Sent to Valentine

Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter were dragged into the first Yankees-Red Sox stir of the year. Rodriguez had little patience for it. Jeter seemed bemused. And Bobby Valentine? The new Boston manager backed off some of the comments that started the flap in the first place. Valentine (pictured right) said Tuesday that Jeter didn’t need to make his famous flip-to-home relay during the 2001 playoffs. He also fondly recalled when Jason Varitek “beat up” Rodriguez during a 2004 confrontation. On Wednesday, Rodriguez laughed off the comments and ducked through a crowd of reporters. Jeter spoke longer, but didn’t say much. “Why are we talking about this, really?” Jeter said. “He must be bored over there, huh? I don’t understand.”

– Associated Press