Gresh & Zo: Bobby Valentine Is Convincing Us
On today's show, Gresh & Zo talked about Bobby Valentine's impact on this year's Red Sox team.
Following last year's collapse and the clubhouse issues that came out, can Valentine change the clubhouse culture and help turn this team around?
Here is what Valentine told Bob Costas on Costas Tonight on Monday:
"This is not going to be the same team that starting last year, that people said would win 120 games and walk away with one of the toughest division in baseball. This is a team that has some question marks that we have to build around... It's time to wake up, spell the roses, drink the coffee, and let's go to work."
How has Valentine's approach since being introduced changed how Gresh & Zo feel about him?
"As we get ready to kind of amp up for spring training and head down to Fort Myers, and the Red Sox are ready to report, I'm liking what I'm hearing from him," Gresh said of Bobby V. "He's not this charlatan that I thought he was. I thought there was one side to Bobby V, the charlatan that would mug it up in front of the camera, who would be pretty good with this team but would the personality fit?"
"I think I might be wrong. I think he may actually work out and be OK as manager of this team."
Zolak says Valentine has a very tough job ahead, and knows that, especially monitoring the players who let the team down last season.
"Terry (Francona) trusted these guys way too much. He was the same guy since day one. There's nothing wrong with that if you have the right kind of leadership, if you have guys that didn't take advantage of it," said Zolak. "Now all of a sudden, Josh Beckett shows up early with the truck today. Jon Lester is there and throwing bullpen sessions. Those guys took advantage of (Francona), and that's sad. Bobby Valentine has to watch that and make sure that doesn't happen from day one."
"He has a delicate balance here where he has to drop the hammer, and make sure these guys are engaged at the same time," said Zolak.
Hear more of Gresh & Zo's thoughts on Bobby V:
How do you feel about Bobby Valentine as the Red Sox get set to start spring training? Let us know in the comments section!
