Following one of the worst years in franchise history, the Boston Red Sox announced on Thursday that they have fired manager Bobby Valentine after just one season.
The move was expected when the team finished with a 69-93 record after starting the season with postseason expectations. The Red Sox dealt with numerous injuries and underperforming players, but the firing came down to the fact that Valentine never seemed to fit in with the culture of the team or the city.
"Our 2012 season was disappointing for many reasons," Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said to ESPNBoston.com. "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."
Adding insult to injury, the Red Sox were completely dominated on Wednesday night, losing to the rival New York Yankees 14-2 in the final game of the year.
It was tumultuous season for the team and for Valentine himself.
Valentine got started off on the wrong foot early in the year when he criticized veteran Kevin Youkilis on television in April. Valentine said: "I don't think he's as physically or emotionally into the game as he has been in the past for some reason."
It was just the first of many numerous issues Valentine had with his players and with the Boston media. He challenged one radio host to a fist fight after asking a rough question and continued to make comments that just added to the drama.
Prior to Boston's last game of the season, Valentine called out his coaches for being disloyal on WEEI radio, saying: "There's situation during the year I didn't think it was all for one or one for all, whatever it is," Valentine said. "I don't really remember specifically. ... It was just a feeling."
Former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, now an ESPN commentator, said what Valentine did was reprehensible.
"You played with teammates you didn't like, you played with teammates you didn't get along with," said Schilling on ESPN. "You never did this to a teammate in the media, no matter how bad they were, ever. I don't comprehend any of this."
The firing was an expected move, first reported on by baseball writer Jon Heyman at CBSSports.com.
Valentine was hired in December to replace manager Terry Francona, who was fired after the Red Sox collapsed in September, falling out of the playoffs after having a nine-game lead in the wild card race.
The team began 2012 as a playoff favorite, but quickly faded to the bottom of the AL East division. The team eventually gave up on the season, trading a crop of star players to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The teams moved $250 million in future contracts, trading first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, starting pitcher Josh Beckett and outfielder Carl Crawford to Los Angeles.
"With an historic number of injuries, Bobby was dealt a difficult hand," Cherington said. "He did the best he could under seriously adverse circumstances, and I am thankful to him."
According to ESPN.com, the Red Sox used 56 different players this season, a franchise record. Some of the players that missed time for the team included Carl Crawford, Andrew Bailey, David Ortiz, Jacoby Ellsbury and Will Middlebrooks.
"This year's won-loss record reflects a season of agony," Red Sox president Larry Lucchino said. "It begs for changes, some of which have already transpired. More will come. We are determined to fix that which is broken and return the Red Sox to the level of success we have experienced over the past decade."
Boston posted a .426 win percentage this season, the third lowest winning percentage in 70 years for the team. According to ESPN.com, the team went only 7-22 in September.
"I had every opportunity to succeed," Valentine said Wednesday afternoon before the game, "and didn't."
According to Boston.com, it's the first time since 1934 that the Red Sox have fired a manager after just one season.
"Difficult as it is to judge a manager amid a season that had an epidemic of injuries, we feel we need to make changes," said Lucchino. "Bobby leaves the Red Sox manager's office with our respect, gratitude, and affection. I have no doubt that he will continue to contribute to the game he loves so much and knows so well."
The team also said that they will begin the search for Valentine's replacement immediately.
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