sox fans are like Yankees fans in a lot of ways in that we like our traditions and we’re often resistant to change. But results trump those feelings every day of the week. So we’ll just see :)
Truth is, the Sox are the 19th clubhouse now to ban alcohol. Is it a PR move? In part. Is it entirely a PR move? No, I don’t think so. It’s something Bobby says he’s always done. So there’s that.
Anyway, looking forward to the new flavor of the 2012 season and I will be following your blog Jane — hopefully with interesting comments and viewpoints, as always!
Things should get interesting this year between our teams, Terri. Yesterday Valentine’s comments really put Yankee fans in a tizzy. First he had his little derogatory comment about Jeter’s famous flip play. Then he praised Varitek for beating up A-Rod. I had no feeling about him one way or the other before that, even though I knew he was someone who likes to be the provocateur. But now? Not a fan. At all. (I do enjoy your comments and always thoughtful points of view, so thanks for stopping by.)
If it makes you feel any better, Valentine retracted his comments today about the flip play (which I still think is one of the greatest plays I ever saw!). He said he conferred with the bullpen coach, Gary Tuck, who used to work for the Yankees — and Tuck conferred that the Yankees DID practice that play, although Jeter improvised during the actual game by throwing home (the play was usually designed to throw to third).
I think he was trying to praise Varitek’s manliness and toughness in general, though I certainly understand the tizzy :) He absolutely does love to be a provocateur, you’re spot on. He likes saying controversial things. I think he relishes the extra spotlight. I’m trying to keep an open mind about him, but I hope he doesn’t become a drama-monger like he was with the Mets.
I think we should all just let the players and management make their statements on the field, don’t you agree? It’s a new era turning over with Varitek and Posada gone, often the faces of the rivalry. Thanks for your kindness, as well, in responding about my presence here! I love your insight and I like the conversations going on here – always thoughtful and fresh!
I can totally understand why Valentine would want to praise Varitek, Terri, and even tease about how that fight galvanized the team to victory. But the “beat up Alex” part was a bit over the top for me. I hope for your sake he doesn’t become a drama-monger (great word, btw) because there’s enough drama that goes on during the actual games and it’s just a distraction. So I do agree about letting the rivalry take its own course. And I do appreciate your presence here!