Papelbon speaks
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Papelbon speaks
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
CLEARWATER, Fla. — As far as perfunctory press conferences go, this was up there. Jonathan Papelbon sauntered into the cafeteria at Bright House Field wearing shower sandals and spent 20 minutes answering many of the same questions he fielded upon becoming the highest paid reliever ever in November.
Was it difficult to forget how last season ended in Boston?
"I don't think about it at all, man," he said. "When I was a rookie and made my first All-Star Game, I had a chance to talk to [Mariano Rivera] and asked what's the biggest thing that's going to make me successful in this game? His first answer was short-term memory."
Is there pressure to win a World Series?
"I like pressure," he said. "That’s what makes me tick, man. I’m excited."
Has anything surprised him?
"No, not really," he said. "Maybe the fact that Jim Thome’s still in as good a shape as he’s in. But that’s about it."
The man is wired like a closer, so much that when the Red Sox attempted to move him back into the rotation in 2007, he demanded he remain the ninth-inning guy. Known for his theatrics on the mound, a number of Phillies players this winter remarked how excited they were to actually meet the person behind the intense personality.
He was reserved Saturday, on the eve of Phillies camp opening, and that was to be expected. The Riverdancing and references to Cinco Ocho, his alter ego, can wait.
But then, when Papelbon was asked if he could picture playing against Boston in October, the confidence briefly revealed itself. No, Papelbon said, it's not hard to look ahead. His current tasks are long tossing and meeting his new teammates. The rest will come later.
"But," he said, "I do know when we play the Red Sox."
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
very excited!!— lfran55- "Was it difficult to forget how last season ended in Boston? I don't think about it at all, man, he (58) said. When I was a rookie and made my first All-Star Game, I had a chance to talk to [Mariano Rivera] and asked what's the biggest thing that's going to make me successful in this game? His first answer was short-term memory."
Dude! Glad he he has our back in the OK Corral.
Between this answer to the question and the Halladay Hot Rod, we're off to a great start. Stay healthy my friends.
— 24sDad - To get to the postseason this year, Our Phils will have to over- achieve and beat out three other teams in the division that appear on paper to be better. The pitchers are going to need to get some hits.— bobdc
- Now this is a funny post!! Who on paper might be better? The division is better but not nearly enough to close last year's double digit gap. Phils win the division by 8 games for their 6th consecutive NL East Championship!! — callapv
- Will they hit enough to get to Papelbon???— Pap
- Tug meets Billy Wagner - Philly will love (and hate) Pap— Ed3
- This is the reason Rube signed him.....the man will elevate those around him......Madson was out there just hoping he got guys out and it showed...anybody who's played the game could see it, especially his own teammates. This move should be good on paper and on the field.— Mark1npt
- "Madson was out there just hoping he got guys out and it showed"
FTFY:
"Madson..just...got guys out." - Phillies fans will hate Pap only when he blows a save....just like they would any other reliever. I can't totally agree about Madson just "hoping" he got guys out. Maybe prior to last year that was true. But I think he developed a lot of confidence as the season went along.— SteveS11
- While Madson came into his own last year, Mark makes a great point. Manuel and Dubee had no confidence in him, evidenced by the fact he was the 3rd choice as closer last year. Also, remember that Dubes and Charlie referenced Madson several times over the years to: "Needing the night off, can't overuse him, can't go more than 3 nights in a row, etc."
Bottom line... Paps is a beast, and he'll take that ball even if his arm is falling off. He's a meat head, a perfect closer, and a great fit for Philly!— BammBamm
