Jon Papelbon's Bad Sign

Philadelphia Phillies Relief Pitcher Jonathan Papelbon was not having a good day.  Papelbon gave up four runs in the top of the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins, thereby blowing his fourth save of the year.  In the end, the Phillies lost the game 5-4.

As Papelbon was pulled and walking to the dugout, the inadequate reliever pulled at his crotch. Papelbon denied that he did anything as an umpire approached him to eject him.

The video seems to show a deliberative gesture as he approached the home dugout, which either was directed towards the booing hometown crowd or Papelbon's bench. Later, the reliever blurted out: "I mean this is baseball. I had to make an adjustment and I did it."

The MLB Commissioner suspended Papelbon for seven games and fined him an unknown amount for his bad sign.  This may relieve Papelbon from embarrassing himself for the rest of the season.

Next season, the 33 year old Papelbon will be in the last year of a four year $50 million contract with the Phillies. Papelbon has made no secret that he is unhappy being for a losing team. Could this rude gesture force the Phillies hand and mean that Papelbon's return to the Boston Red Sox is in the cards.

h/t: Phillymag 

Wisconson Waterboy TD Thrills Town

LaChute Mustang Football Player Noah VanVooren after scoring first touchdown

Noah VanVooren, is a  Senior at Little Chute High School in Wisconsin, who has served as the Mustang football team's  Team Manage Water Boy for years. 

While VanVooren has Down Syndrome,  the team treated him as just one of the guys on the field.  Senior fullback  Chet Pereenboom noted VanVooren's positive attitude and enthusiasm which he shared with the team.  So the Mustang team wanted to do something special for VanVooren.   

Little Chute Football Coach Mike Ryczkowski asked Noah if he want to play in the final home game.   Ryczkowski thought that VanVooren would be nervous but the Team Manager turned player confidently strode onto the field wearing number 14.   Noah was made the honorary team captain for the Senior Night game and  helped lead the team on the field.

With 1.2 seconds left on the clock and Little Chute leading 57-0 over Clintonville High, the crowd shouted out "Noah, Noah" and VanVooren was sent in for the last play.  Mustang Quarterback Sam Merrifield handed off to VanVooren.  The Clintonville Truckers team let number 14 through, and VanVooren ran 35 years for the touchdown as he was surrounded by his teammates.

Although the score did not count for the record books, as both teams and the officials facilitated VanVooren's touchdown, one would never know it based on the enthusiastic reaction from the Little Chute crowd.  VanVooren was swarmed by fans.  After scoring his first TD, VanVooren exclaimed: "I feel great. I scored a touchdown.  It was great." Later Noah enthusiastically sang the school song in the postgame team huddle.

Noah VanVooren's father remarked: He was born 18 years ago and the doctors told us he would never be able to walk, talk or do anything. And then to see him 18 years later, it’s amazing." VanVooren's father also expressed gratitude to the Little Chute community who had backed up and loved his son.

The idea for a touchdown came from a group of Mustang Football Seniors who approached an Assistant Coach.  The plan then got the approval of the opposing Clintonville football team as well as the officials. 

LaChute (WI) Mustang Football Team, [front row] no. 14 Noah VanVooren

Sports can chronicle achievements but they also mold and reveal character.  This Wisconsin Water-Boy's TD embodies the finest virtues of character building through sports.  It echoes the triumph and sportsmanship depicted in the film Rudy (1993)

According to Little Chute High Principal Dan Valentyn, the school prides itself on being a place that is small enough to maintain a family-type atmosphere and give a personal focus to assist those who may be struggling personally or academically.  The  sportsmanship shown by the Mustangs for an underdog who had long supported the team and inspired them was noteworthy and commendable.