Former Red Sox star Jon Papelbon makes epic cameo in Savannah Bananas game
Jon Papelbon, the formidable closer who won a ring with the Boston Red Sox in 2007 and remains the Philadelphia Phillies’ all-time saves leader, returned to the mound this weekend in delightfully unexpected fashion.
Pitchers usually only bring their gloves to the mound, but when Papelbon took the field for the Savannah Bananas on Saturday night, he wore one of the team’s bright yellow kilts and carried the 2007 World Series trophy in his arms.
The trophy then perched on the mound for his entire appearance, which include an Irish jig of sorts.
Can’t even explain how much fun I had tonight with a walk off!! I will be back at it with @TheSavBananas tomorrow. @MLB needs some of these rules. #Kilt #Jig https://t.co/4fniONoL8s
— Jonathan Papelbon (@TheRealJPap58) September 3, 2022
We Win!!!! World Champ in showdown & I shut down the win for @TheSavBananas 1 Pitch 1 Out! Game Over! Bananas win!!! https://t.co/hFCL4hi3g3
— Jonathan Papelbon (@TheRealJPap58) September 4, 2022
Papelbon isn’t the first former Sox star to *peel* off from the big leagues and join the unique team in the Coastal Plain League. 75-year-old Bill ‘Spaceman’ Lee is a regular fixture on the mound in Bananaland.
75-year-old Red Sox Hall of Famer, Bill Lee, came down from the stands with a beer in hand and then proceeded to strike somebody out. Power move. pic.twitter.com/BTNsoepjuU
— Savannah Bananas (@TheSavBananas) March 30, 2022
The Bananas wrapped up their season on Saturday night in grand fashion, but it’s safe to say their lively and unique brand of baseball won’t be going anywhere soon. They’ve been a fascinating and thrilling fixture in the sports world since their inaugural season in 2016.
Meanwhile, Papelbon never technically retired from MLB and says he never will. At 41 years old, he’s actually younger than current Red Sox pitcher Rich Hill, who was also his teammate on the Sox in 2010-11. If the Sox need bullpen help (they do), it looks like he’s *ripe for the picking.*
Red Sox make shocking roster move in order to call up Triston Casas
The Boston Red Sox are finally calling up top prospect Triston Casas. In order to do so, they've optioned Bobby Dalbec to Triple-A.