Class is in session, folks- so pay attention to Professor Papyboo, the only living expert in the fascinating subject he calls "The Biomechanics of Jonathan Papelbon". (yes, he really calls it that) Today's subject? THE SLUTTER, which may or may not be named in honor of current or ex-girlfriends of certain other members of the pitching staff, but is in fact a brand new pitch invented by your Professor. That's right, he's not just a closer, a reporter, a lawn mower and a moose hunter, he's also an inventor. From the Providence Journal:
"It's a cross between a slider and a cutter," insisted Papelbon. "It's not a true slider. It's not a true cutter. When I throw it, I don't pronate (downward twisting motion with his fingers) when I let the ball go. I leave my palm (up). I kind of cut the ball. That's the angle it comes out."
Why the need for a new pitch? From the Boston Globe:
"I kind of turned the cutter, because it didn't work, into the slutter," said Papelbon. "I consider inventing a pitch a lot harder than saving 30 games back to back."
And what do his teammates think about the Professor's latest invention?
Kyle Snyder: "It's a slider," said Snyder, shaking his head with a bemused look on his face. And while Papelbon was talking to reporters about the pitch, Snyder stood behind him, mouthing the words, "Don't print that . . ."
Jason Varitek: "I let Pap talk about Pap. Pap's like Rickey (Henderson)." and "Whatever, Pap," said a smiling Varitek. "Just throw the ball, Pap."
Think you got it now? Check out the Professor in action as he demonstrates for the class his new invention-- the slutter makes its debut appearance in his very first pitch against Johnny Gomes. Watch and marvel.
on August 22, 2007 1:40 PM
"THE SLUTTER, which may or may not be named in honor of current or ex-girlfriends of certain other members of the pitching staff"
Was that a reference to that intellectually challenged waste-of-space that Beckett went out with after the Marlins World Series?
P.S. Paplebon is my no. 1 source of entertainment in the sports world right now. And I'm sure I'm not alone. He's priceless.