The Phillies only representative at the Major League All-Star Game is making it clear he would rather be wearing someone else's uniform.
I think most fans probably feel the same way.
Jonathan Papelbon, the talented closer who has cashed nearly $48 million in checks from the Phillies, spoke about his plight in Cincinnati yesterday.
You've heard it all before.
This - meaning a team-record 62 losses in the first half - is not what he signed up for. He wants to be traded to a contender, and made it clear he won't be especially happy if the trade deadline comes and goes at the end of the month and he is still wearing Phillies' pinstripes.
A part of me kind of likes Papelbon and the fact that he wants to win.
But another part of me wishes he would just shut up and play. And, of course, keep cashing those checks along the way.
That's not what players do these days.
It is all about them.
There is no team in this closer. There is only him. It's all about him. He's not happy and he wants out.
"It's time to you know what or get off the pot," an impatient Papelbon declared, speaking of the decision facing the Phillies.
One thing struck me about Papelbon's conversation with the media.
Anyone else notice how many times he used the word I?
So much for the idea of there being no 'I' in team.
We all know what team Papelbon plays for.
His team.
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