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College to Host Former Major League Baseball Manager Bobby Valentine Jan. 20

Posted November 25, 2008

Bobby Valentine, one of the most colorful personalities in baseball, will speak at the Center for International Sport Business (CISB) Forum “For the Love of the Games” on January 20 at 7:00 p.m. in Sleith Hall. Valentine is a former Major League Baseball player and manager of the New York Mets and Texas Rangers. Since 2004 he has been the manager of Japan’s Chiba Lotte Marines.

The event is sponsored by CISB and underwritten in part by the Alumni Association, the Diversity Task Force, and Marketing and External Affairs. Past speakers in this program include Olympic long jump record holder Bob Beamon.

Best known for his managing prowess, Valentine landed his first post in 1985, at the age of 35, when he was hired by the Texas Rangers following a playing career that included stints with the California Angels, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, and Seattle Mariners. A year later he was named UPI American League Manager-of-the-Year.

In 1995, Valentine became the first American to manage in Japan’s Pacific League, leading the Chiba Lotte Marines to its first winning season in 13 years. Returning stateside to manage the New York Mets from 1996 to 2002, Valentine led the club to consecutive postseason appearances for the first time in team history, including the 2000 World Series.

Now in his second stint with the Marines, Valentine led his team to the championship of the 2005 Japan Series, and two weeks later, to victory in the Asia Series. Valentine is the first foreigner to receive the prestigious Shoriki Award, presented to the individual who has made the greatest contribution to Japanese baseball.

Valentine was featured in the ESPN documentary The Zen of Bobby V, which chronicled Valentine's 2007 baseball season on and off the field in Japan. Regarded as one of the most brilliant minds in baseball, Valentine's name is often mentioned when vacancies in MLB managers' positions occur.

For more information, call 413-782-1786 or email CISB Director Curt Hamakawa L’84.