As it turns out, Bobby Valentine isn't the only (heretofore) stealth candidate for the Red Sox managerial post.
According to an industry source, the list of candidates who interest the Red Sox goes well beyond the five who've they've brought to Boston and introduced publicly in post-interview media availabilities.
Beyond Torey Lovullo, Gene Lamont, Pete Mackanin, Sandy Alomar Jr. and Dale Sveum, the latter of whom was hired by the Chicago Cubs Thursday, the Red Sox have held secret interviews with at least one other candidate.
Mackanin was eliminated from consideration Wednesday.
The Sox have tried to make the process as transparent as possible, releasing the names and timing of scheduled interviews days in advance, while also taking advantage of the media availabilities to observe how candidates deal with the media.
But some interviews have been conducted more privately, though an industry source stressed that no current major league managers are candidates for the position.
"Some people," said a baseball source, "don't want their name out there."
Boston Red Sox
In recognition of that, the Sox haven't fully disclosed the name of every candidate interviewed.
Valentine, who is under contract with ESPN, has had several interviews for managerial openings in the last few years, including two dalliances with the Florida Marlins. He also interviewed with the Milwaukee Brewers before the Brewers hired Ron Roenicke.
Valentine met with both general manager Ben Cherington and team president and CEO Larry Lucchino "weeks ago," said an industry source and has subsequently had at least one other meeting with team officials.
Another candidate had front-office experience with a National League team.
Additionally, the Sox were rebuffed in seeking permission to speak to several other candidates.
It's known that the Sox were highly interested in hiring Toronto Blue Jays manager -- and former Red Sox pitching coach --- John Farrell before running into roadblocks over compensation. Eventually, the process fell apart when the Blue Jays made it club policy to not allow personnel under contract to make a lateral move to another organization.
It's possible, too, that the Red Sox were denied permission to speak with New York Yankees bench coach Tony Pena. Pena, who managed in Kansas City and once played for the Sox, would seem to fit many of the Sox' qualifications, but the Yankees may have turned down the request out of fear of a former coach taking important information with him to manage the Yanks' main rival.