Sunday, March 12, 2006

I just read a very good article in the Boston Globe Magazine about Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon, written by Charlie Pierce. 

The article talked a lot about how Papelbon is being compared to Roger Clemens. I always think it's unfortunate when a young player is compared to a legend. It sets a standard that is virtually impossible for a player like Papelbon to live up to. Papelbon could be a very good major leaguer. He could even be a Hall of Famer and he still might not be as good as Clemens, who you could make an argument is the greatest pitcher ever.

Two names come to mind. Ellis Burks and Eric Davis were both compared to Willie Mays early in their careers. Mays was probably the best position player in the history of baseball. Both Burks and Davis had very good careers, although both were somewhat slowed by injuries. Neither remotely appoached Willie Mays.

One other thing that is mentioned is that Papelbon, who grew up in Louisiana and Florida, can't get used to rotaries or people honking their horns a split second after a traffic light turns green. Let's hope he has a long time in Boston to get figure them out.

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