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President-Elect Trump considering former Mets manager Bobby Valentine as ambassador to Japan

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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President-Elect Donald Trump is considering former Mets Manager Bobby V for ambassador to Japan.

Oh.

So disclaimer, I’m currently in London and writing this from across the pond and when I first saw the tweets about this I thought it was a joke. Then I saw the New York Post article entitled “Trump considering Bobby Valentine for ambassador to Japan” and well, it wasn’t a joke anymore evidently.

According to WEEI Radio in Boston, the beloved former Mets manager is on the short list for the diplomatic post. He actually has a chance of being the ambassador to Japan?

Additionally,  WEEI Radio goes on to state that Valentine has actually had conversations with trump’s transition team.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie made the suggestion of Valentine holding this position.

Well, what’s the connection between Bobby V and Japan? The University of Southern California. That’s right, both Valentine and Shinzo Abe, the Japanese Prime Minister attended the University of Southern California. Additionally, Valentine managed the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan’s Pacific League for six seasons after managing the Mets. He even led them to a championship.

On top of these connections to Japan, Valentine has also worked with Linda McMahon. If you haven’t heard, she was recently chosen by the president-elect to run the Small Business Association.

Valentine was the manager of the New York Mets from 1996-2002, a majority of my childhood. He’s best known (well, at least in my eyes) for coming out in “disguise” after he stuck up for Mike Piazza getting ejected and he himself ended up getting ejected as well.

I was fortunate to meet Valentine earlier this year at The National Italian American Foundation’s Gala where Piazza was honored. How do I feel about him in this diplomatic position? Well, that’s not for me to say, but to just sit here and watch. It’s an interesting choice though isn’t it?

Valentine currently serves as the athletics director for Sacred Heart University.

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