Category Archives: Baseball
The Many Faces of Bobby Valentine
The Ledger remembers when Bobby Valentine was a normal guy, managing a mediocre team in Texas.
Then, something strange happened. Paranoia. Quirky managerial moves. Disguises.
No one knows the date or event when it all went awry for Valentine. But it did.
So instead of trying to nail down the psychosis of our subject, I took the easy route: Pictures.
Here’s a chronological visual of the demise of Boston’s ‘train wreck’ of a manager, as he steamrolls the Red Sox off the highest cliff he can find.
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The Normal Bobby
I can do this.....wait, what?
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Best Friends Forever Bobby
Hard to tell who is drunker in this photo, but my money is on Valentine since he showed up to the ballpark to manage in jeans.
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The Japanese Bobby
Saki shots on me boys!
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The Weird Bobby
I can smile like this for 33-hours straight!
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The Angry Bobby
One more time...say it one more time!
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The Spy Bobby
This really wasn't that bad of a disguise...if you were auditioning for 'Weekend At Bernie's 3'
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Beantown Mafioso Bobby
Bafondu! My team, my rules (regardless of the embarrassment I'm about to cause)
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Childish Bobby
The wheels on the Sox go flying off, flying off, flying off...
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Lost Bobby
The 'can' is that way Bobby...and don't forget your britches this time!
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Naked Bobby
Ayyyy! I left my britches in the 'can' again.
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Apocalyptic Bobby
I love the smell of balls in the morning
2012 MLB Predictions
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AL West: Texas Rangers
AL Central: Detroit Lions
AL East: Tampa Bay Rays
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Wild Card Game:
Los Angeles vs Toronto Blue Jays (LAA wins)
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AL Division Series
Detroit vs LAA (Detroit wins series 4-2)
Texas vs Tampa Bay (Texas wins series 4-3)
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AL Championship Series
Detroit vs Texas (Texas wins series 4-3)
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NL West: SF Giants
NL Central: Cincinnati Reds
NL East: Philadelphia Phillies
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Wild Card Game:
Arizona Diamondbacks vs Miami Marlins (Miami wins)
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NL Divisional Series
Philadelphia vs Miami (Phillies win series 4-1)
SF Giants vs Cincinnati (SFG wins series 4-2)
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NL Championship Series
Philadelphia vs San Francisco (Phillies win series 4-3)
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World Series
Texas vs Philadelphia (Texas wins series 4-3)
The Ledger doesn’t know as much about the N.L. as it should, but it does know enough that Philly has the best pitching staff in the Bigs, and that alone will get you to the World Series. The Ledger also knows that Texas trots out the most feared batting lineup in the Bigs, and that alone will score you runs.
You need both to win the ring.
The Texas Rangers are locked in for that elusive trophy that has escaped them for one reason or another two years in a row.
Third times a charm.
Hamilton Forgiven
Josh Hamilton
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It’s O.K. Josh.
You made your mistake…again. You stood up to your mistake…again. And you walked away a stronger man…again.
What kind of perfect world do we live in to expect such perfection from one of MLB’s most darkest yet influential players?
Texas Ranger outfielder Josh Hamilton’s drug addiction and alcohol abuse is well documented.
From a crack house to home plate is how the story plays out. There’s no denying that. Hamilton knows it. You know it. We all know it. Denial would be an easy place to run and hide after his latest alcohol related incident. But he didn’t run, nor did he hide from the transgression.
I’m sure Hamilton was well-advised to hold a press conference by a swarm of confidants, to include his agent, Ranger management, and family & trusted friends. But the words that came out of Josh’s mouth during his 12-minute apology were not advised or scripted. They were his own, led by his faith.
They were words of a man in deep pain. Words of sorrow. Statements of disgust for his actions. Words of embarrassment. Shame he brought upon people that love him the most. Words of tears.
But nary a tear was shed.
Hamilton refused to skirt the issue. No 12-minute tap-dance routine. No blaming the media. Just straight up truth and honesty for what he did during his weakest moment.
Hamilton addresses the media
“I cannot take a break from my recovery,” Hamilton said. “My recovery is Christ. My recovery is an everyday process. When I take that one day off, it leaves me open for a moment of weakness and it’s always been that way.
He walked out of the press room with his head held high, just as he did when he walked in.
Hamilton doesn’t want a pity party thrown on his behalf. He’s not saying the right things because his contract is up after this year. Nor is Hamilton trying to keep big-brother MLB from suspending him.
He’s taking accountability for his actions. The Texas smasher has been given a pedestal in which to stand on with the expectation of showing the world how to stand up for your own actions.
He needs to be held accountable for sure. This embarrassment needs to be dealt with by the Texas Rangers. But Hamilton knows this. He’s ready and willing to face the consequences.
Hamilton has lived a life of nightmares and will be well armed for his next test.
Because rest assured, there will be another test waiting right around the corner.
It’s O.K. Josh.
