Pap Goes the Weasel
'I'm Loyal to Those Who Are Loyal to Me'
Don't Hold Your Breath for the Papelbon Thank You Ad in the Globe Anytime Soon
Pap Shows No Love, Says No Goodbyes to Boston Fans After All These Years
Hello Presser Is All About His Loyalty and Respect for 'Classy' Philadelphia
Old Closer Told His Agent He Just Wanted to Go to Play for Phillies
Virtually No Talks With Red Sox Since the Season Ended
-- Jonathan Papelbon from his 'Hello Philadelphia' press conference: "I can't say enough about the organization, about the class, just going through physicals today. It's been pretty evident to me how classy this organization is. Secondly, to play under a manager like Charlie Manuel who is obviously one of the most respected managers in the game, and finally to be on a team who I've played against the last four, five years. Been in the other dugout and have nothing but respect for the guys in that clubhouse and I can't wait to meet the guys and go to war with them.
"It happened pretty quick, it really did. I was on the phone with my agents for a couple days and it happened pretty quick, quicker than I thought. For me and my personal decision, to come here was solely based on the guys showing interest in me here, and Reuben [Amaro, Phils' general manager] showing interest in me, and I'm the type of guy that I'm loyal to those who are loyal to me and these guys showed me that they wanted me and it really didn't boil down to going back to the Red Sox and seeing if they wanted me back. I knew that these guys wanted me and I made my decision right then and there. There was no hesitation.
"The Phillies were very high on my list. I would say that they were probably the No. 1 team on my list because of the simple fact that it's an environment that makes me tick. This is an environment that I love to pitch in. It's an environment that the fans are in every pitch. The fans are knowledgeable of baseball and I think that's what makes me the kind of pitcher that I am, is playing at home for 82 games in this type of environment. I think that the fans are going to expect anything more than what I'm going to expect out of myself. I'm excited to go and play in front of the fans and show the fans what I can bring to this team...
"You know my agents call me every day with what could possibly happen and this and that. I think one day I finally told them I said, 'Listen, I want to go play for the Phillies. Let's make it happen.' And I think they called me two days later and they made it happen...
"The Phillies showed that they were interested in me and I wanted to make this decision quick and get it over with, and the Phillies showed the utmost loyalty to me and I didn't want to sit there and debate about whether I should go back to Boston or whether I should come to Philly. It was the Phillies that wanted me, and they showed me that they wanted me so I showed them the same respect...
"The guys in this clubhouse. The way they play the game of baseball is the way I play the game of baseball... "
"Mr. Papelbon, you know nothing of war. I've spent three years at war. I'm in Iraq now and heading to Afghanistan in December. I know the people I want to go to war with. You sir are not one of them. You sir, are a grown man who plays a boy's game for a tremendous amount of money. I'm not knocking that, if I had the talent to play baseball for money I would. However, don't compare your game to what I do for a living. What I do has life an death consequences. What you do is a game. Nothing irks me more than men who play little boys games for money comparing their games to war." -- John J. Faria, member of the US Armed Forces
"There were no talks with the Red Sox as far as getting something done and both of us agreeing on... There were talks, but I don't think that anything evolved." -- Papelbon via CSNNE.com
"There's something in my heart that feels like I was meant to be here and play in front of these fans... I don't think for a closer, there's no difference between leagues. I gotta go out there and preserve wins for the team, that's the bottom line. I've had my fair share of ups and downs, those situations make you better, and I definitely feel that the situation in Boston last year will make me a better pitcher. I'm not going to shy away from being a cannibal as a pitcher. I've always gone about my business that way." -- Papelbon via Philliedelphia
Todd Zolecki: "Why the $58 extra in your contract?"
Papelbon: "That's a good question. I don't know. You're going to have to ask Cinco Ocho that question. I had nuttin' to do with that. I can give you his phone number if you need it. [uncomfortable laughing... think Nomar]"
