BOSTON — For a month and a half of spring training, JetBlue Park will be Bobby Valentine's new home.
The Red Sox manager made the trek to Fort Myers, Fla., last week to tour the $78 million facility before the Feb. 19 date for pitchers and catchers to report. JetBlue Park replaces City of Palms Park, the Red Sox' spring training venue over the past two decades.
After exploring the complex, Valentine raved about JetBlue Park's appearance at the Jimmy Fund event on Saturday.
"The facility looks great," Valentine said. "I'm sure it's going to be ready and I'm sure it's going to be a place where we'll get a lot of work done. Everyone should be proud of that. It's almost like a little tourist stop. It's really beautiful."
As Valentine surveyed the area, he also found Daisuke Matsuzaka, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and is likely to miss the first half of the season. The two exchanged New Year's pleasantries — in Japanese, of course — but Valentine left encouraged by the visit.
"He's doing really well," Valentine said. "He had a good look in his eye."
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