Stamford Scores And Standings: Dec. 1

Editor's Note: Send any write-ups on youth or recreational games in your town to michaeld+sports@patch.com

The Boston Red Sox officially will introduce Stamford's Bobby Valentine as their next manager during a news conference on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Fenway Park.

The hiring comes a little more than two months after the Red Sox elected not to exercise their two-year contract on Terry Francona, who guided Boston to a pair of World Series titles in his eight seasons, including the victory in 2004 that end an 86-year-old drought for the "Olde Towne Team."  

However, Francona managed the Red Sox to a 7-20 record over the final month of last season when Boston completed the greatest September collapse in major league history to miss the playoffs. Boston held a nine-game lead in the wild card race on Sept. 3

There were reports that things had gotten too lax under the easy-going Francona, and the no-nonsense Valentine will be seen as a disciplinarian coming aboard to tighten the reigns.

Still, the move apparently has not been universally well-received by the Boston players. Before Valentine was named, A source told ESPNBoston.com that "they're going to have a mess on their hands" if Valentine was hired.

ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reported Wednesday that sources have said that "some Red Sox players have been upset" with Valentine becoming the manager.

With a strong personality, Valentine occasionally bristled with the media in New York when he managed the Mets, so there is always the potential for fireworks with the demanding Boston writers.

Of course, at 61, Valentine is older and hasn't managed in the majors since 2002.  Most recently, Valentine has worked as a baseball analyst for ESPN.

He also enjoyed a successful managerial stint with the Chiba Lotte Mariners, winning a Japanese championship in 2005.

Valentine spent eight seasons as the manager of the Texas Rangers from 1986-1992, then managed the Mets from 1996-2002, leading them to the playoffs in 1999 and 2000, when they lost to the Yankees in the last "Subway Series."

Valentine has a career managerial record of 1,117-1072 over 15 seasons in the major leagues. His presence in the dugout certainly will add spice to the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry.

Preseason scrimmage schedule for Stamford high school teams:

Boys basketball

Westhill

Dec. 5 -- at Wilbur Cross, 5 p.m.

Dec. 8 -- at Stratford, 6 p.m.

Dec. 12 -- vs. Kolbe-Cathedral, 6 p.m.

Trinity Catholic

Saturday -- vs. Shelton, 2 p.m.

Dec.5 -- vs. Greenwich, 3 p.m.

Dec. 7 -- at Career Magnet, 3 p.m.

Dec. 10 -- at Fairfield Prep, 3 p.m.

Girls basketball

Westhill

Thursday -- at Immaculate,4 p.m.

Saturday -- at Wamogo Jamboree, 9:50 p.m.

Trinity Catholic

Friday -- at Weston, 3:30 p.m.

Dec. 4 -- at Immaculate, 4 p.m.

Boys hockey

Stamford

Saturday -- vs. Fairfield Warde/Ludlowe, 7:30 p.m., at Wonderland of Ice

Monday -- vs. Notre Dame-Fairfield, 6 p.m., at Milford Ice Pavilion

Dec. 7 -- vs. North Haven, 6:40 p.m., at Terry Conners Rink

Dec. 10 -- Stamford Jamboree, 4 p.m., at Terry Conners Rink

Westhill

Dec. 7 -- vs Newtown, 7:30 p.m., at Danbury Ice Arena

Dec. 9 -- vs. Notre Dame-Fairfield, 8 p.m., at Milford Ice Arena

Dec. 10 -- Stamford Jamboree, 4 p.m., at Terry Conners Rink

Trinity Catholic

Dec. 7 -- vs. Notre Dame-Fairfield, 8 p.m., at Milford Ice Pavilion

Dec. 10 -- Stamford Jamboree, 4 p.m., at Terry Conners Rink

GIRLS HOCKEY

Stamford

Saturday -- at Shelton Jamboree, 4:15 p.m., at Shelton Rinks

WEDNESDAY'S RESULTS

No games scheduled

THURSDAY'S SCHEDULE

No games scheduled

STANDINGS

• Football

283-347

• Boys soccer

• Girls soccer

Field hockey

Girls volleyball