Jonathan Papelbon Reveals Wild Memories From Phillies Tenure
Nine years after throwing his last pitch with the Philadelphia Phillies, Jonathan Papelbon is finally opening up about his controversial time with the team.
Papelbon didn't hold back during a recent interview for the "Foul Territory" YouTube channel. He had plenty to say about his four seasons with the Phillies from 2012-2015, taking shots at everyone from former teammates and fans, to umpires, and Philadelphia's front office.
A notoriously fiery competitor during his playing days, Papelbon remembered feeling let down when he joined the Phillies in 2012.
Then-GM Ruben Amaro promised him multiple championships when he signed a four-year, $50 million deal with Philadelphia after the 2011 season -- the largest contract ever for a relief pitcher at the time.
Instead, the Phillies never even finished above .500 during Papelbon's time with the team.
That wasn't Papelbon's fault, however, as he made two All-Star teams during his tenure and was one of the best closers in baseball.
The star pitcher blamed leadership for the team's failures.
"(Ryne) Sandberg was the worst manager ever," he said. "(Expletive) hit the fan real quick. And Ruben Amaro got the keys to a Porsche and went out and wrecked it, in my opinion."
Papelbon could only watch as the manager and front office squandered star-studded rosters that also included Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, and Roy Halladay, among others.
"How did we not win? That's what frustrated me so much. I felt like...that energy wasn't there like it used to be," he added.
Perhaps Philadelphia was too old and complacent by that point, especially after already winning a World Series title in 2008. Maybe the team had lost its hunger.
Papelbon also didn't appreciate the treatment he received from Phillies fans, who booed him after blowing a save. He responded with an indecent gesture that got him ejected from the game.
Papelbon has been retired for nearly a decade now, but he still clearly has strong feelings about his stint with Philadelphia. It may not have turned out how he wanted, but at least it left him with plenty of memories.
