Bobby Valentine: New York Mets Allowed Him to Be Just a Little 'Crazy'

In 1996, the New York Mets lost 91 games. With 31 games left in the season, Dallas Green was replaced as manager by Bobby Valentine.

In 1997, Valentine led the Mets to 88 wins. Under the man that claims he invented the wrap sandwich, the Mets challenged for the wild card. A new era of winning was beginning under Valentine.

Unlike the Mets of the late 1980s and early 1990s, the 1997 team had a reputation that was the opposite of their new manager. They were humble, likable and unselfish.

As the Texas Rangers manager from 1985-92, Valentine never made the playoffs. The Rangers were 581-605.

Valentine was not well-liked. Actually, many of his colleagues despised him. So did most of his players.

Valentine used to stand on the top step of the dugout with a tremendous grin on his face. His arms were folded as he watched the game.

"He comes across like he reinvented the game," a rival manager said via Sports Illustrated.  "I think it's his smile that drives people crazy."

While he was observing, Valentine would comment as events unfolded. He screamed at the opposing dugout after their pitcher threw one close to one of his hitters.

 "You're a gutless ass!" He would shout at an opposing slugger. "Swing a little harder, you f———a——-!"

He treated the umpires similarly.

During the 1993 World Series, Valentine met Frank Cashen and Joe McIlvane of the Mets. They interviewed him for the Tidewater Tides managerial position. He was hired.

Later, Steve Phillips asked Valentine if the stories about him had any validity.

"I asked him point-blank questions about stories I had heard about him," said Phillips. "He told me, 'I've grown up. I've learned from the mistakes I've made.' He told me there was a part of his résumé he wanted to finish off."

Valentine responded. "People said, 'The guy's never managed in the minor leagues.' I knew it would be very good to erase that black mark."

Valentine really did change. Mets hitting coach Tom Robson:

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"I would not use the word mellowed [to describe him], because the intensity is still there. But I've seen changes. He's less animated and less loud. I think it started in Japan. He'd go out to argue, and he had to have an interpreter with him. Things don't seem to bother him as much now."

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The Mets won 88 games again in 1998, and then in 1999 they won 97 and gained the wild card.  After making short shrift of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Randy Johnson, the Mets almost came back all the way against the Atlanta Braves.

After losing the first three games of the ALCS, the Mets won the next two. The Mets battled back from a five-run deficit in Game 6, took a one-run lead twice only to have the Braves tie them and finally lost when Kenny Rogers pitched.

Valentine brought the Mets back to being a National League force. The New York Yankees know what they'll be up against in 2012.