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Earlier today, during an interview on WFAN, Bobby Valentine was asked if he would ever return to manage the Mets, to which he responded – following a long pause:
“I’ve known Willie Randolph since 1974, I have all the love and respect for Willie and don’t wish bad on him or anyone who has done me wrong. Willie will turn it around and have a great career. It will be someone’s offer to bring me back and my decision if that is right or not.”
Asked if he could manage any place other than New York City, Valentine said:
“I would only come back (to MLB) if I was really wanted – and what I bring are exactly what the organization, the team and the town need. I think that will happen someday, somewhere, and it wont be because of location on the map, but because of how the pieces fit in my life.”
Regarding Benny Abayani, who plays for Valentine in Japan, he says he doesn’t play everyday, “but he cheers me up.”
Valentine listed Todd Pratt’s home run against the D’Backs in the playoffs, Robin Ventura’s grand-slam single, and Mike Piazza’s home run in the first game after 9/11, among his favorite moments while managing the Mets.
According to Valentine, it would be great to see the Mets in the World Series during the final season of Shea Stadium.
Lastly, he says he cheers for the Mets every day, “and I hope it turns out well.”
To listen to Valentine’s entire interview, go to WFAN.com.
…thanks to Adam from SNY for the info, quotes, etc…
Love Bobby V. What a class act. Great answer to the Willie question. The opposite to say Gary Carter.
Striking difference, isn’t it?
What a character that Bobby V. is….Can only wish him the best….
matt, how could you forget he predicted the mets would turn it around and win the world series????
Not sure ‘I forgot,’ so much as I must have missed the comment.
oh man, we gotta get this guy back here immediately
I miss Bobby V and the excitement his teams used to bring to Shea. Some of my best memories are from the 99 and ‘00 playoffs.
And then people couldn’t wait to run him out of town when his players quit on him in 02
looking back, that falls on that group of players, not Bobby V. As it turned out, they all needed to go!
Too bad he couldn’t have skipped over the couple of ugly years, and gotten the 2005 team. They just might have made it to the post season that year.
Don’t forget, the 2005 team collapsed under Willie too, didn’t it? Seems to be a trend here…
although to be fair, I still believe 2007 was just a bad finish (a poor stretch at the wrong time) largely due to burnt out pitching, bad luck, and a Phils team that caught fire at the right tiem (for them). It was not a collapse.
Any team’s poor play often falls on the particular group of players but fans and media always scapegoat the manager since you can’t fire all the players.
As for Bobby V, his teams weren’t immune to collapses either (see his 1998 team that lost its last 5 games to choke away a wild card berth; see also his 1999 team that lost 7 straight games in late September to nearly choke away another berth). Sure, 1999 and 2000 were nice but we didn’t win the World Series in either of those years and the rest of his tenure in 2001 and 2002 was a disappointment (outside a brief run to get back in the 2001 pennant race after 9/11)
“although to be fair, I still believe 2007 was just a bad finish (a poor stretch at the wrong time) largely due to burnt out pitching, bad luck, and a Phils team that caught fire at the right tiem (for them). It was not a collapse.”
Unfortunatly ALOT of people do not feel the same way. The way i see it, it took that bad stretch for the phills to play in october..if not we would have been here. To me the end of 07 was the Culmination of bad managing throughout the year and a thought that this group should be handed a october ticket just because they got there a year before. It was incredible bad timeing but it goes to show its not how you start its how you finish and that sometimes its not the better team that wins…its the hottest.
The 2002 team didn’t quit on him, they were just old and sucked. You think golden boy Torre would’ve won with that team?
Well again…….people wanted him the hell out of here……
Willie makes 1 more postseason appearance and then 5-6 years later, people will be crying for him to come back too.
Could not agree more with this poster about the ‘99 team being some of their favorite times as Met fans. The fall of ‘99 and ‘00 were some of the best even though they fell short, the team always had that “mojo” to them where you just knew they were never out of it no matter the score.
Hi, New poster here though I’ve been reading the blog for a while.
Bobby V took a number of rag tag Mets teams and managed to make overachievers of them, and believers of all the Orange and Blue fans in ‘99 and ‘00.
Whether those same fans could “stomach” another few years of multiple double switches, pitching match ups, and the odd faces of Bobby V is questionable.
That this current team would not play well under a manager that demands that they put their faith in his capable and culpable hands by trusting in his instincts, in my opinion, is impossible.
CrazyEddie
I meant to say…
That this current team would play well under Bobby V., in my opinion, is impossible.
I love that he didn’t jump out and say “Yes” …ala Gary Carter. That shows more class than Gary. But, I did read into it and, from what I read (or hoped) is that he would return to manage the Mets if he was asked and if he and the Wilpons made nice again.
Everyone knows that he’s a fan favorite, I hope the Wilpons realize that too. IF Willie Ranolph is let go, I hope to God that Bobby V is #1 on their list.
Now, let’s Go Mets and go whoop on that Dodger Blue!!!
I don’t understand his answers. “It will be someone’s offer to bring me back and my decision if that is right or not.” What does that mean? It sounds like he is hedging his bets, and wouldn’t mind getting an offer. At least he isn’t campaigning for the job.
My view: his era as manager was one of the most unpleasant eras in mets history. he had a weird style of managing, and always thought acted like he was the smartest kid in the room and could outmanage anyone, but that simply wasn’t the case. his teams had numerous end-of-season collapses, and he played favorites in ways that caused lots of friction in the clubhouse. in fact, he may be a decent fellow, but he way too frequently came off as a complete jerk.
Unpleasant era? Would you prefer the Art Howe era, how about the Dallas Greene era, or for that matter the Joe Torre era?
Nope. My favorite Mets years, in order, are 1969, 1986, 1985, 2006, 1973, 2000. So I guess I prefer the Gil Hodges era, the Cashen/Johnson era, and Minaya/Randolph era. I had more fun in 2006 than I did in any of Valentine’s years.
” I had more fun in 2006 than I did in any of Valentine’s years.”
I dunno. I had more fun being in the World Series in 2000 under Valentine’s tenure than falling short in 2006 against a .500 team in the NLCS.
But hey, that’s just me.
I’d rather lose to the Cards in seven than the humiliation in our own ballpark losing to the Yankees like that. and being out-managed by Joe Torre.
It sounds like he’s saying “it hasn’t been offered, and I’m not saying I’d take it if it was.” It was a very appropriate answer. As others have said, it was a welcome contrast to Carter’s tasteless politicking.
One of the most unpleasant eras according to whom? I would have to say that the 6 years before he came on board and the 3 years after he left were two or the more unpleasant eras in the team’s history, not the 6+ years he was here.
I like Bobby V but don’t want him back as manager of the Mets if the Mets decide to make a change. Fans who want him back are being a little too sentimental. His tenure here was filled with ups and downs. The good points included: bringing hope back to a franchise that floundered in the early 90s; leading the 2000 Mets to the World Series with a mediocre OF; and the never-say die attitude of the Mets during the 1999 playoffs. The bad points included: the 2002 season; the 1998 team losing its last 5 games to choke away a wild card berth; the 1999 team losing 7 straight in September to nearly choke away another wild card berth. I think he’s a fascinating character but he had his chance to win a World Series here already and unfortunately it didn’t work out.
Thank you for remembering clearly. He was perhaps more stubborn than Willie, and his style made him a favorite media target, not something a manager in NY can withstand for long. While the media has been tough on Randolph lately, they don’t hate him like they did BV.
One thing for sure, every loss killed this guy, and I liked that about him. Thanks for the memories, Bobby V., that ship has sailed. Maybe somewhere else in the organization when he wants to return to CT.
I guarantee you if Bobby V had managed this team from ‘05 to now he would’ve had better results than Willie. He never would’ve lost to the Cardinals.
no way to know that….
Everyone who doesn’t like Randolph feels anyone could do better, I understand that. But that doesn’t change the fact that BV was run out of town by EVERYONE, including fans, players, owners, media, and Steve Philips. I can’t remember anyone complaining at the time. I’m sure some did, but they were drowned out by all the screaming for his head.
“My view: his era as manager was one of the most unpleasant eras in mets history.”
Just curious, how long have you been a Met fan? I’ve been a fan since around 1984 or so, and I can count at least 5 eras that were more unpleasant than the Bobby V era.
“He had a weird style of managing, and always thought acted like he was the smartest kid in the room and could outmanage anyone, but that simply wasn’t the case.”
Yes it was. Bobby could manage circles around anyone in the league. True, he was quite arrogant about it, but you cannot deny the facts. Look at the collection of misfits and also-rans he took deep into the playoffs two years in a row. You could probably count one one hand the number of managers who could’ve accomplished that.
“His teams had numerous end-of-season collapses”
I mean, they didn’t “collapse” in 2002 or 2003, they were simply a bad team. So perhaps you’re talking about 1998 or 2001? I don’t see those years as “collapses,” thought – they just weren’t quite good enough. 2007 is a “collapse.”
“and he played favorites in ways that caused lots of friction in the clubhouse.”
This is your one point that I actually agree with, and probably why the Mets decided to part ways with him. Yeah, he’s not perfect, but he’s probably forgotten more about baseball than Willie Randolph ever knew.
Well, Toasty, I’ve been a Mets fan since the Wes Westrum era, and a season ticket holder since 1984, so I’ve seen quite a bit of unpleasantness.
His team of “misfits and also-rans”?? He had one of the best defensive infields of all time, and a terrific middle of the order. You are calling Piazza, Olerud, Alfonzo and Ventura misfits? They hit, got on base, worked the pitchers and caught everything in sight. Ordonez was a magician with his glove, they had a top closer . . . and yet, his teams seemed to choke at the end of every season.
He was so tight, so tense, and his teams often played that way. And if you want to complain about Beltran leaving his bat on his shoulders to end the 2006 season, let’s talk about leaving Leiter in way too long to end the 2000 season, or leaving Kenny Rogers in way too long to end the 1999 season (which might have turned out better if he didn’t back us into the one game playoff against the Reds, which screwed up the rotation).
The guy is way overrated. He might be the only winning manager a lot of young Mets fans remember, so it is easy to get sentimental. And easy to forget how loathed he was amongst fans, the press and the rest of the league.
Top closer? You talking about Benitez?
Yes, Piazza was a star, and you can’t seriously think I was referring to him when I said “misfits and also-rans,” can you?
Alfonzo and Ventura were B+ players at best, Olerud had a couple of very fine years, but Bobby V got to the World Series without him in 2000.
Ordonez was a joke, and in what universe was Benitez was a “top closer”? Are you kidding me here, or what?
Anyhoo, let’s talk about the rest of the roster: Timo Perez, Beny Agbayani, Derek Bell, Jay Payton, Todd Zeile, Darryl Hamilton… I mean, give me a break. Sure, we loved ‘em, but they weren’t that good. The fact that Bobby V got so much out of this pile of rejects speaks volumes to his skills as a manager.
Pompous? Yes, but I’ll take pompous and competent over down-to-earth and incompetent (ahem, Willie) any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
So much of what you said is dead on but I strongly disagree with you about Alfonso. Yea, we had to watch him decline a little his last season as a Met, but the guy was among the better all around players in the league in his prime. Its even better that he was a homegrown player who adored the fans-remember when he rented space on all those NYC taxis thanking fans for their support when he left? Alfonso was an A+ player without a doubt
Best Bobby V. memory was the extra inning game against Toronto that I went to with a group of friends. David Wells killed us for 8+ innings. He had a 3-0 lead going to the bottom of the 9th and the Mets tied it. This game went 14 innings. The best part was Bobby V. getting tossed arguing a catchers interference call in the 12th. He came back to the bench in a Groucho Marx stache and sunglasses. We saw him from our seats behind home plate (Loge). Absolutely classic.
and he got killed for that by the NY media and fans, big embarassment and all, can’t believe our manager would do something like that, blah blah blah…
Now everyone wants him back. Too funny!
Fans loved it!! (I know I did)..who was “embarassed”??
I actually wasn’t a big fan of him (personally) until he did that. And then denied it was him.
Shades of King Kelly.
Best of Luck To Bobby V… He was a fiery manager who brought alot of Excitement to Shea back in the late 90’s…
Piazza brought the excitement to Shea.
The myth.
The legend.
The V.
For the record I was one of those people screaming to save Bobby and fire Steve Phillips.
In my opinion Bobby is the 2nd best manager in franchise history – doing more with less than any manager I have ever seen.
To those who point to the “collapse” in 98 or the struggling 01 team lets remember the level of talent on that club.
The starting staff was Leiter, Reed, Jones, Yoshii and Reynoso/Nomo/Mlicki
Olerud led the team with 93 rbis because the lineup was filled with Carlos Baerga, Bernard Gilkey, Butch Huskey and Rey Ordonez. Hell if it wasn’t for Brian McRae hitting everything in sight down the stretch I don’t think we even get to 88 wins.
As for the 2001 team – does anyone actually REMEMBER this team? Steve Phillips really earned his money building this team.
Starting staff – Leiter, Traschel, Reed, Appier and Rusch
TWO guys with over 20 HRs – Piazza (36) and Ventura (21). And only THREE guys had over SIXTY rbis! Piazza (94), Alfonzo (62) and Ventura (61)
Yet somehow this team was one Armando Benitez appearance from sweeping the Braves at home in late September and getting within 2 games of the division. (worst loss I ever experienced at Shea)
I’d say the only legitimately good team talent wise Bobby ever managed was the 99 team – and even then Leiter and 55 year old Orel Hershiser “led” the team with 13 wins!
If Bobby was here, having Santana and Maine up front, Wagner closing and an offense built around Reyes, Wright and Beltran I’m 100% POSITIVE we wouldn’t be a game under right now
Agree 100%.
I’d just add that when evaluating Bobby V’s impact on this franchise, don’t discount the role he played with a number of young players as a coach in the early-to-mid 80s…he was on the staff as late as mid-1985 when the Rangers came calling. I’ve heard alot of Met players from those years with alot of good things to say about his knowledge and tutelege, including many of the core 86 guys.
Bobby V will open Citi field as the new skipper of the Mets…
Bring back Bobby.
Allow Benny A. to be the new mascot.
Move Mr. Met to a vice-mascot role.
It sounds like he’s ready to come back — if you ask me.
And I would take him back in a heartbeat. I loved the way the reporters and Mike and the Mad Dog got all bent out of shape because they felt that Bobby V. acted like he invented the game. You know what? He was a damn good manager and he DOES know as much about baseball as probably anybody that ever managed the game.
How could you NOT want a guy like that back?
It really sounds like he would come back to the Mets if he was offered the job.
Bring him back!! 2009 is the renaissance…….Bring back Nady, and have Piazza as a coach….
“Benny Abayani” isn’t his name “Agbayani” with a “G”? is it a typo or am i making a mistake?
i heart bobby v