Red Sox Select Bobby Valentine, According to Reports [POLL]

Several media outlets are reporting that the Boston Red Sox have reached a verbal agreement with Bobby Valentine to be the team's 45th manager.

Mike Lynch of WCVB-TV tweeted the news. The Boston Globe also is reporting Valentine has been selected but that the deal has not yet been sealed, also citing the report from Lynch. ESPNBoston.com also reported the selection of Valentine.

Team officials have declined to comment, although have said a decision could be announced this week, according to reports.

Valentine, 61, is a Stamford native who played in the Major Leagues and coached the New York Mets as well as a team in Japan, where he apparently was attending a charity event Tuesday, according to reports.

Valentine has most recently served as an ESPN analyst and Stamford's director of public safety, health and welfare.

Detroit Tigers third-base coach Gene Lamont, 65, also was a finalist for the job, according to redsox.com. The position came open following the departure of longtime Red Sox coach Terry Francona after the team failed to make the playoffs.