Spring Break
Bulldog legend visits campus
Melissa Meador
Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: News
Papelbon also touched on his rare connection with the Red Sox fans, who have warmed up to the right-hander in his first two seasons with the team.
"I pitch off intensity, and the fans are what get me motivated," Papelbon said. "The fans can be intruding, but they are the people that fuel us. Red Sox fans are almost like crack addicts, and our stats are their crack that they can't get enough of. I wouldn't have it any other way."
Papelbon said he still looks back on his times at Mississippi State as a stepping stone to his major league career, and he enjoys returning to the campus.
"I come back here, and the juices get to flowing. I met people here who changed my life," Papelbon said. "I appreciate all the support everyone here at Mississippi State gives me because when I'm out there pitching, I'm not just pitching for myself. I'm pitching right along with all of you, and I'm pitching for my family, my university and the fans."
While he began his speech by ragging his former coach, Papelbon also credited Polk as being one of the most influential teachers in his baseball career.
"I want to thank Coach Polk for sticking by me [through] good times and bad," he said. "Baseball is a game of ups and downs, and I think Coach Polk was the number one person to help me realize that baseball is an even-keel game."
In looking forward to the upcoming season, Papelbon said his focus is entirely on defending his World Series title.
"I just want to go about defending this title the best way I know how. I want to represent myself, my family and my university in the best possible manner," he said.
"I pitch off intensity, and the fans are what get me motivated," Papelbon said. "The fans can be intruding, but they are the people that fuel us. Red Sox fans are almost like crack addicts, and our stats are their crack that they can't get enough of. I wouldn't have it any other way."
Papelbon said he still looks back on his times at Mississippi State as a stepping stone to his major league career, and he enjoys returning to the campus.
"I come back here, and the juices get to flowing. I met people here who changed my life," Papelbon said. "I appreciate all the support everyone here at Mississippi State gives me because when I'm out there pitching, I'm not just pitching for myself. I'm pitching right along with all of you, and I'm pitching for my family, my university and the fans."
While he began his speech by ragging his former coach, Papelbon also credited Polk as being one of the most influential teachers in his baseball career.
"I want to thank Coach Polk for sticking by me [through] good times and bad," he said. "Baseball is a game of ups and downs, and I think Coach Polk was the number one person to help me realize that baseball is an even-keel game."
In looking forward to the upcoming season, Papelbon said his focus is entirely on defending his World Series title.
"I just want to go about defending this title the best way I know how. I want to represent myself, my family and my university in the best possible manner," he said.
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