Cliff-hanging With Paps

In 2006 a legend was born in Boston.  Or so we thought.  Jonathan Papelbon broke on the scene with a spectacular transition from touted pitching prospect and starter to everyday major leaguer and closer.  Posting an ERA below 1 for a large portion of the season before the long haul of the season caught up with his arm, Sox fans were left with a feeling they found a star in the making.  The next year Papelbon said he wanted to remain a closer and was one of the main reason the Red Sox won the A.L. East as well as the World Series.  It seemed to many of us, including myself, we had found the next biggest star in Boston, especially with David Ortiz starting to get older (although I don't iihnk enough is said about how great of a season he had in 2007).

Unfortunately Papelbon has turned into somewhat of an enigma.  Over the past week and a half I have witnessed him shut down the Skanks in the bottom of the 9th twice, blow a lead to the Blue Jays (shouldn't it at least be the other way around) and then strike out the side against the Angels.  Papelbon has a career high in blown saves this year and a career high ERA.  A man who was once going to take over Boston as its biggest star, with his epic entrances to perhaps the greatest Boston themed anthem ever, to his intimidating stare at opposing hitters, to his excessively energetic celebrations, has now become a heart attack with a fastball.  We Red Sox fans do not know if we're getting the Papelbon who struck out Mark Teixeira with a nasty splitter or the Papelbon who gave up a bomb to A-Rod (as I spit on the floor in disgust).

Why has Papelbon suddenly become human, you may ask?  That is an answer I would love to find out.  Maybe it's karma for always complaining about his contract, maybe his shoulder has more problems than we thought, maybe the leauge figured him out, but whatever the reason I want the 2007 Paps back.  The guy who when he came in everyone was either cheering or walking to the exits because his entrance music became a cue the game was over.  the man who ran around in spandex after winning the ALCS and mowed down hitters in the playoffs like they were little leaguers.  Will he ever be that guy again?  Only he can answer that for us and I hope it leads to us leaving Fenway Park after the 8th inning again.  For the right reasons.