"Bobby Valentine finally had his conversation with Carl Crawford.

It happened last week, by phone and with both Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington and Crawford's agent, Brian Peters, on the line. Crawford hadn't answered messages from Valentine and reportedly was irritated by comments the new Red Sox manager made last year while an ESPN analyst. Valentine questioned Crawford's open batting stance and other issues.

"He sounded good," said Valentine, a guest at the annual New Stars for Young Stars charity event to benefit the Jimmy Fund yesterday at Jillian's. "He seemed very determined and understanding of the fact that things got spinning a little fast for him last year in a new environment. And he seems to be determined to correct that.""