Bobby Valentine back with Mets as studio analyst

For a guy who seems to rub more people the wrong way than anyone in sports, Bobby Valentine sure knows how to keep working.

SportsNet New York, better known as SNY, announced Thursday that it has hired the well travelled manager as an analyst for the New York Mets' pre- and postgame shows before 12-15 telecasts on the cable channel this season.

The part-time gig comes three months before Valentine, 62, will officially become Sacred Heart University's athletic director and is separate from his third job, as an NBC Sports radio commentator.

"I like being busy," Valentine said. "Get up early, go to bed late. That's what it's all about. This seemed like a nice way to watch a ballgame."

Valentine told Newsday that his parents "put me on the path" toward simultaneous, wide-ranging activity.

"I was competing in international dance competition the same week as playing in Babe Ruth League regional championships as a kid," he said. "I was in the school class plays the same week as the high school championship football game.

"It's all I know; let's put it that way."

The network said that Valentine will work Monday's opener against San Diego with Bob Ojeda and Chris Carlin. Valentine was an analyst for ESPN in 2011.

A former manager of Texas (1985-92), the Mets (1996-02), Boston (2012) and Japan's Chiba Lotte Marines (1995, 2004-09),  Valentine was fired by the Red Sox on  October 4, 2012, after one disastrous season as the manager in Boston.

"I think all of life's experiences blend together if you allow them to, if you're open enough to take on challenges," he said. "I see as a blank canvas."

Bobby V will mostly be working alongside former Mets pitcher Bobby Ojeda on the show, "I'll just try to give the lefty a little idea of what happened and what might happen.

"And who knows what will happen during a rain delay."

Can't wait to see that famous smirk when the tarps come out.