WHY PAPELBON COULD NEVER BE MARIANO RIVERA

Jonathon Papelbon has the talent to be a great pitcher, but it’s much, much more than that. You have to think about what the fans mean to the game as well. Mariano Rivera loves the fans of the New York Yankees, but not only that, he respects the whole game, what players do to accomplish goals, to win championships and of course the agony of defeat. Mariano Rivera has seen both sides, but he still comes out the same, a proud man with a heart bigger than anything I’ve ever seen. Even with his final decision on whether or not to retire at the end of this season, he’s thinking about the fans first, and himself second.

Which brings me to the turd in Jonathon Papelbon, the now Philadelphia Phillie who was interviewed on 94-WIP and took a shot at all Red Sox Fans, the same Red Sox fans that wanted the guy out there every time the Sox needed to close out a big game and win. (Read the story HERE.) The same fans that wore his Papelbon jersey proudly in Fenway park. Most Yankee fans hate Red Sox fans, but I don't. I see it differently. I respect their passion, the difference is their rooting for the enemy and I'm not. That being said, this is what Papelbon said:

"The difference between Boston and Philadelphia, the Boston fans are alittle bit more hysterical when it comes to the game of baseball. The Philly fans tend to know the game alittle better, being in the National League, you know, the way the game is played.”

Now this is going to sound strange, and it’s not even April Fool's Day…I’m siding with the Sox fans on this one. Not only does Papelbon’s explanation not make sense, it’s about as stupid as the “stupid” accusation he accuses the Sox fans of being. Did Papelbon go to the school of Bobby Valentine because if this is the way it’s going to be all season, I’m going to have plenty to write about.

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