Valentine Shrugs Off Francona's 'PR' Remark

BOSTON (CBS) – New Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine did not have much to say regarding former manager Terry Francona's comment that called Valentine's recent ban of alcohol from the team's clubhouse "a PR move."

"It means that 20 teams are looking for PR and making good decisions," Valentine told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Jonny Miller from Fort Myers, Florida. "I don't have a comment."

On Saturday, Valentine banned alcohol from the Red Sox clubhouse as well as on the return home from a road trip. On Monday, Francona, who joined ESPN's Sunday night baseball crew after his departure from the Red Sox, told ESPN's Mike and Mike he felt that was all just a PR move after what happened last season.

"I think it's a PR move. I think if a guy wants a beer, he can probably get one," Francona said. "I don't think it's a surprise that they put this in effect, or the fact they announced it. It's probably more of a PR move just because, you know, the Red Sox [took] such a beating at the end of the year."

Valentine, who was an ESPN analyst before taking the Sox job, he knows the drill in the TV business.

"Remember you're getting paid over there for saying stuff; you're getting paid here to do stuff," he said.

Valentine said he has not received any negative feedback regarding the ban, but Josh Beckett recently expressed his displeasure at the way information came out about the clubhouse "activities" last season, even saying there are "snitches" in the clubhouse.

The new Sox manager is not sure if he will address that with the team.

"Teams are built on trust, right? And teamwork. They're probably the two most important things championship teams have. If there is distrust, I think it would eventually have to be addressed. My experience, those things usually present themselves," said Valentine.

Valentine said other players have also approached him about the same thing. And while there has been a lot of talk about "turning the page" from last season's disastrous ending, it will take some time before it is completely out of the team's system.

"I don't think I've turned the page on it, personally. I don't know if I ever said that, and if I did, give me the right to change my mind. You work through things, and time is a great healer, but it's not the only healer," he said. "If someone was burned in there, it's going to take some time for the sting to leave. It's probably going to take some actions too. I don't know if they have to be in a meeting form, caucusing, or small groups, big groups. As they say, usually they'll present themselves. And when they do, you'll find the true spirit."

"Saying 'forget it' is like saying 'relax.' Those words mean nothing. You have to learn. It takes breathing and confidence and all those wonderful things to relax. It takes time, and possibly, at times, apologies. But apologies come with actions."