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WEEI >> This Just In >> Papelbon on All-Star Game: 'Of course I want to close'
Wed, 07/08/2009 - 2:21am

Papelbon on All-Star Game: 'Of course I want to close'

By: Alex Speier

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Jonathan Papelbon, who will be on the American League's All-Star roster for the fourth straight year, said that he would like to be the man responsible for closing out a lead that could give his league -- and potentially the Red Sox -- home-field advantage in the World Series. Even so, Papelbon made clear that the decision is up to Rays manager Joe Maddon, who is in charge of the A.L. All-Star team.

“Of course I want to close (the All-Star game). Every closer there is going to want to close. There’s no difference (among them),” said Papelbon. “But Joe is going to make the decision there.”

Last year, Papelbon became ensnared in controversy when the game was hosted at Yankee Stadium because of his statement that he’d like to close in Mariano Rivera’s home park. The Sox' closer later clarified that he was merely suggesting that he always wanted to close, but that he planned to defer any game-ending lead to Rivera. The matter became moot when the game went 15 innings, and the A.L. won in walk-off fashion.




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