Bobby V already having fun with rivalry
Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine talks to reporters at Major League Baseball's winter meetings in Dallas. (Dec. 7, 2011) Credit: AP
DALLAS -- The likes of Joe Torre, Joe Girardi and Terry Francona have confessed to getting worn out by the intensity and frequency of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. Perhaps in time, Bobby Valentine will join that list.
At the moment, however -- without having experienced a single rivalry game in uniform -- the Red Sox's new manager is embracing the excitement with his standard enthusiasm and good humor.
Asked yesterday, at his baseball winter meetings media availability, to discuss the rivalry, Valentine smiled wide and responded: "No. I hate the Yankees. I don't want to waste this valuable time talking about the Yankees. This is too valuable."
Once the laughter from reporters subsided, Valentine added, "I told Joe Girardi I used to love him, but now I hate him."
Valentine and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who are good friends, already had exchanged trash talk prior to this week.
"But time will tell how he's going to manage that club, and it's our job to pay attention."
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