Ralph Branca Gives Bobby Valentine Nod as Next Mets Skipper
Ralph Branca is a former Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher who wants his son-in-law Bobby Valentine to come back home and manage the Mets if such an offer was made, according to the New York Times. Branca said…
They know Bobby. They know he’s a very loyal guy. He’s a got a year and a half left on his contract over there. The owners have been very, very good to him. He doesn’t have to contend with the New York press and guys who are dishonest. But I would tell him to take the job. Come back home, baby. I think he would be open to it. It’s New York City, the hub of the world, the media capital of the world. It’s his kind of town. He’s the kind of manager they need now. A guy who is volatile, makes tough decisions, and is very loyal to the team. He’s probably the best manager in baseball, even though I’m prejudiced. But you know he makes all the right moves. He took a mediocre team to the World Series in 2000. And with a break here or there, he could have won it all. I mean, he got beat on a 15-hopper up the middle by Luis Sojo.
The New York Times went on to say that “Valentine’s contract with Chiba Lotte expires after the 2009 season. However, such agreements in Japan are usually easy to break with some negotiation.” I understand that Branca is Bobby V.’s father-in-law which makes him biased, but I’m biased as well because I’m a huge fan. All in favor, say “aye.” Like I said before Willie getting whacked, Bobby V. is the only one I want to replace him if he were to get let go.
