pudge's Journal: Pssssst, Jonathan

"I can't go through the whole season and be perfect," said Papelbon, who has converted 35 of 38 save opportunities. "I can't remember a closer who ever went through a season without blowing a save. If you're a closer that goes through a season and doesn't blow a save, I'd like to meet you."

See that guy sitting next to you on the bench, Eric Gagne? Dodgers, 2003, 55 saves, no blown saves.

So, three things to say. One, you should know your teammates and (recent) history better. Two, you could do it too. Three, considering what's happened to Gagne since, you might not want to ...

Papelbon

[RailGunner]

could be worse... could be Todd Jones.

As I post this, the Tigers are leading 6-3 in the top of the ninth.. Zumaya struck out Mauer... going for the sweep over a team I hate as much as the Yankees - the Twins.

If those Red Sox can smack around the Yankees again tonihgt like they did yesterday, that Wild Card lead is down to 1.5 over the Tigers... assuming the Tigers hold on and win today.

Re:

[pudge]

You have no idea -- OK, some, but still -- how much I am grateful to the effort put forth by the Tigers here. :-)

I mean, think about it: the best interests of the Red Sox are for the Tigers to lose, just in case the Sox do collapse, so they can still try to win the Wild Card. And yet I still want the Tigers to win, just because I hate the Yankees so much.