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Jonathan Papelbon, a former six-time All-Star closer and 2007 World Series champion with the Boston Red Sox, had a fiery response to the Fernando Tatis Jr. suspension.
Tatis, who was about to return to the San Diego Padres after being on the injury list the entire season, received an 80-game suspension for a positive drug test. Tatis said he “inadvertently” took medication to treat ringworm that contained Clostebol.
Papelbon appeared on WEEI Radio’s “Bradford Sho” podcast and said he was not buying the excuse.
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Former Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon gets ready to throw out the first pitch before Game 3 of the ALCS against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park on October 18, 2021 in Boston.
(Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
“This whole Tatis stuff, man, it almost enrages me,” Papelbon said. “I worked my a– off so long and so hard and did it the right way. For me, to see something like that, it hurts me so bad.
“I’ll tell you right now – if I was pitching, every single time I face that dude I’m drilling him. I don’t care if I’m bringing in a run and losing the game.”
Papelbon admitted there would be a few guys who he would throw a brushback pitch toward.
PADRES’ FERNANDO TATIS JR. SUSPENDED 80 GAMES FOR PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING DRUGS
Fernando Tatis Jr., #23 of the San Diego Padres, looks on during a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies June 23, 2022 at Petco Park in San Diego.
(Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
“Yeah. Manny Machado. Sammy Sosa. I can go on and on. The thing is, it’s a mutual respect from the players and all that’s gone. I feel like that’s what’s missing from the game. It’s one of those things now, where look, if you’re not protecting your team, it’s like, do you want to give into the bully on the block and keep getting you’re a– kicked every day or are you going to punch back?”
Clostebol can be used for ophthalmological and dermatological use, but it is also banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Olympic gold medalist cross-country skier Therese Johaug was suspended in 2016 after testing positive for the drug.
Tatis faced criticism in his own locker room for it.
Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres watches the game against the Detroit Tigers from the dugout at Comerica Park on July 27, 2022, in Detroit.
(Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
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“Very disappointed,” Padres pitcher Mike Clevinger said. “It’s the second time we’ve been disappointed with him. You hope he grows up and learns from this and learns that it’s about more than just him right now.”
Fox News’ Joe Morgan contributed to this report.
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