Bobby Valentine's firing by TBS as a studio analyst for the upcoming MLB playoffs are directly related to criticisms he recently leveled against the New York Yankees organization. Valentine blasted the team's lack of community involvement in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Valentine charged earlier this week "you couldn't find a Yankee on the streets. You couldn't find a Yankee down at Ground Zero, talking to the guys who were working 24/7."
Valentine has since apologized for his comments, but many contend the damage has already been done. In the end, TBS moved to hire for former Cy Young winner Pedro Martinez to work the games.
Others speculate studio host Keith Olbermann's reluctance to work alongside Valentine had as much to do with TBS' ultimate decision as anything. "Let's just say Olbermann thought Valentine would be a bit of a challenge to work with," a source told the New York Daily News.
Since being fired as manager of the Boston Red Sox at the end of the 2012 season, Valentine has served as athletic director at Sacred Heart University while also dabbling in broadcasting. He also previously managed the New York Mets and Texas Rangers.
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