Tom Verducci, S.I. Columnist

While on about four different occasions in the last couple of days we've referenced this piece because we thought it was so well done. It is the cover story in this week's Sports Illustrated. The the title of the pieces late and -- great it is about Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon. The author of the -- to numbered -- joins us on the line pay top. Great how -- you never know how to pronounce this on going to ask you is that Walter use. -- because I'm telling you the art in this in this piece is unbelievable.

Well as best. He really -- and it it talked about the great -- our corporate world you gotta start walker there around time outlaw wrapped around a lot of time. They're not that it -- swimsuit shoot it well but man it got it.

Hey Tom I'll I'll wonder what your reaction is as a writer when they tell you -- you know walk is going to be. Shooting for your --

Well -- happy about is that need the peace and he acted like you know at walker -- aside as not indicative Barry and I in the back in the book. It's going to get what you apply it it won it eight while not only good news.

Was Jonathan Papelbon a lot of fun talked to.

Yeah I like about you guys that he and it is. Her real power news the bank like out he may well at -- solid in the measurement that I use it went to a player because you can't think it'll locker. Meet seven month that year the spring -- around it and it really either that or your family. And they'll let you know what they don't like guy -- out word itself but we can't but. What picked up doc is this is solid guy -- a great sense of humor doesn't take so serious but he. And now all of our way is great because.

You know -- had an interest in quote from Theo Epstein talking about the difference between a great closer and a great top of the rotation guy. And it looked like the Red Sox were. Going are pushing papelbon towards starting. But as a read your story here and you quote Gary tuck is saying yeah Gary tuck is saying he's pure rage. You talk about the fight that he has over board games if this guy. You have to make up to -- a a closer.

Yeah I agree and -- that the big part of it do it. And all of a perfect world I'd point out that way I'd rather have a guy like it or that the that he. You throw a game more but being our pitcher that. Are we your close epileptic gave -- you know but. You know that's just sort of ignoring personality in -- and got the all other that -- and editor. And I do agree that you know papelbon -- the attic I don't look at an everyday player mentality I think he'd he'd need it should be the in a couple of ball park knowing that you make it -- that -- had -- lot of that and more than that. A couple of bank hours that number one of aggressive in L -- people they wait on obviously on the two. You really have to shake the we do like info buy it you war game starting pitchers -- chance it could come back it -- anybody in the night. The first couple that it -- but whatever you don't do your job that the closer that going to be focused for the game no two ways around it. And act I think there's a lot of guys -- state game. Find out whether I vote after he was in -- out -- how -- that. And I think it's not as erratic great mentality that he got that -- it short memory it pretty well at any there. A little bit of humor that he why aren't they didn't -- they'll period they looked like he. I can't wait -- excited to get the ball a lot they're very accurate Michael but it does have -- classic was his mentality.

You know back to that idea of what his teammates think about him you -- a great quote from Schilling in the -- luck he's not a charter member of Mensa here and yesterday when we talked to Terry Francona about your peace and I said does that worry Younis had not because he can't read it anyway. I mean these guys just rag on each other somethin' fierce.

He had me at the end that was killing didn't know Apple by -- it -- and it as a way to but. You know but I don't but the thing about spelt but it is not a good natured way. And it more along the -- Talked to act if Brenda papelbon it is pretty Billy Brett Myers is not -- thing same age and on out Florida. Yet -- eat well thing he really liked it at that that way. And it said -- starting at -- got a big event I you're gonna get a guy out for your work I'm in the night and that it really is the chess match up a lot of but even regain. You're -- set up night for guys in the lineup over the evidently. And decent what you're read of that sort of responsibility and a lot of people that doubt. It's a lot easier and the pressure obviously I think people like -- Apple -- out that in the -- category. You better off at about that is not the good don't worry about setting up hitters so much don't worry about that inning game and ticket and it is not the Apple right out.

What's on the question is how -- Red Sox fans be watching Jonathan Papelbon closed games. Late in July to late into October or are they not good enough of that.

I I -- good enough I think deal the American league is every one of these Ortiz is that it's the world here. -- I looked like it to be Cleveland -- obviously in LA pot and but no matter what the matchup how to spell. I really believe that there's not such thing up and eight division series it correctly and outraged he put up with I think it's in that one of I and I think -- updated me not even this year are going to be a factor I -- Let's I think Apple while we know he's he's reached that point that it is very strong -- its shape. But now lead off -- factory tonight. You know you're talking about having your best reliever available virtually every single game of the post -- people get -- well like Apple on network your paper -- the Yankees came back. On when it crept back in back on the it. We years ago I think it would be that repair -- out there every day. And you know not pick and -- Detroit Red -- the start comeback that. Have to go to your closer read -- a row of 4959. You know that it they're in the and I think that the update here I think that -- that that at the open while there is that going to be available at these -- I had to about every game.

Tom if you were guessing right now and that's all we're doing. Who would start game three for the Yankees Mike Mussina are Roger Clemens.

Yet again after right now because he had just don't know about Clement undetectable leave and then. Florida this week end of the he'd bought the market in rehab that and strength. He's going to get on the mound at a simulated game at some point and made it not at all maybe Monday. At that point the yanks make that determination that this guy has not thought about much here in the last couple weeks. And it progress -- Tampa you know what writers that are outlawed in any -- sharp that's going to get him. In turn one out -- but. Might get that they -- and I get the ball at its heart a doormat in you know Roger won't get through that. That simulate game without Eric I'm good enough. Go and I really did -- the and it and it the Yankees are the only thing he noted body that anybody else. Right now I would leave for a barring any sort of obvious is that back --

you wrote a book with Joe Torry chasing the dream by the way very good book so you know this guy as well as anybody. What do you think it was so emotional last night after after the Yankees clinched a playoff spot.

I think it was that much is that much -- this year I've made. That it may you know what a lot of us were down I -- or whether it can be in the last off they -- half -- you know at 188 as an adult -- in thought they won the lottery the -- was the prizes. They were up like so badly at that point and it was a lot like indoor -- behind the scene there west that about whether he should be fired during the season. So I think this does is what is up job it is how are as common. You know what I notice segment of the voting populace that they're on these policies toward the got to two under on the payroll should -- it worked at orient editor you're voting. I think they've meant to really retool the team on the line manager. The side really I expect right on well out of being so. Oh he should be turned over -- that the right call and you know there was no panic and never has the -- especially this year I think. Ever make sure it was terrific. And then it'll make changes you know what Cabrera that are field and unless it's obvious that we -- the -- younger obvious benefit -- that. Well I think the use when he got back. And that there was a big part make that all things market -- people there at the YT yeah. You know he's not demanding year I get Eric wedge like he -- on I think -- at the in the.

Tom are you one of those people who feel that no matter how good things go for the Yankees between now on whenever they're done now till November. That A rod will be wearing a different uniform next year.

Not you know I don't say that -- any conviction not I think it's probably -- the 40 like any -- just my feeling I'd note that Alex. Intrigued by the idea of big advocate of re hired on it the matter of money we -- at the check at money it -- and that you want but hey I you know it's -- worked out. I think what really hit it big here though is will -- an expansion with the yank. Or going out on the trade market the mere thought that the big west has been a lot of money in the game right and we all of that. He -- the most valuable commodity. Coming off an incredible -- and -- he'd -- you ever been greater. Why would Scott Boras take all the things that favor and give up created we the -- without there. So you know the agent history at -- point out that some degree army that are able leave but he is that read I'm. Without getting on the market and I know re having -- right that is whopping I am not sure yet expect. I hit eight when he says that the -- opt out whereas the picture not advocate of this war -- I think right. I think with -- he they'll a map and really hard with a bird and best opera it was a lot of money yet for Alex Rodriguez not think to -- four. And out comes back or a -- that you thought that's really and I. He was out there. I think that it's set -- the prank passionate -- it like it out. And out of your oh I like at bat speed out work out I take it -- back.

Thomas I had asked you last year doesn't national league chance at national league team have a chance of what in the World Series I'm guessing you probably say now. So last inning when after again this year does the national league team have a chance of winning the World Series.

At lehr Matt let them answer yes I -- really -- you view that -- BB eight seed in the post these last year I would -- and and they want to call so. It is gut that your idea how one had different animal policy -- and -- he'd seen it year after year after year. And although the American league obviously -- properly. I really believe we seen that last five or six years now with all revenue sharing it. The difference between the best in baseball and they -- that -- bet that baseball. Is much more Arabic Arab many seen that in the world though. On a mistake yet rarely are the odds are quality Eric they -- for the better than anybody -- But the way the post it goes down again guys that these off days here you're able. You know I at -- plastered but it will give your starting pitcher extra rest in the that would. Line them up one and where you want them. You know that -- is it a little more even more now all of a sudden now the depth that you're -- there earlier in the play that during the so yeah it can have. I thought -- that ought to go to San Diego that came at they get popular and it young ED rolling that they be real accurate but obviously gotten to. -- here a lot. They won't have all and crop that they take it Bradley and now I don't think there is acres that they are going to.

As what is shaping up to be the wildest weekend in Major League Baseball in a long time who will be the four teams in the national league we're still standing at the end of it.

Yeah I don't open up people realize that but we couldn't get on today. And it could be a fight weight I'd have -- gains with 89 win at the end in the it is incredible on here. Apple leave at about 3 O'Clock -- area they almost seem like why. Look at the -- The Rockies are lucky because they get regain an Arizona are all well and they keep them -- tonight. And tied the Diamondbacks that the that's -- earth played by sweeping and it is incredible body aired on ace of the probably got it what they ought not. Because that we get -- I wait I. We're going to need or days or leopard was out it's going to be at -- general people with other. -- it requested -- it'll probably -- all I would with that the that the well you know. -- met the last couple -- again. Washington and where it's the team might have absolutely no pop at all. Tonight at night it's night of the reasons but -- but it marked. They've not been able -- to -- the -- about the now the winning game easily at exactly that that met. The dip in the dispute is they've won. At the fallout game late hang on all bacteria -- on the big eight hey -- there were opposite the all credit. It can it be part is that -- like they're not you know not any.

What Thomas had a sneak in a quick Barry Bonds question here. Look at Boston we swear by Peter gammons the gospel according to gammons so last night they're talking about. Bonds playing his last game -- Sampras sisco. Where's he going to wind up. Seattle has mentioned Abilene, Texas was mention. Then Kansas City was mention. Kansas City is not surprising to you all.

He had it. I think Kansas City the possibility of yet some things like. I don't know January maybe in early February and but bonds is doing -- at the right number of guaranteed money comeback quiet all of that Bryant came like and the city X at. Barry wilt -- executed a doubt in my mind about that. Yeah and wait for all of our technology really want 3000 hit. -- at our. So I think he'll play I agree I think Seattle on exit the probably he he'd pick the most that's right now. But it's not going to happen with those two games I think it's to help cart that there believe they're not. I -- city and -- the what they even made it out so well you know lower market in -- they have money spent the red shirt. And for to take a flyer on spot only a one year commitment on debt payment members going to need it and it's well million dollars. But set the franchise back it's really not that big -- deal for one year and the well now is that -- restrict short one in ring. Short arm and he want pretty -- having to go to and -- ATP something like that but again that's not first choice that I consider it their -- that not that it happens if followed other options I.

Final question before we let you go in your online piece on SI dot com today you had a very ominous note in there and it has to do with the steroids investigation in the Mitchell commission. And basically what you said is that does that Mitchell has the goods. Big -- small names legendary names as you said in there and that if he does what Selig said he was gonna do which is make all the names public. It could change the face of the game.

Yet I think that's one of the things maybe they'd all been think Borough community fit what they started at that the I really believe. It was a reaction to -- tocchet I think it was in the proper thing to do when it was partly also Detroit game. Closure of the Eric Eric at mind numbing. But I get -- meet the right now that he is mr. archeology in only the surface I'm more and more well. You know you -- at -- it no more than you wanted it now and I think that's what happened with some of these names that are coming out now feel like it is Paul Mitchell. When every turn up. It's going to be a public if everything goes in -- report the report differently well it and it literally true I think. If you don't find out between now and the other dealing like some of the court cases that are on. You know picked at the bottom shelf and -- retired player active players now we know that active player partly watt radio a yummy. Are operating with but that is they're not getting it. For Mitchell the thing is that true. The birdied what it -- there and say you know what we want our that this guy but he waived his right to appeal war two era oh I'd spent this -- obligated to do that based on the direction the Felix though. I think there's a possibility that this thing that investigation. Maybe more groundbreaking and its first thought they're great that they going to be a whitewash in -- and I. You know. A lot of reporters are coming up with Maine hasn't seen here with connections to form of -- you know back and a hardenne -- you'd we. There's hundreds of thousands. I always felt that it is getting it into it -- at -- over the orbit the what I'm told he got at the new name. And I would expect and it had a and it may surprise a lot of people.

Well Tom we've had we've had Rick pitino in this town we've had Bill Parcells in this time. And they both have said I reserve the right to change my mind so Bud Selig if if this that critical is that dire. He probably going to say I reserve the right to change my mind doesn't help anybody to bring up the --

I would doubt it Atlanta that he it'd do whatever he and it is the best thing. That means acting of people he think is better and he might do it -- to make matters worse. He's called little all the evidence where Italy where it -- you -- I'm not going to get away. But I if you want think the other way you know hop -- but Rabin -- well.

as the author of the cover story in this week's edition great big picture of Jonathan Papelbon on the front cover Tom wrote the piece it's always fun to talk baseball with you thank you for taken awhile. In -- diet but thanks Thompson about a road. Somber duty of Sports Illustrated joining us