Red Sox select Bobby Valentine as manager  —  Bobby Valentine is the choice of the Red Sox, emerging from a long and convoluted search to become the 45th manager in franchise history.  —  The 61-year-old was offered the job by general manager Ben Cherington according to Major League sources …

Kurkjian: Red Sox have a gem in Valentine  —  Red Sox's new manager will make them better ... and won't be boring … On the final day of the 1985 season, a young writer covering the Texas Rangers was raving about the ability of the team's rookie center fielder, Oddibe McDowell, predicting great things for him.

Reports: Red Sox hire Bobby Valentine  —  Nearly two months after parting with Terry Francona, the Red Sox finally have settled on a manager.  —  Bobby Valentine is the team's choice, according to several reports.  —  Valentine, the clear favorite of ownership, beat out the other finalist, Tigers third base coach Gene Lamont.

Slimmer Teixeira seeks improvement vs. righties  —  NEW YORK — Mark Teixeira says that he is already about 10 pounds lighter thanks to diet and exercise, but what the Yankees first baseman really wants to do is bulk up his batting average from the left side.

Walker up for enshrinement for second time  —  Expos, Rockies, Cards standout among top outfielders of his era … Not many Major Leaguers can claim status as a national baseball icon, a cornerstone for two franchises and a key veteran presence for a third, but Larry Walker has all that on his resume and more.