Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted November 3, 2003 ESPN.Com TOKYO -- Former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine agreed Sunday to return to Japan to manage the Lotte Marines. He arrived in Tokyo on Saturday and met with officials of the Pacific League team, agreeing to a three-year deal. An announcement was expected Monday. "All that's left is to sign the papers," Lotte spokesman Atsushi Tamaru said. Valentine, who replaces Koji Yamamoto, guided the Marines to a 69-58 record in 1995. He then had a falling out with former general manager Tatsuro Hirooka. Hirooka said Valentine didn't understand Japanese baseball; Valentine said Hirooka resented his close relationship to the players. Valentine spent this season as an ESPN analyst following his dismissal by the Mets. He managed in New York from 1996-02, leading the Mets to the 2000 World Series. He also managed the Texas Rangers from 1985-92. Too bad. I liked Valentine on Baseball Tonight. He wasn't afraid to give his opinion on matters. Know I wonder what former manager will be hired? My brother thought Mike Hargrove. He doesn't seem very outspoken though. Oh. When are the season awards handed out? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted November 3, 2003 I'm indifferent. If this is what he wants to do more power to him. See ya... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaceman Spiff 0 Report post Posted November 3, 2003 Can't stand Bobby V. Just seems so smarmy. I had been pretty indifferent to him, but the "get ejected and come back to the bench wearing the fake nose & glasses" incident really turned me against him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NYU 0 Report post Posted November 3, 2003 The Mets should have never fired him for that disgusting team in 2002. A bunch of veterans should know to fucking play baseball without Bobby V. holding their hands through the whole thing. He had the whole situation unfairly pinned on his shoulders, along with private negative testimonials from douchebags like Mo Vaughn and Mr. Blown Save himself John Franco. It was the Mets loss replacing him with Art "NyQuil" Howe. Good for Bobby and I wish him all the best in Japan. He doesn't get enough credit for his baseball mind and hopefully, Japan will give him the respect he deserved. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted November 3, 2003 Can't stand Bobby V. Just seems so smarmy. I had been pretty indifferent to him, but the "get ejected and come back to the bench wearing the fake nose & glasses" incident really turned me against him. I thought that was fucking hilarious, and he didn't manage the rest of the game...he just leaned in the tunnel and then sat on the end of the bench Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted November 3, 2003 Oh. When are the season awards handed out? Nov. 10 AL and NL Rookie of the Year Nov. 11 AL Cy Young Nov. 12 AL and NL Manager of the Year Nov. 13 NL Cy Young Nov. 17 AL Most Valuable Player Nov. 18 NL Most Valuable Player Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted November 3, 2003 What about Gold Gloves? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2003 Another three weeks for MVP awards?! Damnit, those ballots are mailed in the first week of October. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2003 What about Gold Gloves? A.L. tommorrow and I'd assume N.L. on Wednesday. Here are my picks since we didn't vote on it in the award topic: AL: C-Ramon Hernandez 1B-Travis Lee 2B-Mark Ellis 3B-Eric Chavez SS-Alex Rodriguez OF-Garret Anderson, Mike Cameron, Ichiro Suzuki P-Derek Lowe NL: C-Paul Lo Duca 1B-Sean Casey 2B-Marcus Giles 3B-Mike Lowell SS-Alex S. Gonzalez (Cubs) OF-Geoff Jenkins, Jim Edmonds, Richard Hidalgo P-Greg Maddux Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaceman Spiff 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2003 Can't stand Bobby V. Just seems so smarmy. I had been pretty indifferent to him, but the "get ejected and come back to the bench wearing the fake nose & glasses" incident really turned me against him. I thought that was fucking hilarious, and he didn't manage the rest of the game...he just leaned in the tunnel and then sat on the end of the bench I thought it was pretty disrespectful. Yeah, I'm sure every ejected manager probably relays info to the bench. But don't come back to the bench in disguise (and a pretty poor one, at that). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2003 1B-Travis Lee, and OF Garret Anderson Umm.. These two gentlemen are better. Mientkwicz flat out is the best defensive 1st basemen in baseball. The best range, he dig balls out of the dirt better than anyone, and saves so many bad throws from the rest of the infield. Hunter is awesome in CF. It's not just the spectacular plays. He covers so much ground, and his willing to make the diving catch. That's not easy on the concrete playing surface of the Dome. His throwing arm is excellent has well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2003 I would point out that Andruw Jones is a better center fielder than the three Bored mentioned as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2003 I picked a left, center, and right fielder even though I know that's not how you have to vote but I think it should be that way and I gave Cameron the nod over Hunter but you could flip a coin there, same thing with Edmonds over Jones. Garret Anderson is an excellent left fielder though so I hope he wins. I forget why I went with Lee although I do remember I didn't think anyone stood out at 1B but I did these back in September on another message board. Besides gold gloves are easily the most subjective award given out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfaJack 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2003 1B-Travis Lee, and OF Garret Anderson Umm.. These two gentlemen are better. Mientkwicz flat out is the best defensive 1st basemen in baseball. The best range, he dig balls out of the dirt better than anyone, and saves so many bad throws from the rest of the infield. Hunter is awesome in CF. It's not just the spectacular plays. He covers so much ground, and his willing to make the diving catch. That's not easy on the concrete playing surface of the Dome. His throwing arm is excellent has well. Homer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2003 Oh and the A.L. winners are: C-Bengie Molina 1B-John Olerud 2B-Bret Boone 3B-Eric Chavez SS-Alex Rodriguez OF-Torii Hunter, Ichiro Suzuki, Mike Cameron P-Mike Mussina Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2003 1B-Travis Lee, and OF Garret Anderson Umm.. These two gentlemen are better. Mientkwicz flat out is the best defensive 1st basemen in baseball. The best range, he dig balls out of the dirt better than anyone, and saves so many bad throws from the rest of the infield. Hunter is awesome in CF. It's not just the spectacular plays. He covers so much ground, and his willing to make the diving catch. That's not easy on the concrete playing surface of the Dome. His throwing arm is excellent has well. Homer. If you got to see Mientiwicz like we do up here. You'd understand why I think that. He's 10 times the first basemen Olerud is. So a big fuck you to the writers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2003 Maybe I heard wrong but apparantly voting is now done by the players. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2003 Well a big fuck you to who ever votes. It's all a popularity contest. Olerud's a nice guy, and Mietntwicz is more outspoken, and can rub players the wrong way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
