July 15, 2008
Right or Wrong?
Jonathan Papelbon feels he should pitch the ninth inning of the All-Star game.
Earlier today though, Papelbon has turned that statement around saying Mariano Rivera deserves the right to close out the ninth.
I like Papelbon's mentality in that he wanted the ball in the ninth but was he right to come out and say it bluntly?
In my opinion, Rivera deserves to close out the ninth in the stage he has come to be so dominant in.¬ In front of Yankees fans Rivera should come out in the final and first All-Star game there.¬ We should see the gate fly open and hear Enter Sandman.¬ It would not be right to see anyone else close out tonight's game.
I cannot even believe there were debates about Rivera starting this game to begin with.
As far as Papelbon is concerned I love that he wanted the ball.¬ Bad idea to say it publicly but great turnaround PR wise to say Rivera should get the nod.
Discussion
8 Comments on "Right or Wrong?"
#1
Posted by Bob, July 15, 2008 12:41 AM
Paps is just wired to want the ball and I'm sure that it just got the best of him. He took a step back and realized that this is Rivera's moment to have. Besides, Rivera has been the better closer this year by far.
#2
Posted by Zach Hayes, July 15, 2008 12:53 AM
Rivera- Better year, Yankee Stadium, etc. Francona will make the right choice. Paps for the 7th and K-Rod for the 8th works just fine, too.
Anyone else think Rivera should have started?
#3
Posted by Lyndsay, July 15, 2008 1:29 PM
Rivera's not a starter, so that idea seemed completely ludicrous to me.
Paps closed last year, and he's still young. who knows how many more years Rivera has left in him. let the veteran have the ball, Paps. he should defer to the veteran and the fact that he still has many more potential all-star years left to close a game.
I can't believe how bratty and greedy some fans are being about getting half the sox lineup in this game. wah wah, no Paps! wah wah, Tek was robbed! How 'bout we have 3 guys in the starting lineup, and let's just be happy with that?. Francona can't start every single Sox player, folks - would look a tad biased. seriously, I'm sick of sox fans whining about the all-star game! there are other teams in the league, people!
#4
Posted by Bob, July 15, 2008 1:35 PM
Lyndsay, are you confused or something? I think pretty much everyone said that Rivera should close, and that Tek shouldn't even be on the all-star team. I haven't heard a single Sox fan advocate Tek starting. We're all happy with how our team was represented, we were hoping that maybe Lester or Dice-K could make it on to the team, but we're not complaining about it. Don't characterize us as bratty and greedy, most of us are perfectly reasonable people who dearly love our team.
#5
Posted by Tessie's Dad, July 15, 2008 2:11 PM
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I'd be happiest if there were no Red Sox in the ASG - let the competition wear itself out in a (nearly) meaningless game while the Sox get in three days of rest.
I hope Paps enjoys the view from the bullpen bench, and I hope Rivera's arm falls off.
#6
Posted by Duck Sauce, July 15, 2008 2:52 PM
I think Papelbon was right on. He should want to pitch the 9th. And he was smart to say step aside and say that Mariano SHOULD pitch the 9th. But regardless, I'm sure Yankees fans will take it out of context as an excuse to complain about the first place team.
#7
Posted by Frank, July 15, 2008 5:32 PM
Hard to take anything he said out of context. It was brash and idiotic, plain and simple.
What he said isn't the problem. He should want to close, that's just competiveness It's the way he said it. Feeling he's entitled to close.
"...and Mariano by what he's done for this role, we're in Yankee Stadium and blah, blah, blah," Papelbon said.
That's a pretty jackass way to say something.
#8
Posted by Leslie Monteiro, July 15, 2008 10:53 PM
I can't blame Papelbon for feeling that way. He is a competitor, but with the All-Star game at Yankee Stadium, Mariano Rivera should close out the ninth inning.
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