You must grant Bobby Valentine this: he understands the strong influence of persistence. When other managers would have interpreted an ejection as an excuse to leave the game early, he donned a disguise and waltzed back into the dugout. He didn’t actually waltz; you know what I mean. When most managers would have taken a firing and thrown their hands up in despair, he took his show to Japan. And when most Americans would have fled screaming after spending one week in Japan and seeing what perverts they all are (SFW), Valentine persevered, winning a title with the Chiba Lotte Marines.

(You can’t kick a guy out over having a moustache! That’s criminal!)

Ah, but success is a year-to-year status, and ol’ Bobby was recently informed that his contract would not be renewed by the Marines. Not quite a firing, not quite employment. Just, “thanks, that’s all we asked for, toodle-oo.” And Chiba fans are really, really not taking the news well.

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