Just for fun - great Sox postseason relief performances

[Kimmi]

Nice to know Keith Foulke isn't the same miserable guy he was in '04 and '05.

There were reports about how he really didn't like the game, and his "Johnny from Burger King" comment was the last straw for a lot of fans.

 

The guy had a tough time , personally, during that time.

Too bad he couldn't enjoy it while it was happening.

 

http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/8434045/keith-foulke-savor-boston-red-sox-2004-world-series-title

 

We tend to forget that these guys are human beings, and that they go through their share of personal problems, just like the rest of us. It's easy to jump on players when they are slumping or when it appears that they don't care, but we have no idea what the players may be going through off the field.

[Kimmi]

This is how I feel as well.

 

And I will ad that other than a bunch of stupid things he said while in Philly ( especially saying bad things about Boston fans who treated him very well ) I have nothing against him.

 

I have nothing against Papelbon either. I just don't think he was worth re-signing at the price that the Phillies gave him. I wouldn't mind having him back on the Sox if the price is right.

[User Name]

Papelblows.

[Bellhorn04]

If a guy plays a role in helping the Boston Red Sox win a world championship, it's pretty hard to get him out of my good books.

[mvp 78]

Papelblows.

 

His fastball is noticeably diminished. If he came back to the AL East, I think he'd look like Melancon in a Sox uni. He's not terrible by any means, but I'd rather have the pen the Sox have now. Plus, his attitude wouldn't work well with the direction this team is trying to go.

[User Name]

His fastball is noticeably diminished. If he came back to the AL East, I think he'd look like Melancon in a Sox uni. He's not terrible by any means, but I'd rather have the pen the Sox have now. Plus, his attitude wouldn't work well with the direction this team is trying to go.

 

I thought he was a douche when he was with the Sox, but like Schilling (who pisses me off whenever he opens his mouth about anything not related to baseball or video games) I put up with his s*** because he was part of the team I root for. Not only is he not as good as he used to be, he's a class A diva and a massive tool. Look at his skirmish with Harper for proof (who's also kind of a tool mind you, but that's neither here nor there).

 

I just don't get the adulation for Papelbon. He's not that good anymore, he has a terrible attitude, yet some here would gladly be teabagged by him if given the chance. Just stop.

[Dojji]

You and I have different definitions of "not that good." Paps has been between above average and excellent for pretty much his entire career, he's very consistent, very durable, and performs at a reasonably high level. His power is down, but that's not really uncommon for a pitcher in his mid 30's, and he still has a good pitching arsenal even with the diminished heater, and he seems to have improved his command and control to compensate for ordinary mid 30's power loss, the way great pitchers do.

 

Papelbon brings a pretty good set of assets to the table and that's a raw fact. If having an ego was enough to wipe that off the board I have my doubts he'd be the only closer who'd struggle to find work.

 

See the difference between you and me UN, and this is kind of the whole big thing between us, is that I'm the only one of us that seems to be able to recognize that a player can have strengths AND weaknesses both at the same time, and that those flaws don't make a player trash any more than the strengths make him God. You tend to have a one track mind and never seem to be able to see both the good and the bad in the same player at the same time. I can.

Edited March 9, 2016 by Dojji

[a700hitter]

I would rather have Papelbon than Carson Smith. I think Papelbon is as good as Koji or Tazawa, but Papelbon would want to close and he would not close ahead of Kimbrel.

[User Name]

I would rather have Papelbon than Carson Smith. I think Papelbon is as good as Koji or Tazawa, but Papelbon would want to close and he would not close ahead of Kimbrel.

 

So realistically, you could not have Papelbon over Carson Smith. And not only that, I wouldn't believe you if you told me you'd rather have Papelbon than Smith in say, 2019. Papelbon is smack dab in the middle of his decline phase.

[Spudboy]

So realistically, you could not have Papelbon over Carson Smith. And not only that, I wouldn't believe you if you told me you'd rather have Papelbon than Smith in say, 2019. Papelbon is smack dab in the middle of his decline phase.

 

On the other hand, Paplebon has been pretty good for quite a while. Carson Smith has not. Although he does have youth on his side. Right now I'd take Smith.

[mvp 78]

Carson Smith couldn't locate the Rivera HWY on a map.

 

Stupid millennials...

[User Name]

Carson Smith couldn't locate the Rivera HWY on a map.

 

Stupid millennials...

 

Dat Hwy is the pitching version of Rainbow Road.

[a700hitter]

So realistically, you could not have Papelbon over Carson Smith. And not only that, I wouldn't believe you if you told me you'd rather have Papelbon than Smith in say, 2019. Papelbon is smack dab in the middle of his decline phase.

The reality is that his ego would not fit this bullpen, because he would want to close. I am not sure what 2019 had to do with the 2016 bullpen. I am pretty sure that Koji will not be a major piece of any bullpen in 2019 and neither will Papelbon.

[mvp 78]

Dat Hwy is the pitching version of Rainbow Road.

 

Rainbow Bridge?

[User Name]

The reality is that his ego would not fit this bullpen, because he would want to close. I am not sure what 2019 had to do with the 2016 bullpen. I am pretty sure that Koji will not be a major piece of any bullpen in 2019 and neither will Papelbon.

 

Carson comes with a bunch of years of team control, and is a bunch of years younger than Papelbon. Because the world won't end on Dec. 31st, 2016 and we will keep watching baseball in 2017 and beyond, I think that's a point worth considering.

 

Papelbon has longevity on his side, Smith has youth and stuff and comes without the baggage or ego. I'll take the latter for 2016 and beyond.

[User Name]

Rainbow Bridge?

 

Mario Kart 64. Don't even pretend you didn't play it.

[iortiz]

You and I have different definitions of "not that good." Paps has been between above average and excellent for pretty much his entire career, he's very consistent, very durable, and performs at a reasonably high level. His power is down, but that's not really uncommon for a pitcher in his mid 30's, and he still has a good pitching arsenal even with the diminished heater, and he seems to have improved his command and control to compensate for ordinary mid 30's power loss, the way great pitchers do.

 

Papelbon brings a pretty good set of assets to the table and that's a raw fact. If having an ego was enough to wipe that off the board I have my doubts he'd be the only closer who'd struggle to find work.

 

See the difference between you and me UN, and this is kind of the whole big thing between us, is that I'm the only one of us that seems to be able to recognize that a player can have strengths AND weaknesses both at the same time, and that those flaws don't make a player trash any more than the strengths make him God. You tend to have a one track mind and never seem to be able to see both the good and the bad in the same player at the same time. I can.

 

Well, this summarize pretty well what I've been saying about Papelbon since I've been in this board.

 

Great post, Doji.

 

Also, Papelbon himself said in 2013 that he was not a fastball pitcher anymore. I remember that he said that he was trying to compensate that with better command/control in his fastball and tunning his other pitches/repertory. The funny thing is that in 2013, "a year of adjustment", he had a "tough year", and still he posted a decent 2.94 ERA. Everybody in that year said that he was finished. Well, after that year, the adjustments seemed that worked out; in 2014 he posted a ridiculous 2.01 ERA and saving 39 games in 66 IP, one of his best years in his career. How long is he going to last at this level? IDK, but trying to compare some names with him after 11 years of consistency and durability as a closer in the ALE, simply doesn't make sense. BTW, for those who say that his contract didn't worth it, the guy has earned every penny, that's out of question.

 

Hopefully Kimbrel follows his steps just as Pap is following Mo's.

Edited March 9, 2016 by iortiz

[User Name]

No he hasn't. And whether or not Dojji agrees with you, doesn't make you right. Papelbon has been paid like he's the best of the best for the duration of his contract, and well, he hasn't been. And what he says about not being a fastball pitcher or bla bla doesn't matter. What matters are results. And his results have not been up to par with a lot of other closers who are making either league minimum or a lot less money.

 

Again, just not that good, no matter what spin you all try to put on him. In fact, we have two closers (barring the health of Koji) on this team who get better results. Go figure.

[iortiz]

I think you are the only one on this board and out of this, who say that he is "not that good" (whatever that means). He is not good, he is great!. One of the best of all time considering his consistency and durability, and still have gas in that tank. That's out of question. While I like Koji, Kimbrel, Chapman, etc, they simply don't have his track record. Not even close. The numbers are there. Go figure.

[User Name]

Channels inner seabeachfred:

 

Jonathan Papelblows

[a700hitter]

And I have heard that he is a terrible card player.

[Spudboy]

And I have heard that he is a terrible card player.

 

There we have it!!!!!

 

The definitive assessment!

[Kimmi]

If a guy plays a role in helping the Boston Red Sox win a world championship, it's pretty hard to get him out of my good books.

 

I agree, with the exception being Damon.

[Kimmi]

Carson comes with a bunch of years of team control, and is a bunch of years younger than Papelbon. Because the world won't end on Dec. 31st, 2016 and we will keep watching baseball in 2017 and beyond, I think that's a point worth considering.

 

Papelbon has longevity on his side, Smith has youth and stuff and comes without the baggage or ego. I'll take the latter for 2016 and beyond.

 

If it's a question of choosing between Smith and Papelbon, I'd definitely go with Smith because of his age and team-control status.

 

That said, Papelbon is still a very good closer in his own right. There's really no place for him in our pen, but if we did not have a closer, I would have no problem having him back as our closer, contract aside.

 

As far as the baggage goes, I don't recall Papelbon ever carrying "baggage" when he played for the Sox. He has not been happy since he went to Philly, but there really weren't any issues when he was with the Sox. Yes, he has an ego. That was a good thing though. That quality helped him to be such a good closer.

[User Name]

He hasn't been with the Sox for years. And if you don't call constant whining, calling out the FO and fans and choking out a teammate "baggage", then I have a bridge I'd like to sell you. You can be great without being douchey and with a massive ego, like Koji.

[Kimmi]

No he hasn't. And whether or not Dojji agrees with you, doesn't make you right. Papelbon has been paid like he's the best of the best for the duration of his contract, and well, he hasn't been. And what he says about not being a fastball pitcher or bla bla doesn't matter. What matters are results. And his results have not been up to par with a lot of other closers who are making either league minimum or a lot less money.

 

Again, just not that good, no matter what spin you all try to put on him. In fact, we have two closers (barring the health of Koji) on this team who get better results. Go figure.

 

Papelbon was never worth the contract that he received. IMO, paying money like that for a closer (or any relief pitcher) is not money well spent.

[Kimmi]

Channels inner seabeachfred:

 

Jonathan Papelblows

 

You have been very "Fred-ish" lately.

 

But I still love you.

[Youk Of The Nation]

He hasn't been with the Sox for years. And if you don't call constant whining, calling out the FO and fans and choking out a teammate "baggage", then I have a bridge I'd like to sell you. You can be great without being douchey and with a massive ego, like Koji.

 

We only know what his translator tells us. He could be up at the podium during the postgame saying "I am the best, the rest of these *******s don't know how lucky they are to have me around. Too bad our fans suck; and I wouldn't care at all if they all drowned in manure. Also, hey you, the reporter with the ugly haircut, I'm going to have sex with your wife's face tonight."

 

And the translator says "Yes, tonight was an excellent win, I'm really glad to be part of this team".

[Kimmi]

He hasn't been with the Sox for years. And if you don't call constant whining, calling out the FO and fans and choking out a teammate "baggage", then I have a bridge I'd like to sell you. You can be great without being douchey and with a massive ego, like Koji.

 

He has baggage from his days in Philly and Washington. There were no issues that I can recall when he was playing for the Sox.

[User Name]

We only know what his translator tells us. He could be up at the podium during the postgame saying "I am the best, the rest of these *******s don't know how lucky they are to have me around. Too bad our fans suck; and I wouldn't care at all if they all drowned in manure. Also, hey you, the reporter with the ugly haircut, I'm going to have sex with your wife's face tonight."

 

And the translator says "Yes, tonight was an excellent win, I'm really glad to be part of this team".

 

I love Koji. Don't try to take that away from me with your skepticism. He's awesome and he's not a douche.