Valentine disappointed with own performance

NEW YORK (AP) - With the Red Sox far from first place and their chances of reaching the playoffs slim, Bobby Valentine says he is disappointed with his performance.

Hired as manager in fall 2011 when Terry Francona left after a 7-20 fade, Valentine's team entered Saturday 13½ games behind the AL East-leading Yankees and 6½ games out in the wild-card race.

"I'm not doing a good job. I didn't get paid to do anything other than get to the playoffs, win a lot of games, be in the thick in things right down to the end, even be in first place," Valentine said. "The team I'm managing is not there. Simple. So my job has not been a good job, if I had to assess."

Boston hasn't been above third place all season. Twenty-six players have gone on the disabled list, the most for any team since at least 1987, according to STATS LLC.

Valentine, who has a contract running through next season, said it's hard to tell whether the repeated turmoil caused by losing is weighing on the team.

"It's my first year. Everyone tells me it's standard operational procedure. Life in the big city or the - it's not the big city."

"Province?" a reporter suggested.

"Provincial town," Valentine said.

Asked how he keeps players' spirits up, Valentine responded: "Tell a few jokes. We made sure that the eggs were served properly this morning in the breakfast room."

"These guys are pro guys. They're supposed to be down. When you lose, you're not supposed to be happy," he said. "I don't want anybody to think it's a good thing."

Cox Media Group