Bobby Valentine facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bobby Valentine
Valentine in 2017
Utility player / Manager
Born: (1950-05-13) May 13, 1950 (age 75) Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
September 2, 1969, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Last appearance
September 30, 1979, for the Seattle Mariners
MLB statistics
Batting average	.260
Home runs	12
Runs batted in	157
Managerial record	1,186–1,165
Winning %	.504
NPB statistics
Managerial record	493–450
Winning %	.523
Teams
As player Los Angeles Dodgers (1969, 1971–1972) California Angels (1973–1975) San Diego Padres (1975–1977) New York Mets (1977–1978) Seattle Mariners (1979) As manager Texas Rangers (1985–1992) Chiba Lotte Marines (1995) New York Mets (1996–2002) Chiba Lotte Marines (2004–2009) Boston Red Sox (2012) As coach New York Mets (1983–1985) Cincinnati Reds (1993)
Career highlights and awards
Japan Series champion (2005) Golden Spirit Award (2005) Matsutaro Shoriki Award (2005)

Robert John Valentine (born May 13, 1950), known as "Bobby V", is an American former professional baseball player and manager. He also worked as the athletic director at Sacred Heart University. Bobby Valentine played for several teams in Major League Baseball (MLB), including the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets. He also managed teams like the Texas Rangers, the New York Mets, and the Boston Red Sox. He even managed the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan.

After his baseball career, Valentine became a sports analyst for ESPN. In 2013, he worked for CBSSports.com, where he made fun of how many times he had been fired. He gave fans a chance to "Hire or Fire Bobby V" one more time. In 2021, he ran for mayor in his hometown of Stamford, Connecticut, but he did not win the election.

Early Life and Talents

Bobby Valentine was born in Stamford, Connecticut. His parents were Joseph and Grace Valentine. He went to Rippowam High School in Stamford. There, he was an amazing athlete in football, baseball, and track. He is the only person in Connecticut history to be named an All-State football player three times.

He set state records for touchdowns and interceptions. As a sophomore in 1965, he helped his team go undefeated (9–0) and win a state championship. Bobby was also a talented ballroom dancer when he was a teenager. He won a regional competition and even took part in the opening ceremonies of the 1964 New York World's Fair. He was also the president of his student council.

Choosing a Path in Sports

Many top universities, like the University of Nebraska and the University of Notre Dame, wanted him for both football and baseball. But Bobby chose the University of Southern California (USC). In 1967, he played summer baseball for the Yarmouth Indians.

The Los Angeles Dodgers picked him fifth overall in the 1968 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with them and received a $65,000 bonus. While playing for the Dodgers, he also attended USC and Arizona State University. His college roommate was Bill Buckner, who also became a famous baseball player.

Playing Baseball Professionally

Starting in the Minor Leagues

At 18, Bobby Valentine began his professional baseball journey. He played for the Ogden Dodgers in the Rookie Pioneer League. He was named the league's MVP, hitting .281 and stealing 20 bases. He was one of only three players to play in every game that season. His manager at Ogden was Tommy Lasorda, who became a lifelong friend.

In 1969, Bobby impressed everyone in Spring Training. He was moved up to the Class AAA Spokane Indians. After the season, he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in September when he was just 19. He didn't get to bat, but he appeared in 5 games as a pinch runner and scored three runs.

In 1970, Bobby was back with the Spokane Indians. He was again named his league's MVP. He batted .340 with 14 home runs and led the league in many offensive areas. Spokane won the league championship that year. He later had surgery on his right knee in 1971.

Playing for the Dodgers

Bobby Valentine made the Dodgers team in 1971. He batted .249 with one home run in 101 games. His first MLB hit was an RBI single on April 25, 1971. In 1972, he played in 119 games, showing his versatility by playing many different positions. These included shortstop, second base, third, and all three outfield spots. His batting average improved to .274. After that season, he was traded to the California Angels.

Time with the California Angels

Before the 1973 season, Bobby was named Caribbean Series MVP. He was playing shortstop for a team from the Dominican Republic. As a regular starter for the Angels, he began the 1973 season very well, leading the team with a .302 batting average.

However, on May 17, 1973, he suffered a serious leg injury. His spikes got caught in a fence while he was trying to catch a home run ball. He missed the rest of the 1973 season and never fully regained his speed. Two days before his injury, he was playing center field when Nolan Ryan threw his first No-hitter. Bobby would later manage Ryan for two more no-hitters when they were with the Texas Rangers.

In 1974, even though he was still recovering, Bobby played in many games. He batted .261 with three home runs. In 1975, he was traded to the San Diego Padres. In his first game as a Padre, he hit a home run.

Later Playing Years

In 1976, Bobby spent most of the season with the Padres' minor league team, the Hawaii Islanders. He batted .304 with 13 home runs. In 1977, he was traded to the New York Mets. His role with the Mets became smaller, and he was released in 1979. He then signed with the Seattle Mariners and played as a catcher. After that season, he retired from playing baseball at 29 years old.

Managing Baseball Teams

Texas Rangers Manager

Bobby Valentine was a coach for the Mets when the Texas Rangers hired him as their manager in 1985. The Rangers finished second in their division in 1986. Bobby finished second in the voting for the AL Manager of the Year. He was fired by the Rangers in 1992. He finished his time with the Rangers with 581 wins and 605 losses. He did not lead them to the playoffs.

Managing in Japan: Chiba Lotte Marines

In 1995, Bobby Valentine became the manager of the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan. His team surprised many by finishing in second place. This was a big deal because the Marines had not won their league since 1974. However, he was fired suddenly due to a disagreement with the general manager, even though he had a two-year contract.

Return to the New York Mets

Bobby Valentine returned to manage the Mets' minor league team in 1996. Later that year, he was promoted to manage the New York Mets for the last part of the season. Over the next two years, he helped the Mets improve, finishing with winning records.

In 1999, during a long game, Bobby was ejected by the umpire. He famously returned to the dugout disguised with sunglasses and a fake mustache made from eye black. The Mets won that game. That season, he led the Mets to the playoffs. They won their first series but lost in the National League Championship Series.

In 2000, Bobby led the Mets to another playoff spot. This time, they won the National League pennant, which meant they would play in the 2000 World Series. They lost the World Series to their rivals, the New York Yankees.

On July 14, 2001, Bobby Valentine won his 1,000th game as a manager. He received the 2002 Branch Rickey Award for his help with survivors of the September 11 attacks. Bobby had a difficult relationship with the Mets' general manager, Steve Phillips. At the end of the 2002 season, Bobby was fired. He finished his Mets managerial career with 536 wins and 467 losses.

Second Time with the Chiba Lotte Marines

Valentine was popular with the Marines' fans

In 2004, Bobby Valentine went back to manage the Chiba Lotte Marines. In 2005, he led them to their first league championship since 1974. On October 26, 2005, the Marines won the Japan Series. The next day, Bobby challenged the World Series champion Chicago White Sox to a series against his team.

After winning the Japan Series, the Marines also won the first Asia Series. Bobby helped bring new and fun promotions to Japan, which made more fans come to the games. Some ideas, like letting kids run the bases after games, were common in America but new in Japan. In 2008, a documentary called The Zen of Bobby V. was made about him and his team. The Marines let Bobby go after the 2009 season, even though many fans signed a petition to keep him.

Working for ESPN

After leaving Japan, Bobby Valentine became a baseball analyst for ESPN. He had appeared on their show Baseball Tonight before. He started broadcasting for the American and National League Championship Series and the World Series in 2009. He was considered for several managerial jobs but did not get them. In December 2010, he became part of ESPN's new Sunday Night Baseball team.

Managing the Boston Red Sox

Valentine as the Red Sox skipper in 2012

On November 29, 2011, Bobby Valentine was named the new manager of the Boston Red Sox. He chose to wear number 25 to honor Tony Conigliaro, a former player.

His only season with Boston in 2012 was tough. The team faced injuries and had problems between players, coaches, and the media. Under Bobby's management, the 2012 Red Sox finished last in their division. This was their worst record in 47 years. Bobby Valentine was fired by the Red Sox on October 4, 2012, the day after the season ended.

Managerial Record Overview

Bobby Valentine managed teams in Major League Baseball (MLB) and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan. Here's a summary of his managing career:

Athletic Director at Sacred Heart University

On July 1, 2013, Bobby Valentine became the athletic director at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. During his time there, he helped make the university's sports programs more visible. He appeared on ESPN and other media outlets.

He oversaw improvements to the sports facilities, like replacing the playing surface at Campus Field. Sacred Heart University also invested $21.8 million to build the Bobby Valentine Health and Recreation Center. This large facility opened in August 2019. It has an indoor track, a bowling center, a climbing wall, and exercise rooms for all students.

Under his leadership, the university's women's athletics won their eighth Joan Martin Commissioner's Cup in 2015. Overall, the Pioneers won 13 conference championships during his time. In September 2016, Bobby was named the ECAC Division I Administrator of the Year. He took a leave of absence from his position in June 2021.

Awards and Recognition

• Elected to the Connecticut High School Coaches Hall of Fame (1986)
• New Jersey Sports Writers Association "Sports Humanitarian of the Year" (2001)

Life Beyond Baseball

Since 1980, Bobby Valentine has owned and run Bobby V's Restaurant & Sports Bar. This is a sports bar located in his hometown of Stamford.

In 2010, Valentine started a production company called Makuhari Media. This company makes sports documentaries.

In 2011, the mayor of Stamford named Bobby Valentine the Director of Public Safety for the city. He worked in this role for 11 months before leaving to manage the Red Sox.

Running for Mayor in Stamford

On May 7, 2021, Bobby Valentine announced he was running for mayor of Stamford, Connecticut. He ran as an independent candidate.

He was challenged by Caroline Simmons, a state representative. The election took place on Tuesday, November 2, 2021. Bobby Valentine lost the election to Simmons by 1,505 votes. Simmons became the first woman mayor of Stamford, winning 52.5% of the vote. Valentine received 47.5% of the vote. After the election, Valentine claimed there was voter fraud, but this was not supported by the city's election officials.

See also

• List of Major League Baseball managers with most career wins