(expletive) Jonathan (expletive) Papelbon doesn’t want to play for the (expletive) Yankees

Remember the other day when I said Jonathan Papelbon wasn’t an idiot after making his comments about not ruling out the Yankees on SIRIUS XM Radio? Well, never mind that. I gave him too much credit.

In an expletive-laden tirade relayed to us by WEEI.com, Papelbon made his stance crystal clear. Read the entire thing for full effect. Here’s a sampling:

“I just think that when people hear what I said or people read what I said sometimes they can only see certain things. I want to make that clear, I don’t want to go (expletive) play for the Yankees,” Papelbon said.

“Believe me, I’ve got a ring here and I’m playing for a manager and general manager who are going to protect me. I’ve been on a team in baseball who has been in first-place more than any other (expletive) team in baseball. It’s just a simple fact for me that what I was stating that guys nowadays don’t necessarily get the opportunity to be with a team for a long period of time.

”Do I want to be with the Red Sox for as long as I can? Of course. There is no question about because I know I’m playing a manager and general manager who are going to protect me and to me that’s all that matters.”

Keep in mind, he isn’t a free agent until after the 2011 season. This is the kind of talk you hear when a player is about to reach free agency. What a clown.

Papelbon wouldn’t rule out signing with Yanks after 2011

Boston Red Sox closer and object of Yankees fans’ fury everywhere, Jonathan Papelbon, told Jody McDonald on MLB Home Plate on SIRIUS XM Radio that he wouldn’t rule out signing with the Yankees (or anyone else) when he becomes eligible for free agency after the 2011 season.

From the transcript of the interview:

Host, Jody McDonald: “If you couldn’t work out a contract with the Red Sox before free agency comes up and you eventually become a free agent, is the Bronx ever a possibility?”

Jonathan Papelbon: “Oh, of course.  I mean, I think if we can’t come to an agreement on terms here in a Red Sox uniform, I mean, I think that’s pretty much the writing on the wall.  If they can’t come to terms with you they’re letting you know that, ‘Hey you know what? We can go somewhere else.’  And I think it’s the same way on the other side, ‘Hey if ya’ll can’t come to an agreement with me then I can go somewhere else.’  Not only in the Bronx, but anywhere.  I think anywhere is a possibility.

”You always have to keep that in the back of your mind because you can’t just be one-sided and think that, ‘Oh I’m going to be in a Red Sox uniform my entire career.’  Because nowadays that is very, very rare and hopefully we can because there’s no question I would love to stay in a Boston Red Sox uniform but I have to do what’s best for me and play in an atmosphere where I’m wanted and play on a team where I’m wanted and that’s all I can really say about that, you know?”

Give Papelbon some credit: he’s not an idiot.  Ruling out the Yankees would be a silly move, even if he has no intention of signing with them.  That said, I still despise him and seeing him in pinstripes would be vomit-inducing.

Papelbon whines, Mets win

The Mets have done what the Yankees have been unable to do this season thus far: beat the Red Sox.  And they’ve already done so twice.

But I really want to talk about what Jonathan Papelbon did in the bottom of the ninth inning tonight.  Papelbon, of course, gave up the game-winning home run in the top of the ninth.

With a runner at first and no outs, Jason Bay grounded to third.  David Wright made a great play just getting to the ball.  He then fired a one-hopped to Luis Castillo who somehow kept his foot on the bag to record the force out.

Papelbon came running out of the dugout and started doing the “safe” motion with his arms.

Now, I ask you to imagine the uproar if a Yankee, more specifically, Joba Chamberlain, did something similar.  Chamberlain is killed for pumping his fist, but guys like Papelbon take it to the next level.  If Chamberlain did the “safe” sign like that, he’d be all over ESPN, Mike Francesa would be calling for his head and columnists would talk about how he’s showing up the opponent.

I want to watch MLB Network or “Baseball Tonight” and see these “analysts” call out Papelbon.  If they don’t, something is seriously wrong.

It was nice to hear one of the Mets’ announcers tell Papelbon to “sit down,” but I want to hear more of a reaction tonight.

AP Photo

Yankees win against Papelbon

Well, there will only be one final Yankees/Red Sox game at Yankee Stadium, and the Yankees did the right thing and won.

It was even sweet that Jason Giambi's bases-loaded single came against Jonathan Papelbon. He also tied the game in the seventh inning with a two-run home run. He didn't start the game against lefty Jon Lester, but he certainly had a presence.

This win probably won't matter in regards to the standings, but it's important historically. Hopefully the Yankees can win on Sept. 21 as well.

Mike Mussina restored order to the pitching staff, pitching seven innings and allowing two earned runs. He got a no-decision, however, and remains at 16 victories on the season.

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Papelbon continues to endear himself in the minds of New Yorkers

Jonathan Papelbon, a man who personifies class, is at it again.

This from Peter Abraham:

Yankees clubhouse manager Rob Cucuzza said how impressed he was with the Red Sox players. A few of them asked to see Thurman Munson’s locker. “Those guys and Terry (Francona) have been incredibly respectful,” he said. “I didn’t really know them before this and they’ve been great.”

Then we have Jonathan Papelbon, who is wearing a sleeveless blue t-shirt with a drawing of a hand making an obscene gesture. Yes, that obscene gesture.

Do you think Mariano Rivera did something like that when the All-Star Game was in Fenway Park in 1999? Didn't think so.

I continue to hope someone hits a bomb off of him tonight.

Red Sox running loose at the Stadium

Jonathan Papelbon has been running their mouths at the Stadium today. While it's nice having the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium this year, it really is a shame that the Red Sox had to participate in the World Series last season. Something about Terry Francona using the home manager's office really irks me.

Anyway, onto Papelbon. He believes that he, not Mariano Rivera, deserves to be the last American League pitcher.

“If I was managing the team, I would close. … But I’m not managing the team,” he said today.

While Francona using the office does bother me, at least he is all class and realizes what pitching Rivera last would mean.

I hope Papelbon gets shelled when he pitches. Hey, the Yankees aren't going to get to the World Series anyway.

The next quote of the moment

On Feb. 29, Hank Steinbrenner ranted about Red Sox Nation. Today, he responded to Jonathan Papelbon's criticism.

"Being insulted by Papelbon is like being attacked by a mouse," Steinbrenner told The Post.

"John Henry and I traded a couple of jabs good-naturedly," he added. "So now, all of a sudden, this player, this 20-something kid who really doesn't know his way in the world, comes out with a personal insult. There's no excuse for that."

Hilarious, just hilarious.

Picture from NoMaas.org

My dog ate the World Series ball

Everyone remembers the 2004 World Series ball controversy involving the Boston Red Sox and Doug Mientkiewicz.

Well, the 2007 World Series ball is also in the news, this time involving closer Jonathan Papelbon.

From ESPN.com:

"My dog ate it," Papelbon told the newspaper. "He plays with baseballs like they are his toys. His name is Boss. He jumped up one day on the counter and snatched it. He likes rawhide. He tore that thing to pieces.

"I'll keep what's left of it," he told the paper.

That's a shame. Hopefully this releases whatever hex has been on the Yankees since 2000. It helps that the dog's name is "Boss."

Crazy game last night

I thought for sure that when Jose Veras relieved Andy Pettitte in the fifth inning of a 5-1 game, the game was over.

Trailing 7-2 in the eighth inning, the Yankees rallied against Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon for six runs to take an 8-7 lead and eventually win by that score.

The Yankees stole a huge game - a game that they needed - with Detroit and Seattle both winning. The magic number in the Wild Card is now down to 12. The tragic number in the East is 12, but each win by the Yankees makes the folks in Boston sweat a little more.