Valentine's Day: Bobby Brings Welcome Changes to the Red Sox

by Tony Sciucco

If half the energy that Bobby Valentine is bringing to spring training rubs off on the 2012 Red Sox, then the Yankee’s twenty-championship gap will surely be in danger of reduction. At age 61, the forever-young manager of the Red Sox is running proverbial and literal laps around the chicken and beer crew. From showing up to AM sessions in full bicycle gear, to making appearances at Elementary Schools, to what appears to be teleporting magically between the six practice fields at Fenway South, Valentine has obviously crossed over to the realm of science-fiction with his ability to show the Sox that energy this year is not to be dropped below acceptable levels. Beam me up Becket!!!

But, is this club the same as last year? Can we really expect a significant change in attitude from a roster with such little turnover? Clearly if the Sox are going to improve and banish the ghosts of 2011, this is the man to lead that endeavor. Valentine is setting the bar high at spring training, working the team harder then they ever had in the Terry Francona Era. Creating a clear distinction from his predecessor, Valentine expects nothing less then 110% from his entire team at all times. Running down basic game fundamentals, fast-paced cardio training, and packing their spring schedule, Valentine creates a welcome hard-working environment that the Sox desperately needed.

Valentine brings a new energy to the Red Sox

Last year the Sox started 2-10 before the opening home stand. 2-10!?!  Even if they went 3-9 they would have squeaked into the playoffs. Not to mention, the Sox ended spring training on a 2-10-1 stretch. Sure, those games don’t count, but winners want to win whether it counts or not. That winning mentality was clearly not there. This poses the question that only time will tell this year:  Will the Red Sox have a better start after the Valentine regime is put into place? Obviously not prepped at the beginning of the year last year, the answer to that question is: how could they not? 

To take nothing away from the accomplishments of Terry Francona, 2004 and 2007 seem like distant memories. Not winning a playoff game in three years didn’t help either. The “Tito” Era was a nice ride with many high points, many memories and there is an argument that he is one, if not the best, manager in Red Sox history. However, the bad taste from last September lingers on the palate of fans across New England. Francona takes over a new position reporting for ESPN.  Nothing like sitting behind a desk to hide the KFC and Natty Ice gut (says the 250lbs blogger at his computer screen).  

So here’s to you, Bobby V. May you boldly go where only few Red Sox managers have gone before. If your spring training regimen and energy are any insight to the future, we will most definitely see you in October!

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