Valentine: Francona's visit with Sox players OK

NEW YORK (AP) - Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine had no problem with Terry Francona visiting Boston players in the team's clubhouse at Yankee Stadium.

Francona, who managed the Red Sox from 2004-11, chatted with several players in the locker room before Saturday's game against the New York Yankees while preparing for his job as a broadcaster for Sunday night's game on ESPN. Francona and the Red Sox parted ways last fall after the club's September collapse, and he was replaced by Valentine.

"I didn't think it was any big deal," Valentine said. "I didn't see it. I wasn't there partaking in the conversation, but what's the big deal?"

MLB.com reported that Francona apologized to Valentine in a text message, though Valentine said it wasn't necessary. Francona declined to comment.

During his pregame session with reporters on Sunday, Valentine was asked if he and Francona discussed the situation.

"Oh, I yelled at him as soon as he came into my office and said, 'Don't ever do that again,'" Valentine joked. "No, I said, 'Hey, how you doing?' And we didn't bring it up."

Cox Media Group