Who would've thought the Red Sox would've smeared themselves all over the off-season with the ousting of Francona, the departure of Theo Epstein, and the various sundry stories coming out of a rudderless clubhouse? We've seen a ton of reactions to the Bobby V hiring, most of which range somewhere around "here comes the circus." Doesn't sound like this spectacle is ending soon, does it?

• Thoughts On Bobby Valentine, From Those Familiar - Over the Monster
  "Bobby Valentine is the new manager of the Red Sox, and that's a good thing, even if you're a fan of advanced metrics."
• Red Sox had told players that they would not hire someone like Bobby Valentine - WEEI
  "According to multiple industry sources, after the Red Sox parted ways with Terry Francona after the season, Red Sox officials told at least one player that the team had no plans to hire "someone like Bobby Valentine." The implication was that the team did not anticipate hiring a manager who ran counter to the mold of a so-called player’s manager such as Francona, who typically tried to keep clubhouse matters in house."
• Thoughts on Bobby V and the Red Sox - Jim Donaldson | Providence Journal
  "The only thing that matters is that, after finishing in third place in the A.L. East the past two seasons, despite having one of the highest payrolls in MLB, the Sox return to postseason play in 2012."

• Kevin Millar on M&M: Bobby Valentine has to ‘create some kind of fear’ in players - WEEI
  "It has been speculated that Valentine’s more hard-line approach toward players will be difficult for some of the Red Sox to adjust to after playing for Terry Francona. Millar said that while Valentine’s personality can hurt him, he might have changed since last managing in the MLB in 2002."
• On Managers And Bobby V - Over the Monster
  What kind of impact can a manager have on a team? We might be about to find out.
• Bobby Valentine to Manage Boston Red Sox - MLB Daily Dish
  The interesting story from this is the power struggle with Red Sox president Larry Lucchino and newly named general manager Ben Charington. It seemed obvious that Charington wanted Dale Sveum before he went to the Chicago Cubs, but Lucchino insisted on interviewing more candidates, and Valentine seemed like his guy all along. And as principal John Henry recently said, "Larry Lucchino runs the Red Sox."
• Red Sox choose Bobby Valentine - BostonHerald.com
  A friend of president and CEO Larry Lucchino, Valentine will also likely have to deal with grumbling from some quarters that he is Lucchino’s pick rather than Cherington’s. Both the general manager and manager can be expected to work hard at dispensing with that perception immediately.
• Boston Red Sox hire Bobby Valentine as new manager - MLB News | FOX Sports on MSN
  "The AL East will now feature a number of high-powered managers. Valentine joins the Yankees’ Joe Girardi, Rays’ Joe Maddon, Orioles’ Buck Showalter and Blue Jays’ John Farrell in the division."
• Lamont Wasn't Told He Wasn't Selected - USA TODAY
  Lamont said he has not heard from the Red Sox. "I've just been hearing what's reported out there," he said. "I really haven't heard anything. Not much else to say.'' << at least one tweet yesterday described this non-call as "completely classless." I tend to fall on the side of "it's business." I could be wrong.