78 replies to this topic

[xjack]

I'm sure it was talked about in the game thread, but tonight seemed like a defining moment for Papelbon. The guy was just exuding confidence, and you could tell that the guys on the field had a lot of confidence playing behind him.... I don't know what the future holds for this kid -- closer or starter -- but I suspect that we'll all remember this performance as the beginning of something great.

Edited by xjack, 29 September 2005 - 10:10 PM.

[Lucen]

I'm sure it was talked about in the game thread, but tonight seemed like a defining moment for Papelbon. The guy was just exuding confidence, and you could tell that the guys on the field had a lot of confidence playing behind him.... I don't know what the future holds for this kid -- closer or starter -- but I suspect that we'll all remember this performance as the beginning of something great.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He's proven over the last few weeks that he's mentally tough, has great stuff, and is more than ready to pitch in big situations. I like the idea of using him in the pen for a year then looking to have him start in 2007. He's gonna be a very solid starter one day.

[bornintoit]

JP....you are one mentally tough athlete.. You didn't flinch tonight..

Great job!... Papi gets the praise but you are the one that gets the game ball in my book tonight....

[NJ Fan]

Balls of Steel tonight. Not to get too fanboyish here, but he resembles the young Clemens in a lot of ways.

[DieHard3]

He's proven over the last few weeks that he's mentally tough, has great stuff, and is more than ready to pitch in big situations.  I like the idea of using him in the pen for a year then looking to have him start in 2007.  He's gonna be a very solid starter one day.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Everything is coming together for him now. Even the split is a good pitch these days, and that fastball is just as good as sex.

He needed to be up here sooner, not pitching mop up for Pawtucket for those two weeks. Argh!

[ragecage]

The pure intensity on his face was something that I feel like I have not seen on any of the pen guy's faces since last postseason. I'm not sure what his role will be next year, but coming into this last stretch it is huge that Tito and the team can have confidence in him turning in the performance he did tonight.

Edited by ragecage, 30 September 2005 - 10:06 AM.

[g0wave]

The pure intensity on his face was something that I feel like I have not seen on any of of pen guy's faces since last postseason.  I'm not sure what his role will be next year, but coming into this last stretch it is huge that Tito and the team can have confidence in him turning in the performance he did tonight.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He has to be in the rotation next year... Looking at the minors and what has come up, you have to be impressed with the young pitching in the organization. Papelbon, Hansen, Delcarmen, Lester, Sanchez and others I am forgetting... I haven't been this excited about the future in a LONG time. It will be wonderful not to have to rely on free agent acquisitions to build our staff for the future.

We are really starting to see the benefits of Theo's approach to building up the minors and it is fun to watch.

[anaxamandr]

they said on the post game show it could take a pitcher years to build up this much confidence. Papelbon has been phenomenal in the clutch these past few games. I believe he can shut down the MFYs late in a tight game. I pray he will not disappoint.

[ReggieSmith]

The pure intensity on his face was something that I feel like I have not seen on any of of pen guy's faces since last postseason.  I'm not sure what his role will be next year, but coming into this last stretch it is huge that Tito and the team can have confidence in him turning in the performance he did tonight.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't know what he yelled after Mueller made the great play in the 9th, but he was juiced and enjoying every moment he was on the mound tonight. He will be an important part of this team for years to come. I just hope he stays healthy.

I'm sure Tito won't be afraid to use him in ANY situation moving forward. He's earned it!

[Yaz4Ever]

I mentioned this in the Anaheim series thread, but I'll repeat it here. I met Papelbon before the Saturday game - he was signing an autograph for my daughter and some other kids and we spoke briefly. We talked about Pawtucket and being called up. I asked him if he was going to win the following day. He stopped what he was doing, looked directly at me, and with absolutely zero percent doubt said, "You got that right, baby." I don't know why he called me "baby", but this kid is a rock. His confidence level is through the roof. Watching him pitch 2.2 innings tonight left me with no doubt of his talent either.

I still don't believe we have the pitching to carry us through the postseason (if we even make it that far), but if he and Dinardo can pitch like they have for the past couple of days, these kids might prove me wrong. I have absolutely no problem with being proven wrong, by the way.

[Let it Flo]

Not to get too fanboyish here, but he resembles the young Clemens in a lot of ways.

Not at all. I've been thinking this for a while now. He's got ice water in his veins, and fireballs issuing forth from his right arm. He's a fine, fine pitcher, and we should be giddy about the future.

"I like ya kid! Ya got spunk!"

[jacklamabe65]

Some time this weekend, Mr. Pappelbon will take the mound in a tight spot and each Yankee batter will take a prolonged glance at the young hurler after seeing the first pitch rattle his cage. I can't wait for that first long look.

[bosoxx05]

"You got that right, baby."

Does this mean we can start calling Papelbon, Bruce Dickenson?

All kidding aside, great job by the kid tonight, hopefully we'll see him come in and dominate out of the pen a few more times this year.

[502 to Right]

I'm not writing this season off in any way, but I'm really looking forward to next year when Papelbon and hopefully some of the other young guns will be giving the pitching staff a major shot in the arm all season long.

[soxfan121]

It was in a similiar performance against Toronto IN Toronto that I went "all-in" with Jonathan Papelbon. Tonight was a bery similiar performance (3 IP v. 2 2/3IP), but the demeanor, the command, the control oozing out of him was wonderful to see tonight. It was like the first TOR win was "yeah, I can do this" and tonight was "there's no way I'm not doing this".

Next year is next year, but I love his mound presence & his stuff and I think he'll grow into a very good starter with some patience (and the fans remembering performances like tonight's) when he struggles.

[Judge Mental13]

This kid looked like a vet out there, as if 2 and 2/3rds of a one-run game was really no big deal and hell, he'd be ready for the 3rd if we needed him.

Of course we didn't need him after that, but any sign of stability in that bullpen gets a big thumbs up from me....and the fact that he displayed it in such a ballsy fashion makes it all the more exciting.

[philly sox fan]

You guys must be living in a dream world. Francona doesn't trust young players. Sox need to dump him if they're ever going to give the young players a chance.

[Gene Conleys Plane Ticket]

Awesome performance by Papelbon tonight. That was probably the most-earned bullpen win this year. Only downside is, Francona will certainly deem him "unavailable" Friday night, so if it gets close late, Hansen's the man against the Yankees. Leading to Timlin, of course.

[GreyisGone]

Papelbon needs to start the year in the rotation. Right now he's the second best pitcher on the Red Sox, behind Wakefield. He needs as many innings as possible. Hopefully Lester and Sanchez can fill the role Papelbon did this year, if need be the 2nd half of 2006.

[irishkg]

Papelbon is awesome. He's showing more in Boston than in Pawtucket, and he was impressive when I saw him there.

I think he's going to build the confidence and competitive drive in the bullpen. The rookie will provide the drive to juice the rest of the bullpen.

Post game interview Ortiz, w/out being led, said that Papelbon is a yong Roger.

[singaporesoxfan]

Does this mean we can start calling Papelbon, Bruce Dickenson?

All kidding aside, great job by the kid tonight, hopefully we'll see him come in and dominate out of the pen a few more times this year.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He puts on his pants one leg at a time. Except, once his pants are on, he gets outs.

[AcroBrat]

I was impressed when his splitter shattered a bat causing an L-5 in the 8th. This kid is the goods. He yelled something like, "yeah, Billy, attaboy," and there was no doubt that this was no rookie tasting the goods; the team was there to back him up, not the other way around.

Please, sir, I want more.

[SoxVindaloo]

He puts on his pants one leg at a time. Except, once his pants are on, he gets outs.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And by the time he's done we'll all be wearing gold plated diapers.

[Paradigm]

all of this fantastic relief work just reinforces one thing:

STARTING ROTATION IN 2006.

much
much
too valuable
for relief

[LahoudOrBillyC]

Although I certainly believe that starting pitchers are more valuable than relief pitchers, there is an argument to be made that it would be best for his development to let him be a spot starter and long man next year. This is what the Twins did with Johan Santana, which they got a lot of grief about in analyst circles. On the one hand, he sure did seem like the best pitcher on the team for at least a year before he cracked the rotation, which seemed like a waste. On the other hand, it worked out well in the end.

Edited by LahoudOrBillyC, 30 September 2005 - 12:38 AM.

[HoyaSoxa]

Although I certainly believe that starting pitchers are more valuable than relief pitchers, there is an argument to be made that it would be best for his development to let him be a spot starter and long man next year.  This is what the Twins did with Johan Santana, which they got a lot of grief about in analyst circles.  On the one hand, he sure did seem like the best pitcher on the team for at least a year before he cracked the rotation, which seemed like a waste.  On the other hand, it worked out well in the end.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sure, the Santana plan worked out well for the Twins, but what about that experience leads anyone to believe that it would not have worked out even better had he just been given the ball every 5 days, with a 100 pitch leash to make sure his arm did not get too much stress? I hope Papelbon is in the rotation next year, but I also pray that management is looking out for his future in terms of pitch or inning limits.

[Sparky Lyle]

It was in a similiar performance against Toronto IN Toronto that I went "all-in" with Jonathan Papelbon. Tonight was a bery similiar performance (3 IP v. 2 2/3IP), but the demeanor, the command, the control oozing out of him was wonderful to see tonight. It was like the first TOR win was "yeah, I can do this" and tonight was "there's no way I'm not doing this".

Next year is next year, but I love his mound presence & his stuff and I think he'll grow into a very good starter with some patience (and the fans remembering performances like tonight's) when he struggles.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes. I felt the same way. 121 I read everything you say, either here or at that other place you frequent, and you always steel my thunder. I couldn't agree with you more. I was so highly motivated and truly dedicated tonight.

Romp'in, Stomp'in.

[plusbrians]

I saw Papelbon in NH while playing for the Sea Dogs. He threw a one-hitter before he was lifted for MDC. He was in trouble the 4th inning IIRC (Hanley erro) and he struck out 2 to get out- and walked off as if nothing out of the ordinary happened. I understand it was AA, but christ- the guy was confident, calm, and collected... I wondered what would happen if he were put under the Fenway lights- now I know... It's amazing the respect he's earned from his teammates already.

[jtn46]

He's got great stuff and great poise. He's definitely one of the best stories of the season.

Put me in the "let him start in 2006" camp. While he's been very good in the pen, his velocity fluctuates a lot, some nights he's throwing 95 and others he's throwing 91. In the rotation he'll be in a better rhtyhm and his stuff will be more consistent.

Edited by jtn46, 30 September 2005 - 04:06 AM.

[Philip Jeff Frye]

Not to get too fanboyish here, but he resembles the young Clemens in a lot of ways.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was thinking the same thing last night.

[djhb20]

The most impressive thing to me is that when he finished an inning, he just walks back into the dugout with a look on his face like, "Yeah, no big deal. I knew that would happen." And he does that here, not just in AA as mentioned above. It's a little like watching Barry Sanders score a touchdown. "I expected that. I did it. And I'll do it again."

[Bdanahy14]

Is it me, and the fact that I may have been drunk.. or does that 95 mph fastball move up and out. And not just a little bit, but with some serious bite. That is such a pretty looking fastball.

[SoxScout]

Bring him out of the pen in April, May and June and then you move him into the rotation for good in the summer. He won't be gassed at the end of the year and you wont be ruining his arm. Plus, he will be getting outs under his belt.

Then buyout his arby years and some of his free agent ones.

[DJnVa]

Yeah, he has an "exploding" fastball, in that there's no slight dive down at the end...that makes it seem to be a rising fastball. That's tough to lay off and tough to hit.

[Rudy Pemberton]

You guys must be living in a dream world. Francona doesn't trust young players. Sox need to dump him if they're ever going to give the young players a chance.

My thoughts exactly; Papelbon is living proof that Tito certainly trusts young players, just not all of them. The kid is ready and he shows it; he's gonna be a good one. Hell, he is a good one right now. Huge performance again last night.

[DLew On Roids]

The pure intensity on his face was something that I feel like I have not seen on any of of pen guy's faces since last postseason.

Hey, don't forget about his calm eyes. His gait does lack elegance, though--he needs to work on that.

Change his number to 21 for the weekend and tell him to start off guys high and tight.

[Sox Odyssey]

Confidence and intensity. Truly exhillerating to watch him pitch last night.

And did anyone see him after Damon crossed the plate with the winning run? He was the first one out there, waving a towel and giving his team-mates the "this race ain't over yet" look.

He owns the mound when he's out there. Fun stuff.

[ObstructedView]

Is it too late to suggest a nickname? I submit....

Vanilla Papi

Just like his darker counterpart, ice cold in the clutch.

[thisyearisthe]

Big Pappy

[Rough Carrigan]

I'm an atheist, but considering our DH and our rookie pitcher, I can proudly say:

I'm a Papist!

[satyadaimoku]

Jonathan Papelbon is the best pitcher on the Boston Red Sox.

Note the lack of qualifying phrases like: "will be" or "highest upside" or "best stuff". Right now, ask yourself: is Paps better than Wake? [i think so] than Timlin? [yes] than Wells? [yes] and don't even get me started on Arroyo or Clement [hells yes].

I'm stunned that there are people who want Papelbon coming out of the bullpen next year. As far as I'm concerned, if this comes down to a one game playoff in New York, I want the ball going to Jonathan Papelbon. In the FIRST inning.

[DourDoerr]

If Schilling's dealing 94mph, I'd have to give the nod to him, although Paps isn't too far off. The important point is how well he's pitching right now and that he should be Francona's first option out of the bullpen. As far as projecting his future, it seems to me that Cleveland had a fireballing youngster who peaked around this time of year and who also was projected to have a huge future - Mr. Wright turned out to be Mr. Wrong for many years and now (gleefully for me) toils for the Yanks. Let's hope Paps avoids a similar fate although it might be tempted if the Sox make the playoffs and have to use him excessively.

Regarding nicknames, I like Bruce Dickinson - gives us the chance to bellow "Bruce!" when he takes the mound and it'd be great to hear a montage of all the Dickinson quotes - "Cock of the walk, baby!," etc. - as he's warming up.

[smastroyin]

Regarding nicknames, I like Bruce Dickinson - gives us the chance to bellow "Bruce!" when he takes the mound and it'd be great to hear a montage of all the Dickinson quotes - "Cock of the walk, baby!," etc. - as he's warming up.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Are we sure Papelbon (or really anyone but 5 people here that are in on the joke) would ever know what you are talking about? I guess you could go tell his mom over on soxprospects.com or something?

[Southpaw67]

Some of the older, veteran players who come to Boston marvel at the BOS/NY rivalry, saying they've never seen anything like it and even though they've heard all about it, it's different when you're part of it. I can't imagine what it must be like for the kids who've just come up. Papelbon appears to have a good handle on things, doesn't get flustered and seems to tune out the crowd noise so I'm anticipating that this series will go well for him. I guess tonight we'll see what Wang's made of. Swiss cheese, hopefully.

Very loosely translated, Papelbon means The Good Pope.
I, myself, think of him as the Great White Hope.

[SoxJox]

Looking at the minors and what has come up, you have to be impressed with the young pitching in the organization.  Papelbon, Hansen, Delcarmen, Lester, Sanchez and others I am forgetting...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I just hope that in order to fix some of our other holes over the offseason, we don't screw around with this. My fear is that some of our holes are going to take some major talent to fix, and we can't expect to get it on the cheap.

Pape and Papi, I like the sound of that duet.

[xjack]

Very loosely translated, Papelbon means The Good Pope.

So we've now got Good Pappy to go along with Big Papi.

Or maybe we should just call him Pope Jon -- after all, Pope John XXIII was "The Good Pope."

[Pandemonium67]

I guess tonight we'll see what Wang's made of. Swiss cheese, hopefully.

Tofu, more likely.

My question about Papelbon is how quickly he can bounce back. I can imagine some high leverage innings Saturday afternoon, when he could come in with the cheese after the wanks have seen 6 or 7 innings of knuckleballs. With RJ going, there might not be much room for error. Or I could see him needed Sunday, when Tito will have to have G38 on a short leash if the series is 1-1 at the time.

[David Laurila]

I've said elsewhere that I fully expect Papelbon to win 15 games next season for us in a starting role.

What's between the ears can't make up for a nothing fastball and a curve that doesn't, but it means a lot when you have good stuff -- which he does. Papelbon simply seems to know how to pitch and can't be intimidated. Not that either is a 100% guarantee to success, but I wouldn't be afraid to use him in key situations, even this early in his career. He may get beat, but it wouldn't be because he couldn't handle the situation mentally. To me, that's what he brings to the table that can't be taught.

[Maalox]

Is it too late to suggest a nickname? I submit....

Vanilla Papi

Just like his darker counterpart, ice cold in the clutch.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I like "The Pope" or "Pope John".