The All-Star break is a great time for baseball. While the Home Run Derby and actual All-Star Game are made to showcase the best talent that the league has to offer, the players also get a chance to enjoy themselves.
Perhaps no one knows that better than Jonathan Papelbon.
The polarizing Papelbon was one of the best closers in his prime and made several All-Star games in his career with the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and Washington Nationals.
Papelbon joined WEEI’s Rob Bradford on the Audacy Original Podcast “Baseball Isn’t Boring” to share his favorite – and least favorite – All-Star Game memories from the six he attended in his career.
“My favorite part was sitting on the sidelines of the Home Run Derby drinking Crown Royal,” Papelbon said (14:12 in player above). “Every time.”
While not all the players may partake in such festivities, Papelbon was more than happy to indulge himself. However, the All-Star break isn’t all fun and games.
“My least favorite thing was signing all of the balls that you’re required to sign,” Papelbon continued. “You literally show up and it’s like 300, 400 items.”
Players being asked to sign items isn’t anything new. Those that get the honor of making the All-Star team are some of the best in the game and the league wants to help spread the excitement.
Papelbon made six All-Star games in his career, but he’ll never forget his first.
“My favorite one was my first one, obviously,” Papelbon said. “I remember it the most. I think there were more Hall of Famers at that All-Star Game than any other one.”
Papelbon’s first All-Star Game came in 2006 with a star-studded lineup in the American League that featured Ivan Rodriguez, David Ortiz, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Vladimir Guerrero, Manny Ramirez, and Ichiro Suzuki.
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