Former Red Sox closer
Jonathan Papelbon collected his 300th career save on Tuesday night. The enigmatic righty is in his third season in Philadelphia—and now has 81 saves as a Phillie (31 shy of the club record). The 33-year old Papelbon notched 219 saves in his seven seasons in
Carmine Hose—including a career-high 41 in 2008. He doesn't have the same zip on his heater and his strikeout rate is down (10.7/9IN with the Sox, 9.7/9IN with the Phillies), but he has converted all but one save opportunity in 2014. And while his time here was sometimes controversial (see
GAME 3 of the 2009 ALDS), we can't forget that he
finished 85% of the games he entered for Boston as a reliever. He is among the best closers ever.
