THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 26, 1994 TAG: 9408260746
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 105 lines
Bobby Valentine did all he could to see his first season as manager of the Norfolk Tides through to the finish. It's not going to happen.
Valentine managed his last game of the season Thursday night. Still hampered by the effects of two recent bouts with the intestinal ailment diverticulitis, Valentine will leave Norfolk this morning for his home in Fort Worth, Texas, and plans on having elective surgery early next week.
Valentine was advised by his doctor in Texas to have the surgery following his latest battle with the debilitating condition two weeks ago when the Tides were in Columbus. But he recovered more quickly than expected and, despite his doctor's warnings, thought he could make it through the season by meticulously watching his diet.
But it has become obvious to him that another attack is threatening, Valentine said. He has been hospitalized three times for diverticulitis since last winter and another attack has the potential to be fatal if it leads to a burst intestine.
So Valentine, 44, will relent and have surgery, which will involve removal of a portion of his large intestine. He'll have tests beginning Saturday, with surgery probably to follow soon after. He expects to be hospitalized a week.
``The doctor thinks it's silly not to'' leave now, Valentine said. ``If it happens again, I'm in big trouble. If everything was normal, if I was healing great, then you watch what you eat and nothing gets stuck.''
That hasn't been the case. Diverticulitis is caused when food gets caught in pockets in the intestine and creates an infection. Stress apparently does not spark or amplify the condition.
The Tides will be managed by coach Marlin McPhail and pitching coach Bob Apodaca for their final nine games.
``I don't think he wants to leave, but it's best for him,'' McPhail said. ``He's already put the team ahead of himself a couple times. I really hope and pray that everything turns out well. I'd much rather see him be selective and choose the surgery rather than have it forced upon him and have to wear a colostomy for the rest of his life.''
Valentine, who managed the Texas Rangers from 1985 to 1992, entered his final game of his first Triple-A season Thursday with a 64-68 record. He is given credit by Tides' management for energizing the franchise with community activity and would be welcomed back next season, Tides president Ken Young said.
``He's been a real asset to us,'' Young said. ``Bobby didn't want to leave the club. But this is the best thing he can do, go back and get his health taken care of.
``We'd love to see him come back. And I think there's an excellent chance he will be back unless a major league manager's job presents itself. I think he likes the area and I know the area likes him.''
Bobby Valentine did all he could to see his first season as manager of the Norfolk Tides through to the finish. It's not going to happen.
Valentine managed his last game of the season Thursday night. Still hampered by the effects of two recent bouts with the intestinal ailment diverticulitis, Valentine will leave Norfolk this morning for his home in Fort Worth, Texas, and plans on having elective surgery early next week.
Valentine was advised by his doctor in Texas to have the surgery following his latest battle with the debilitating condition two weeks ago when the Tides were in Columbus. But he recovered more quickly than expected and, despite his doctor's warnings, thought he could make it through the season by meticulously watching his diet.
But it has become obvious to him that another attack is threatening, Valentine said.
He has been hospitalized three times for diverticulitis since last winter and another attack has the potential to be fatal if it leads to a burst intestine.
So Valentine, 44, will relent and have surgery, which will involve removal of a portion of his large intestine. He'll have tests beginning Saturday, with surgery probably to follow soon after. He expects to be hospitalized a week.
``The doctor thinks it's silly not to'' leave now, Valentine said. ``If it happens again, I'm in big trouble. If everything was normal, if I was healing great, then you watch what you eat and nothing gets stuck.''
That hasn't been the case. Diverticulitis is caused when food gets caught in pockets in the intestine and creates an infection. Stress apparently does not spark or amplify the condition.
The Tides will be managed by coach Marlin McPhail and pitching coach Bob Apodaca for their final nine games.
``I don't think he wants to leave, but it's best for him,'' McPhail said. ``He's already put the team ahead of himself a couple times. I really hope and pray that everything turns out well. I'd much rather see him be selective and choose the surgery rather than have it forced upon him and have to wear a colostomy for the rest of his life.''
Valentine, who managed the Texas Rangers from 1985 to 1992, finished his first Triple-A season with a 64-69 record, closing on a losing note when Ottawa defeated the Tides Thursday, 4-3 in 10 innings.
He is given credit by Tides' management for energizing the franchise with community activity and would be welcomed back next season, Tides president Ken Young said.
``He's been a real asset to us,'' Young said. ``Bobby didn't want to leave the club. But this is the best thing he can do, go back and get his health taken care of.
``We'd love to see him come back. And I think there's an excellent chance he will be back unless a major league manager's job presents itself. I think he likes the area and I know the area likes him.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
IAN MARTIN/Staff
Bobby Valentine takes a look around Harbor Park Thursday in his
final appearance of the season.
by CNB