That's nice and all, but (1) his peripherals, even before last night, suggest that's more luck than anything else (especially considering the leverage), and (2) it's hardly a major achievement to come into a game with the bases empty and get 3 outs without giving up two runs - one run is better, yes, but again, I've never been impressed with these egotists who demand that they only pitch in the ninth inning of close games and then get mad when the fans get after them for messing up those very situations. Papelbon is a prime example of that.
Oh, I agree with most of what you have said. This isn't even the most disemboweling blown save I've seen from him (that'd be 2009 Game 3 of the ALDS, which went down almost exactly like this). It's his peripherals (too much contact), heart attack waiting to happen approach I can't stand. This one game really doesn't change much for me. It's going from a "fan club" to a lynch mob because instead of a series of 1 run saves, he blows a two run lead on a string of hits that I don't get. Guess what - you give up contact, you are going to have games when a string drops in and you blow a save. Most of the time, you'll get the 3 outs without giving up a run even when you have pitch to contact stuff. As you say, it isn't that major of an achievement. For me, I want Treinen or Rivero in higher lev situations. If that is the 8th, fine, let Paps do his clean inning thing behind it. If it is the 9th, too, then I want a better option, but I'm not going to go too ballistic over a guy who delivers 85% of the time.
It's funny though - as for "closer mentality," you had pretty much the opposite in Drew Storen. The guy had the swing and miss stuff, just he was super-fragile in pressure. Papelbon's one asset is this will not impact his performance in the next game.
