Intro:

Former Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine praised Brazil boss Barry Larkin on Saturday and left open another move to Japan.

Script:

If there is anyone who knows about managing in international baseball, it's Bobby Valentine.

The former Red Sox manager was considered a trailblazer when he went to Japan in 1995 to manage the Chiba Lotte Marines.

While that job lasted just one season, Valentine returned in 2004 and led the Marines to the Japanese pennant a year later.

Coached by Barry Larkin, Brazil upset Panama to qualify for the Fukuoka round of the World Baseball Classic and prior to their opening game against Japan, Valentine praised Larkin for the job he has done.

SOUNDBITE: English) Bobby Valentine, Former Boston Red Sox Manager:

"I appreciate it because it was challenging for him and I feel like I did a little bit of that myself for many years and I know just how challenging it is. It looks like he's having fun though and he's the dark horse there. He's bringing the team that could upset the apple cart, you know."

Valentine, who was sacked as manager of the Red Sox after just one tumultuous year at the helm, last week accepted the job as athletic director at Sacred Heart University in his native Connecticut.