As reported by several media outlets, including ESPNBoston.com, Bobby Valentine has accepted the offer to become the next manager of the Boston Red Sox.
Neither Valentine, who was in Japan for a charity event, nor the Red Sox organization have commented, although GM Ben Cherington said Monday that he had hoped to conclude the search by week’s end.
Valentine, who has spent parts of 15 years as a manager of the Mets and Rangers, has spent the last 2 years as a baseball analyst for ESPN. He was said to be one of two finalists for the Red Sox managerial post along with former MLB manager Gene Lamont.
In a comical twist of irony, Valentine is expected to be replaced at ESPN by Terry Francona, who was relieved of his duties as the Red Sox bench boss after their September collapse.
By Pop Fly Boys Co-founder Jeremy Sickel. Contact Jeremy at [email protected], follow him on Twitter @kcpopflyboy, and read more of his work at popflyboys.com