June 10: The Ups and Downs of Jonathan Papelbon

The Main Event

• June 10, 2014 – In a 5-2 win over San Diego, Jonathan Papelbon earned the 300th save of his career. He tied the record for second fastest to 300 initially set by Trevor Hoffman, who also reached that milestone in 552 appearances.

Jonathan Papelbon stands as one of the most accomplished closers in the history of Major League Baseball — a pitcher whose resume sparkles with elite numbers, but whose career was never far from controversy. From Fenway Park to Citizens Bank Park and beyond, Papelbon’s journey was equal parts brilliance and turbulence.

From Boston to Baseball’s Elite

Papelbon made his MLB debut on July 31, 2005, with the Boston Red Sox. He quickly established himself as one of the game’s premier closers. He took over as the closer in Boston in 2006 and was the last man on the mound when he secured the team’s seventh World Series title a year later. His postseason numbers in those Fall Classic appearances were immaculate — he posted a 0.00 ERA with three saves in three World Series appearances.

During his time in Boston, Papelbon set multiple speed records on the path to 200 saves. He became the quickest player in major league history to reach 200 saves when he recorded the milestone in his 359th appearance, against the New York Yankees on June 7, 2011, surpassing the mark previously held by Mariano Rivera. He saved 219 games while wearing a Red Sox uniform — the most in franchise history, well ahead of second-place Bob Stanley, who had 132 saves in Boston.

Coming to Philadelphia

The Phillies controversially signed Papelbon to a four-year, $50 million contract in November 2011 — a record for a relief pitcher at the time. The deal raised eyebrows in part because the Phillies already had a capable closer in Ryan Madson, but Papelbon delivered on the investment. His consistency in Philadelphia was outstanding, and the milestone moments continued to pile up.

He delivered his end of the bargain with a combined 2.41 ERA and a 224-47 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 209.1 innings since signing the deal. He also etched his name into Phillies history in multiple ways, and became the all-time saves leader for two different franchises — only the second closer in history to accomplish that feat, joining Robb Nen (Giants and Marlins).

On September 1, 2014, Papelbon put the finishing touches on a four-pitcher no-hitter at Turner Field — the first multi-pitcher no-hitter in Phillies history.

The 300th Save: A Milestone Twelve Years Ago Today

Papelbon recorded his 300th save on June 10, 2014, pitching for the Phillies. Having needed just 552 appearances to do it, he was the second-fastest to reach that plateau, trailing only Trevor Hoffman. The milestone came against the San Diego Padres, when he worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning of a 5–2 Phillies win. The save made him the 26th closer in MLB history to reach 300, tying Jason Isringhausen and Bruce Sutter for 24th place on the all-time list at the time.

Today, Papelbon sits at 12th on the all-time saves list with 368 career saves — a testament to just how dominant he was across 12 major league seasons.

The Trade to Washington and the Harper Incident

Papelbon began the 2015 season with Philadelphia, posting a 1.59 ERA with 17 saves in 37 games, going a perfect 17-for-17 in save opportunities before being acquired by the Washington Nationals on July 28 in exchange for minor league right-hander Nick Pivetta.

His time in Washington produced one of the most infamous moments in recent baseball memory. On September 27, 2015, a dugout altercation unfolded after Harper popped up for the first out of the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies. When Harper returned to the dugout, Papelbon exchanged words with him before lunging at his teammate and grabbing him around the neck. Papelbon appeared to be upset with Harper over his perceived lack of hustle on the play.

The fallout was swift and severe. Papelbon was effectively suspended for the remainder of the 2015 season, serving both a three-game ban from Major League Baseball for hitting Orioles third baseman Manny Machado and a four-game suspension from the Nationals for his actions against Harper. The Nationals missed the playoffs that fall; Harper went on to win the National League MVP award, but manager Matt Williams was fired and replaced by Dusty Baker.

The confrontation was not without context. Papelbon later revealed that part of the underlying tension stemmed from Harper going to the media after the Machado incident without first talking to Papelbon directly. He ultimately took responsibility, saying publicly, “I was in the wrong,” and the two eventually made peace. Harper called Papelbon after the season to patch things up, and both returned to the Nationals’ roster the following year.

A Career Worth Remembering

Papelbon’s final MLB appearance came on August 6, 2016, with the Washington Nationals. When the dust settled, he had posted a career ERA of 2.44 with 808 strikeouts across 12 seasons with the Red Sox, Phillies, and Nationals. He was a six-time All-Star and is recognized as one of the fastest pitchers in history to reach both 200 and 300 career saves.

His legacy in Philadelphia is complicated by the manner in which his tenure ended — shipped out mid-season amid a rebuilding effort — but his numbers in red pinstripes were undeniable. For a stretch of several years at Citizens Bank Park, when Papelbon took the mound in the ninth, the game was over. His place among the all-time greats at his position is secure.

Philadelphia Baseball Events for June 10

• June 10, 1974 – Mike Schmidt hits a ball off of a public address speaker suspended from the Astrodome roof–117 feet up and 300 feet away from home plate. The ball bounced back onto the field, and he settles for a single in a 12-0 Phillies win.
• June 10, 1981 – Pete Rose singled off of Nolan Ryan to tie Stan Musial‘s NL record of 3630 career hits. Ryan got revenge by fanning Rose in his next three at-bats.
• June 10, 1987 – Traded Mike Easler to the New York Yankees for Keith Hughes and Shane Turner. Easler hit .281 for New York over the rest of the season. Hughes hit .263 in 37 games for the Phillies and was dealt to Baltimore after the season in the deal that made Mike Young a Phillie. Turner played 18 games with the 1988 Phillies and hit .175 before also being dealt to Baltimore.
• June 10, 2019 – The Phils lose to Arizona 13-8 in a record slugfest. A combined 10 batters hit home runs, tying a major league record. The total of 13 home runs by both teams set a new record. Phillies starter Jerad Eickhoff allowed home runs to the first three batters he faced — a first for a Phillie. He was pulled with no outs in the fourth inning after giving up 5 hits (all home runs). Two other NL pitchers, and five more in the AL, have finished with a 5 H, 5 HR line score.

ICYMI

• Philly Baseball News – Why Alex McFarlane Should Be Promoted to Lehigh Valley

Philadelphia Baseball Birthdays for June 10

• Johnny Podgajny (born 1920) – Born in Chester, PA, just outside of Philadelphia, Podgajny was a right-hander who pitched for the Phillies for three-plus seasons starting with his MLB debut in 1940. He went 20-33, 4.14 with the Phillies before being dealt to Pittsburgh in 1943.
• Ken Lehman (born 1928) – The Phillies claimed Lehman, a left-hander, off waivers from Baltimore in 1958. He pitched in their minor league system until 1961 when he made two starts and 39 relief appearances and posted a 4.26 ERA with a 1-1 record.
• Kevin Flora (born 1969) – A right-handed hitting center fielder who was drafted by the California Angels in the second round of the 1988 Draft. The Phillies acquired him along with Russ Springer for outfielder Dave Gallagher in August, 1995. He played 24 games with the ’95 Phillies and hit .214.

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