Yet Williams’ experience in Texas leads him to believe Valentine can clean up the Red Sox’ clubhouse issues.
“I can promise you that stuff won’t go on,” Williams said. “He had players older than him in Texas in his first couple years, and none of that kind of stuff would’ve been tolerated and shouldn’t be tolerated. The guy that takes this job in Boston is being handed the keys to a Ferrari. He ain’t being handed the keys to a Volkswagon bug. Bobby’s up to the task of commanding the respect of the players in that clubhouse.”
One thing is certain: Valentine is a polarizing figure.
With his colorful personality and outspoken manner, the 61-year-old has made both friends and enemies throughout the game. Valentine has strong opinions and isn’t afraid to voice them, something Williams believes stems from a once-promising playing career that was derailed by a compound leg fracture suffered in 1973. On his personal blog, former New York Times writer Murray Chass described Valentine this week as “the most disliked man in baseball.“ Yet former Mets general manager Steve Phillips, who famously and publicly feuded with Valentine during their six seasons together in New York, surprisingly endorsed him last week, telling the Herald that Valentine is “an excellent fit” for the Red Sox.
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