Jonathan Papelbon Channels His Inner Kenny Powers
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Jonathan Papelbon wants out. The Phils' closer made that known in a klatch with reporters Wednesday night after the Phils beat the Milwaukee Brewers for a third time—which Papelbon closed, notching his 22nd save.
Ruben Amaro should be burning up bars on his cell trying to get Papelbon out of town anyway he can, as a tsunami of boos may come Papelbon's way this weekend if he appears at Citizens Bank Park against the visiting Washington Nationals.
Paps wants out—let him out. Few will shed tears over his departure.
The fact is, Papelbon hasn't endeared himself too well with the Phils' fanbase, certainly not his teammates and definitely not the media that covers the team. What's also undeniable is Papelbon always seems to channel certain "Kenny Powers element" to his persona, save for the decade's old jheri curl mullet.
Couldn't you just see Papelbon, instead of actor Danny McBride, playing Powers, the central figure in HBO's "Eastbound & Down" about a socially challenged relief pitcher who lives in his own world, during Wednesday night's postgame interview?
When asked if his strong performance would make him wanted by a contender, Paps responded, "Of course, man. What kind of question is that?"
The real Kenny Powers once uttered: "I need to remember that I'm a winner man. I need to remember that I am better than everyone else. Bulletproof tiger, man."
When asked about moving from a losing team to a contending team, Papelbon said, "What? Some guys want to stay on a losing team? That's mind-boggling to me. Yeah, I think that's a no-brainer."
The real Kenny Powers once said, "I'm sick and tired of carrying all the weight, the coaches and owners not giving me the [expletive] I need to win."
Asked if he had a "gut feeling" as to whether or not he will be traded before the deadline, Paps said, "I don't have that crystal eight-ball."
Not many do. Not even Kenny Powers. But the real Kenny Powers was blessed "with many things in this life: an arm like a damn rocket, an [expletive] like a burmese python, and the mind of a scientist" and … "extraordinary hair."
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