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January 16, 2008

Papelbon Credits Rivera

Via the Commercial Dispatch:

The Boston Red Sox can thank a member of the New York Yankees for one thing.

If it wasn't for a little encouragement from Yankee closer Mariano Rivera, Jonathan Papelbon may not have developed into the type of pitcher capable of finishing a World Series game with a save for the Red Sox.

Already a pretty good closer himself, Papelbon felt the need of getting a little advice from Rivera during the 2006 All-Star Game.

“Even though he plays for the Yankees, I sat down and talked with him for about an hour after the All-Star Game was over and just tried to pick his brain,” Papelbon said. “At the end of our conversation, he said, ‘Pap look, you're going to follow me, but you are going to do it for a different team and just always remember that closers have to have a short term memory. You have to walk into the office the next day (after you blow a save) and act like nothing happened.' I've kind of taken that approach.”

This is one instance where I wish Mo was a little less overall sweetie pie and a little more old school Bob Gibson. Oh, well, these are different times...

Posted by Steve Lombardi at January 16, 2008 11:14 PM

Comments

When Bartolo Colon won the Cy Young in 2005, he also credited Rivera, mentioning a tip about how to throw a certain pitch. Mo probably didn't advise Colon to pitch while he was injured just to compile enough stats to win the award, thereby screwing up the rest of his career.

Posted by: susanmullen [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 17, 2008 10:48 AM

Looks like Mo has mastered cliches as well. He isn't the first closer I've heard say that.

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 17, 2008 11:11 AM

Its utterly ridiculous to think that Papelbon is any better than he would be because Mo talked to him. Do you think he didn't figure out when he was a closer in college that it helps to have a short-term memory? Mo didn't teach him a split, or give him the "late life" on his fastball, which averages a good 3-4 mph less than Farsnworth and is just as straight, yet is relatively speaking, nearly unhittable.

Posted by: DanTheRedSoxMan [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 17, 2008 02:09 PM

Easy there, Dan. Don't get so territorial with Papsmear's talents. No one's taking any credit away from him. Lighten up, Francis.

Posted by: MJ [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 17, 2008 03:35 PM

What's utterly ridiculous is that some people are clueless about how important the mental aspect of the game is. That's what has made Mo an all-time great.

Posted by: Rich [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 17, 2008 04:17 PM

Since closers are on the bench whenever the game is on the line, but it's not time for them to get their stat, maybe Rivera was just coaching him on how to not to get a sore butt sitting there.

Posted by: Lee Sinins [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 17, 2008 05:11 PM

MJ,
how 'bout you grow up and drop the name-calling, particularly names likely to be offensive to 50% of the population?

And if Steve isn't implying that Papelbon is somehow better for having the conversation, why is he wishing that Mo were more like Bob Gibson? Is he bemoaning the "fraternization" among players nowadays? I don't think so.

Posted by: DanTheRedSoxMan [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 17, 2008 05:28 PM

Ok this should end right now.... You guys know what Papelbon's ERA was on the date of this little talk? 0.59. He allowed 3 runs the entire season up to that date, so I don't think Rivera deserved credit for all of his success. Dantheredsoxman-- why must you get angry? 30 seconds of research and you could have just told us that Papelbon was dominating the AL before he spoke with the living legend. On a side note, Papelbon's ERA increased 273% in the second half.

Posted by: dan [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 17, 2008 07:54 PM