Bobby Valentine, Carl Crawford Finally Have Long-Awaited Conversation to Clear the Air

by abournenesn

Jan 14, 2012

Bobby Valentine, Carl Crawford Finally Have Long-Awaited Conversation to Clear the AirBOSTON –– During December, Bobby Valentine routinely reached the voicemail. Each time the Red Sox manager attempted to dial up Carl Crawford, the efforts were to no avail.

A month later, Valentine's patience was rewarded. With general manager Ben Cherington and Crawford's agent on the line, Valentine finally reached the four-time All-Star over the past week.

"We talked a long time. It went good," Valentine said at the Jimmy Fund event on Saturday. "He seemed very determined and seemed very understanding of the fact things got spinning a little fast for him last year in a new environment. He seemed determined to correct that."

The conversation was highly anticipated after Valentine criticized Crawford's open stance during an ESPN telecast in August. Since the winter meetings, the Red Sox manager was intent on clearing the air with his left fielder.

With Valentine at the helm, Crawford will look to rebound from a lackluster 2011 season — his first in Boston after nine seasons in Tampa Bay — where he hit .255, swiped 18 bases and scored 65 numbers, all well below his average.

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