Papelbon on Letterman

In the aftermath of the Red Sox World Series Victory, some of the stars are making the talk show circuit. Jonathon Papelbon was on the David Letterman Show last week and he was his usual goofy self. He had to be bleeped once.

His act is funny because he was a winner. Guys who win can get away with being goofy when they're good and when they win. Enjoy.

Red Sox Rally and Roll!

Today the Red Sox drove through Boston in Duck Boats in what the Mayor of Boston, Tom Mennino, termed a "rolling rally." I'd call it a Victory Parade, but whatever.

Jonathon Pabelbon (or is it "PapelGONE") had a grand old time dancing his version of the Irish step/victory dance for the assembled masses. I wish I had a kilt concession!
It was a GLORIOUS autumn day-not a cloud in the sky and 65 degrees. The million or so fans that showed up had a great time-not like the Patriots' Parades in February-BRRRRR.
Jason Varitek echoed a sentiment shared by many Red Sox fans. Let the Hot Stove season begin!
Some things never change!CONGRATULATIONS RED SOX 2007 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!!

Sox take 2-0 Series Lead

Four short years ago, Red Sox nation was awash in misery. The Yankees had beaten us once again as Grady Little left Pedro in one inning too long.

Now, Red Sox fans expect to win it all. These are not your father's Red Sox. These Red Sox are winners. There is no more curse, there is no more morose self loathing.

Our team is going to win the World Series for the second time in my lifetime.

For the second time in three years!

In the most tightly played game of the post season so far, the Sox prevailed again. Schilling pitched crafty ball, Okajema was lights out in relief and Papelbon slammed the door, thanks in part to a baserunning brain fart by Matt Holiday.
"Hey Matt, wanna get away?"

Mike Lowell scored after he hustled to third on a JD (he doesn't suck anymore) Drew hit and scored on a sacrifice fly and also drove in the winning run with a sharp hit down the leaft field line.

Sox win, Rox lose.

SOX IN 4!!!!

Two with Mustard- to go

This guy-two with brown mustard-comes by a lot. Likes to talk Red Sox. He likes the Papelbon move too. I'd say it was 95% in favor of Papelbon going to the bullpen at the Hot Dog Truck today.

There were some Yankee fans on Boston talk radio today knocking the move. When questioned, they didn't want to talk about Mussina or Petitte or the fact that Carl Pavano is their opening day starter! One Yankee fan actually admitted that he was a closet Red Sox fan since he moved to the area. He claimed he likes going to the "bawl game" and he likes to go to Fenway-he even admitted to OWNING A RED SOX CAP! I sure as hell wouldn't buy a Yankees hat!

The Sox open a week from today! Woo Hoo!

800 Pound Gorilla

Last week the Red Sox announced that Jonathan Papelbon will once again be the closer for the team.

Pap is saying all the right things: "This is something that I've decided that I want to do for the rest of my career and chase records, and, hopefully, make the Hall of Fame and do [some] special things in the game that maybe no other closer has ever done before." Sounds confident, eh?

He should be. Papelbon's 0.92 ERA was the eighth lowest in Major League history among pitchers with at least 50 innings. It was the best ERA put forth by a closer since eventual Hall of Famer Dennis Eckerlsley's Cy Young and MVP season of 1992. Papelbon held opponents to a .167 batting average, second lowest in the Majors in 2006 and tied for the best in Red Sox history. If he can keep his shoulder healthy, his "return" to the closer's role is very good news.

He was the equivalent of the 800 pound gorilla last year. He basically did what he wanted to when he wanted to do it.

Pap even gave Mariano Rivera some props. "He's kind of the man that, to everybody who is a closer now, he's like the 'Godfather,'" Papelbon said. "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. Like I said man, he's like the 'Godfather.'"

Papelbon has a better starting staff than Rivera does this year; the Red Sox have the best starting rotation in baseball and now they have the 800 pound gorilla to shut things down in the 9th. The move solidifies the whole Sox staff and will have American League hitters dreading the 9th inning when they play the Red Sox.

I can't wait for the first showdown between the Gorilla and the Godfather. Yankee fans will be going bannanas. My money's on the gorilla.