Ted's Army: The Voice of Red Sox fans

Your Morning Dump...where Papelbon discusses injections taken while in Boston

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

Papelbon said he couldn't recall who introduced him to Toradol, and wasn't sure when he first began receiving injections, but believes it was in 2007, when he was the closer on the team that won the World Series title.

"It was kind of a word-of-mouth thing," he said. "You got in the clubhouse and said, 'Man, I feel like crap,' and somebody would say, 'Oh, you should get a Toradol shot.' All players talk about what gets you through a 162-game season."

Papelbon said he never saw another player get injected, but he believes many players were using Toradol.

Papelbon said he was never told of any potential side effects of using Toradol, but did not personally experience any adverse reactions.

ESPNBoston | Jonathan Papelbon says he took Toradol shots while with Boston Red Sox

Another day, another sort-of steroid story from the Red Sox.

Before you go freaking out, here's what we know about Toradol: It's not illegal. It's widely used in baseball.

And here's what we know about Jonathan Papelbon: He loves attention. By talking about this, he was able to do a number of things. First, he got to take a jab at Boston by saying the Philadelphia doctors told him "We don't do that here" when he asked for Toradol. Second, he gets to pump up Philly a bit: Their doctors have smarter ways of treating pain. Third, he gets another article written about him.

Of course, with this piling on top of Curt Schilling's steroid accusation last week, people will start talking about the Sox as having a dirty clubhouse. And you know what? I'm sure they do. Just like every other clubhouse in baseball.

If you think some sort of illegal PED wasn't used by a member of any team ever, you need a lobotomy.

Back to the legal side of things. Since Toradol is apparently legal (and just kind of controversial), this does send up another red flag about the Sox medical staff, which has seen doctors come and go after a number of questionable diagnoses and poor recoveries. Of all the things that we should hope change about the Red Sox in 2013 (and there are many), that's number 1 on my list. I would love to see an effective medical staff, normal recovery times, and fewer time spent on the DL. It'll go a long way toward how the Red Sox do this year.

Herald | Farrell praise snares Uehara | Farrell reunion may reap rewards for pitching staff | John Farrell: manager or pitching whisperer | Globe | Good morning from Fort Myers | Will Red Sox discuss contract extensions with Jon Lester and Dustin Pedroia this spring? | ESPNBoston | Matsuzaka signs deal with Indians

Your Morning Dump... Where 'it ain't no thing' for Papelbon

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

Entrusted with a 6-4 lead, Papelbon did what Papelbon did better than any reliever in Red Sox history — slamming the door to earn his 12th save in 12 tries, but more notably, the first of his life against the Red Sox after recording a team record 219 for them.

“It really wasn’t any different,” Papelbon said in the Phillies clubhouse. “Not one bit.”

It probably helped that Papelbon didn’t have to face any of the teammates he truly went to war with over the years. In the ninth, he faced Kelly Shoppach, Daniel Nava, Marlon Byrd and Nick Punto.

[...]

“Valentine can’t distract Cinco, man,” Papelbon said, invoking his alter ego of Cinco Ocho. “Come on. (Cinco’s) got ice in his veins. It ain’t no thing, man.”

“I’ve got a lot of guys over there I consider brothers,” he said. “I grew up with these guys in the big leagues. I’ve got more respect for a lot of guys over there than many people out there. They’re like family to me, some of those guys over there. It’s like backyard baseball with your brother.”

Herald - Same old Jonathan Papelbon rings up Sox

Myabe I simply wasn't paying close enough attention, but I'm pretty sure I've heard more 3rd person references to "Cinco Ocho" in the past week than I have in the past 5 years combined. 

For some reason I didn't find facing Papelbon to be nearly as jarring as when I saw Manny suited up in Dodger blue.  Maybe it was because the Phillies also don red, but he just seemed like he fit right in on the Phillies team. 

A lot of the post-game questions Papelbon received had to do with any weirdness he felt facing his former team.  As stated in the article above, he faced Shoppach, Nava, Byrd and Punto.  Not players that he has spent any time with.  Had it been Papi, Pedroia, Youk and Salty, the feelings may have been slightly different.  But probably not.  He's still standing 60 feet away from the batter, whipping a ball at the catcher's mitt.  Now, had the game taken place at Fenway instead of Philly, then the scene may have been a little different.   Taking the mound in Boston, in a Phillies jersey, would certainly have been more emotional for him.  And I imagine more jarring for me.  

But Papelbon simply did what he always does last night: Shut the door and get the save.  Business as usual, regardless of the jersey on the opposing batter. 

Photo: The Associate Press

Rest of the links:

Herald - Wild Daniel Bard, ump rile up ejected Bobby Valentine | Globe - Video: Papelbon gets save vs. Red Sox | With Bard wild, Red Sox quickly lose control | CSNNE - Injuries continue to pile up for Red Sox | Bard's control issue out of control | WEEI - The education of Daniel Bard marches on | Status of Ross, Ortiz in question for Saturday | ESPN - Sox running out of time on Dice-K decision

Recap: Valetine tossed, Paps saves Game 1 for Phillies

The Phillies took down the Red Sox in the first game of their 3 game series, 6 - 4, with Jonathan Papelbon shutting the door.  As if it would have ended any other way.

This one looked like a disaster from the jump, as Bard was just awful in the first.  He gave up 3 walks and 2 hits leading to 4 runs in the inning.  He settled down after that, only allowing one more hit the rest of his time on the mound (a solo shot to Pence in the 5th) while walking 2 more batters along the way.  He lasted just 5 innings, getting tagged for 5 run, 3 hits, 5 walks and just 3 Ks.  Not great, but it's nice to see him be able to compose himself after a rocky start.

For Philadelphia, Cole Hamels was solid, never really letting the Red Sox get back in the game.  He gave up solo home runs to Aviles and Ross and a third run on a Nava sacrifice fly.  Those were the only three runs he surrendered in 7 innings of work while striking out 9. 

The other Sox run came on a solo blast from Adrian Gonzalez off of Chad Qualls in the 8th.  Qualls served Gonzo a ball down and in the he took right out of the park.  So he was off a day on his home run prediction?  Since we know his power comes in bunches, I hope this means this is the beginning of a nice run.

But the 9th inning contained all the excitement.  Papelbon on the mound, facing his old team with a two run lead.  On his first pitch against his former team, Kelly Shoppach hit a rocket right at third baseman Fontenot.  Fontenot knocked the ball down, but for some reason started looking for the ball in the sky (who knows) while it was slowly rolling behind him leaving Shoppach amble time to reach first.  Next, Nava hit a bouncer to first that moved Shoppach over to second.  Then Byrd hit a ball up the middle that Rollins eventually scooped up (it felt like the ball was rolling for at least 17 minutes) and threw to first where Byrd was called out on a close play.

Valentine came out to argue that the ball pulled Wigginton off the base (it may have, the replays weren't definitive) and comically jumped up and down multiple times to prove his point.  So, yeah, he was tossed.  But as he continued to argue after getting thrown, the first base ump inadvertently spit his gum directly on Valentine.  Which was gross.  Once the dust settled from that, Nick Punto struck out.  Phillies win.  Papelbon gets the save.  And hopefully Valentine dunked his head in a vat of sanitizer.

BOX SCORE

Papelbon's alter ego isn't afraid of the Sox

Jonathan Papelbon loves to talk and when asked about it being weird to face his old club, he admitted it would be. But not for Cinco Ocho. He ain't afraid of nothin'!

"It won't be weird. It might be a little weird for Pap, but it won't be weird for Cinco," Papelbon told Boston's WEEI radio. "Cinco is like a great white, when he smells blood he attacks."

I have to admit, I sometimes love the nonsense that spews out of his mouth. We've heard the Cinco Ocho thing before, we've heard the nonsense in Boston, which has made this crap old and borderline annoying. He loves to hear himself talk getting a rise out of us. At the end of the day, he is just a hick that likes to drink beer and shoot the empties on his picket fence.

Papelbon compares Philly to Paris...what?

Jonathan Papelbon's love affair with Philadelphia continues, with his newest statement comparing Philly to Paris. I'm sure with all the money Papelbon has, he has made a few trips to Paris, so he can make a knowledgable comparison of the two cities. The Eiffel Tower, Le louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Montmarte, all of those great sights in Philadelphia. What, Philly doesn't have any of those? Well, Pap must have some good reasoning to compare Philly to Paris. 

"Philadelphia has a cool feel to it, man,'' Papelbon says. "It's a vibe that the city produces. It makes you feel like you are in Paris. I've never been to Paris, but I've seen it in a lot of movies. I think [Philadelphia] is going to be a great place to live."

What? Movies? Pap, you have to explore the city some more in addition to your drive from the stadium to the suburbs. I have never been to Paris either, but my wife has and this almost made her head explode. We have been to Philly many times, in the city and around, and it doesn't even come close to Paris. I wouldn't say Boston is like Paris, because I know it is not. You gotta love the Papelbon nonsense.

Pap, get your head out of Philly's ass and think before you talk.

Does this remind you of Paris?

Your Morning Dump... Where Papelbon is still yapping

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

"Philadelphia has a cool feel to it, man,'' Papelbon says. "It's a vibe that the city produces. It makes you feel like you are in Paris. I've never been to Paris, but I've seen it in a lot of movies. I think [Philadelphia] is going to be a great place to live."

"When I walk down the street [in Philadelphia], everyone is nice. They say hi, and then they let you do your business," says Papelbon, who grew up in Baton Rouge, La. "In the other city, the people get up in your face a lot more and want to talk about baseball, the team and how you are going to do. It's more easy-going in Philadelphia.''

"I'm glad it was the Phillies, man,'' Papelbon says. "I like the way they play. I never really thought about the money. I was thinking more the team and the opportunity.''

"Every athlete wants to try (to make amends),'' Papelbon said, "But it was time for me to go. All good things must come to an end. So I moved on.''

SI.com - Gone from 'other city,' Papelbon embraces new surroundings

I'm too lazy to Google it, but I'm willing to bet that this was the first time, and will be the last time, that anyone compares Philadelphia to Paris.

I imagine a handful people out there will take exception to his "other city" comments.  I think we all can agree that Philly isn't some laid-back, easy-going town.  It may be the one place in America that's more sports insane than Boston.  So if people are leaving him alone and letting him antique in peace in the streets of Philadelphia (and make no mistake about it, Paps is definitely an antiquer), it's only because they don't quite know who he is yet.  Give it a year.  After a blown save he won't be able to show his face in Starbucks without 16 people trying to throw hot cups of coffee in his face.  Hell, this was the fanbase that booed him in his first appearance in Philly.  The love won't last.

And for Papelbon to utter the statement that he never thought about the money is laughable.  It was always about the money with him.  One of the reasons we respected him (and, ultimately, knew the day would come that he'd head out of town) was that he never pretended it was about anything else.  The Phillies threw a lot of money at him.  Boston didn't attempt to match or beat.  That was that.

But Papelbon talking out of his ass isn't anything new.  We were able to enjoy it for several years, and now that we're no longer in on the joke (and, at times, are the butt of the joke), it's a little grating.  The other half of the Papelbon experience is that he's one hell of a closer.  That's something else that hasn't changed with his shift to the NL.  He has 9 saves through 12 games with 13 K's an ERA of 3.00 while holding batters to a .190 BAA.   In comparison, the current Red Sox closer Aflredo Aceves has pitched in 13 games, but only has 5 saves with an ERA of 6.39 while batters are hitting .265 off of him.  He does have 4 more strikeouts than Papelbon, so there's that.

I've been flip-flopping on the 'The Sox should've re-signed Papelbon' issue.  We don't know yet what type of player Bailey is going to be, beyond injury-prone.  He may be just as effective in the 9th.  But this team is simply too flawed.  With each loss it's becoming more and more apparent that the Sox are destined to watch the 2012 playoffs from home.  Depositing several millions of dollars in Papelbon's bank account wouldn't have changed that fate.

Photo: Drew Hallowell/Getty Images

On Page 2, will the real Bobby Valentine please stand up

Sox snag three of top 37 picks in June draft

Thanks to the departure of Philadelphia scholar Jonathan Papelbon, the Red Sox have a surplus of early picks in the upcoming 2012 draft. The official numbers were released today, and Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal has the numbers:

First round
No. 24
No. 31 (for Jonathan Papelbon)

Supplemental first round
No. 37 (for Papelbon)

If you were one of the fools who freaked out over Aceves' first couple of save opportunities and wished we had thrown $50 million at Pap, here's another reason why it was good that we didn't. Draft picks are, of course, not guaranteed, but when you get two first rounders, you have a pretty good chance at converting on at least one of them. Having three total -- despite them not being early picks in the round -- gives even more options for Ben Cherington to play with.

And if you're a believer of Jonah Keri's recent column, which noted that free agent crops are getting weaker thanks to more young players signing long-term deals, so accumulating minor-league talent is going to become even more important. We've of course seen the success of the Rays building through the draft, but up-and-coming teams like Toronto and Kansas City appear to be using the same method to (theoretical) success. Meanwhile, many of the most recent free agent contracts (Carl Crawford, Jayson Werth, Alex Rodriguez, and this past offseason's megadeals for Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder come immediately to mind) are looking more than a little albatross-y.

It will also be the first chance to see what kind of drafter Cherington is. In all likelihood he'll be similar to Theo -- valuing high-upside guys, not being afraid of players who require costly bonuses, aiming for high-velocity pitching -- but it'll be interesting to see if any of those tenets change with Ben at the wheel.

The draft will be televised this year as well, airing at 7 pm on June 4 on MLB Network. I'm sure it will be a riveting telecast with lots of highlights of aluminum-bat fueled bombs.

Phillies fans boo Jonathan Papelbon

Remember when Jonathan Papelbon had nothing but praise for the genius Philadelphia fans and their deep understanding of baseball?

They repaid the favor by booing Papelbon in his first home appearance, and just three pitches in at that. He gave up a home run in a non-save situation yesterday (in a game Philadelphia went on to win), and the fans decided they had had enough. Talk about patience.

Booing is not a sign of a smart fan base. You think these clowns who trash their $50 million man after a relatively inconsequential pitch understand the intricacies of NL baseball? Not only did you get it wrong, Pap, but your efforts to endear yourself to the fan base have already not worked. Enjoy your next four years.

Papelbon issues weak mea culpa for Red Sox fan comments

Earlier this month former Sox closer and genius Jonathan Papelbon endeared himself to Philadelphia fans by saying they were superior to Boston fans. Today he seems to have satisfied the Boston media by clarifying these comments, but does so in typical not-really-an-apology fashion:

“I wasn’t trying to offend nobody, man,” said Papelbon, who signed a 4-year, $50 million deal with the Phillies. “I was just calling a spade a spade. I’ve been in the bullpen down there many a times in Boston to know this (fan) don’t have a clue what he’s talking about. It happens in Philadelphia, too. I’ve been in Philadelphia’s bullpen. I was just simply saying that, because the American League is different than the National League, there’s a little more thought process that goes along with that.

"I wasn't trying to offend [any]body" is a close cousin to "I'm sorry to those who I offended" in the "I'm only making this statement so people get off my back" lexicon. He's still an idiot, he's still generalizing for no good reason, and he's still giving Philadelphia too much credit.

That said, we can't be too bad. No organization more frequently or ruthlessly trashes its former employees than the Boston Red Sox. Maybe Pap just learned how effective that strategy is while he was here.

Jonathan Papelbon fires away at Red Sox fans

The man who became famous for wearing a Bud Light cardboard box on his head has decided to sound off on his perceptions of the intelligence of Red Sox fans. Via Michael Silverman of the Herald comes this quote comparing his old and new fan bases.

“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 in an interview with a Philadelphia CBS radio station.  “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,” Papelbon said.

Now, I'm not going to try to defend all Sox fans since a good percentage -- as with almost any fanbase -- can act pretty stupid. But the team he uses as a comparison is laughable. I know he's trying to endear himself to the Philly faithful -- and smart move on his part -- but to try to make Philadelphia fans out as smarter and better behaved than Boston fans is crazy.

Philly fans are notorious. The stories about applauding Michael Irvin's injury and throwing snowballs at Santa are well known. They once threw batteries at JD Drew. I mean, these are not Cardinals fans. 

And somehow Sox fans are insanely into the games but don't know the game of baseball? What were people doing while watching the games for decades? It's not like it's an action-packed sport where you tune in for the spectacle. If you follow baseball with any regularity, you get to know it pretty intimately. What else are we supposed to do when it takes 25 seconds for a pitch to be delivered?

But keep talking, Pap. I'm sure after a few months in Pennsylvania (or have you even gotten there yet?) and two weeks in Florida, you're in a position to judge.