Former Major League Baseball manager Bobby Valentine is under serious consideration to be President-elect Donald Trump's ambassador to Japan, WEEI radio in Boston reports.
The radio station says multiple sources confirm Valentine is on the short-list of candidate for the post and has had preliminary talks with Trump's transition team already. Valentine is currently athletic director for Sacred Heart University.
Valentine refused to comment on the report, according to the station.
Valentine managerial stints included the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox. The radio station reports he has known Trump since the early 1980s. A source reportedly told the WEEI Valentine's name for the post was first brought up by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
WEEI notes Valentine managed the Chiba Lotte Marines for seven years in Japan and is friendly with current Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The Hill notes Valentine was known as a colorful figure during his managing days.
While managing the Mets, Valentine was thrown out of the game by an umpire, but came back in the dugout disguised in glasses and phony mustache, according to the website.
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