In last week's Ladder Challenge it was Troy Brown knocking off his former teammate Ben Coates to move up The RBSF Ladder from #95 to #86. This week it is Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon (#83) attempting to move up by taking on former Pats linebacker Steve Nelson (#78). My vote goes to Paps (barely)....who gets your support this week?
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8 comments:
STEVE NELSON
Currently Ranked: 78
Challenge Record: 0-0-0
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*Played entire 14-year career with Pats (1974-87)
*Missed only 3 games his entire career
*Helped Pats win 1985 AFC Championship
*3-time Pro Bowl selection (81,85,86)
*Member of Patriots Hall of Fame
*His #57 is retired by the Pats
JONATHAN PAPELBON
Currently Ranked: 83
Challenge Record: 1-0-0
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*Has played entire 4-year career with Sox (2005-present)
*Helped Sox win 2007 World Series
*Has been selected to All Star team each of his first 3 full seasons (06-08)
*Holds MLB record for most scoreless innings to start a postseason career (25)
*Red Sox rookie saves record (35)
*Only Sox in history to get 30+ saves 3 years in a row
*Career stats: 13-10, 1.84 ERA, 113 saves (128 save ops)
Paps has the ring and a greater ceiling. In only 3 full seasons he already has as many All Star appearances (3) and more rings (1-0). Bottom line: It's too tough to vote against Paps.
I don't think you can call another guy Nellie when you've got Don Nelson on the same ladder.
i never saw nelson play that i remember so i am picking papelbon based on having seen him and knowing how great he is vs somebody who was had a good career that i didnt see
sometimes i just go by who i like in these
Papelbon is an a-hole.
Nellie is by all accounts a great guy.
I'll give my vote to Nellie.
Last year I was donating blood at Gilette Stadium and there was a backup for some reason so the lady from the Red Cross was playing the name game with the initials to keep people occupied. So we are playing for about 15 minutes and "S" comes up and with perfect timing Steve Nelson walks in the room and shouts "Steve Nelson". Pretty funny stuff. He stuck around for awhile thanking people for coming and signing a few autographs.
Papelbon isn't as much an asshole as he is a Yahoo. That said, his interview on Letterman was priceless.
I vote Papelbon - withstood a career's worth of key game pressure already.
Great Nellie story WJ!
I realize I'm a bit young to remember the beginning of Nellie's career, but I do remember 85-86 when he was a Pro Bowl player both years. In both of those years he was no better than the 2nd best linebacker on his own team....Paps is the best closer in Sox history. Being the best at your position counts for something.
Also, as JBS points out, his post-season resume is already amazing even if he didn't pitch another inning in the playoffs the rest of his career.
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