Jonathan Papelbon has his wildest blown save yet
Sep 13, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) flips baseball he fielded before throwing to first base for the final out in the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Jonathan Papelbon has given fans plenty to both cheer and boo about in his nine-year career, but his performance on Sunday is easily at the top of the list.
With a comfortable 4-1 lead, the Philadelphia Phillies called on closer Jonathan Papelbon to shut the door on the Miami Marlins. Papelbon was unable to get the job done and allowed the Marlins to score four runs as he picked up his fourth blown save of the season.
Given the poor outlook of the 2014 Phillies’ season and Papelbon’s track record with Philadelphia fans, it was not a huge surprise that when he walked to the dugout in the middle of the ninth inning he was met with plenty of boos. The Phillies’ closer once said of the Phillies organization, “I didn’t come here for this.” Of course he was speaking to the struggles of the team to express his distaste for playing for a losing club.
As Papelbon walked to the sound of plentiful jeers, fans at Citizens Bank Park would probably agree that they did not come to the ballpark for what came next. Papelbon seemingly gestured to the fans with a grab of his crotch.
Second-base umpire, Joe West, felt the act was enough to eject the closer from the game. This did not go over well with Jonathan Papelbon as the two men met face-to-face and West even went so far as to grab the number 58 jersey and push Papelbon back in the direction of the dugout.
“He basically came over and said I that did an inappropriate gesture, and I had no clue what he was talking about,” Papelbon told the
. “That is when I got upset. I had no idea what he was talking about. I had no explanation. I was still obviously pretty heated from what had just transpired. Me and Joe we go way back. We don’t see eye to eye a lot of times.”
West claims he was bumped first, but Papelbon insists he was touched first and feels video evidence can support that.
Phillies’ manager Ryne Sandberg also needed an explanation for Papelbon’s ejection as he came out to seek information.
The gesture was chalked up to an “adjustment” by Papelbon and he called the ejection “pretty stupid.” He says he plans to file a complaint against West for touching him.