Waiting for Johnie V to come back and "Play Ball" When I was growing up watching the RedSox, I always thought that Shortstops were small and didn't hit very good. They were the SS because of there defensive skills. Luis Rivera was the RedSox shortstop at the time I had heard about a Rookie down at Pawtucket. He was suppose to be good, real good. A good hitter! "A Good hitter I thought? and a Shortstop? " I decided to check out the minor league games, and my first glimps of Val .. I couldnt believe what I was seeing.. The total package! He hit, he was very good at SS, and he was soon to come up to the RedSox.. I couldnt wait! I loved watching Val play SS over the years. but all of a sudden I started hearing of the new kid down on the farm.. some kid named Nomar. How could this be I thought, what do they want another SS for?? Well as history played out, Val was moved to 3rd, and adjusted very well. Memories of a  un-assited triple play, double after double, homeruns, just 100% everytime he was  in a game! When Val crumbled to the ground at 3rd last year from his knee injury my heart sunk. I felt so bad for him, because of his love for baseball. When I watched him play..you could see it in his eyes, the spark of a little boy playing baseball, the love of the game.. This was John Valentin to me. I am awaiting his return which should be shortly. He is getting his rehab at-bats in the minors. Here is a wonderfully funny story of "The most embaressing moment" By Val. I look so forward to his return. -webmaster Bruin12 My most Embarrassing Moment on the field By John Valentine During spring training of my rookie year the club went up to Baseball City to play the Royals. I had been told that I would be starting and that the game was to be televised. Oh my, I was so excited. I called my folks, brother, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, etc. and told everyone that I was playing and tune in. Just about every television set in Northern New Jersey was watching me. I was playing short when a ground ball was hit to me. It was a routine grounder; really a good one that I could handle with ease looking real cool in the process. I fielded the ball and made the toss to first. Since there were two outs I continued after the throw to trot back to the dugout feeling on top of the world. I could just hear Mom say, "That's my Johnny. Atta boy." When I got to the dugout, I finally looked up. You see, because I was on TV and a rookie, I was playing it super cool. You know, make the play and trot off the field. Maybe they would even show the play again in slo-mo. The only problem was that there was one out. Not only was I the only player trotting off the field, but the TV camera followed me all the way to the the top step. When I reached the dug out, there was no where to hide. Turning bright red, I turned around and trotted back to short. The KC crowd gave me a standing ovation. I wanted to replay the last:45 seconds of my life. I wanted to crawl under the turf and hide. Fortunately, no one ever said anything about it... not!

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