Everyone is talking about Jonathan Papelbon’s interview in Esquire where he calls Manny Ramirez a “cancer,” I for one, could care less. However, there was one small throw-away tidbit in the article I found particularly interesting. Since he left the team in 1996, Roger Clemens’ number “21” hasn’t been worn by a Red Sox player, but when the Sox were planning on reconverting Papelbon to a starter for the 2007 season “They…offered him the number 21, Roger Clemens’s old number, because they thought the favorable comparison might help Papelbon take to the idea. But the role didn’t sit right with him, and neither did the number.”
I like the Sox’ thinking here, it’s an interesting inspirational idea, but I also like Papelbon’s insistence on forging his own path, the “58” he wears was a random assignment, one he is turning into it’s own legendary number. Paps is building his own legacy, he doesn’t need to pick up on Clemens’.
[Esquire]
The Slanch Report 
Yeah, a couple more interviews like that and I will be throwing batteries at number 58 every chance I get. Terrible.
that is pretty much garbage. but paps is kind of a dipshit, so not particularly surprising.
whether it’s the truth or not, the guy is gone and it worked out for both teams. why act like a dick and talk shit about him? oh yeah, because the dropkick murphy’s have your back.
queers, the lot of yas…
look, the manny stuff was unnecessary and stupid, i agree.
but i still enjoy papelbon, i think he’s hilarious and fun and isnt a derek jeter robot machine
so i’m ok with that for now.
but i will be less than enthused when he signs a 5-year 87 million deal with the indians in 2011…