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What freakin whiny baby this guy is? Give me a break. He couldn't hold Mo's jock.

And here I thought I couldn't think any less of this guy....boy was I wrong. It's actually a very easy decision...Mo closes.

I'm surprised you could fit this guy's head in the photo. He's got a long way to go before he can even start to compare himself to Mariano.

AL Closer? Papelbon.. Nope. Rivera.... Nope.

It's obvious K-Rod should be closing! It's just a shame the AL team has descended into a Red Sox/Yankee's popularity contest, and has nothing to do with baseball anymore.

Hey, if you want real excitement, let Todd Jones (try to) close!
What's that? You have to be an All-Star? Never mind.

Rivera should close but Pap is still a better pitcher

Kids today. It's not like Rivera is having a bad year...and oh yeah - it's at Yankee Stadium. Idiot

he is a tool-

and you sjptrack are a moron for saying he is a better pitcher

You might not have to open your yap if you had better numbers than Rivera this year. You don't. It's not even close. Rivera's numbers are other worldly this year.

Shut up and pitch when you are told to pitch you idiot.

This guy is total garbage. Lack of respect. Hey Paps, when you get mentioned and you can look in the mirror and know your a first ballot Hall of Famer then you can talk, otherwise shut the heck up!! Gosh what a moron!!

Paps just shows how classless he is. As a baseball player he should respect what MO has done for the closer role. But then again other then Big Papi the whole Red Sox team has no class. Truly are "IDIOTS"

Who does this guy think he is? Yes he is a very good closer but until he proves himself over the long haul he needs to shut his trap! Big Mo should close unless he starts the game. I would love to see him start.

I don't even think Papelbon gets in the game tonight. I figure Soria (as the only Royal on the team) and Sherrill (the only Oriole) get the call in the 6th and 7th, with K-Rod pitching the 8th, and Mariano Rivera closing it out.

I don't agree with the way he is going about it, but I do agree with the fact that Francona has the right to decide. He's the manager and he also has special interest in this game because the winning league gets home field in the World Series. Obviously the Red Sox think they'll be in the playoffs, so this matters. I don't think you take emotion into account, you put the player that you think gives you the best chance to win on the mound.

My aren't some of you haters. Papelbon spoke out of turn. Rivera should probably close, because the game is in Yankee Stadium and all that. But, if your team had a one-run lead in the ninth, and you could choose between Paps and Rivera to seal the deal, the majority would, and should, choose Papelbon to get it done.

The AL has to have the lead first, folks, or all this fine discussion won't matter one bit.

You might not have to open your yap if you had better numbers than Rivera this year. You don't. It's not even close. Rivera's numbers are other worldly this year.

Shut up and pitch when you are told to pitch you idiot.

CardsFan2 | 07/15/08, 08:37 AM

Thanks, CardsFan, now I don't have to write it!