BOSTON -- In his pregame session with the media Monday afternoon, Bobby Valentine was quizzed about increasing calls on talk radio and print columns for his firing.
I didnt read the paper or listen to the radio, Valentine said. Thanks for telling me about all that good news. Not going to comment on things that are written and said in the radio.
Asked if it was unfair, Valentine responded:
I dont know what it means. I just come to work, try to do the best that I can do. I cant control thought process, thats for sure.
Valentine was asked if he would like a vote of confidence.Im not in that space, he said. Im thinking about the game tonight.
Asked if he thought he was managing for his job, Valentine replied:
I have no idea. I manage for my job every day, I think. I try to give my best every day that I come out. And were on a winning streak now. So I kind of like that.
Valentine managed the Rangers and Mets previously. He was asked if he thought there was more pressure to win in Boston than in other cities.
I think pressure is that thing that you put on yourself when youre unprepared. I think that Ive been prepared every day. So Im prepared today for whatever happens. I dont know about pressure. I have great expectations when I wake up every day of my life.
Asked how he thought the players responded to his style, Valentine replied:
I dont know what my style is. I think that all the players are having a good season, and a lot of them have responded pretty well. And the guys who arent doing that well I guess you would say they havent responded so well. I would guess.
This is Valentines first season managing the Red Sox and first season managing since 2002, with the Mets. He said he believes hes adapted.
Yeah, sure, I think I adjust every day, he said. Ten years, 15 years ago? Absolutely. Those are like dark ages. Ten years ago, Im trying to think of what that was. Absolutely. Its silly to think that you dont evolve and change. Unless youre dead. But then you still decay because its the only thing that everyone does. They do it at the same time. They always do it. Right? Get older, huh. Dead people do that.
Asked if he was surprised by the speculation concerning his job status, Valentine replied:
I try not to be surprised. Its the thing I hate the most in life.
Having been through it before, he is prepared for it.
I would think, yeah, he said. Comes with the territory.
Valentine met with principal owner after Saturdays night loss to the Twins.
He wanted to come in and say it was a tough loss, which it was.
Beyond that, Valentine did not want to get into the specifics of the meeting.
Its not polite to say its none of your business, he said. So Ill try to be polite and not say that.