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April marked the return of Stamford’s own Bobby Valentine to Major League Baseball as he debuted as the manager of Boston Red Sox. However, by the end of September, the relationship fizzled and he was fired the first week of October.
The Red Sox finished 69-93 and in last place in the American League East, with injuries and questions about his managerial style filling much of the baseball season. The last-place finish was the first in 20 years for Boston, and the record was the team's worst since 1965.
Despite the bad finish, readers still supported Valentine, with 44 percent saying the season wasn’t his fault and he should have a second season, 28 percent saying it wasn’t his fault, but a change was necessary and only 22 percent saying it was his fault, and time for him to go. The poll garnered 90 votes.
It has also been reported that the Red Sox will be paying him his 2013 salary.
Valentine was hired in December 2011 after working as an analyst for ESPN and as Stamford's director of Public Safety, Health, and Welfare. He also managed in Japan for five years after leaving the New York Mets in 2002.
After the baseball season ended, Valentine returned to Stamford and participated in Heights and Lights 2012, rappelling down the Landmark Square Building, with Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman.
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