If you know Bobby Valentine, you know he can't help himself. So the second he put the hat with the "B" on his head, you knew there would be subtle and not-so-subtle digs at his team's main rivals.

So Valentine dug in today, and, in praising the retiring Jason Varitek, he lauded him for beating up Alex, as in Al B. Al, Alex Rodriguez:

"From afar, he was everything you want a guy who wears a 'C' to be," Valentine said of Varitek, according to our teammate, Gordon Edes. "He was a man's man, he was a big hitter when needed, he was the leader of the pitching staff. (Pause). He was able to beat up Alex, all that stuff. He was exactly what he was supposed to be."

Earlier today, Valentine took a shot at Derek Jeter's legendary cutoff in the 2001 ALDS against the A's:

"We'll never practice that,"’ Valentine said, again according to Gordon. "I think [Jeter] was out of position and the ball gets [Giambi] out if [Jeter] doesn't touch it, personally."

This is Valentine, at work -- and he is a piece of work. These are just subtle shots, either by design or because he can't help himself.

But, it doesn't matter, if he has a method to his madness -- and, I think, there is -- Valentine's impact will be felt from Fort Myers to Tampa because players and managers could be asked about them.

I have a feeling Joe Girardi might become a little sick of it. Somehow, though, I don't think Valentine will mind.

He is a one-man Boston Tweak Party.

Question: What do you think of Valentine's comments?