Ellsbury, Valentine field questions ahead of centennial

BOSTON (WHDH) -- The Red Sox and their new manager Bobby Valentine are gearing up for a big game tomorrow against the New York Yankees, and even though it's going to be a day about history, Bobby V. is ready to look to the future.

Valentine is still sensitive to the Kevin Youkilis controversy.

The Sox manager tried his hardest on Wednesday to put to rest the comments he made earlier in the week, when he said the Sox slugger wasn't as physically or emotionally into the game as he has been in the past.

Now he's trying to focus on upcoming games, including the big centennial this Friday.

"The great memories that have been created and the future ones that we're going to create makes it very special,” he said.

Bobby V. and outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury answered questions Wednesday from fans who won a Dunkin Donuts contest.

"Before you go up to bat, do you ever have a fear of striking out?” one fan asked.

“No,” Ellsbury replied. “You know, I guess when I go up to bat I’m prepared, ready to go.”

"Some of the best players even, they strike out like a hundred times!” Valentine added. “In a season!!”

From the action on the field, to personal life -- no questions were off limits. One fan even asked Ellsbury if he would marry her.

Ellsbury hurt his right shoulder last week, and the question on everyone's mind was when will he be back in the line-up?

"Right now we don't have a time line,” he said. “Right now I’ve just been icing to get the swelling down."

A lot of fans were hoping that, with a day off Thursday, the Sox will turn it around for Friday’s game.