Brian Cashman Challenges Bobby Valentine to Rappel Down the Side of a 22-Story Building

It has been a tremendously busy few weeks for Bobby Valentine, who was finally introduced as the next manager of the Boston Red Sox on Thursday.  Brian Cashman wants to make it busier.  Now that Valentine has become opponent No. 1, Cashman decided to issue the first public challenge to the new leader of the BoSox.  The event: rappelling.

According to the NY Daily News, there is an annual tradition in Valentine’s hometown of Stamford, Conn. called “Heights of Lights” that involves rappelling down the side of a 22-story building among other standard holiday traditions.  Cashman, an annual participant, has challenged Stamford’s own to join him.

“I publicly challenge Bobby Valentine to join me on the building,” Cashman said Friday morning while he was practicing for the event. “Landmark Square, first week of December. Be there. 2012.”

Cashman also added the standard opponent’s praise of Valentine, saying that he is not thrilled to see him in the opposing dugout because he knows what he is capable of.  Before long, the two of them — along with Ben Cherington and Joe Girardi — will be engaging in offseason battles to acquire new players and playing mind games along the way.  But for right now, nothing says “I’m the bigger man” like making your way down a 22-story building with a harness and some rope.

Fist pound to the USA Today’s Game On! for sharing the story.