Jonathan Papelbon returned to the mound for the Phillies last night in their win over the Miami Marlins, closing out the game in the ninth inning to preserve a Kyle Kendrick win. This was Papelbon's first appearance since blowing a save to the Marlins last Sunday that led to a confrontation with umpire Joe West and a seven-game suspension. Speaking of the suspension, Papelbon expressed that he got a "raw deal" and maintains his innocence.
Papelbon spoke to CSN Philly's Jim Salisbury and said that he did not intentionally grab himself to gesture to fans:
“Everyone has their right to an opinion and what they think,” Papelbon said. “I said what I said and it’s the truth and I’m not going to waver from that.
“Like I said earlier, if I really, really wanted to do something back (to the fans) it would have been more than just a little umph with the pants, you know what I mean? People are going to take it for what they want, you know what I mean?”
As for the suspension and umpire Joe West? Papelbon had West on the mind.
“It’s been a multitude of things,” he said of his suspension. “It’s been boring. It’s been aggravating and monotonous. I play the game because I want to get in there as many nights as I can and I chose the closer’s role to get in there as many nights as I can.
"So it’s been rough, it’s been bad. I’ve just had to really try — I don’t know how to say this but — I’ve just had to try to put Joe West in the back of my mind and carry on even though I feel like I got the raw end of the deal.”
Papelbon did not appeal his suspension, which would have surely led to a reduction in games. However, the suspension could have run into next season, which would not have been a good idea.
Papelbon has yet to face the Phillies home crowd yet. He will have to wait until this weekend when the Phillies face the Braves to close out the 2014 season. Sunday's 1:35 game against the Atlanta Braves will conclude the season.
