The veteran Major League Baseball skipper was let go Thursday after just one season with Boston, who finished last in the American League East Division.

The Red Sox had 69 wins and 93 losses, the worst for the storied franchise since a 62-100 mark in 1965.

Valentine had one year remaining on the contract he signed last year.

"Our 2012 season was disappointing for many reasons," said Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington on Thursday. "No single issue is the reason, and no single individual is to blame."

Before he took the position with the Red Sox, Valentine hadn't managed in the majors since 2002.

After the team's meltdown in September last year, in which a 7-20 record denied the team a playoff spot, the Red Sox let go Terry Francona, then hired Valentine hoping that he would be able to turn the team around.