Valentine announces he will leave Japanese team's helm

[madinmaryland]

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/norwalkadvocate/sports/ci_12922533

TOKYO - Bobby Valentine has insisted he wanted to be "part of the solution" after announcing he will quit as manager of Japan's Chiba Lotte Marines.

The former New Yorks Mets skipper, who left the Marines in the 1990s after a disagreement with management, returned a decade later and led them to the Japan Series title in 2005.

However, the 59-year-old Valentine will leave at the end of the current season after relations with the club's front office soured.

"I'm trying to do what's best for the team," Valentine told Reuters on Monday. "The team has been distracted enough. I refuse to be part of the problem. It is what it is.

"I have real affection for this team, for the players and fans. All I want to do is concentrate on getting the team playing good baseball until the end of the season." Valentine has enjoyed tremendous popularity in his spells with the Marines and even has a shrine dedicated to him near the team's stadium complete with a life-size ceramic "Bobby" bust.

..snip

Let the speculations begin. Would the Natinals be interested in him for next season?

[TZ]

1. That's the rumor being floated in DC.

He seems like Lou Pinella...good but very very grating...and in certain places, disasterous.

[madinmaryland]

2. He seems to have a shelf life of 5-7 years where ever he goes.

I could see him in DC or maybe Baltimore.

I would assume he would want to be with an East Coast team, as he is from Stamford, CT.

[inthebrain]

3. Every writer associated with the New York Mets has Manuel getting fired at the end of the year

and Bobby Valentine possibly returning here.

Those rumors have been circulating for about month or two and starting to pick up steam. With Bernarzad getting canned it looks even more like Manuel may be out of here sooner. That guy pushed for Willie's firing and created a big rift in the locker room. All parties involved, including Manuel, look pretty mutual on starting from scratch next season with a new manager.


Valentine got screwed over his first go round here BIG TIME by Steve Philips. He is an awesome manager and I always thought it was a shame he wound up in Japan. Anyone that gets him is getting a real gem.

[trumad]

4. Kick