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Papelbon fined for slow pace
Jonathan Papelbon needs to pick up the pace. Not on the field, where he is tied for the American League lead with 16 saves. But in getting there.
According to report this morning by Maureen Mullen of the Lynn Daily Item, Papelbon was fined $1,000 by the league earlier this week for violating pace-of-game guidelines. His infractions have come while he is entering the game.
A source told Mullen that the time from the third out of one half-inning to the first pitch of the next half-inning is supposed to be 2 minutes 5 seconds for local TV games, 2:25 for national TV weeknight games, and 2:30 for TV games on the weekend. According to Mullen's report, it took Papelbon 3:34 between the final out in the bottom of the eighth and the first pitch in the top of the ninth Wednesday night.
Papelbon, who was reprimanded last year for the same reason and has been warned this year, told Mullen before last night's game that he understood the fine.
“The rules are the rules,” he said. “But, I’m trying to figure out ways to where I can not get fined. Obviously, I don’t want to get fined or slow the game down, or be a nuisance to slow the game down. The fans want to see games that are three hours or so. I’m trying to figure that out right now to not get those fines, for sure.”
Should Papelbon violate the rule again, he will be fined $3,000, with a third violation costing him $7,000 with the possibility of suspension.
Actually John, 2:30 is plenty...
What a STUPID rule! Imagine Peyton Manning being fined for calling his cadence numerous times. Pap is just taking his time and strategizing what needs to be done to walk away with a W. Stupid STUPID rule.
What does the billion dollar enterprise do with the fine money?
This is an easy fix. Bring back the bullpen golf cart with the Red Sox cap on top to drive Paps to the mound.
You have to be kidding. Baseball is so slow already what does another minute or two matter. I was at last night's game and I noticed that Papelbon took his time leaving the bullpen but that was just part of his act and gave the fans time to anticipate what was to come...another great performance and save !
How about we stop playing God Bless America at the stretch? That would speed up games. Not to be insensitive to the families that lost loved ones on 9/11, but I think after seven years we could go back to just Take Me Out to the Ballgame.
Hey Ricky T, Manning DOES get fined. It's called a delay of game penalty...
"How about we stop playing God Bless America at the stretch? That would speed up games. Not to be insensitive to the families that lost loved ones on 9/11, but I think after seven years we could go back to just Take Me Out to the Ballgame."
They went back to Take Me Out to the Ballgame ages ago. They only do God Bless America on patriotic holidays and, I think, Sundays.
Does NESN get in some more commercials during this time? I watched last night, and other than showing his normal 'Dropkick Murphy, fist pound with the cop' entrance, it didn't appear that Paps took any extra warmup pitches. Does NESN mask it with another Charlie Moore commercial or something?
What does God Bless America have to do with 9/11?
Fenway Park: I want to go to there!
God Bless America is not played at every game...it is played sometimes on Sunday, usually on National TV day games ( I know Fox loves it) and national holidays, etc. Whatever they do, DO NOT stop playing Sweet Caroline! And If I were Pap, I would say to hell with this stupid rule and take 5 mins next time. They don't have the balls to suspend him. Don't interrupt your routine that has gotten you 40+ saves in the last 2 (3?) years running.
What about the pitchers who take forever on the mound? Pitch, step off, adjust your privates, play with whatever hangs around your neck, pick up and toss down the rosin bag, wipe your brow...some pitchers are slower than Nomar and his fidgets at the plate. What about hitters who call time out incessantly? I know they want to speed the game up but for crying out loud...this makes me think of last year when a Yankees person complained about Tito not wearing the uniform shirt and he had to show that he was wearing it under his jacket...is there someone in baseball whose sole job is to hold a stopwatch and time how long it takes relievers to get set?
Oh, and some places (like Wrigley) HAVE gone back to "Take Me Out..." instead of "God Bless..."
Do not upset the Gods of television, they have a short fuse. Mess with their schedule at your peril.
This is the stupidest thing I've heard in a while; I've never noticed a delay, but I will watch for it next time. I guess Pap needs to jog to the mound and throw his warmups faster.
And I agree on Take Me Out to the Ballgame! Baseball games are really missing something without this - it's tradition! If you still want to honor the troops at times, play it during Sunday games or something.
Clearly, this is because we need to hear all of Shipping Up to Boston to get the crowd (and Pap) pumped before he throws the first pitch of the ninth. As such, I think we should ditch Wild Thing. The version they play at Fenway (the orgininal cut) doesn't have the same kind of craziness as Major League. We should ditch it, and go Shipping Up to Boston right when he gives the Cop the fist pound before running out.
good rule. we need more. like the catcher not keep going out to mound. these 4 hour games suck
I think slow pitchers and batters should start getting continuously fined until they all change. It's painful to watch. Picking on Red Sox players (since they're the ones I follow), Paps is painfully slow on the mound. Pedroia, Lugo and Papi in particular, you don't need to spend 30 seconds adjusting all your equipment and ummmm privates between every darn pitch. Papi, we don't need to watch you take a stroll around and spit on your hands before every pitch. And don't even get me started on Lugo. Reminds me of all the gyrations Nomar used to do. Come on guys, this is supposed to be entertainment. The umps need to start handing out warnings and telling these guys to get in the box and telling the pitchers to be ready to pitch. No one likes 4 hour games. GET ON WITH IT!
OMG! This is just absolutely ridiculous! STUPID!
This Lynn paper has been getting some sports scoops lately ... heard it first type of stuff - she's scooping the big boys.
Pap's the man! He gets paid 16,500,000 or so over so many years. Whats the big deal. I say he does it another two times. Pisses of the commish and stays away from the suspension. Go Sox. Plus Pap was getting over being dehydrated!!
Paps should be fired from a cannon in the 'pen, and para-sail to the mound.
He'd agree to it, too.
MLB and Bud Selig need to get a life. He has the ruined the game of baseball.
Paps should be fired from a cannon in the 'pen, and para-sail to the mound.
He'd agree to it, too.
Paps should be fired from a cannon in the 'pen, and para-sail to the mound.
He'd agree to it, too.
Let me guess, the league is run by a bunch of lawyers just like the fools in Washington. With all the idiotic things in baseball this is a rule?!? Meanwhile in Tampa you have special rules for when a ball hits one of the girders in the roof ... foul ball, ground rule double, still in play ... i'm sure I missed a few. And there are several stadiums that have the bullpen in foul territory ... that's brilliant. MLB better watch out, they're catching up to the NHL!
They're just trying to mess with the best closer in baseball. What a bunch of jerks!
@Bat Insider
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