Vote: What Grade Would You Give Bobby Valentine This Season?

by NESN Staff on Sun, Aug 19, 2012 at 6:50PM

Bobby Valentine arrived in Boston as a rather polarizing managerial choice. Nearly eight months later, he's still a polarizing skipper.

Most of the varying views stem from the Red Sox' struggles as a team and reports detailing clubhouse issues. The Sox enter Sunday's game against the Yankees at 59-62 — clearly a mark Boston fans didn't envision before the season began.

Usually when a team underachieves like the Red Sox have this season, a lot of blame is pinned on the manager. That's certainly the case when it comes to Valentine, but there are also those who give him a free pass because the players are the ones who've really turned this season into a disappointment.

In addition to underachieving players, outside blame and media scrutiny, Valentine has also had to deal with a barrage of injuries, which have plagued the Sox since Day 1. It seemed that, early on especially, the Red Sox have rarely been able to roll out the same lineup day to day. Instead, Valentine has had to mix and match, pick and choose, and toss and turn. Options have often been inconsistent, and that's ultimately been reflected in the team's performance on the field.

John Henry, Larry Lucchino and Ben Cherington have expressed their support for Valentine despite the controversies that have surrounded the team of late. Where do you stand on Bobby V's overall performance in his first season as Sox manager? The results haven't been there, but is he really to blame?

What grade would you give Bobby Valentine this season?