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]
Dustin Pedroia, the reigning MVP, (that sounds AWESOME to say) has, according to Peter Gammons, signed a 6 year, $40.5 million contract extension. 
WOW. That’s a pretty bold t-shirt to be offering. Talk about overweening pride. Hasn’t anyone told them the story of Icarus. I hope someone shows these to the Sox players. Again, it’d be one thing if this were a fan-made shirt. But it ain’t. You can purchase it through the 
The Slanch Report 
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