On Tuesday night, one of the most memorable sporting events of our lifetime took place.
The great, historic, Yankee stadium saw its last All-Star Game ever. And what a game it was. It was an amazing event. Moments like that are what make sports so great! Moments like that make people proud to be sports fans.
Earlier Tuesday was a different story, though.
During what was to be a memorable moment for both fans and players who were celebrating this historic All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, Jonathan Papelbon's wife was threatened, according to Papelbon.
"I feel like I needed to be in a bullet-proof car," Papelbon said, according to MLB.com "My wife is pregnant, and she's getting her life threatened. It's stupid."
Of course, this all stemmed from a media firestorm. Papelbon mentioned prior to the game that he would, more or less, like to close the All-Star Game.
This was unimaginable to the New York media, considering the All-Star Game was to be at Yankee Stadium, and is home to arguably the greatest closer of all times, and current Yankee, Mariano Rivera.
Of course, Papelbon went on to say that he understood Rivera was the closer and that he had no problem with it. Papelbon then went on to compliment Rivera.
But, of course, the media put that on the back burner. And it lead to a threat to a pregnant woman who had nothing to do with the situation.
Heck, even if Papelbon called Rivera a second-rate closer compared to himself, it is still utterly unacceptable to threaten someone's life over a game. Yes, that's right, sports are a game.
Baseball, though a great American pastime, is just an athletic contest. There are bigger things happening in the world.
Just ask the people who had to drive to Yankee Stadium and spend over $4.00 per gallon on gas.
"Your family gets involved like that and you're trying to enjoy an experience with your family, and you have a wife who's pregnant, who doesn't feel safe riding in a red-carpet event, you know what I mean? How would you feel?" Papelbon said to MLB.com.
Pathetic is the only way to answer this.
It's not just New York fans, though they, more than most, can be harsh and cruel to outsiders. But in general, fans take this game sometimes to a level that is truly disgusting.
On a night when a great All-Star Game will be remembered, first-and-foremost, there should be a touch of sadness to all that something like this had to happen on such a memorable evening.
The Red Sox-Yankee rivalry is great, but from my experience, the best rivalries are the ones between the players. And there was no problem with Rivera and Papelbon here.
Just with a stupid person who took his fandom way too far in the midst of a night that should have been filled with happiness.
Poor Pap.
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2 months ago
Excellent article, some people are pieces of you know what. That's just the way it is. Poor Pap indeed.
2 months ago
I agree totally, but the truth of the matter is that things like this happen all the time. I feel that the All Star game should be thought of and treated in much the same way as the Olympics is meant to be. I would like to see all the rivalry talk put aside, go through the All Star game without any booing, and everyone just has a good time. I would just like to thank everyone for a great All Star game, and say that the threat seems to have been false.
2 months ago
That's pretty poor.
2 months ago
Great point in this article because fans can get a little crazy but i think Papelbon is getting a little bit dramatic. Papelbon's wife was threatened "according to Papelbon." I am quite sure that if there was a legitimate threat it would have been taken care of and I have heard nothing about that. Bottom line is Papelbon is still a kid and needs to learn to think first and speak second when dealing with the media. He also needs to learn that saying the right thing an hour after running his mouth is not going to make it go away.
2 months ago
I thought the New York fans were a smarter bunch than this.. I understand it's a heated rivalry, but as far as I can tell, Papelbon said nothing to deserve the treatment his wife got. Even if he was totally serious about closing and didn't compliment Rivera, his wife still doesn't deserve that.
If this is indeed true, a big frown upon the fans who did this. You probably don't even deserve to be called fans.
2 months ago
I think it was retarded of the Yankee fans to boo Papelbon in the 8th. Sure, his comments were blown up, but do you really want to get in the head of the pitcher you want to win?
Then they started chanting "Mar-ia-no" in the 8th. I thought you idiots wanted him to close?
What a bunch of morons.
2 months ago
Again, not a single news report bout any death threats made to Papelbon's wife. The only report of this happening is coming from Papelbon himself. And let us not single out Yankee fans here, Sox fans would have spewed the same venom at a Yankee if ther parade had taken place in Boston. Think back to the World Series victories in New York and cite one incidence of violence or mayhem. Now think of Boston when the SOx won the world series in 2004 and 2007 where there was much violence and even death due to poor fans!!!
from 2 months ago
http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/10/22/fan.death/
The rowdy celebrations from the college students around Mass. were due to the team not winning in almost a century. I'm not going to get into a huge arguement over this because I can already see where this is going. Instead of accepting the fact that your teams fans acted maliciously you turn around and point the finger at another team. As for the lack of New York media reports about the threats...hmm that's a mystery as to why those didn't come out seeing how I'm sure Papelbon's parade vehicle was packed with journalists...
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