Following an epic collapse in 2011, the Boston Red Sox hired veteran manager Bobby Valentine to lead them in 2012. From the day he rode into town (on his bicycle) for Spring Training, he was expected to change the culture of the team and reverse the slide. He was very visible in camp, as well as in the community, but his enthusiasm did not carry over onto the field. The team opened the season with a loss in Detroit, and it soon became apparent that the experiment was not working, and following an even worse season than 2011, he was fired after the team finished with a record of 69-93, good for last place in the American League East.
Valentine met with his team and coaching staff before they took the field for their first official workout of Spring Training.
Valentine had a hands on approach as he interacted with his players, including left fielder Carl Crawford.
Valentine had a smile on his face a lot as he watched his players work out.
Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine moves quickly from field to field as he monitors his players drills, and any fans who want an autograph must move with him. He is pictured as he signs while walking briskly, saying out loud “Whatever you do, don’t get in front of me” as he heads to his next stop.
As part of a team out reach program, during Spring Training, Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine visited the African Caribbean American Center After School Program in Fort Myers. He is pictured as he has fun with the children as they are having a group photo taken with him and Red Sox mascot “Wally the Green Monster.
Back in the Major Leagues for the first time since being fired by the New York Mets in 2002, Valentine greeted Tigers skiper Jim Leyland at home plate before the first pitch of Opening Day in Detroit.
Valentine bites the baseball as he waits on the mound during a pitching change, something he did often, as his starting rotation, as well as his bullpen underperformed all season.
Valentine occasionally showed flashes of his combative side, pictured here arguing with an umpire, but nothing seemed to spark the Red Sox on the field.
As the season wore on, the Valentine and his Red Sox were near the bottom of the AL East standings, and it would only get worse.
Things got so bad near the end of the season that reports surfaced that Valentine (left) was not on speaking terms with some members of his coaching staff.
Valentine is pictured as he meets with the media at Fenway Park. He would be fired not long after the season ended.
