Phillies Newcomers: Jonathan Papelbon

Height: 6-4 Weight: 225

Bats: Right Throws: Right

Role: Closer

Acquired: Signed to a 4-year, $50 million contract as a free agent on Nov. 14. It's the largest total deal for a player at his position.

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BIG SHOT

Papelbon throws mostly mid-90s fastballs, but will occasionally mix in a nasty splitter.

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FAST FACTS

* His career break was the decline of Keith Foulke, who had been the Red Sox closer when they ended their World Series drought in 2004.

* Papelbon was one of many contributors to Boston's historic collapse in September (led wild card by nine games before losing 20 of last 27) and blew a save against Baltimore in the regular-season finale that completed the demise.

* Papelbon is easily the Red Sox' all-time leader in career saves (291), but help yourself to some clam chowder if you knew Tom Gordon holds the franchise's single-season record with 46 in 1998.

* It's not terribly surprising, but Papelbon has never had a plate appearance in a regular-season or postseason game in the big leagues.

* Danced a jig following clinching victories during Boston's 2007 title run that became wildly popular. While the moves resembled Fred Flintstone more than Fred Astaire, Papelbon became a folk hero to Red Sox Nation.

* Papelbon, who is definitely a free spirit, explained to Esquire magazine that Manny Ramirez had become a clubhouse "cancer" when Boston traded Ramirez in 2008. "It just takes one guy to bring an entire team down," Papelbon said, "and that's exactly what was happening."

*Got a Mohawk in 2006 after winning a bet with teammate Kevin Youkilis that he could start the season with 10 consecutive scoreless innings. The haircut resembled Charlie Sheen's "Wild Thing" character in the 1989 baseball movie "Major League." Told ya the guy is a little different.

* Hasn't pitched in the postseason since giving up three runs in Game 3 of an ALDS loss to the Angels in 2009. Before that, Papelbon had given up zero runs in his first 26 playoff innings.

* His $50 million contract is actually valued at $50,000,058 in tribute to his uniform No. 58. He's costing himself 41 dollars by not wearing Wayne Gretzky's number.

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INSTANT SAVINGS

Jonathan Papelbon has the third-most saves in baseball since 2006. Here's a look at the top-10:

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STATS