Papelbon gets it right (for once)

Here’s Jonathan Papelbon discussing Mariano Rivera’s 500th save (via Lisa Winston):

“He’s been able to do it with consistency year in and year out, and that’s what’s really impressive, especially in the American League East,” said Papelbon, who has been named to the AL All-Star team in each of his three full big league seasons and hopes to make it four in a row. “Hopefully I’ll be able to give him personal congratulations in St. Louis.”

Papelbon is on a similar pace, with 35 saves in 2006, 37 in ‘07, 41 in ‘08 and 18 so far heading into the final week before the All-Star break, to go with a 1.91 ERA.

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Chaos Theory movie And while he thinks the goal is reachable, Papelbon knows that it will take more than just luck.

“It’s realistic because you train yourself to think you’re good enough to do it,” said Papelbon, who turned 28 during the offseason. “But at the same time, to stay healthy for that many years and not only to stay healthy, but to be able to play through pain, when you’re aching day in and day out. It’s pretty amazing.”

Papelbon, a closer at Mississippi State before being drafted by Boston in the fourth round in 2003, worked as a starting pitcher for two Minor League seasons before being moved back to the closer role for good in ‘06.

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Despite the “healthy” rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox — or maybe because of it — there is no closer that Papelbon admires more than Rivera.

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“He’s the godfather of our role, he’s done so much for it,” Papelbon said. “To chase him is definitely an honor and definitely a challenge, and I’m always up for challenges.”

Raise Your Voice trailer Papelbon is often caught inserting his foot into his own mouth Dead Snow ipod , however, on this particular occasion he deserves some credit for saying all of the right things. I’m sure other closers in the league have a tremendous amount of respect for what Rivera has done for them (market-wise, etc.) and Papelbon definitely understands the grandiosity of Rivera’s achievement, and his subsequent impact on the game.

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Related posts:

1. Would You Sign Papelbon?
2. Papelbon: I Would Play For Yanks
3. Papelbon talks up Mariano
4. Papelbon calls Manny a "cancer"
5. Appreciating Mariano Rivera