Tell Me More

Note to Boston Globe and Herald staff writers, columnists and ghost writers: I want to read more about Jonathan Papelbon. Okay, so I'm just another Red Sox fan starved for home grown talent, but can you blame me when the only two significant prospects to come through the Sox farm system in the past decade were Trot Nixon and Nomar Garciaparra?

I have heard more than enough about Theo Epstein's teenage prom date. Tell me more about how impressive Papelbon is in batting practice. I want details! Hire somebody to follow him around all day if you need to. I want to hear about the huge role that Papelbon is going to play on the 2006 Sox.

A daily does of this type of stuff from the Hartford Courant would work just fine:

"From the moment he made his major league debut July 31, Papelbon looked like he belonged. He struck out the first two batters he faced and showed tremendous poise to go along with a high-octane fastball. He allowed three runs (two earned) in 51/3 innings. He struck out seven, walked five and received one loud standing ovation as he walked off the mound."

"Believe me when I tell you, he's going to have a lot of responsibility," manager Terry Francona said Sunday. "How that ends up, we just don't know yet. He doesn't have to prove anything to me. I like him. He knows we think he's good."

You can throw in some comparisons to Roger Clemens or debate about whether to put Papelbon in the bullpen. Maybe even get a few "good guy" quotes from the man himself:

"I just want to earn the respect of my teammates. It feels good to have your guys want you on the team."

Ahhh.