Jonathan Papelbon #58

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).