Post by johnnyyankee on Mar 25, 2007 11:54:35 GMT -5
:)At least we know how he feels about Mariano Rivera. Please read this article as it appears in today's NY Daily news www.nydailynews.com.
Papelbon: For goal as closer, gotta go to Mo
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BY MARK FEINSAND
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Sunday, March 25th 2007, 4:00 AM
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Jonathan Papelbon has stated he wants to be the next Mariano Rivera.
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TAMPA - After being moved back into the closer's role for the Red Sox Thursday, Jonathan Papelbon immediately set his goals high, saying he wanted to be the next Mariano Rivera.
"This is something that I would like to do for the rest of my career, just forget about starting and go out there and chase records," Papelbon said in Fort Myers. "Go out there and hopefully what Rivera has done for the Yankees, I can do with the Sox."
Striving to be like Rivera, considered by most to be the greatest closer of all-time, is understandable for a young reliever. Papelbon, who wowed the league with 35 saves and a 0.92 ERA in his stellar rookie season, had an opportunity to pick Rivera's brain during last summer's All-Star Game in Pittsburgh, and the knowledge he took away from that meeting has stuck with the 26-year-old.
"Talking to Rivera is always a good thing," Papelbon said.
"He knows how tough of a grind it is. He's not going to give me everything he knows, I know that. But he's set the standard for what it is to be a closer these days.
"He's kind of the man that, to everybody who is a closer now, he's like the Godfather," Papelbon added.
"He understands that we're going to be going after him. I think what he's done for the role of a closer and for the game of baseball has been a big thing."
Although Yankees and Red Sox aren't supposed to say nice things about each other, Rivera had nothing but compliments when asked about Papelbon. Informed yesterday that Boston had inserted Papelbon back into the closer role, Rivera didn't seem a bit surprised.
"I like to hear that. I spent a little time with Jonathan at the All-Star Game; he's a good boy," Rivera said, recalling their talks. "I think he's doing the right thing. It's good for him."
Rivera is the rare breed of closer who has been able to maintain his excellence for more than a decade.
Although most closers have a shelf life half that long, Rivera believes Papelbon can thrive in the role for a long time.
"He definitely has the abilities; the rest is up to him," Rivera said.
"I think he did a tremendous job last year, and he should do it again this year. He's got that 'something' you need to do the job."
Papelbon missed the final month of the 2006 season with a shoulder problem, paving the way for him to become a starter.
Doctors felt the regular routine of pitching every five days would help him stay healthy, but after spending the spring trying to fill the void left by his move to the rotation, the Red Sox decided to move him back into his former role.
Joe Torre was looking forward to seeing someone else on the mound in the ninth inning for Boston this season, though he admitted he wasn't looking forward to seeing his team face Papelbon on the days he started, either.
"For a young kid, he came in there, took an opportunity and ran with it," Torre said of Papelbon's rookie season.
"He had a great presence out there, was intimidating at times. It didn't look like he was feeling his way out there; he certainly looked comfortable."
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We shall see. Time will tell, for 1 season doesn't make a career!
Papelbon: For goal as closer, gotta go to Mo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BY MARK FEINSAND
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Sunday, March 25th 2007, 4:00 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jonathan Papelbon has stated he wants to be the next Mariano Rivera.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAMPA - After being moved back into the closer's role for the Red Sox Thursday, Jonathan Papelbon immediately set his goals high, saying he wanted to be the next Mariano Rivera.
"This is something that I would like to do for the rest of my career, just forget about starting and go out there and chase records," Papelbon said in Fort Myers. "Go out there and hopefully what Rivera has done for the Yankees, I can do with the Sox."
Striving to be like Rivera, considered by most to be the greatest closer of all-time, is understandable for a young reliever. Papelbon, who wowed the league with 35 saves and a 0.92 ERA in his stellar rookie season, had an opportunity to pick Rivera's brain during last summer's All-Star Game in Pittsburgh, and the knowledge he took away from that meeting has stuck with the 26-year-old.
"Talking to Rivera is always a good thing," Papelbon said.
"He knows how tough of a grind it is. He's not going to give me everything he knows, I know that. But he's set the standard for what it is to be a closer these days.
"He's kind of the man that, to everybody who is a closer now, he's like the Godfather," Papelbon added.
"He understands that we're going to be going after him. I think what he's done for the role of a closer and for the game of baseball has been a big thing."
Although Yankees and Red Sox aren't supposed to say nice things about each other, Rivera had nothing but compliments when asked about Papelbon. Informed yesterday that Boston had inserted Papelbon back into the closer role, Rivera didn't seem a bit surprised.
"I like to hear that. I spent a little time with Jonathan at the All-Star Game; he's a good boy," Rivera said, recalling their talks. "I think he's doing the right thing. It's good for him."
Rivera is the rare breed of closer who has been able to maintain his excellence for more than a decade.
Although most closers have a shelf life half that long, Rivera believes Papelbon can thrive in the role for a long time.
"He definitely has the abilities; the rest is up to him," Rivera said.
"I think he did a tremendous job last year, and he should do it again this year. He's got that 'something' you need to do the job."
Papelbon missed the final month of the 2006 season with a shoulder problem, paving the way for him to become a starter.
Doctors felt the regular routine of pitching every five days would help him stay healthy, but after spending the spring trying to fill the void left by his move to the rotation, the Red Sox decided to move him back into his former role.
Joe Torre was looking forward to seeing someone else on the mound in the ninth inning for Boston this season, though he admitted he wasn't looking forward to seeing his team face Papelbon on the days he started, either.
"For a young kid, he came in there, took an opportunity and ran with it," Torre said of Papelbon's rookie season.
"He had a great presence out there, was intimidating at times. It didn't look like he was feeling his way out there; he certainly looked comfortable."
****************************************************
We shall see. Time will tell, for 1 season doesn't make a career!