Red Sox Update: Pap Smear
Friday, March 09, 2012
The former Red Sox closer went on a Philadelphia radio station Thursday and took a shot at Boston fans while complimenting Phillies’ fans. Papelbon told radio station WIP, "the difference, I would say, between Boston and Philadelphia, is that, you know, I think that the Boston fans are a little bit more hysterical when it comes to the game of baseball. I'd say the Philly fans, I think they tend to know the game a little bit better, being in the National League, the way the game is played."
Papelbon continued, “It’s a religion [in Boston]. It’s a way of life. They come to the field and they expect certain things out of players….it’s an environment where you put up or shut up. I enjoyed that. That’s what got my motor running every day…..I’ve had a guy take off his prosthetic leg and throw it in the bullpen in Boston and want me to sign it.”
Truth be told, there is a segment of Red Sox fans that may be hysterical, but to paint an entire fan base with the same broad brush is a little much. I also didn’t realize that Natioanl League fans are smarter than American League fans because the game is played differently in that league.
Conversely, does Papelbon really know how knowledgeable Phillies fans are having not even pitched a single game at Citizen’s Bank Park as a member of the team?
That’s the problem with Papelbon - he often times speaks BEFORE he thinks. There’s no filter between his brain and his mouth. Then again, we don’t encourage too much deep thought on Papelbon’s part because some believe that if he had another brain, he’d have one.
NOTES:
-Good news and bad news for the Red Sox on Thursday. First the bad news: Boston will not be going undefeated in Grapefruit League play this spring. The Sox lost to the St. Louis Cardinals 9-3 in Jupiter, Florida to drop to (3-1). In that game, the man the Red Sox acquired from the Chicago Cubs for Theo Epstein – Chris Carpenter – had a real rough outing. Carpenter pitched one inning giving up 4 earned runs on 2 hits while walking 3. He suffered the loss for Boston.
The good news is that Josh Beckett had his second straight solid start. Beckett went 3 innings allowing 2 hits and no runs. He didn’t walk or strikeout any Cardinals.
-Bobby Valentine said Thursday that the first roster cut down could come soon and it’s something he’s “looking forward” to. Boston has 62 players in camp and Valentine said that he would meet with general manager Ben Cherington soon to discuss when the first cuts will be made.
-On the injury front, Carl Crawford continues to be shut down due to inflammation in his surgically repaired wrist. Valentine said that Crawford reported the wrist felt good following some rest and therapy. One thing is clear, the team will not rush Crawford back and will likely have him take his rehab at a much slower pace than the one he kept before aggravating the injury.
Injured closer Andrew Bailey has yet to pitch for the team this spring as he recovers from a strained lat muscle suffered when he performed a vertical leap in his physical for the team. He will thrown live batting practice Friday and could pitch Monday when Boston takes on the Miami Marlins in an afternoon game that will be televised on ESPN starting at 1:30pm.
-Friday night the Red Sox host the Pittsburgh Pirates at JetBlue Park at 7:05pm. Clay Buchholz gets the start for Boston.
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