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Jonathan Papelbon's 5 Best Quotes As A Phillie

By Andrew Porter

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Oh, Pap. I am sure going to miss you.

After Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon is traded, which is probable according to Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., Philadelphia will rejoice. After all, the city never really got along with Pap, myself included.

But make no mistake about it: We will miss his antics.

We will miss yelling about him on the radio, booing him at the stadium, and laughing at him from our couches. While certainly annoying, Papelbon is undeniably entertaining and blatantly honest.

Here are his top-five quotes during his three-and-a-half year tenure in Philadelphia.

 

5. "Time to you-know-what or get off the pot."- July 13, 2015

Philadelphia Phillies Introduce Jonathan Papelbon
(Photo by Len Redkoles/Getty Images)

In his most recent electrifying comment, Papelbon put the pressure on the Phillies' front-office to trade him, something he has publicly requested multiple times at this point.

4. On being booed: "I enjoy it. I just think that it's fun." - July 25, 2014

Phillies Fans
(Credit: Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

A day after blowing his third straight save, Pap gave up a ninth-inning three run double to Hunter Pence in a scoreless game, earning the loss. Papelbon, of course, was booed.

"I enjoy it," Papelbon said of the boos. "I just think that it's fun. It just brings a little bit of energy and life to the park, and gives me a little bit of something to look forward to do every day. You've got to be able to take it if you want to dish it out, right? I think that goes both ways for me. It's kind of like a big brother little brother relationship, I would say."

3. "Fans are irrelevant to me." - September 15, 2014

Miami Marlins v Philadelphia Phillies
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 14: Jonathan Papelbon #58 of the Philadelphia Phillies argues with umpire Marty Foster #60 after Papelbon was ejected from the game after making an obscene gesture while leaving the field after the final out in the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins in a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 14, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Marlins defeated the Phillies 5-4. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

This outlandish Papelbon quote came after his infamous lewd gesture. Many Phillies fans were displeased with the inappropriate gesture directed, seemingly, towards the fans.

"I don't even hear the fans out there," Papelbon said. "The fans, when I'm out there and I'm in the moment, the fans are irrelevant to me. I don't even see them, I don't even hear them."

2. "I don't really feel much like a Phillie." - April 8, 2015

Jonathan Papelbon
Jonathan Papelbon #58 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after striking out Evan Longoria #3 of the Tampa Bay Rays in the ninth inning to earn a 4-3 win at Fenway Park September 16, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (credit: Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

The Phillies opened this season at home against the Boston Red Sox, Papelbon's former team. Pap, in an interview with The Boston Globe, expressed his love for his 2015 Opening Day opponent.

"The Red Sox are a part of who I am. I don't really feel much like a Phillie."

"I'm not going to lie. It's been tough," Papelbon said. "Tough getting used to the way it is here. It's two totally different organizations.

"The way they're ran, the way they're coached, the players that are on them. Two totally different styles of baseball. I don't know if I can honestly tell you if I'm even used to it yet."

1. "Why do you guys care about velo so much, man?" - April 18, 2014

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 17: Closer Jonathan Papelbon #58 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after earning a save against the Atlanta Braves on April 17, 2014 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 17: Closer Jonathan Papelbon #58 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after earning a save against the Atlanta Braves on April 17, 2014 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Certainly not his most controversial comment, but definitely his funniest. I don't even know why, but this is the Pap sound byte that I will never forget.

Papelbon started the 2014 season with four saves in five opportunities and his velocity---which had been questioned to start the season---improved to around 93 MPH during an impressive 14-pitch save.

He was asked about it and went off.

"Why do you guys care about velo[city] so much, man?" Papelbon said. "Does that matter? Does that really matter? Do you really think that matters? I don't understand that. If a ball has life on it at the plate and you're throwing 88 miles per hour versus 98 miles per hour, it doesn't make one damn bit of difference whether you threw 93 or 94 or 84.

"I just … I don't get it, man. You all killed Roy [Halladay] about velo[city]. It's not a big deal," Papelbon continued. "You do your job and your ball's coming out of your hand, it doesn't really matter how hard you're throwing. I mean, their pitcher over there today, how hard was he throwing? Low '90′s? High '80′s? Look how he pitched. He ran through our lineup the first eight innings basically, but he had life at the plate. That's all that really matters, man. End of story."

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