WBC Question

graddawg

Member
Jun 4, 2007
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Has there been any discussion as to why Papelbon isn't on this team? Is it simply because of his past arm trouble and the need to strictly control his pitching regimen? I mean, Matt Linstrom is a good closer but he's no Paps. I saw highlights of Jonathan pitching against the Rays in spring training and it dawned on me that he wasn't on the USA team.
 

Todd4State

New member
Mar 3, 2008
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Nope.

All I've got is an interview with Davey Johnson the manager on how they picked the team. He said that everyone they asked committed that was able to play. He said that the only reasons that they got turned down were because of mild injuries, or family issues like players wives having a baby.

So, unless his wife was pregnant and I wasn't aware of it, it more than likely was what you said about him having past arm trouble.
 

ScoobaDawg

Member
Jun 4, 2007
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They did just have a baby in the end of December, and I have been told that Parker Allison Papelbon (PAP) has been a handful for him and Allison.

*edit* anddd 2 seconds after that, with a google we find this \
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/132021-papelbon-to-skip-world-baseball-classic
"I had a daughter this offseason," Papelbon said. "With the baby and everything, it just didn't work out well for me. Secondly, I just don't think with me not necessarily locked in with a long-term deal, I'm going to jeopardize my career to go play in a three-week tournament or however long it is," the Red Sox's star closer had to say.