MLB Fastball 03.15.08: Papelbon’s Attempt To Set The Standard & Billy Crystal Living The Dream
Posted by Neil Borenstein on 03.15.2008
Jonathan Papelbon wants to set the monetary standard for the rest of MLB’s new class of closers and Billy Crystal was granted one game to live his childhood dream. Neil Borenstein discusses this, as well as some reader comments, in this week’s edition of MLB Fastball.
Making The Save For Baseball
Papelbon's Contract Aspirations Were For The Game
Photo Credit: Yahoo! Sports/Getty Images
A few weeks ago, The Boston Globe reported that Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon was a bit peeved about his contract situation. In a March 4 edition of their Extra Bases Blog section, the Globe quoted Papelbon essentially claiming himself the savior of all top-talent closers in Major League Baseball.
"That situation [contract extension negotiations], man, it's a tough situation for me right now because basically I'm at a point to where I feel like the position I'm in, there's a certain standard that needs to be put in place here," Papelbon said. "I feel like with me being at the top of my position I feel like that standard needs to be set and I'm the one to set that standard. And I don't think that the Red Sox are really necessarily seeing eye-to-eye with me on that subject right now. Hopefully we can get somewhere."
Papelbon would continue to say, "We're chugging away at this thing and we want to get it done, believe me, and we can move on. At the same time, I feel a certain obligation to not only to myself and my family to make the money that I deserve, but for the game of baseball. Mariano Rivera has been doing it for the past 10 years. With me coming up behind him, I feel a certain obligation to do the same."
Since those statements were made, the Red Sox and Papelbon have come to an agreement on a one-year, $775,000 deal. He can make an even $800k if he makes the American League All-Star team, which he is certainly capable of doing. Though not as much as Papelbon would have liked, and not nearly as lengthy as he was seeking, Papelbon was at the mercy of the Red Sox because he is one year away of being arbitration eligible. And they could have just tossed him a renewal of what he made last season at $425,550. Instead, they gave him a raise and salary that's actually pretty decent for a player that has yet to reach arbitration.
What I still find absolutely hilarious, though, is that Papelbon thinks he's leading some great crusade by going after a top-notch contract. He wasn't trying to seek big money for himself. No, that's just crazy talk. His intentions weren't even remotely selfish; not even a little bit. He's doing it all for baseball. He just wanted to make ridiculous money for the betterment of baseball. It was all for the game. Because if he doesn't set that standard for relievers, who will? Thank you, Mr. Papelbon, for trying to take on such a noble cause!
Now, this isn't the first instance where Papelbon has shown he's a little bit off his rocker. After all, this is the same guy whose dog ate a World Series baseball (yeah, okay!) But to think he's actually going to convince anybody that asking for a long-term, big money deal is for his fellow closers and the game in general, that just takes it all to a whole new level.
Granted, we really don't know exactly what Papelbon was seeking. He could have been going after a relatively fair contract based on the current economic in baseball. I'd have to assume, though, that he's searching for some package that ranges around what Rivera received this offseason from the New York Yankees (three years, $45 million). And I'll be the first person to say that is ludicrous money for a closer – even for Rivera.
I don't particularly care that Papelbon is asking for a lot of money for a lot of years. Hell, he's an athlete and that's what they do. And he's very talented, within the top tier of closers in the league. He deserves to get paid. But he shouldn't even dream that he's on the same level as Rivera because he hasn't put in the kind of years Rivera has. And he shouldn't pretend that what he's looking for is to benefit anybody but himself.
Livin' The Dream
Billy Crystal DH's For The Yankees
Photo Credit: Yahoo! Sports/Getty Images
Billy Crystal signed a one-day contract with the Yankees to celebrate his 60th birthday.
I'm not sure what the greatest birthday present I ever received was. But I do know that if I was granted an opportunity to play baseball with the New York Yankees, it would immediately shoot up to the top of the list.
In honor of his 60th birthday, the Yankees offered Billy Crystal a chance to practice and play in a spring training game with the team he has been a longtime notorious supporter of. He graciously accepted by signing a one-day contract with the team, which had commissioner Bud Selig's full blessing behind it.
Crystal suited up for the Yankees' Grapefruit League game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday. He was the designated hitter and leadoff batter for the Yankees in the bottom of the first inning. Crystal struck out to Paul Maholm on six pitches. But he did work the count to 3-1 and hit a decent foul ball on the second pitch. And I'm sure he had an experience he'll never forget.
When it was first announced that Crystal was going to play a spring training game for the Yankees, I couldn't believe the negativity. There was such animosity that Major League Baseball would allow such a spectacle. And why, of all people, should Billy Crystal be given the opportunity to suit up for the Yankees? His pockets must run pretty deep, huh?
But what everybody needs to understand is that this was a meaningless spring training game. These are the games that players from freakin' Class-A ball who will never make the big leagues get the opportunity to get in a few at-bats while wearing their pro team's uniform, for crying out loud. All Crystal got was one at-bat to live his childhood dream. I don't think it really hurt anybody for the Yankees to give him that. I'm sure most of the ill will toward this was rooted in jealousy.
If anything, Crystal's participation gave us something to watch; something to be interested in. I'll tell you, spring training, much like any leagues' exhibition season, can be pretty lame and drags a bit while we eagerly await the start of the regular season. Getting some celebrity involvement, especially at the level of actually having a contract signed, brings some excitement to an otherwise mediocre time in the game.
Now, I will say that I hope this doesn't become a trend in baseball. This was a pretty special offer for a pretty special occasion in a special fan's life. Teams shouldn't just randomly select celebrities to add to their roster for a game or two every spring training just to gain the attention of fans and, of course, the media. Too much of this isn't a good thing at all. But reaching out like this doesn't hurt when done every once in a while.
The other notorious celebrity to play in some spring training baseball is Garth Brooks. Brooks participated in spring trainings with the San Diego Padres (1999), New York Mets (2000) and Kansas City Royals (2004). His involvement raised money for charity – the Touch ‘em All Foundation.
It would have been a nice touch to add some sort of charity condition to Crystal's contract. But even if it didn't, it was still a nice gesture from a team to one of it most popular fans – who has directed and produced a movie based on Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle's chase for the single-season home run record (61*). Anybody opposed to it just needs to chill out and recognize that it added some drama to an otherwise pointless afternoon of spring training baseball.
Feedback …
Can't see the Jays finishing below third. While their only major pickup was David Eckstein, you neglect to mention the trade for Scott Rolen (who I view as an upgrade over Glaus), and another year on the arms of Dustin McGowan and Shawn Marcum. There are definitely health question marks, but if Halladay can stay 100% healthy and Burnett can pitch 3/4's of a season, I think the Jays will compete in the division, not just for third.
- JCullen
I concur with JCullen. Jays had the 2nd best Pitching Staff last season, and they've got their closer back this year. While the Sox will be tough to beat, I believe the Yanks will be on a downturn, and the Jays and Rays will definitely reap the benefits.
- Guest #1139
Thanks for the comments, guys.
I did mention in last week's column that I do believe the Blue Jays would certainly be contenders for third place in the AL East, and that's a reason I wouldn't be bold enough to flat out grant the Rays that spot.
However, I'm not so confident Toronto is going to do any better than third in the division. The Boston Red Sox have got to be the team to beat, as they are the defending MLB champs. But, to say the Yankees are on the decline is basically saying the same thing that's been said about them for the past several years. And what has happened in every one of those years? The Yankees made the playoffs, mostly due to winning the division. It's the same old story with New York. People want to cast them off, and then they turn around and surprise the hell out of everybody who didn't know well enough not to bet against them in the first place. So whether it's through winning the AL East or the Wild Card, the Yankees will make the playoffs, especially since their roster is really not as bad as many make it out to be.
You're asking a lot for those arms to remain off the DL. And while Dustin McGowan and Shaun Marcum had one decent season each, they're far from guarantees. I mean, Gustavo Chacín had a damn good 2005 season, and then offered nothing else the past two years. And yes, Scott Rolen is an upgrade from Troy Glaus. But he's not a huge one. We're not talking a David Bell-to-Alex Rodriguez kind of upgrade here.
If the Blue Jays can stay healthy, which is a big "if," I think they can definitely make things tough. But I'm not so sure they're going to make the kind of noise you guys think they are.
Thanks for the feedback, JCullen and Guest, and everybody keep it coming!
Send all comments, questions, and suggestions to br7qbsteelers@yahoo.com. Or, post away in the comments section below!
I’m sad for all the other minor league ballplayers like me who just wanted to get a whiff of some aciton at the MLB level.
How many bus rides did we endure in the minor leagues? How many games did we play in poorly lit parks? How many cheap fast-food meals did we eat?
We paid our dues, but no one gave us an invite. You had to earn your way into MLB. And that’s the way it should be.
Most of the guys in the minors could smell MLB treatment - the big league after-game spread, the manicured fields, the first-class way the clubhouse boys shined your shoes before each game. But most didn’t taste it. Even the guys in the lowest minor league levels felt that the dream was possible - the dream of getting some MLB playing time. Some, obviously, were closer than others. And it’s a very, very, very sad day when you have to walk away from the game knowing that you weren’t good enough.
Then to see non-dues-paying Billy Crystal being invited to an at bat even in a meaningless spring training game because he’s a famous fan and friendly toward the game is a travesty.
Seeing a comedian (who never rode on a minor league bus trip through the sweltering heat) swinging at bat in a MLB game against a MLB pitcher? That’s hard to watch. To my knowledge, nobody cut any minor leaguer I knew a break like Billy Crystal got.
Being in “The Show,” even in Spring Training, was something you should have to earn. Either you are good enough or you aren’t.
I guess I’ll have to settle for my memories of playing in the minors against guys like Eddie Murray and Rickey Henderson before they became famous. I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything. It was a true joy being able to play for a few years in the minors. I actually got paid (not much) for playing the greatest game, baseball. When I think about all my high school and college teammates who never got to play pro ball at all, I count my blessings. I got to play professionally.
But it will always be true that I didn’t have what it takes to make it all the way to MLB. While it’s hard to admit that, it makes me appreciate the guys who play at that level even more.
So, enough of this nonsense about celebrities playing a game at the highest level because the fans might like it. It’s demeaning to the game.
Let’s hope this is not the start of a trend.
Posted By: Rick Duncan (Guest) on March 15, 2008 at 07:15 PM
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