Career
Born in Brooklyn, New York, he made his major league debut for the Buckeyes in 1883, his only season as a player, and compiled 13 games pitched, starting 12 and completing 11 of them. After the 1883 season, Valentine became an umpire, beginning in 1884 for the American Association, and umpiring 102 games that first season. He continued umpiring in the Association until midway through the 1887 season, when switched over to the National League, which is where he continued to umpire until retiring after the 1888 season.
Valentine was involved in a couple of notable games, including being behind the plate for two no-hitters.
The first game came on May 29, 1884, when Editor Morris of the Columbus Buckeyes blanked the Pittsburgh Alleghenys. And the other came just seven days later on June 5, when Frank Mountain, also of the Buckeyes, no-hit the Washington Nationals.
Valentine died at the age of 47 in Central Islip, New York, and is interred at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.