Papelbon having a monster season?
The last rookie closer who drew as much attention as Jonathan Papelbon was “The Monster” Dick Radatz back in 1962. Barring injury and a sudden loss of stuff, Pap should break the Monster’s rookie save record of 24—but that might be it.
In 1962, Radatz finished with a 9-6 record and 24 saves, coupled with an impressive 144 strikeouts to just 40 walks in 125 innings. So far, Papelbon owns an 0-1 record with 13 saves and 18 strikeouts to just three bases on balls in 20 innings.
The comparison is actually an interesting study of how the role of the closer has evolved. Papelbon, at his present rate, will probably have more than 24 saves by the All-Star break. Yet it’s highly unlikely he pitches more than 100 innings or strikes out more than 100. We won’t even discuss the Monster’s 9-6 record. The Red Sox fifth starter won’t have nine wins, never mind the closer.
So while Papelbon is having a “monster” season, he’d have to go quite a ways to have as good a rookie season as “The Monster.”
In 1962, Radatz finished with a 9-6 record and 24 saves, coupled with an impressive 144 strikeouts to just 40 walks in 125 innings. So far, Papelbon owns an 0-1 record with 13 saves and 18 strikeouts to just three bases on balls in 20 innings.
The comparison is actually an interesting study of how the role of the closer has evolved. Papelbon, at his present rate, will probably have more than 24 saves by the All-Star break. Yet it’s highly unlikely he pitches more than 100 innings or strikes out more than 100. We won’t even discuss the Monster’s 9-6 record. The Red Sox fifth starter won’t have nine wins, never mind the closer.
So while Papelbon is having a “monster” season, he’d have to go quite a ways to have as good a rookie season as “The Monster.”
posted by Joe D' at 3:10 PM
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