Sacred Heart University Athletic Director Bobby Valentine has officially announced that he will run to become the next mayor of Stamford, Connecticut. The 70-year-old university leader made the announcement via social media on Friday.
“The greatest commodity I have is my time, and I want to give my time and my energy and my wherewithal back to the city that has given me so much over my lifetime,” he said.
The Sacred Heart University athletic director is a Connecticut native who grew up in Stamford. After dominating the state in three sports, he went on to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Proving to be a talented shortstop and second baseman, he played ten seasons for the New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners.
Once his playing career was finished, he remained a fixture in the game of baseball. He worked as the manager for the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets. Today, he works with young athletes in his home state and runs a sports bar in Stamford.
Valentine’s prior political experience is limited. He previously served as the city’s public health and safety director. As a mayoral candidate, he will compete against current mayor David Martin and Connecticut Rep. Caroline Simmons. The election is set to take place this November.
