Bobby V's burned bridges in Boston: Report

Several Red Sox players vented their frustrations with manager Bobby Valentine to Boston ownership in a meeting in late July, according to a Yahoo report.

According to the report, Boston stars Dustin Pedroia and Adrian Gonzalez were among those expressing their heated disapproval of the former Mets manager, who has alienated many in his first year at the helm in Boston. Some, the report said, even told Boston brass that they didn't want to play for the embattled manager.

That Red Sox players aren't happy with Valentine is no surprise -- former manager Terry Francona was still popular in the clubhouse when he was let go after last season, and Valentine is his opposite in everything from his interaction with the media to his management style.

The results on the field aren't helping matters -- the Red Sox went into last night's game in fourth place in the AL East at 57-59, 51/2 games behind the final wild card spot.

But management has stuck behind their man, with owner John Henry saying in an email to Boston media, "To blame Bobby Valentine for the Red Sox being .500 at this point in the season is simply wrong."

General manager Ben Cherington confirmed the meeting to Yahoo, but did not offer specifics as to what happened.