Began the season with Philadelphia, but was acquired by Washington on July 28 in exchange for Minor League RHP Nick Pivetta...Was 2-1 with 17 saves and a 1.59 ERA in 37 games for the Phillies prior to the trade...He was 17-for-17 in save opportunities with the Phillies and ranked among NL relievers in ERA (7th, 1.59) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (T10th, 5.00)...After joining WSH, went 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA (3 ER/15.0 IP) and was 6-for-6 in save opportunities from July 30 to Sept. 6...He was the last regular closer in MLB to blow a save...Was 23-for-23 before failing to convert the save on September 14 at PHI...Went 2-2 with seven saves and a 3.04 ERA (8 ER/23.2 IP) in 22 games with the Nationals.
2015
Jonathan Robert Papelbon…Married to Ashley Jeffries and the couple has one daughter, Parker, and one son, Gunner…Attended Bishop Kenny (FL) High School and Mississippi State University...Went 9-6, with 13 saves and 2.90 ERA in 61 games in three collegiate seasons…Was one of three relievers named to the All-Fenway Team by Red Sox fans in 2012 (joined Dennis Eckersley and Dick Radatz)…Along with his wife, is involved with and supports the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society…Is an avid outdoorsman.
2014
Among all NL relievers, T-4th in save % (90.7), T-5th in saves (39), ranked 8th in WHIP (0.90) and 9th in opponent's OPS (.500)... Finished the season 2 saves shy of his career high (41 - 2008)... Became just the 5th pitcher in ML history to have at least 25 saves in 9 consecutive seasons (Mariano Rivera, Lee Smith, John Wetteland and Troy Percival)... Appeared in 50 or more games for the 9th straight year and 60 or more for the 7th straight year... Had a 15.0-inning scoreless streak, 4/5-5/17... 57 of his final 64 appearances were scoreless (1.66 ERA)... Had a 22.0-inning walkless streak (21 G), 5/24-7/22... Earned his 300th career save, 6/10 vs SD, becoming the 26th pitcher in ML history to accomplish the feat... At 552 career games, tied Trevor Hoffman as the 2ndfastest to 300 saves in ML history (Mariano Rivera: 537 G)... At 33 years, 199 days, became the 3rd-youngest pitcher in ML history to record 300 saves (Francisco Rodriguez: 31 years, 166 days; Robb Nen: 32 years, 251 days)... Had a 13.0-inning scoreless streak, 7/24-8/23... Notched his 100th save as a Phillie, 8/26 vs WSH; became the 1st player in ML history to have at least 200 saves in 1 league (219 with BOS) and at least 100 in another league... Recorded the final 3 outs in the Phillies' combined no-hitter, 9/1 at ATL... Allowed a career-high-tying 4 ER on 9/14 vs MIA; was ejected from the game and and suspended 7 games by MLB (9/15-21)... Finished the season with 325 career saves, 16th on MLB's all-time list... Has 106 career saves with the Phillies, 2nd-most in club history (Jose Mesa - 112)
2013
Finished 5th among NL relievers in BB/9.0 IP (1.61) and games finished (54), 7th in SO/BB (5.18) and 10th in saves (29)... Became the 8th pitcher in MLB history to have at least 25 saves in 8 straight seasons (Mariano Rivera, Lee Smith, John Wetteland, Troy Percival, Roberto Hernandez & Trevor Hoffman)... Appeared in 50 or more games for the 8th straight year and 60 or more for the 6th straight year... Tied his career high with 5 wins... Held opponents to a .196 AVG (9-46) with RISP... Had 7 blown saves, his most since 2010 (8 BS w/BOS); 6 of his 7 blown saves came with 2 outs in the inning... Tied Brad Lidge (2008-09) as the fastest to 50 saves in Phillies history, 6/13 at MIN, when he converted his 50th save with the Phillies in only his 54th opportunity... Had a season-best 18.2-inning scoreless streak, 4/4-5/28... Converted each of his first 13 save opportunities and, dating to the previous season, 20 straight (9/9/12, gm 2- 6/14/13)... Posted a 1.34 ERA (5 ER, 33.2 IP) over a 33-game stretch, 4/4-7/7... Blew 3 consecutive save opportunities for the 1st time in his career, 6/19-24... Earned his 286th career save, 9/24 at MIA, tying him for 27th place all-time with Rod Beck & Jose Valverde... Had a 10.0-inning scoreless streak, 8/11-9/6
2012
First season in the NL
... Named to the NL All-Star team via manager's selection;
his 5th All-Star selection
... Set career highs in appearances (70), innings (70.0) and
SO (92); tied his career high in wins (5)
... Led all NL relievers in games finished (64), T-3rd in saves
(38) & save % (90.5), 6th in SO, 8th in SO/9.0 IP (11.83)
and T-10th in wins
... 56 of his 70 appearances were scoreless (80%)
... Appeared in 50 or more games for the 7th straight
season and 60 or more for the 5th straight year
... Became the 5th pitcher in MLB history to have at least
30 saves in 7 straight seasons (Mariano Rivera, Trevor
Hoffman, Robb Nen & Troy Percival)
... Named MLB Delivery Man of the Month for April (10 G,
0-0, 8 SV, 0.90 ERA, 10.0 IP, 10 SO)
... Posted a sub-1.00 ERA in April, August (0.63) and
September (0.68)
... Converted his first 17 save chances of the season, the
2nd-longest streak of his career (20 in 2006)
... Recorded the final out in the NL's 8-0 win at Kauffman
Stadium (0.1 IP, 3 pitches)
... Became the 5th-youngest pitcher in MLB history to
record his 250th save, 8/31 at ATL
... Recorded four 1.0-plus-inning saves and has 35 for his
career
... Posted a 1.16 ERA (4 ER, 31.0 IP) over his final 32
appearances of the season
... Had a season-best 12.0-inning scoreless streak, 9/7-30.
2011
Became the 1st pitcher in MLB history to have 30 saves in each of his first 6 full ML seasons. ... Earned his 200th career save, 6/7 at NYY, to become the fastest pitcher in ML history to 200 saves (359 G), surpassing Mariano Rivera's previous record (382 G). ... Finished 3rd among AL relievers in SO (87), save % (91.2) & BB/9.0 IP (1.40), 5th in SO/9.0 IP (12.17) & lowest opponents OBP (.247), T-5th in games finished (54) and seventh in saves (31). ... Converted 25 straight save opportunities, 5/13-9/16, the
longest streak of his career and 2nd-longest of the season by an AL reliever, behind only DET's Jose Valverde (49-for-49). ... Got his 1st career ejection, 6/4 vs OAK (Tony Randazzo), and served a two-game suspension for it, 6/17-18. ... Tied his career high with a 22.0-inning scoreless streak
(5 H, 2 BB, 28 SO), 7/17-9/16. ... Posted a 1.88 ERA (8 ER, 38.1 IP) over his final 37 games of the season, 6/10-9/28. ... Pitched at least 2.0 innings in two appearances (4.1 IP, 4 SO). ... Did not walk a batter in 25 of his final 26 appearances (27.2 IP, 2 BB).
2010
Ranked among AL relief leaders in strikeouts (T-3rd, 76) and saves (T-4th, 37)...Marked
5th straight season with at least 35 saves, becoming 1st hurler ever with 35 or more saves
in each of his 1st 5 full ML campaigns.
Matched a career high with 5 wins (also 2008) and established career highs in losses (7), blown saves (8),
ERA (3.90), and runs (34), earned runs (29), homers (7) and walks (28) allowed.
Tied for 5th among AL relievers with 5 unearned runs...2 losses (5/2 at BAL, 10/2 vs. NYY) and 1 blown save
(7/22 at SEA) came via unearned runs.
Converted 1st 9 saves and 22 straight overall from 7/30/09-
5/10/10, the 3rd-longest streak in club history, trailing only Tom Gordon's
54-gamer, 4/19/98-5/31/99, and Derek Lowe's 25-game stretch,
7/10/00-4/19/01.
Earned saves of more than 1.0 inning on 2 occasions: 8/9 at NYY (1.1)
and 7/26 at LAA (1.1).
Posted a 4.36 ERA (21 ER/43.1 IP) in 45 save chances and 3.04 mark
(8 ER/23.2 IP) in 20 non-save situations.
Fanned at least 1 batter in 49 of 65 games, tied for 2nd in the AL after
Daniel Bard (51)...Recorded at least 1 strikeout in each of his last 12 games of the season from 8/27-10/3, the
longest streak by a Red Sox reliever since his 15-game stretch, 6/22-8/8/07.
Allowed a career-relief-high 4 earned runs on 3 occasions: 5/17 at NYY, 9/5 vs. CWS and 9/21 vs. BAL...Posted
a 2.39 ERA (17 ER/64.0 IP) in his other 62 outings.
Surrendered runs in 2 of 1st 16 outings through 5/15 at a 1.47 ERA (3 ER/18.1 IP)...Gave up 12 runs (11 ER)
in 13.1 innings over next 14 games from 5/17-6/24, but rebounded with just 4 ER in 26.0 IP (1.38 ERA) from
6/26-9/2...Allowed runs in 7 of last 9 appearances beginning 9/5, posting a 10.61 ERA (11 ER/9.1 IP) in that time.
Missed time on the bereavement/family medical emergency list from 6/7-10 due to a family medical issue.
Tossed 2.1 scoreless innings on 5/15 at DET, his longest relief outing since 2.1 IP on 6/24/06 vs. PHI.
Blew back-to-back save opportunities once in 2010, 6/23 and 6/24 at COL, the 1st time he's done it on consecutive
days and in the same series.
Began the bottom of the 7th inning on 7/7 at TB and tossed a perfect inning with 1 K...Marked the earliest
he appeared in a game since entering for the bottom of the 6th on 9/19/05 at TB.
Tied Baltimore's Koji Uehara for the AL relief lead with 45 strikeouts after the All-Star break.
Tossed 2.0 perfect innings on 7/17 vs. TEX, tying for his longest career outing without allowing a base runner
for the 4th time and 1st since 2.0 IP at TB on 9/1/09.
Collected 9 saves in August, tied for 2nd in the Majors and his most in a month since May 2006 (9).
Paced league relievers with 18 strikeouts in August, his most in any month since April 2008 (19), and again registered
18 K's in September...Tallied 35 K's over last 20 outings beginning 8/9, the most among AL relievers in that time.
Set a single-game relief high with 48 pitches over 1.1 innings on 9/5 vs. CWS.
Struck out the side in order, all on called 3rd strikes, on 9/12 vs. OAK...Was the 7th time in his career fanning
the side in order in any inning, 2nd in 2010 (also 8/18 vs. LAA - 9th inning).
2009
Tied for 4th in the AL with 38 saves and named
an All-Star for the 4th time...Also ranked among AL relief leaders in games finished (3rd, 59),
save pct. (3rd, 92.7), ERA (4th, 1.85) and strikeouts (T-8th, 76)...
Limited 1st batters faced to a .461 OPS, 8th-best mark in the AL...92.7 save percentage (38 of 41) marked the 3rd best rate in
Red Sox history...Held opponents scoreless in 56 of 66 games...Struck out 2 or more batters in a game 22 times, including a
season-high 3 on 8 occasions...Converted all 6 save chances of
more than 1.0 inning...Posted a 1.42 ERA (4 ER/25.1 IP) in 25 non-save opportunities,
holding foes scoreless in each of his 1st 12 such outings (12.0 IP)...Converted each of his 1st 11 save opportunities through 5/19
and 16 consecutive chances from 9/13/08-5/19/09...Suffered the
last of 3 blown saves on 7/28 vs. OAK, converting each of his final
13 chances on the season...Allowed 2 total runs in his 1st 18 appearances, a span of 19.0 innings from 4/7-5/21 over which he posted
a 0.95 ERA...Recorded 24 strikeouts over a span of 16.2 innings (16 games) from 4/24-6/2, including multiple K's in 5
straight appearances from 4/27-5/10...Had 41 strikeouts in his final 30 games (32.0 IP) beginning 7/7, with 5
outings of 3 K's in that time...Struck out 3 straight batters with tying and go-ahead runs on 2nd and 3rd to record the save 5/10 vs.
TB...Became 1st hurler to earn a save by recording 3 straight K's with the tying run on 3rd base since CHI's
Mitch Williams, 4/4/89 vs. PHI...Gave up multiple runs in back-to-back outings for just the 3rd time in his career from 5/23-25 (4 R/2.0 IP) but
followed up with a season-high 10.0-inning scoreless streak over his next 10 appearances from 5/28-6/24...Named an AL All-Star for the 4th straight season...Tossed a perfect 7th inning to earn the win in the AL's 4-3
victory, 7/14 at STL's Busch Stadium...Joined Josh Beckett (2007), Pedro Martinez (1999) and Roger Clemens
(1986) as the only Red Sox ever to post a victory in the All-Star Game...The Red Sox won 16 consecutive games in which he appeared from 8/10-9/23, tied for the 5th longest streak
in the AL in 2009...Logged a 0.98 ERA (2 ER/18.1 IP) in his last 17 games beginning 8/14...Collected a career-high 2.0-inning save on 9/1 at TB...Entered the game with no outs, the bases loaded and a
7-4 lead in the 8th inning before retiring the next 6 batters including 3 on strikeouts...Was the 1st 2.0-inning save
by a Sox pitcher since Mike Timlin, 9/5/06 vs. CWS (2.0 IP)...Nick Masset of CWS was the last Major League pitcher
to earn a save by recording the last 6 outs after entering a bases-loaded, no-out situation, 5/18/08 at SF.
2008
Continued as one of the majors' top closers, placing 3rd in the A.L. with a career-high
41 saves...Established career bests for appearances (67), wins (5), and innings (69.1)...Led the
Red Sox staff in relief wins and strikeouts (77), was 2nd in relief innings, and 3rd in games...His
2.34 ERA was a career high but was the lowest figure of any pitcher on the staff...Earned his 3rd
straight All-Star selection, one of 4 Red Sox to do so in each of their first 3 full seasons.
LEADERBOARD: Ranked among A.L. relief leaders in games finished (2nd, 62), fewest walks per
9.0 innings (2nd, 1.04), strikeout-to-walk ratio (2nd, 9.63), save percentage (4th, 89.1), opponents
on-base percentage (5th, .245), fewest base runners per 9 innings (6th, 8.57), strikeouts (T6th,
77) and K's per 9 innings (10th, 10.00)...Permitted just 4 of 30 inherited runners to score, a 13.3
percent success rate that ranked 3rd among A.L. relief pitchers.
SAVE THE DAY : His 41 saves rank 3rd in team history behind Tom Gordon's 46 in 1998 and Derek
Lowe's 42 in 2000...Was successful in 89.1 percent (41-for-46) of his save tries, 4th in the A.L....
Converted his first 10 save attempts before failing in consecutive opportunities for the 2nd time
in his career, May 7 at Detroit and May 9 at Minnesota,
taking the loss in both games...Was successful on 20
of last 21 tries beginning June 24...Earned saves in 5
straight outings twice...Had 11 saves of more than 1.0
inning, tops in the majors and most by a Red Sox since
Lowe (13) in 2000.
SAVES FOR: 10-Daisuke Matsuzaka; 6-Jon Lester;
5-Justin Masterson and Tim Wakefield; 3-Mike Timlin;
2-David Aardsma, Josh Beckett, and Hideki Okajima;
1-Paul Byrd, Bartolo Colon, Manny Delcarmen, Javier
Lopez, and Chris Smith.
BREAKDOWN: Allowed an earned run in 15 of 67 games...Permitted 16 of 67 first batters to reach
base, with a .227 (15-for-66) opponents
batting average in those situations...
Posted a 1.65 ERA (3 ER/16.1 IP) in his first
15 games, then compiled a 2.96 mark (8
ER/24.1 IP) over next 26 outings and had
a 2.43 ERA (11 ER/40.2 IP) at the All-Star
break...Permitted one unearned run in
20.2 innings over the next 18 contests and
was at 1.62 through September 8...Issued
7 runs in 8.1 innings in his last 8 appearances,
including 3 runs in 1.0 inning in last
outing, September 28 (D) vs. New York to
lift ERA from 1.98 to 2.34...Posted a 2.39
ERA (10 ER/37.2 IP) in 36 games at Fenway Park and a 2.27 mark (8 ER/31.2 IP) in 31 road games...
Held opponents to a .223 (58-for-260) batting average, including .210 (26-for-124) vs. righthanded
batters and .235 (32-for-136) against lefties.
2008 NOTES: Worked more than one inning 13 times after doing so on just 4 occasions in 2007...
Season high was 2.0 frames, August 1 vs. Oakland and August 24 at Toronto...Held foes to a
1-for-15 mark with 7 strikeouts in the 8th inning...Fanned 3 batters in a game 6 times...Did not
surrender a walk over 29 games (31.1 IP) from July 6-September 25 before issuing a free pass in
his final outing on September 27...Is the longest such streak by any Red Sox reliever since 1956,
and the longest in the A.L. since a 31-game run by Mariano Rivera from June 26-August 31, 2005...
Worked on 3 straight days on 3 occasions.
2007
SUMMARY: Was once again among the majors' most dominant closers, tying for 6th in the A.L.
with 37 saves and ranking 8th with 53 games finished...Had the lowest opponents batting average
(.146) and highest strikeouts/9 innings ratio (12.96) among all qualifying major league relievers
with the 7th best ERA (1.85)...Finished 3rd on the staff in appearances (59) while allowing a
run just 9 times.
THE BREAKDOWN: After pitching in starting rotation for most of spring training, returned to
closer's role on March 22...Opened the season with 9.1 scoreless innings in his 1st 9 games and
posted a 1.26 ERA (2 ER/14.1 IP) over his 1st 14 games through May 17...Issued 3 runs in 7.0 innings
in his next 7 outings before putting together 8.2 scoreless frames in next 8 games through
June 29...Allowed 4 runs in 7.2 innings in next 8 games before pitching 16.2 scoreless innings with
2 hits allowed in 16 outings, August 1-September 12...Allowed 3 runs in 2.2 innings over consecutive
games, September 14 and 18 before working 3.1 scoreless frames in last 4 outings.
SAVES: His 37 saves were the 5th most in Red Sox history...Converted 92.5% (37-40) of his save
tries, the 3rd best percentage in the majors (20 or more save opportunities) behind 95.2% (40-42)
for Seattle's J.J. Putz and 94.1% (32-34) for St. Louis' Jason Isringhausen and the 3rd best mark in
club history...Converted all 8 save tries in April before blown save on May 1 vs. Oakland and is 18-for-18 lifetime with 23.2 scoreless innings in April...Also had streaks of 15 and 12 straight conversions
with other blown saves coming on July 28 at Tampa Bay and September 14 vs. New York.
SAVES FOR: 9-Tim Wakefield; 8-Daisuke Matsuzaka; 6-Josh Beckett; 3-Curt Schilling; 2-Clay
Buchholz, Hideki Okajima, Jon Lester, and Julian Tavarez; 1-Eric Gagne, Javier Lopez, and Mike
Timlin.
STRIKEOUTS: Fanned 84 batters in 58.1 innings with his 12.96 strikeouts/9 innings ratio ranking
as the 4th highest in A.L. history among pitchers with at least 50.0 innings...Recorded at least
one strikeout in 47 of 59 games with 2 or more 32 times...Had a season best 3 strikeouts 5 times,
striking out the side on 3 occasions.
MR. STINGY: His .146 opponents batting average was the 5th lowest in history among all pitchers
with at least 50.0 innings...Previous Sox record was .167 for Pedro Martinez in 2000...Opponents
had one hit in 45 at bats from July 28-September 9, going 0-for-26 from August 17-September 9...
Held lefthanded hitters to a .104 (12-115) average, lowest of any ML pitcher (50.0+ IP)...LH batters
were hitless for 34 consecutive at bats in 2nd half, the majors' longest such streak in 2007.
2007 NOTES: Did not allow any of 1st 12 inherited runners to score before 5 of last 7 crossed the
plate...Posted a 1.27 ERA (4 ER/28.1 IP) and converted 20 of 21 saves in 28 road games...Had a
string of 21.0 consecutive road scoreless innings over 2 seasons ended with lone blown save on
July 7 at Detroit...Worked on consecutive days 8 times including 3 straight days, September 2-
4...Longest regular season outing was 1.2 innings on April 8 at Texas and June 27 at Seattle...Held
1st batters to a .093 (5-54) average...Among A.L. relievers with at least 50.0 IP, ranked 1st in lowest
opponents slugging percentage (.244) and placed 3rd in lowest opponents overall on-base
percentage (.219), lowest on-base percentage for 1st batters (.169), and lowest batting average
with runner in scoring position (.132)...Earned his lone victory on September 12 against Tampa
Bay, his 1st since August 12, 2006 vs. Baltimore.
CAREER NOTES
30 SOMETHING: With 37 saves in 2007, became the
1st Boston pitcher to earn at least 30 saves in 2 different
seasons (35 in 2006)...Is just the 2nd reliever
in ML history to post at least 35 saves in each of his
1st 2 seasons, joining Seattle's Kazuhiro Sasaki, who
accomplished the feat in his 1st 3 years from 2000-
02...Has 72 saves in the last 2 seasons, 9th most in
the majors and 7th highest in the A.L. in that span...Is
one of 11 pitchers with 30+ saves in both 2006 and
2007...His 72 saves the last 2 seasons have come in 81
opportunities, an 88.9% success rate that is 7th best
among closers in that span (40 or more save opportunities...
His 72 saves rank 6th on Boston's all-time list
while his 87.8% (72 of 82/0-1 in 2005) save percentage
is the best in Red Sox history among pitchers with at
least 75 save opportunities.
STELLAR STATS: His 1.62 career earned run average
ranks as the lowest in major league history among pitchers with at least 150.0 lifetime innings...
The 2nd best ERA among active pitchers belongs to Mike Gonzalez, 2.29 in 172.2 IP...Has held
batters to a .180 (103-572) batting average, the lowest career mark among active pitchers (150.0
or more IP)...Ranks 12th all-time and 9th among active pitchers (150.0 or more IP) with a ratio of
10.81 strikeouts per 9 innings (193 K's in 160.2 IP).
ALL-STAR: Was selected to the A.L. All-Star team in both 2006 and 2007, becoming the 4th Red
Sox ever named in each of 1st 2 big league seasons: Frank Malzone (1957-58); Carlton Fisk (1972-
73); and Fred Lynn (1975-76)... Pitched a scoreless 8th inning in the July 10, 2007 game at San
Francisco, allowing one hit with 2 strikeouts... Received the most votes (283) of any relief pitcher
in 2006 All-Star balloting conducted by A.L. managers, coaches, and players...Was just the 2nd
Boston rookie pitcher ever selected to the A.L. All-Star Team at the time, joining Don Schwall in
1961 (2nd game)...Did not see action in the July 11 contest at Pittsburgh's PNC Park.
MORE HONORS: Was selected as the 2007 MLB Top Closer in fan voting by mlb.com This Year in
Baseball Awards...Was chosen as the 2nd team relief pitcher on Baseball America's Major League
All-Star Team in both 2006 and 2007...Was also honored by the Boston BBWAA chapter as the Red
Sox Fireman of the Year both years...Received the 2007 Babe Ruth World Series Hero Award from
the New York BBWAA chapter...Was the 2006 Red Sox Pitcher and Rookie of the Year in voting by
the Boston BBWAA chapter...Joined Don Schwall (1961) and Dick Radatz (1962) as the only rookies
to ever capture Red Sox Pitcher of the Year honors,
the 1st full-time reliever to win the award since Bob
Stanley in 1983...Was the 1st fulltime reliever to win
the Rookie award since Radatz in 1962...Finished 2nd
in the 2006 BBWAA A.L. Rookie of the Year voting
with 63 points (20 2nds; 3 3rds) behind Detroit's Justin
Verlander at 133 points (26 1sts, 1 2nd)...Was the
best finish for a Sox player in the rookie voting since
Nomar Garciaparra won in 1997 and best for a pitcher
since Mike Nagy was 2nd in 1969.
POSTSEASON: Has worked 14.2 scoreless innings
over 9 career playoff appearances...Has pitched the
5th most career post-season innings without allowing
a run in playoff history...Pitched 10.2 shutout innings in 7 games during Boston's 2007 championship
run, the 2nd most scoreless innings ever by a Red Sox
hurler in a single post-season to Pedro Martinez's 17.0
frames in 1999...Converted all 4 save opportunities,
those coming in his last 4 outings of the 2007 playoffs
and all more than 1.0 inning...Were the most saves
ever for a Red Sox in a post-season.
ALDS: Pitched 1.1 innings to win Game 2 versus Los
Angeles at Fenway Park in only appearance.
ALCS: Appeared in 3 games working a total of 5.0 innings
and saving the 7th and deciding game against
Cleveland in Boston...Pitched 2.0 innings in both
Games 2 and 7, his longest outings since August 20,
2006 against the Yankees (2.0 IP).
WS: Worked 4.1 innings while earning saves in Games 2, 3, and 4...Was just the 6th pitcher ever
with at least 3 saves in a single World Series...Recorded final out of Series with strikeout of Seth
Smith...Picked Matt Holliday off 1st base for final out in 8th inning of Game 2.
2006
SUMMARY: Produced one of the top performances
ever for a rookie relief pitcher, despite missing the
final month of the season with right shoulder
soreness...ranked 8th in the American League with 35
saves, 3rd most ever for a major league rookie, and
was 10th with 49 games finished...issued just 7 earned
runs in 68.1 innings for a 0.92 ERA, 8th lowest in ML
history among pitchers with at least 50 innings...also
held opponents to a .167 batting average, 2nd lowest
in the majors and tied for the best in club history.
HONORS: Was selected as the Red Sox Pitcher of the
Year by the Boston BBWAA Chapter...joined Don
Schwall (1961) and Dick Radatz (1962) as the only
rookies to ever capture that honor...was the 1st fulltime
reliever to win the award since Bob Stanley in
1983...also received the team's Rookie of the Year
Award, the 1st pitcher so honored since Casey Fossum
in 2002 and the 1st fulltime reliever since Radatz in
1962...completed the trifecta as the Boston's Fireman
of the Year...finished 2nd in the BBWAA A.L. Rookie
of the Year voting with 63 points (20 2nds; 3 3rds) behind
Detroit's Justin Verlander at 133 points (26 1sts,
1 2nd)...was the highest finish for a Red Sox player
in the rookie voting since Nomar Garciaparra won
in 1997 and the best for a pitcher since Mike Nagy
placed 2nd in 1969...was named as the 2nd team relief
pitcher on Baseball America's Major League All-Star Team.
SHUT DOWN: Left after facing 3 batters on September 1 versus Toronto after feeling discomfort
in right shoulder, caused by a slippage in the joint and fatigue in the shoulder...after a period of
rest began a shoulder strengthening program...threw to hitters in batting practice on September
30 without discomfort...is expected to be fully ready for spring training.
SEASON RUNDOWN: Opened the season as a set-up man before becoming the closer in the 3rd
game of the year, earning 1st major league save on April 5 in Texas...worked 15.1 scoreless innings
over his 1st 14 appearances before permitting a run in a 7-6 loss to Toronto on May 3...was
the longest scoreless innings streak by a Red Sox rookie to open a season since Vaughn Eshelman
tossed 18.0 frames without allowing a run, May 2-13, 1995...ended a 2-season span of 21.1 scoreless
innings over 19 games since issuing last run on September 19, 2005 versus Tampa Bay.
After allowing May 3 run to Blue Jays,
put together 21.2 scoreless innings in 19
outings, May 4-June 24, to lower his ERA
to 0.24 (1 ER/38.0 IP)...was just the 2nd
pitcher in the last 40 years to issue no
more than one run in his 1st 38 innings
of a season...the Dodgers' Fernando Valenzuela
began 1981 with one run in 50
innings...after that streak ended with a
run on June 26 against Philadelphia, permitted
just one run in 15.2 frames over
next 13 games and was at 0.49 (3 ER/55.0 IP) through August 4...worked 10.0 scoreless innings,
July 9-August 4, including 8.0 hitless frames in final 7 outings of that span...allowed 4 runs in 8
innings in next 6 games to raise season mark to 1.00 on August 20...pitched 5 scoreless frames in
his next 4 games before allowing only unearned run of the year in final outing, September 1 vs.
Toronto...allowed runs in 7 of 59 games...permitted just 4 of 24 inherited runners to score (16.7%)
and 1st batters hit .196 (11-56).
A GREAT APRIL: Won the American League Rookie of the Month and the DHL Presents the Major
League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month Award for April...pitched 14.1 scoreless innings and
led the majors with 10 saves in his 13 appearances...established a major league rookie record
and a team record for saves in April, one shy of the ML rookie mark for any month...was also
the 1st rookie in history to earn 10 saves in April after entering the season without a career ML
save...previous record was 9 by Los Angeles' Eric Gagne in 2002 and Kansas City's Mike MacDougal
in 2003...earned saves in 1st 7 appearances as the closer, April 5-18.
SAVES: His 35 saves were 3rd most ever for a major league rookie behind 37 for Seattle's Kazuhiro
Sasaki in 2000 and 36 for St. Louis' Todd Worrell in 1986...eclipsed Red Sox rookie record of
24 set by Radatz in 1962...overall was the 5th highest save total in club history, most since Ugueth
Urbina had 40 in 2002...earned 35th save on August 31, earliest ever for a major league rookie
and 2nd earliest ever by a Red Sox (Tom Gordon, August 18, 1998)...Converted 35 of his 41 save opportunities, an 85.4% success rate that ranked 9th best in the
A.L...was successful on season's 1st 20 save tries before blown save on June 9 versus Texas, the
longest streak to open a season in Red Sox history and by a major league rookie...Jeff Russell
converted his 1st 18 save opportunities in 1993 and Baltimore's Gregg Olson went 16-for-16 to
start 1989...in addition to April performance (see above), also established an ML rookie mark
with 9 saves in May...failed in consecutive saves tries, August 6 & 9...retired all batters faced in
19 of his saves...recorded 8 saves of more than one inning, all 4-out saves...recorded at least one
save against 15 of the 17 clubs he faced, the exceptions being Minnesota (1 game) and Oakland
(3 games)...Saves For: 8-Josh Beckett; 7-Curt Schilling; 4-Jon Lester; 3-Matt Clement and Mike Timlin; 2-
Keith Foulke, Rudy Seanez, and Tim Wakefield; 1-Manny Delcarmen, Julian Tavarez, Jermaine
Van Buren, and David Wells.
ERA AND OTHER NUMBERS: At 0.92, recorded the 8th lowest earned run average for a season
in major league history among pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched...was the 3rd best figure
among rookies to Cincinnati's Tom Murphy (0.72 in 1986) and Pittsburgh's Nick Maddox (0.83 in
1907)...was also the lowest in Red Sox history, bettering Dutch Leonard's 0.96 in 1914...Permitted opponents to hit just .167 (40-240), 2nd lowest in the majors (50 or more innings)
behind Minnesota's Joe Nathan at .158 and matching Pedro Martinez (128-768 in 2000) for the
best in club history...held opposition to .211 on-base percentage and 7.11 baserunners per 9 innings,
both the lowest in Sox history (Martinez, .213
and 7.22 in 2000) and 2nd in the majors in 2006 in
both categories to San Diego's Cla Meredith (.207 and
6.75)...opponents had a .254 slugging percentage,
4th lowest in 2006 and 2nd in club history (50 or more
innings) to .247 for Tom Gordon in 1998.
STRIKEOUTS: Recorded 75 strikeouts in 68.1 innings,
an average of 9.88 per 9 innings, the 3rd best for a
rookie in Sox history (50 or more innings) behind
10.40 for Radatz in 1962 and 10.01 for Ken Brett in
1970...had at least one strikeout in 46 of 59 games
with highs of 5 on August 20 versus the Yankees and
4 on June 24 against Philadelphia...struck out the side
on 14 pitches, April 29 at Tampa Bay.
SEEING STARS: Received the most votes (283) of any
relief pitcher in All-Star balloting conducted by A.L.
managers, coaches, and players...was just the 2nd
Boston rookie pitcher ever selected to the A.L. All-Star
Team, joining Don Schwall in 1961 (2nd game) and
the 8th Red Sox rookie All-Star overall...did not see
action in the July 11 contest at Pittsburgh's PNC Park.
ODDS AND ENDS: Worked more than one inning
18 times, including season high 2.1 frames on April 21 at Toronto and June 24 versus
Philadelphia...pitched on consecutive days 17 times, going 1-0 with 14 saves and a 0.51 ERA (1 ER/17.2
IP) in the back end of those contests...won 3 straight decisions, June 9-August 2...earned saves in
consecutive 1-0 shutouts, July 18-19 versus Kansas City...issued just 3 homers...posted a 0.87 ERA
(1 ER/10.1 IP) in 8 interleague appearances...held opponents to a .082 (4-49) average with runners
in scoring position...did not allow a run in his 1st 16 road games covering 26.2 innings, before
issuing a 9th inning homer to Jermaine Dye on July 9 at Chicago.
2005
SUMMARY: Advanced from Double-A Portland to
Triple-A Pawtucket before making his major league
debut with 17 appearances (3 starts) for the Red
Sox...with Boston, went 3-1 with a 2.65 ERA...in 34.0 innings, struck out 34, holding the opposition to 33 hits and a .260 average...had no record and a 2.25 ERA (4 ER/16.0 IP) in his 3 starts, all Red Sox wins...was 3-1 with 4 holds and a 3.00 ERA (6 ER/18.0 IP) out of the bullpen...closed out the season with 5 scoreless outings (6.0 IP)...did not surrender
a run in 10 of his last 11 appearances.
ON THE FAST TRACK: A 4th-round pick in 2003, he
is the 2nd member of Boston's 2003 draft class to
reach the majors, joining lefty Abe Alvarez, who
started one game in 2004.
FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING: Did not figure in the
decision in his major league debut July 31 vs.
Minnesota...allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits in 5.1 innings...walked 5 and struck out 7...allowed solo homers to Justin Morneau and Jacque Jones...left a 2-2 tie...the Sox went on to win 4-3 on a pinch-hit RBI single by Manny Ramirez with 2 outs in the 8th...Papelbon opened the game by striking out the first 2 hitters he faced in the majors: Shannon Stewart and Luis Rodriguez...earned his first big league win with 3.0 innings of no-hit, no-run relief in a 5-3, 11-inning victory September 12 at Toronto.
MORE RED SOX HIGHLIGHTS: Recalled to make his 2nd start August 16 at Detroit...allowed
2 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks in 5.0 innings, fanning 6...left in a 2-2 tie...down 3-2, the Sox
tied the game on a one-out solo homer by David Ortiz in the 9th...Ortiz hit a 3-run homer
in a 7-run top of the 10th as the Sox grabbed a 10-3 lead...Boston survived a 4-run
Tigers bottom of the 10th to hang on for the win...worked 5.2 scoreless innings August
21 at Los Angeles (AL) before moving into the bullpen...allowed 4 runs in 4.0 innings in
his first 3 relief outings before pitching shutout ball in 10 of 11 September/October games...went 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA (2 ER/14.0 IP) in those 11 games...struck out the side in a scoreless inning September 1 vs. Tampa Bay, the start of a 5-game, 7.0 inning scoreless run through September 17...after allowing 2 runs in an inning September 19 at Tampa Bay did not give up a run in 6.0 innings his last 5 times out...worked a perfect
inning of relief with one K for win No. 2 September 24 at Baltimore...5 days later against
Toronto at Fenway, threw 2.2 scoreless innings and earned his 3rd win when David Ortiz stroked a walk-off single in the 9th.
NUMBERS, PLEASE: Opponents were 1-for-5 attempting to steal...lefties hit just .190 (11-for-58)...righthanders batted .319 (22-for-69)...with men on, held the opposition to
a .170 average (9-for-53), including a .160 mark (4-for-25) with men in scoring
position...opponents were 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position and 2 outs...with 2
strikes, held foes to a .184 average (14-for-76).
IN THE POSTSEASON: Appeared in Games 2 and 3 of the ALDS vs. Chicago, allowing just 2 hits over 4.0 scoreless innings...walked none and punched out a pair.
2005 AT PORTLAND: Began the season with Double-A Portland, where he was named to the Eastern League's mid-season All-Star team...with the Sea Dogs, went 5-2 with a 2.48 ERA (24 ER/87.0 IP) in 14 starts, limiting opponents to a .196 batting average...struck out 83 and walked only 23 in 87.0 innings...at the time of his promotion to Triple-A, ranked 2nd in the league in ERA and 6th in strikeouts...allowed 2 runs or less in 9 of his
14 starts while pitching 6.0 innings or more in 10 of his starts...began the year 3-1 with
a 1.93 ERA (9 ER/42.0 IP) in his first 7 starts...did not allow an earned run in consecutive starts (13.0 IP) April 28 at Binghamton and May 4 at New Britain...in 6 starts from April 28-May 31, went 1-1 with 4 no-decisions despite a 1.38 ERA (6 ER/39.0 IP)...struck
out a season-high 12 in 8.0 innings June 11 at Bowie...in his final start with Portland, in
game one of a July 2nd doubleheader vs. Norwich, exited the game after pitching 6.0 no-hit innings, walking one and fanning 10...was his first start since June 21 due to a minor hip flexor strain...finished 4-2 with a 4.03 ERA (24 ER/44.2 IP) in 8 starts at Hadlock
field and 1-0 with a 0.85 ERA (4 ER/42.1 IP) in 6 road starts...opponents hit just .146
(20-for-137) with one homer on the road...enjoyed his best month in May, going 1-1 with
a 1.64 ERA (6 ER/33.0 IP) in 5 starts, allowed just a .120 (12-for-100) average.
2005 WITH PAWTUCKET: Went 1-2 with a save and a 2.93 ERA in 7 games (4 starts) for
the PawSox...in 27.2 innings, allowed 21 hits, including 2 homers, and a .208 opponents
average...walked only 3, while punching out 27...upon his July 4 promotion from Portland,
went 1-2 with a 3.57 ERA (8 ER/22.2 IP) in 4 starts, allowing one earned run in 3 of the
4 starts...in his July 7 Triple-A debut vs. Ottawa, held the Lynx to a run on 3 hits in 6.0
innings, walking none with 7 K's...allowed just one run on 6 hits over 8.0 innings July 21
vs. Louisville, but suffered a 1-0 loss...was promoted to Boston for one start July 31 and
optioned back the following day...upon his return to Pawtucket, made his last 3 Triple-A
appearances out of the bullpen, working a total of 5.0 no-hit, no-run innings...walked one
and fanned 6...in his last Triple-A appearance, August 11 at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre,
earned his first professional save, working 3.0 perfect innings and striking out 4...posted
a 1.20 ERA (2 ER/15.0 IP) in 3 games (2 starts) at McCoy Stadium.
2004
Was named Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Year for Single-A Sarasota after going 12-7 with a 2.64 ERA in 24 starts...a mid-season and end-of-season Florida State League All-Star, Papelbon finished 2nd in the league in ERA and strikeouts (153) and 3rd in wins...his 153 strikeouts were most among all Red Sox minor leaguers...was crowned
Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Month in April and July...went 2-1 with a 2.95 ERA
(7 ER/21.1 IP) in 5 April starts and 3-0 with a 1.30 ERA (4 ER/27.2 IP) in 5 starts in
July...went 6-2 with a 1.02 ERA (6 ER/53.0 IP) over his final 9 starts.
2003
2003: Made his professional debut with short-season Single-A Lowell after being selected in the 4th round of the First-Year Player Draft...went 1-2 with a 6.34 ERA (23 ER/32.2 IP) in 13 games (6 starts)...struck out 36 batters in 32.2 innings, an average of 9.9
K's per 9 innings...made his pro debut with a start June 24 vs. Vermont, striking out 5
over 2.0 scoreless innings of one-hit ball...also tossed 2.0 shutout frames in his 2nd pro
outing June 29 at Oneonta...turned in back-to-back, 3.0-inning shutout performances
July 26 vs. Vermont (start) and August 2 vs. Vermont (relief).
