Papelbon the sourpuss.....

He did say he thinks he should be the one to pitch the ninth. If Papelbon was whining, then Rivera was lobbying.

 

Neither of them were doing any such thing. It appears much more likely that they were giving honest answers to questions from reporters.

 

If I'm a closer - Rivera, Papelbon, Soria, Rodriguez, whoever - I want the ball too.

Much ado about nothing.

 

Rivera answered a question. He didn't single out papelbon, calling him out by name, to make a case for himself.

 

But, but, This Time It Counts!

 

Which is fine. I don't really think either comment is a big deal. My comment was more in response to the start of the thread.

Papelbon's comments were no more out of line than Rivera's.

 

mlb's loving all this all-star b.s.

and i repeat, as i noted on the home-run thread, hamilton's a marvelous story. but i'll certainly let everyone apologize to my cynical butt when it comes out that the balls in home-run derby were juiced. think about it: why wouldn't they be juiced? it's a damn t.v. show.

to these cynical eyes it's like everyone ignoring the obvious about the steroids era 'cause all baseball fanbois don't want to disbelieve what they're seeing. mlb is simply trying to capitalize on its feel-good story after taking the steroid hit for so long.

 

Papelbon is maybe the fifth best closer in the AL. Rivera, Nathan, Soria and K-Rod are all better, IMO.

 

Nonsense. Rivera didn't utter Papelbon's name. Papelbon singled out Rivera. How is that not different?

 

This year, I agree with you. And Rivera has been the best of them.

Overall, Soria doesn't have as much of a track record as Papelbon.

 

Rivera didn't have comments from Papelbon to respond to.

 

Papelbon didn't have to single out Rivera or even be drawn into it.

He did, calling Mo out. so I don't see how they're the same.