Valentine's Big Mouth

[redsoxfan3]

I noticed something different about Youk while watching him in Spring Training. Last year he was very happy to sign autographs for the fans. He was nice about it and chose to do so almost after every practice. This year he seemed like he was forced to sign autographs for the fans. He would get agitated with fans asking for autographs and would even not sign for some people that yelled his name to sign autographs. He seemed very on edge and unhappy to sign, so why even do it all? I think he has an attitude problem. I am not a big Youk fan and I have stated that several times. Maybe this is a wakeup call for him. He needs to realize that his time in Boston is not guaranteed. He has a 13 million team option for next year and if he continues to play like s***, then he is going to find himself packing his bags at the end of the year.

 

I am glad Bobby V is challenging him. This is something Francona would have never done. Yes, this does kind of raise questions why he would publicly say this, but at the same time Youk needs to realize where Bobby V is coming from. Youk needs to start getting his s*** together if he wants to be in a Red Sox uniform next year. If it is true that he was considered the cancer of the clubhouse last year and Bobby V is coming out and saying that he is not emotionally and physically into the game right now, then something needs to be done to really take a look if he is hurting the clubhouse chemistry.

[yeszir]

I hope Youk goes off on Bigmouth's ass. Bobby V only cares about Bobby V and this thread's going to be alive and well for as long as this tool is the manager. I hope the media makes a huge deal out of this.

 

He's alive!

 

I'm sure this was calculated by Bobby, but this will definitely cause a shitstorm

[redsoxfan3]

He's alive!

 

I'm sure this was calculated by Bobby, but this will definitely cause a shitstorm

 

No doubt, but it may be for the best.

[a700hitter]

He's alive!

 

I'm sure this was calculated by Bobby, but this will definitely cause a shitstorm

I don't think this will cause any problem. Youk is a tremendously motivated player. In my experience in coaching, I found that a well cast barb in the direction of the more highly motivated players (and workers for that matter), could help focus them more and push them to a new level, if for no other reason than to prove the coach wrong. That's where I see this going. BV said this to jump start Youk. We'll see if it works. If Youk doesn't like it, WTF is he gonna do about it.

[RedSoxRooter]

I love Pedroia..

 

Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia backed his fellow infielder in comments to reporters Monday morning.

 

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

 

Pedroia was then asked whether he thought Valentine perhaps was trying to light a fire under Youkilis, who is hitting .200 on the young season.

 

“Maybe that works in Japan,” Pedroia said, referring to Valentine’s successful stints as a manager in Japan.

 

[VA Sox Fan]

I love Pedroia..

 

Me too! LMAO!

[MANNYHOF24]

I hope they fire Bobby, he is going to be a cancer on this team. I think we undervalued the impact of Terry Francona's even keeled approach on the team. Sure it went south last year, but he had that clubhouse for 7.5 years. I think he could have gotten it back... Valentine is such a joke. Why does he feel the need to stir something up right now? We got home, we are playing great and Youk is starting to pick it up. To me, he wants Middlebrooks playing third and he is trying to smear Youk so the backlash is less intense if he were to be traded.

[soxfan17881]

First of all, it's two freakin' weeks into the season! Valentine hasn't been there long enough to know who's feeling what.

 

Second of all, its two freakin' weeks into the season! I've had heartburn last longer than that! You can't make an assessment on a guy (who is known for his almost over-the-top intensity) after just two weeks. Hell. two years ago he was getting in fights with slackers over his crazy intensity: http://is.gd/Uqbiki

 

Lastly, anyone with a half-a-brain knows you can't call a guy out when:

 

1. You haven't spoken to him.
   
2. You're in the midst of the first win streak of the young season).
   
3. You're talking to the Boston media.
   

 

Valentine has done s*** so far to impress me. He needs to do more than pace the dugout with that stupid half-grin before he can insult a player like Youkilis. Even if he's totally right... which I sincerely doubt, it was still a stupid thing to do.

 

Pedrioa's quote is absolutely AWESOME:

"I don't know what Bobby's trying to do, but that's not the way we do things here," said Pedroia. "Maybe that stuff works in Japan."

(

http://is.gd/c2yvU7

)

[ibot2much]

I think Pedroia meant how Francona did things....not necessarily "we" since the manager dictates the methods. Maybe the guys need to see that there is a new sheriff in town.

 

This is the first time I heard that Youk was a cancer in the clubhouse last year...I know that he spoke out about Ells earlier ( as did Pedroia)....hmmm. Seems that their behavior contradicts what JP is saying.

[a700hitter]

I hope they fire Bobby' date=' he is going to be a cancer on this team. I think we undervalued the impact of Terry Francona's even keeled approach on the team. Sure it went south last year, but he had that clubhouse for 7.5 years. I think he could have gotten it back... Valentine is such a joke. Why does he feel the need to stir something up right now? We got home, we are playing great and Youk is starting to pick it up. To me, he wants Middlebrooks playing third and he is trying to smear Youk so the backlash is less intense if he were to be traded.[/quote']I don't think we underestimated the 7 run rule and the number of games that he gave away with that. I don't think we have underestimated how many games were given away, because he did not actively manage games or because the players were obviously not able to execute certain fundamentals. It seems that BV might have motivated more than one player with his remarks, and that he actually caused the team to pull together. The team doesn't have to like the manager. If the players unite in hatred of the manager, it's just as effective as them uniting for any other reason. Some of the best managers in the history of the game were able to cause the troops to rally together and win in spite of the manager.

[soxfan17881]

I think Pedroia meant how Francona did things....not necessarily "we" since the manager dictates the methods. Maybe the guys need to see that there is a new sheriff in town.

 

Whether or not he's right isn't even the main issue. You don't call a guy out in the press like that. New sheriff my ass! He has to earn the respect of the team just like anyone, and this ain't the way to do it.

[soxfan17881]

I don't think we underestimated the 7 run rule and the number of games that he gave away with that. I don't think we have underestimated how many games were given away' date=' because he did not actively manage games or because the players were obviously not able to execute certain fundamentals. It seems that BV might have motivated more than one player with his remarks, and that he actually caused the team to pull together. The team doesn't have to like the manager. If the players unite in hatred of the manager, it's just as effective as them uniting for any other reason. Some of the best managers in the history of the game were able to cause the troops to rally together and win in spite of the manager.[/quote']

 

Do you honestly see this as positive motivation?

[a700hitter]

Whether or not he's right isn't even the main issue. You don't call a guy out in the press like that. Hew sheriff my ass! He has to earn the respect of the team just like anyone' date=' and this ain't the way to do it.[/quote']I love it. Let him call out each and every one of these overpaid prima donas. Go BV, raise hell.

[a700hitter]

Do you honestly see this as positive motivation?

I view it as motivation. Negative motivation can be just as motivating, maybe moreso with highly motivated people. If you tell a highly motivated person that they can't do something, they will get it done faster and better than if you pat them on the back. Yes, I think this will work.

[soxfan17881]

I don't think this will cause any problem. Youk is a tremendously motivated player. In my experience in coaching' date=' I found that a well cast barb in the direction of the more highly motivated players (and workers for that matter), could help focus them more and push them to a new level, if for no other reason than to prove the coach wrong. That's where I see this going. BV said this to jump start Youk. We'll see if it works. If Youk doesn't like it, WTF is he gonna do about it.[/quote']

 

Don't you think though that to be in the proper position to cast a barb, you have to have some standing as a coach? Is it possible that Valentine has proven himself a deserved leader in this short time? If so, I'm missing it. It seems like when you're first big move as a manager to motivate your team is to s*** on one of them in the press, that you're lacking as a manager.

[ibot2much]

Whether or not he's right isn't even the main issue. You don't call a guy out in the press like that. New sheriff my ass! He has to earn the respect of the team just like anyone' date=' and this ain't the way to do it.[/quote']

 

IF you are BV, you can and you do....in Japan and in Boston.

[Bellhorn04]

I don't think we underestimated the 7 run rule and the number of games that he gave away with that. I don't think we have underestimated how many games were given away' date=' because he did not actively manage games or because the players were obviously not able to execute certain fundamentals. It seems that BV might have motivated more than one player with his remarks, and that he actually caused the team to pull together. The team doesn't have to like the manager. If the players unite in hatred of the manager, it's just as effective as them uniting for any other reason. Some of the best managers in the history of the game were able to cause the troops to rally together and win in spite of the manager.[/quote']

 

700, have you compared the number of times Tito left starters in for 7 runs to the number of times other managers do it?

 

I couldn't help noticing that in the first 3 games of our season, we had already seen starters left in for 7 runs 3 times-Beckett, Buchholz and Scherzer.

 

A poster on another forum did some checking and found that Maddon left starters in for 6 runs or more more often than Tito did last year.

[soxfan17881]

I view it as motivation. Negative motivation can be just as motivating' date=' maybe moreso with highly motivated people. If you tell a highly motivated person that they can't do something, they will get it done faster and better than if you pat them on the back. Yes, I think this will work.[/quote']

 

I see your point, but I don't look at this as saying he can't do something. Like, as in "He's getting older and he's not what he used to be." This came off more like "He's talented and he doesn't give a s***. That seems lie a big difference to me, but it's just my opinion.

[mvp 78]

A poster on another forum did some checking and found that Maddon left starters in for 6 runs or more more often than Tito did last year.

 

Don't get your chocolate in the king's peanut butter.

[soxfan17881]

IF you are BV' date=' you can and you do....in Japan and in Boston.[/quote']

 

Just because you can doesn't mean you should. It's a lazy, and in my opinion stupid way to motivate professional players when you have tried nothing else.

[RedSoxRooter]

It's a lazy' date=' and in my opinion stupid way to motivate professional players when you have tried nothing else.[/quote']

 

Totally agree. Plus, it's like he thinks we as fans haven't been watching Youk all these years. Anyone who's watched him his entire career knows he plays with heart - even if he sucks. You cannot question his pride and effort.

[soxfan17881]

Totally agree. Plus' date=' it's like he thinks we as fans haven't been watching Youk all these years. Anyone who's watched him his entire career knows he plays with heart - even if he sucks. You cannot question his pride and effort.[/quote']

 

Thank you! That's exactly what I'm thinking. I can see no excuse for a new manager to jump directly to public humiliation with any player, especially not a proven gamer like Youkilis.

[ibot2much]

Just because you can doesn't mean you should. It's a lazy' date=' and in my opinion stupid way to motivate professional players when you have tried nothing else.[/quote']

 

Why is this such a surprise ? With BV, you knew what you were getting....he never hid it. Youk has been under 200 all season and just recently was around 111. Of course JP is going to attack...he was always known as TF boy...to the point that even he with his big mouth couldn't rally the troops last fall

[a700hitter]

700, have you compared the number of times Tito left starters in for 7 runs to the number of times other managers do it?

 

I couldn't help noticing that in the first 3 games of our season, we had already seen starters left in for 7 runs 3 times-Beckett, Buchholz and Scherzer.

 

A poster on another forum did some checking and found that Maddon left starters in for 6 runs or more more often than Tito did last year.

First of all, I never once compared Tito to other managers with regard to how often he left in pitchers for 7 runs. I don't care how often other managers do it. It is a stupid move. Next, I really don't think very highly of Maddon as a manager either, so what point are you trying to make that Tito wasn't much worse than Maddon. Maddon is a guy who submitted a lineup with 2 third baseman and lost his DH because of it. He has never been able to motivate BJ Upton's lazy ass. No, I don't think much of Maddon either.

[jung]

Well apparently (according to NESN) V has apologized to Youk "if there was a misunderstanding". V now saying he meant it in a positive way in that Youk is not throwing his helmet and generally going nuts every time he has a less than positive at bat etc etc.

 

V does have this cryptic way of talking and so far there has been two or three instances where it appears we just don't know what the hell V is talking about. I guess nobody knows but V. The problem I have with the way V expresses himself is that I don't think anybody would have been ready for a comment from V about how Youk is handling his recent performances. I would more likely guess that media types would first ask about the performances themselves. So if in response V decides to make a point about how Youk is handling it....well.....we are going to all need a V code ring to figure out what the hell he is saying.

 

Come to think of it, given V's propensity for making a buck, I fully expect a V Code Ring to be available at your local sports memorabilia shop any day now.

[a700hitter]

Thank you! That's exactly what I'm thinking. I can see no excuse for a new manager to jump directly to public humiliation with any player' date=' especially not a proven gamer like Youkilis.[/quote']It's too bad for him. I'm tired of this notion that the delicate princesses who get paid $10 million can' t be made uncomfortable.

[a700hitter]

Well apparently (according to NESN) V has apologized to Youk "if there was a misunderstanding". V now saying he meant it in a positive way in that Youk is not throwing his helmet and generally going nuts every time he has a less than positive at bat etc etc.

 

V does have this cryptic way of talking and so far there has been two or three instances where it appears we just don't know what the hell V is talking about. I guess nobody knows but V. The problem I have with the way V expresses himself is that I don't think anybody would have been ready for a comment from V about how Youk is handling his recent performances. I would more likely guess that media types would first ask about the performances themselves. So if in response V decides to make a point about how Youk has is handling it....well.....we are going to all need a V code ring to figure out what the hell he is saying.

 

Come to think of it, given V's propensity for making a buck, I fully expect a V Code Ring to be available at your local sports memorabilia shop any day now.

Sure, he'll apologize. This way the press puts it behind them and the controversy is over, but the message has been delivered. The message from BV to Youk: Hey, I don't think you are all that. Let me see what you got.

[RedSoxRooter]

It's too bad for him. I'm tired of this notion that the delicate princesses who get paid $10 million can' t be made uncomfortable.

 

Yeah, but do you want a two bit manager managing your 10 million dollar assets?

[soxfan17881]

Why is this such a surprise ? With BV' date=' you knew what you were getting....he never hid it. Youk has been under 200 all season and just recently was around 111. Of course JP is going to attack...he was always known as TF boy...to the point that even he with his big mouth couldn't rally the troops last fall[/quote']

 

First of all, are you talking about Dustin Pedroia when you type "JP"? If so, well, I don't know what to say.

 

Either way, players like Dustin Pedroia and Keven Youkilis are the reason I watch baseball. Their intensity and drive make up for the likes of Manny Ramirez who go through the motions whenever the don't feel the need to do else.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by "TF boy", but as far as his ability to motivate troops, those kinds of things are meant to be the icing on the cake of a great player, which Pedroia is. I'd have loved it if Pedroia could have single-handedly gotten the team fixed in a hurry, but it's not something that I require, and it has nothing with backing up a teammate now.

 

As far as what we were getting with Valentine... I never expected him to be a soft spoken quiet man, but I hoped that when he did get loud and nasty, it wouldn't be directed at one of his players in the middle of April! I suppose I was deluded.

[a700hitter]

Yeah' date=' but do you want a two bit manager managing your 10 million dollar assets?[/quote']They are all two bit managers.