Today the Red Sox took a flier on former White Sox pitcher Bobby Jenks for some bullpen depth. How could it hurt?
But as Jenks changes the color of his Sox, he has a unique bond with current Boston pitchers Josh Beckett and Jonathan Papelbon:
All three were the pitchers on the mound when their team won the World Series.
Beckett tagged out Jorge Posada on a little dribbler to end the 2003 World Series for the Marlins.
Jenks got Orlando Palmeiro to ground out to end the 2005 World Series for the White Sox.
And Papelbon struck out Seth Smith to end the 2007 World Seris for the Red Sox.
Personally, I can't think of anything cooler in all of sports than being the pitcher to end the World Series. More than a game winning home run. I used to reenact clinching a World Series as a pitcher on our front lawn... jumping up and being mobbed on the mound.
And I've written a few posts like this one and this one about my fascination with the pitcher who got the final out.
I can't help but wonder if they will talk about it amongst each other in spring training.
They MUST talk about it. Heck, that's how I would preface every sentence. "As a man who clinched the World Series... I will order the chicken salad."
Maybe that's just me.
Interesting post, Sully. Also interesting that none of them are the one who was on the mound for the most memorable final out in the WS in Red Sox history: 2004. Keith Foulke earned that honor.
ReplyDelete