Papelbon, Enjoy While You Can
By Editorial Staff
Based on everything I read and hear, it seems like a foregone conclusion that this is Jonathan Papelbon‘s last year in a Red Sox uniform. That being said, if you have never witnessed a Papelbon entrance in the ninth inning, I suggest you do before it is too late. I have heard from many that the game of baseball can be too slow and boring at times. Well ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, visit Fenway Park in 2011 and watch a rock star. You rarely see it on television and you certainly don’t feel the effect on the radio, but the Papelbon entrance is like no other I have ever seen. Unless you want to include Charlie Sheen strutting to “Wild Thing” in the movie Major League. But that was fictional and I don’t think we want to mimic anything Charlie Sheen has done lately.
The buildup begins midway through the eighth inning when the crowd gets the adrenaline flowing with the playing of “Sweet Caroline” as the crowd chants, “so good, so good” to the Neil Diamond classic, Papelbon is starting his preparation ritual.
As the last out in the bottom of the eighth it starts, “Shipping off to Boston” rocks Fenway to its core, 30,000 plus fans rise as one and the party begins. Paps grabs his jacket, the bullpen door swings open, a fist bump with the security and in jogs the rock star. The noise is deafening and their is excitement in the air.
Unfortunately in 2010, the result wasn’t the same as the previous years. We, the fans, have become spoiled and expectations are high. We wont tolerate anything but a save from our beloved closer. This past year the control seemed to be missing and every walk or two-strike base hit seemed to always come back and haunt the Sox and Papelbon. Was it simply a lack of confidence or did the rest of the league just figure Papelbon out? Regardless of which, the mystique wasn’t there and the results weren’t either. The dominance of Daniel Bard and the signing of Bobby Jenks is a sure sign that this is the beginning of the end of the Jonathan Papelbon era. Papelbon has also been very vocal that he is looking for a huge pay increase when he his the free agent market in 2012. Lets not forget that he is still one of the best closers in the game. His 37 saves this year still ranked him fourth best in the American League and tenth best in the majors. He also had career worsts in almost every other category. It appears that both parties are mutually ready to go their separate ways next year. I believe Papelbon is going to rebound and have a very good year. Most players seem to perform better during their walk off years, he wants a huge contract so expect the best this year.
Before we show him the door and annoint Bard as our new savior, go to Fenway and enjoy, I promise you won’t see anything like it again anytime soon. If everyone stays healthy and the Sox live up to the hype and expectations swirling after this off season, then there is no reason not to believe that come late October on a cold fall night, there he will stand. First the deep breath then the glare for the catchers sign, the windup and the pitch. Everyone on there feet as strike three sails by the over matched batter. Then we can hear our next favorite song as “Dirty Water” plays in celebration of another World Championship.
Don’t miss it!