Jonathan Papelbon admits ouster of manager resulted in his exit from Boston Red Sox - MLB Update
While remaining tightlipped since then, Jonathan Papelbon finally comes up with an explanation about what triggered his exit from the Boston Red Sox after they failed in September last year. He believes, by the time the manager Terry Francona was sacked,
it was the time he started thinking about his departure from the club.
As a reliever, Papelbon rendered valuable services for Boston. For years, he helped the club in drawing saves and winning games. Therefore, when he reached the end of his contract with the organisation last year, free agency and retention by the club were
two possibilities.
As a reward for what he had done for the club for years, he was looking forward to an offer by the club for contract extension. Instead, he had to go into the free agency, with not much interest shown by Boston. Then, he ended up with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Looking back on those days when he was let off by the team, on Monday in Kansas City as an All-Star, he discussed his issues with Boston last year. While reporters approached him and asked questions, he shared the real story as to what had happened.
"(The Red Sox) wanted to see if I could go out and test the market and maybe come back," said Papelbon. "I don't know if they would (have countered), but I don't go back. I go forward. I go full-steam ahead. I don't look back. I've got a car that don't have
rearview mirrors in it. I just go."
Currently, Papelbon is one of the most reliable relief pitchers in the world of baseball. By the dint of his impeccable late-inning throws, he has earned the All-Star spot this year.
In light of the fact that the Phillies have floundered largely in the season, one cannot resist acknowledging that Papelbon has remained one of their few bright spots.
Meanwhile, when it was inquired from Papelbon about who played a role in making him a quality relief pitcher, he credited last year’s Red Sox manager Francona for this. During the years when he was part of the Red Sox, he explained, Francona helped him in
nurturing his skills.
Therefore, laurels he has achieved in this season have a lot to do with the way Francona had prepared him during his time with Boston.
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