Bobby Valentine fired after one season as Red Sox manager

Bobby Valentine was fired by the Boston Red Sox on Thursday after going 69-93 in his only season as the team’s manager.

Valentine, who led the New York Mets to the National League pennant in 2000, was brought in during the off-season after former manager Terry Francona lost control of the clubhouse as the Red Sox fell out of the playoff race down the stretch last season.

But the 62-year-old baseball veteran wasn’t able to right the ship.

“Our 2012 season was disappointing for many reasons,” General Manager Ben Cherington said. “No single issue is the reason, and no single individual is to blame. We’ve been making personnel changes since August, and we will continue to do so as we build a contending club. With an historic number of injuries, Bobby was dealt a difficult hand. He did the best he could under seriously adverse circumstances, and I am thankful to him.”

Valentine and his candid nature never seemed to catch on in Boston. Just nine games into the season, he criticized third baseman Kevin Youkilis on television. Youkilis was not happy and teammate Dustin Pedroia said of Valentine’s actions, “That’s not the way we do things here.”

Youkilis was traded to the Chicago White Sox in June.

Amid rumors of his pending firing before the season finale Wednesday, Valentine said that he regretted his comments about Youkilis. But he also said he had been undermined by some of his coaches during the season.

Still, Valentine said Wednesday he had no regrets about taking the job.

“It’s a great life experience,” Valentine said. “That’s what life is. It wasn’t always an enjoyable experience, but it’s been great. One I’ll look back on and I’m sure I’ve learned from.”

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