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Published on:

17th Jan 2026

Bobby Valentine: Texas Rangers, Mets, Red Sox Manager Tells All - Disguise, Japan & 9/11

Baseball Hall of Fame-caliber manager Bobby Valentine joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren for the premiere NHL Wraparound Celebrity Series episode. The former manager of the Texas Rangers (7 years), New York Mets (NL pennant), Boston Red Sox, and two-time champion in Japan shares a lifetime of stories. From playing for 17-year-old Lou Lamoriello in Cape Cod to the iconic 1999 mustache disguise, managing Mike Piazza's emotional 9/11 home run that healed New York, pioneering American success in Japanese baseball, teaching ballroom dancing exhibitions, and calling Shohei Ohtani the greatest athlete in a baseball uniform. Plus the 40-15 prediction he nailed exactly, George W. Bush partnership, Tommy Lasorda's influence, Sacred Heart University athletic director tenure, and philanthropic work with Special Olympics. This is Bobby Valentine uncensored.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome to NHL Wraparound Celebrity Series premiere with baseball legend Bobby Valentine

[01:00] - Fifth franchise: stepping outside hockey to learn from sports icons across disciplines

[02:00] - Bobby joins from Valentine Sports Academy in Stamford, Connecticut on exercise bike

[03:00] - 1994 Stanley Cup photo at Shea Stadium: Rangers or Devils cup with Doug Romano

[04:00] - Age 17: playing for Lou Lamoriello in Cape Cod League 1967

[05:00] - Lou's baseball background: Providence College coach, Pan-Am League player at 23-24

[06:00] - First-generation Italian parents: couldn't spell Cape Cod, Bobby spent summer in Yarmouth

[07:00] - Lou's discipline from day one: couldn't ride in trunk of car to road games

[08:00] - Baseball vs hockey management: everyday grind, respect of opposition and teammates

[09:00] - Accountability on ice same as diamond: only difference hockey players drink more (Canadian thing)

[10:00] - Texas Rangers: seven years as manager with George W. Bush as GM/owner

[11:00] - Bush made change 1992: "good idea, I was there long enough, time to move on"

[12:00] - Japanese GM's mission: finding first non-Japanese manager for professional league

[13:00] - Going to Japan: "right-eyed and bushy-tailed gonna teach everyone everything"

[14:00] - Learning while teaching: rewarding experience understanding Japanese baseball culture

[15:00] - Spectacular Japanese players: Ogasawara and others, closed society not up for change

[16:00] - Hideo Nomo: first real MLB player, threw no-hitter when Bobby won championship

[17:00] - Cross-section working: 1934 Babe Ruth/Lou Gehrig exhibition to modern day

[18:00] - Cooperstown Hall of Fame: Ichiro Suzuki induction, US-Japan baseball exhibit

[19:00] - Shohei Ohtani: best athlete in baseball uniform ever seen, either side of Pacific Ocean

[20:00] - 2006 draft: wanted two-way player, first baseman/pitcher threw 95 mph, drank beer instead

[21:00] - What Ohtani's doing is really tough: unprecedented two-way excellence

[22:00] - Chiba Lotte Marines: attendance doubled, hosting ballroom dancing classes

[23:00] - International ballroom dance champion: teaching chacha to community before games

[24:00] - Exhibition in tuxedo with partner: full ballroom dress on field before national anthem

[25:00] - Changed costumes during anthem, came out to manage game immediately after

[26:00] - 2005 return to Japan: bringing American fan-friendly atmosphere post-1995 MLB strike

[27:00] - Kids running bases, autograph sessions: opening up Japanese baseball culture

[28:00] - June 1999 Mets: eight-game losing streak, GM fired three coaches instead of addressing players

[29:00] - Predicted 40-15 in next 55 games or would quit: media ready to hold feet to fire

[30:00] - Catcher's balk: Mike Piazza stepped outside box before Pat Mahomes (Patrick's father) released

[31:00] - Randy Marsh call: read about it for years, never seen it called until that moment

[32:00] - "You can't throw me out for what I'm thinking, can you?" - told him anyway, ejected

[33:00] - Real shit show: GM's moves, pressure from media and New York

[34:00] - Players came to clubhouse: "Coaches don't know who's in bullpen, win this for us"

[35:00] - Famous disguise: glasses, hat, t-shirt from players, mustache Bobby's idea

[36:00] - Eye black stickers: one here, one there, Robin Ventura "oh they'll never know"

[37:00] - $10,000 fine and three-game suspension later: "I realized they knew"

[38:00] - Oral Hershiser protecting from top step: third base camera caught angle into dugout

[39:00] - Announcer: "Oh look, there's Bobby Valentine in disguise" - not disguise if he knew

[40:00] - After 54 games: 39-15, reporter hoping for last game, won to make it exactly 40-15

[41:00] - Joe Namath Super Bowl prediction gets credit: "greatest prediction ever, I hit right on"

[42:00] - 24 years since 9/11: both Neil and Bobby living in New York during attack

[43:00] - Great moments in New York sports: Reggie Jackson three homers, Joe Namath Jets

[44:00] - September 21, 2001: first Mets home game 10 days after 9/11 attack

[45:00] - Metal detectors at ballgames and airports: everyone worried, scared, nation attacked

[46:00] - George W. Bush struggling: thought baseball opening back up in NYC proper

[47:00] - Atlanta Braves convinced to come from safe haven to "wild wild East" in New York

[48:00] - Ceremony put together haphazardly but extremely well by city and Mets

[49:00] - Mike Piazza two-run home run bottom eighth: superhero for good guys over bad guys

[50:00] - Frowns turned upside down: crying, hugging, getting back to normal

[51:00] - Moment that turned tide: healing still ongoing but began process for city and country

[52:00] - 20th anniversary: Joe Torre and Bobby throwing first pitch to fire/police commissioners

[53:00] - "We will never forget": commemorative events reminding people

[54:00] - Philanthropist: 100+ charity events as auctioneer or organizer

[55:00] - Special Olympics Connecticut: creative fundraiser arrested and held for bail

[56:00] - Bail set high, money raised, lives changed through donations

[57:00] - Parents instilled giving back: worked church fairs, gave time, love and energy

[58:00] - Tommy Lasorda: charity man personified, raised money for different causes

[59:00] - Following in Lasorda's footsteps: learning from Dodgers legend

[01:00:00] - Two restaurants in Connecticut: Stamford hometown, Windsor Locks near Bradley International

[01:01:00] - Sacred Heart University: Bobby Valentine Athletic Center, raised money for naming

[01:02:00] - Sports academy started 1977: little baseball school teaching kids game and life

[01:03:00] - Evolved to 40,000 square feet: soccer, baseball, lacrosse taught daily

[01:04:00] - Great people surrounding himself: passing on knowledge to next generation

[01:05:00] - Neil: "one of most interesting people I've ever met" - learning outside hockey world

[01:06:00] - Wonderful night in Anaheim with Bill Carroll: honor to host Bobby Valentine

[01:07:00] - Bobby at Mets-Angels game Citi Field: Bill Carroll attending as guest today

[01:08:00] - Vic: stepping out of comfort zone into celebrity realm, Bobby's storytelling outstanding

[01:09:00] - Neil: fascinating sports individual, baseball icon, learned so much

[01:10:00] - More celebrity episodes coming: actors, performers, different sports icons

[01:11:00] - Summer coolers franchise: tentative drop dates August 20, 22, 25, 27

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #BobbyValentine #CelebritySeries #NewYorkMets #TexasRangers #BostonRedSox #Japan #ChibaLotteMarines #BaseballLegend #ManagerOfTheYear #1999Disguise #MustacheDisguise #MikePiazza #911Memorial #September11 #ShoheiOhtani #IchiroSuzuki #LouLamoriello #NewJerseyDevils #GeorgeWBush #TommyLasorda #JoeTorre #RandyMarsh #CatchersBalk #RobinVentura #OralHershiser #PatMahomes #PatrickMahomes #AtlantaBraves #HideoNomo #BallroomDancing #InternationalDanceChampion #SacredHeartUniversity #StamfordConnecticut #ValentineSportsAcademy #Philanthropy #SpecialOlympics #BaseballHallOfFame #Cooperstown #MLBHistory #JapaneseBaseball #NPB #CapeCodLeague #ProvidenceCollege #DougRomano #BillCarroll #StanleyCup #CrossSportLearning





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About the Podcast

NHL Wraparound Podcast
Neil Smith & Vic Morren
Breadth and depth.
Contemporary and historical.
Straight-forward and experienced.
The NHL Wraparound podcast features Neil Smith, President-General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers and longtime ESPN/NHL veteran Vic Morren sharing no-nonsense opinions on news and issues around the National Hockey League.

Bringing decades of experience from their respective fields, Smith and Morren create a unique partnership that examines the NHL from multiple perspectives. Additionally, as hockey historians, the pair can delve into any topic in today’s game and enlighten the audience with connections to events from previous years. To truly appreciate where hockey stands today, one needs to understand its past.

With 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of the Rangers last championship season, a special five-part series is planned to commemorate that magical run. Expect fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and special guests with particular focus on the GM who pushed all of his chips into the middle of the table amidst the most pressurized environments – and came out on top.

Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned fan, each episode of NHL Wraparound will leave you entertained and informed.


Bio’s
Neil S. Smith, highly regarded NHL executive, served as the President and General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers. During his eleven years with the team, they achieved significant success, including three division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies, one Eastern Conference Championship, and a historic Stanley Cup victory—the franchise’s first in 54 years.

Known for his expertise in professional sports franchise economics, Smith played a pivotal role in management decisions under four different Rangers owners.. His tenure saw iconic trades and acquisitions, including Hall of Famers Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky, as well as successful drafts and free-agent signings.

Starting as a pro scout, Smith's career highlights include the impactful 1989 draft for the Detroit Red Wings and bold trades that shaped NHL history. He briefly served as GM for the New York Islanders in 2006, later working as a consultant for the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

A Toronto native, Smith's hockey journey began in junior leagues before a distinguished college career at Western Michigan University. He has received numerous awards and distinctions, including induction into the University's Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.

Vic Morren: Born in New York City close to the Old Madison Square Garden, Vic Morren has had hockey in his blood his entire life as a fan, player and television production manager.

A graduate of William Paterson University, Morren skated for three seasons with the Pioneers hockey club and became the first statistical analyst to apply his craft to telecasts working New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils games from 1984-87. He co-authored two NHL-based statistics books within that span before moving to ESPN in 1987 and working the final season of the original deal the network had with the NHL.
After departing in 1990, Morren worked as a studio producer for SportsChannel America’s NHL coverage and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics before returning to ESPN that fall where he worked all 12 seasons on the second ESPN/NHL deal and the first season of the most recent contract in 2021-22. Morren has also earned a Sports Emmy for his work on Sunday Night Football coverage in 2003.

His relationship with Neil Smith dates back 33 years through their mutual friendship with the late ESPN/ABC commentator John Saunders. Morren looks forward to NHL Wraparound and collaborating with Smith with the goal to provide an experience of contemporary viewpoints, historical spin and an overall enriching podcast experience.