Bucs Dugout, a Pittsburgh Pirates community

Bobby V. blames Youkilis for all problems: "Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine placed the onus for his strained relationship with Kevin Youkilis on the former Boston infielder Sunday morning. "I think the comment I made early, he made a big issue out of, and I don't think he ever wanted to get over it," Valentine said in response to a question about Youkilis, who will return to Fenway Park on Monday as a member of the Chicago White Sox, the team to which he was traded June 24. Valentine was alluding to a comment he made to WHDH-TV's Joe Amorosino on April 15. "I don't think he's as physically or emotionally into the game as he has been in the past for some reason," Valentine told Amorosino. Youkilis responded angrily the next day, meeting with both Valentine and Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington. "I'm more confused than anything, because I think everyone knows I go out and play the game as hard as I can," Youkilis said at the time. But it was obvious the relationship never healed." The fact that the Red Sox hired Valentine points to an organization defect in that team.

"The Boston Red Sox have lost six of their past seven games, including a 4-3 loss to the Washington Nationals on Sunday afternoon at Fenway Park, and after the game the team's frustrations were evident when manager Bobby Valentine blamed the umpires."

"Bobby Valentine will become the 45th manager of the Boston Red Sox, sources close to the situation said Tuesday night."