Bobby Valentine hasn't been on the job for even week yet, but he's already proved to be a pretty busy guy. The new Red Sox manager has wasted no time in his attempts to help construct his new team, as evidenced by a quick trip out of the country.
One Red Sox free agent is taking note, and he sounds pretty impressed.
Valentine spent Friday night in the Dominican Republic, where he spent time talking with free-agent slugger David Ortiz at the slugger's charity golf tournament. Valentine used the trip as a chance to recruit Ortiz, presumably with the hopes of him returning to Boston.
"That speaks to me," Ortiz said, according to The Boston Globe. "I'm impressed. That's good stuff."
Valentine made it fairly clear that the decision to attend — even for just a night — was one that he had to make.
"I wouldn't miss it. I was able to catch a flight and come on down," Valentine said. "We'll have a little fun tonight, say hello and tell him how much I love him as a player.
"I only respect him and know him from afar," Valentine said, according to the Globe. "Getting to know him is going to be fun. … I've seen his individual talents and he’s a game-changer. There are 30 teams that would want David Ortiz in the lineup and we're one of them and I'm one of the guys who would definitely like to have him there."
Valentine called the hectic week a "whirlwind," as he wasted no time hitting the road after his introductory news conference on Thursday afternoon in Boston. He's also slated to head to Dallas for the winter meeting this week.
The new skipper also spoke to pitcher Tim Wakefield, another free agent, who was down in the D.R. to play in Ortiz's tournament.
Photo via AP/Chaz Niell
