Tuesday, March 13, 2012

The World According to Paps

Jonathan Papelbon has never been the most tactful or thoughtful of baseball players:


He is, after all, the man who once asked Boston Globe Red Sox beat writer Amalie Benjamin "to put the fact that he's a sheriff in Mississippi into a story." Papelbon has always been a character, the "Manny being Manny" after Manny jumped ship. He is also an extremely talented pitcher, which is why we all just nodded and smiled rather than shipping him off to Beth Israel for a head exam.

But now that Pap is in Philly, he has some things to say about Boston fans: "The difference between Boston and Philadelphia, the Boston fans are a little bit more hysterical when it comes to the game of baseball... The Philly fans tend to know the game a little better, being in the National League, you know, the way the game is played. I've had a guy take off his prosthetic leg and throw it in the bullpen in Boston."

First of all, that story is HILARIOUS. Secondly, and more importantly, the person that asked him to compare fanbases is an idiot looking to stir things up. Papelbon has been a member of the Phillies for a few months, and has yet to play in a non-Spring Training game. He has no basis for comparison, and the person who asked him about it knows that. That being said, I'm not particularly offended that a man who plays a broom like a guitar thinks I'm "hysterical."


But if you ARE concerned that your baseball street cred is being called into question, never fear, because the always vocal Curt Schilling has your back!

 
"Smartest sports fans on the planet," indeed. It's worth noting that Schill spent time in both cities - but he lives in Massachusetts now, so he has no interest in spurning his neighbors.

I don't blame Papelbon for making Red Sox fans out to be hysterical... I've taken my share of shots at the enigmatic closer, so if he wants to ingratiate himself to a new fanbase by alienating his old one, that's his call. He won't be returning to Fenway Park this season (our one series with the Phils is in Philadelphia), so he'll be safe from the "hysteria."

1 comment:

  1. I don't get how everyone can suddenly say Pap sucks. It's absurd! I think the thing we all need to remember is the Phils just handed Pap a TON of money and if the Cards had handed him a TON of money they'd be the smartert fans, if the Yanks had handed him a TON of money they'd be the smartest and if ANY other team in the league handed him the money the Phils did they'd be the smartest. It's not that Pap hates us,it's just the man got paid! What is he supposed to say? "Yeah,the Red Sox were awesome and I love their rabid fantatism!" Of course the Philies radio announces and the fans want to hear we suck! Still, I think RSN would be smart to examine the source of those comments. You know? The guy who river danced in his boxers with a Bud box on his head! Yeah,we should REALLY be offended by those words!

    ReplyDelete