Dammit Bobby

That didn't take long...

Bobby Valentine has not wasted any time assuming his usual foot-in-mouth ways. The Sox' new Skipper has already fabricated a controversy in the clubhouse.  In a recent interview, the enigmatic manager was asked about Youkilis' early season struggles, and Valentine answered: 

"I don’t think he’s as physically or emotionally into the game as he has been in the past for some reason, but (on Saturday) it seemed, you know, he’s seeing the ball well, got those two walks, got his on-base percentage up higher than his batting average, which is always a good thing, and he’ll move on from there.” 

Bobby V appologized, but the damage was done.  The man who should be spending his time trying to earn the trust and respect of the Fenway Faithful, is seemingly going out of his way to destroy his own reputation.  The worst part of this comment, was how he responded.  He had two choices on how to address the issue He could A): Stand By his comments, or B) Play the Mea Culpa card, and admit it was a poor choice of words.

He chose C), a jumbled and awkward delivery of a completely irrelevant explanation:

 “I should have been more specific. Physical is about your swing, emotional is about not being happy when he doesn’t hit a ball off the wall.”  

So now Youkilis is offended AND confused.  Pedroia was not shy about his opinion of the situation, as the outspoken infielder was quick to remind Bobby V who the new guy is:

“I really don’t know what Bobby’s trying to do, but that’s not the way we go about our stuff around here,” Pedroia said. “He’ll figure that out. The whole team is behind Youk.” 

Bobby Valentine has to get his head out of the press box and into the dugout. 

-Kevin Aherne