Davidoff: Bobby Valentine Could Return to ESPN in 2011
“If it was just a job, I think I could already have it, and probably have it a few places, and I really am flattered by the people who have had me in and have talked to me and even offered me a chance…But I’m looking for that perfect situation, and it hasn’t presented itself yet.”
~ Bobby Valentine on Sirius/XM’s Mad Dog Radio Friday
Ken Davidoff of Newsday believes it’s likely Valentine will return to ESPN next season.
Last week, Valentine removed himself from consideration for the Marlins managerial job, and was informed by the Mariners he was out of the running for their opening.
Regarding the possibility of Valentine re-joining the Mets, Davidoff says “Don’t rule it out altogether yet. But if Alderson gets the GM job, he likely will go with someone with a lower profile and lower salary demands.”
As more doors close for Valentine, I suppose he can’t be ruled out as a possibility for the Mets. I want Bobby V to come back, but if the Mets hire Alderson to be their GM, I don’t know if he would consider hiring Valentine, considering his opinion of managers.
In a recent report for ESPN, Howard Bryant wrote:
“Years ago, Alderson, then the general manager of the A’s, explained it to me this way: “Managers are very controlling. You look at the managers today and the ones that are ‘my way or the highway’ are very few. It’s a remnant of another generation.”
Regarding the possibility of Valentine returning to the Mets Andy Martino of the Daily News said on SNY’s “Loudmouths” last week, and said:
“Everything I’ve heard is that it’s not a strong possibility at all, not even a minute possibility…you can’t rule anything out…other reports have Valentine as a strong candidate in Seattle right now which you could certainly see being a fit for him, and miracles could happen but I’ve never heard one whiff of momentum for Bobby V to the Mets, at any point during this process.”
