Jonathan Papelbon was one of the many faces of an era of success in Boston. If there is one thing Phillies fans don’t have to worry about with Papelbon as their closer, it’s how he will respond to pressure. Having been the closer for the Red Sox during their World Series run in 2007, Papelbon knows how to pitch with some of the most rabid fans and arguably the most rabid media market in baseball breathing down his neck. In fact, Pap might feel more comfortable in a Philly uniform than he did in a Boston uniform for two reasons: Phillies fans are more knowledgeable and they probably won’t chuck a prosthetic leg at him while he’s in the bullpen.
“The difference between Boston and Philadelphia, the Boston fans are a little bit more hysterical when it comes to the game of baseball,” Papelbon said during an interview with 94WIP’s Angelo Cataldi and The Morning Team. “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 of his prosthetic leg and throw it in the bullpen in Boston. It’s a religion. 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. It got my motor running every day.”
Your move, Philadelphia. I don’t know if this is a compliment or an insult for Boston fans. The part about being less knowledgeable about baseball is certainly an insult, but who doesn’t respect the prosthetic leg guy? Arguably the most committed heckler in professional sports history.
H/T Hardball Talk
