Papelbon Feels the Sting From Red Sox Nation

It became one of the most recognized entrance songs in all of baseball.  The speakers at Fenway Park would blast the tune of “Shipping Up To Boston” by the Dropkick Murphys every time the bullpen door would swing open and out stepped number 58.  But recently Jonathan Papelbon was given the cold shoulder and experienced first hand what it’s like to be on the outside of the Red Sox organization and not having the fans support.

When the Dropkick Murphy’s bass player and lead singer Ken Casey told ESPN.com that Papelbon can no longer use the band’s hit song for his entrance in Philadelphia, it was another reminder of how passionate and loyal Red Sox fans can be.

Papelbon and Casey developed a friendship during Pap’s tenure in Boston, so deep in fact that Papelbon will continue to support Casey’s charity The Claddagh Fund.  But business is business and baseball is baseball and that’s where Casey draws the line.  As a result, Paps will have to find a new entrance song as Casey points out.

“He can’t use ‘Shipping Up To Boston,that’s a Boston song.” – courtesy of NESN.

How do you like us now Jonathan?  I hope you weren’t banking on having the support of Red Sox Nation despite pitching for another team.  Because as you of all people should know, this is a tight knit group of fans no matter where they’re located or what they do for a living.  From music icons to corn farmers, Red Sox Nation is one and united we shall stand.

Everyone can be replaced including the closer who set the Red Sox record for career saves.  And perhaps even the entrance song can be replaced, something that Casey doesn’t want to see.  Casey has said he will reach out to Andrew Bailey in an attempt to persuade the new Sox closer to continue to use the song when he enters the game.

Whether or not this is the right thing to do will remain to be seen.  But for now, it’s safe to say that the right thing was done by giving Papelbon what he deserves; no love from a Red Sox fan.

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