Jonathan Papelbon Fires First Pitch At Full Effort Before ALCS Game 3 Between Red Sox And Astros

BOSTON (CBS) -- Jonathan Papelbon only knows one way do things. Any time the world has ever seen him do anything, he's done it at full speed, with max effort.

The former closer's first pitch on a chilly Monday night at Fenway Park was no exception.

Papelbon, the Red Sox' closer from 2006-11, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of the ALCS between the Red Sox and Astros. But Papelbon being Papelbon, there was nothing ceremonial about it.

The 40-year-old threw his last MLB pitch in 2016, and he seemed to savor this moment back on the Fenway mound.

The right-hander looked in for his sign, came to the set, and reared back and gave it all he had, firing his pitch into the dirt.

The video board out in left-center field gave Papelbon credit for a 91 mph fastball on the pitch.

That pitch came after Papelbon opted to run all the way in from center field instead of the standard walk from the dugout.

Papelbon, who ranks 10th all time in saves with 368, walked away from the game five years ago. He clearly still has a love for the game.

During the NESN pregame show, Papelbon said he'd be chucking one into the dirt if Jason Varitek -- the former catcher who's now the team's game planning coordinator -- was behind the plate.

Papelbon ended up getting Kevin Plawecki instead of Varitek, but still made the catcher do a little work.

With Papelbon, we'd expect nothing less.

In:
• MLB
• Houston Astros
• Fenway Park
• Boston Red Sox