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Papelbon won't escalate Steinbrenner feud

Email|Link|Comments (12) Posted by Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff March 15, 2008 01:20 PM

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Jonathan Papelbon was amused yesterday by Yankee owner Hank Steinbrenner's comments in the New York Post in which he said, "being insulted by Papelbon is like being attacked by a mouse."

During the good-natured back-and-forth between Steinbrenner and Sox owner John Henry a few weeks back concerning which team's brand is more recognizeable, Papelbon had told the Hartford Courant, "I don't know if he's trying to stir things up or not. I sure as hell don't care because he sure as hell hasn't stepped on a baseball field. He needs to just stick to pencil-pushing, I guess."

Papelbon said in response to the mouse quote, "What ever dude. Obviously by that comment he's trying to start something. I'm not gonna get into it back and forth. I mean I said that because I honestly believe it. People nowadays, whether it be reporters, ESPN analysts, guys that don't play the game, don't understand what it's about. What the grind is about, what the clubhouse is like."

When told Steinbrenner said that Papelbon made it personal, the closer said, "I don't know why he would take it that way. I'm saying, guys that have never been on the field don't have the right to speak their mind about things that they don't know about. I'm not insulted by what he said."

Papelbon said he didn't want to do anything to escalate it any more and said he was even flattered by the fact Steinbrenner would go out of his way to single him out.

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12 comments so far...

Papelbon should keep his mouth shut and the team captain or manager should tell him to do just that.
Leave the blowhard talk to the 2 owners - who told Papelbon he should even have an opinion about what the owners have to say. His job is to pitch and based on last season, the wunderkind might want to keep his head down and focus on throwing strikes - on the field

Posted by hank morris March 16, 08 02:14 AM

Based on last season...The won his team won the World Series and he was on of the best closers in the league? I am not sure I want him running his mouth to chumps like Steinbrenner because when you argue with fools nobody can tell the difference, but I don't think Pap needs to "keep his head down" he has been pretty consistent these last two years.

Posted by jstro31 March 17, 08 01:11 PM

Hank would cleaning horse stables if it was not for his father. At least Papelbon has a talent that only a a couple dozen people in the world has.

Posted by T Mac March 17, 08 01:36 PM

Why should Paps keep his mouth shut? I think YOU should keep your mouth shut. Hankie's a jealous little man. And I think our all-star closer has earned the right to say anything he wants. Bring it on.

Posted by Sam March 17, 08 02:05 PM

jstro31..thanks for asking hank that question. I couldn't understand what he meant by that either. Papelbon is Papelbon..as long as he continues to pitch the way he has the past couple years, I don't care who or what he says about people, he speaks his mind and I think honesty is always the best policy.

Posted by bmoney March 17, 08 02:13 PM

yeah hank, not sure what you're talking about. papelbon has been in the top 3 at his position for the past 2 seasons and intimidation and trash talk is half of his game. I think it's fine if he let's hank rile him up... it'll probably only make him better

Posted by dj March 17, 08 02:32 PM

Immaturity fits Mr. Papelbon just right. Mr. Steinbrenner was talking about ESPN when this started up and another person with Immaturity attached to him got into the commenting and that being Mr. Henry. Then of course the dean of Immaturity himself commented a few years back with the "Evil Empire" quote about the New York Yankees. So all in all what do you expect.

Posted by Michael March 17, 08 05:11 PM

Steinweasel is a bigger blowhard than his father!
Fun stuff.

Posted by MickeyDolenz1969 March 17, 08 05:27 PM

I do agree that Pap should probably lay off making the comments to the media.

But who can argue that Hank Steinbrenner is the best thing to ever happen to Red Sox Nation! He makes the Yankees look like idiots! And not the good 2004 Red Sox idiots...a real idiot.

Posted by Nick K. March 17, 08 09:02 PM

agreed jstro13." His job is to pitch and based on last season, the wunderkind might want to keep his head down and focus on throwing strikes "I think he threw a few last season,not to mention the WORLD SERIES!!
"Leave the blowhard talk to the 2 owners "
hank"steinbrenner"morris needs to leave the baseball talk to the people that watch baseball!
GO SOX!!

Posted by pudge1975 March 18, 08 07:36 AM

This young hot shot better learn to keep his mouth shut. He's good, but he's still in his second year. I guess He really is the next Clemens...

Posted by Tom Corz March 18, 08 09:37 AM

What a a$$ wipe a million dollar arm and a ten cent head. Hey, cut the BS and return the WS baseball. In a few years your greedy ass will be sucking up to the Yankees.

Posted by mr.putzoo March 18, 08 11:40 AM