Levine is an ex-broadcaster for the Orioles, Mariners, and Padres, having partnered with the likes of Jon Miller and Dave Niehaus in his time in the booth. He is also a very accomplished television and film writer. His movie credits include the film Volunteeres, and he has worked in a major way on some of television’s biggest shows, including M*A*S*H*, Cheers, and Frasier. Levine also wrote the famous Simpsons episode “Dancin’ Homer”.

Wow, that's kind of an interesting story right there. Volunteers is kind of an underrated Tom Hanks comedy IMO and the Dancin' Homer episode is brilliant.

I wonder what the movie was about? I bet it was a Jean-Claude Van Damme vehicle.

Ken Levine's Blog is actually quite good reading.

When I was announcing for the Orioles I once got thrown out of Bobby Valentine’s office for asking tough questions. He was then the manager of the Texas Rangers. Fifteen minutes later I was summoned back, obviously to receive an apology. No. He had heard I was a writer and pitched me a movie. Try not to be an ####### first.

That is flipping hilarious.

This is a good story.

Wow, that's kind of an interesting story right there. Volunteers is kind of an underrated Tom Hanks comedy IMO and the Dancin' Homer episode is brilliant.

"My God..we must be a mile from the sun."

"My God..we must be a mile from the sun."

There are few movie lines I've repeated as often as that one.

He had heard I was a writer and pitched me a movie.

"...so then, the old lady says, 'I don't have a daughter. My daughter died fifteen years ago!'"

He had heard I was a writer and pitched me a movie

"...so then, the old lady says, "Yeah, stud, I ordered that pizza. And you look like you could use a massage..."

I don’t know if Valentine is the right fit for the Red Sox in 2012, but I absolutely hope that they hire him.

That kind of line never comes from a fan of whatever team might be doing said hiring. I too would like to see the shape, size and color of fireball that a Boston hiring would end in, but I'm not a Boston fan either. Are there any Red Sox fans out there that would like to see The Smartest Man In Bobby Valentine's Office manage them in 2102?

EDIT: How about 2012? Anyone want to see him next year?

Anyone want to see him next year?

Darren and Mikael were both generally positive toward a Valentine hire, and others have expressed acceptance. I've probably been the most vocal anti-Bobby Sox fan here.

That kind of line never comes from a fan of whatever team might be doing said hiring.

I'd say it in a heartbeat about Valentine and the Mets.

I wonder what the movie was about? I bet it was a Jean-Claude Van Damme vehicle.

I don't see Van Damme as a viable candidate to play a tough but sensitive baseball manager that overcomes adversity to win it all, repairing his marriage and learning a valuable lesson in the process. Dolph Lundgren on the other hand...

The movie was Citizen Kane, as told from Tommy Lasorda's point of view.

That kind of line never comes from a fan of whatever team might be doing said hiring. I too would like to see the shape, size and color of fireball that a Boston hiring would end in, but I'm not a Boston fan either. Are there any Red Sox fans out there that would like to see The Smartest Man In Bobby Valentine's Office manage them in 2102?

I'm not a fan of his hiring but I was probably as big a Francona fan as there was around here. I would much rather Bobby to Gene LaMont but I'd prefer a guy like Lovello/Alomar.

One thing that doesn't seem to be in doubt is his tactical ability and obviously he has experience at dealing with a high intensity media/fanbase. I think the worst case is he loses the clubhouse pretty quickly and the Sox go back to a Francona model. There is a part of me that thinks a guy on a short term like Valentine presumably would be makes sense. You're following a guy who ultimately was popular in pretty much all corners (players, management, fans, media) so the new guy is going to be held to a pretty high standard that Tito set. If he succeeds, great, if he fails, you set things up for whoever follows to be well received.

Why would an announcer be asking "tough questions"? Who is he, Stuttering John?

Dolph Lundgren on the other hand...

Based on this clip, he can definitely do tough and sensitive.

Has anyone seen The Zen of Bobby V?

I saw parts of it. I love the part where he is on the streets of Tokyo passing out tickets.

obviously he has experience at dealing with a high intensity media/fanbase.

I wish I could remember where I read it, but at least one columnist made reference to his lackluster media performance while in Boston for an interview. So I'm not entirely sure that this holds up.

Edit: I guess it's indisputable that he has the experience, the question is whether he's good at it.

... and that's how it ends." Bobby smiled. My face was twisted with disgust.
"Jesus, Bobby, what are you planning to call this movie?"
"The Aristocrats!"

Why would an announcer be asking "tough questions"? Who is he, Stuttering John?

It's been a while since I've heard Ken Levine on the radio, but as I recall he has a voice made for silent movies.

The movie was Citizen Kane, as told from Tommy Lasorda's point of view.

Rosebud was a pierogi!

Darren and Mikael were both generally positive toward a Valentine hire, and others have expressed acceptance. I've probably been the most vocal anti-Bobby Sox fan here.

But what does Kevin think?

...speaking of Dolf Lundgren, I hope Valentine's movie pitch was something like Dennis Reynolds' pitch on Always Sunny a few seasons back.

Try Not To Be An ####### First doesn't sound like a good name for a movie.

The movie was Citizen Kane, as told from Tommy Lasorda's point of view.

"What did I think of Susan's performance??!!!"

Rosebud was a pierogi!

I LOL'ed.

What did I think of Susan Alexander's performance? Jee-sus Christ. It was horseshit, that's what. Jee-sus Christ. Susan Alexander's performance? I don't give a fuck. That's right. Go put THAT in your paper, Jedediah.