Group linked to Valentine explored buying BayStars

I had kicked around the idea for a while now of Bobby V. coming to manage the BayStars after the 2009 season. It would be interesting to say the least.

It would have been a good idea. Yokohama does need some improvement and removing the current ownership would have been beneficial. It's a shame the idea was scuppered by the recession.

I've certainly kicked the idea of Bobby coming to Yokohama around as well. As mentioned in the article, I think that Valentine-kantoku can really create an amazing atmosphere in Yokohama, which has a great deal more potential for drawing than Makuhari Mesa.

The main problem that I see is that Bobby's personality will most definitely clash with Yokohama's front office. Don't get me wrong. Bobby's temperament has come a long way since the clashes with Hirooka-GM in 1995. You can see it in his handling of having all of his powers slowly stripped by Setoyama-president (a continuing insanity which I can only explain as Setoyama trying to force Bobby to quit early).

It's kind of early to start talking about the 2010 season. But Yokohama hiring Bobby next season seems to be a sure way for this city to beat the recession blues. I'm hoping that Yokohama's front office can overcome any possible misgivings of the potential clash of wills and not only hire Valentine-kantoku to lead the way to the Stars, but give him the power necessary to carry out the mission.