CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) - Philadelphia Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon feels his team lacked leadership last season, and made it known to reporters on Friday.
On the day that the Phillies began exhibition play with an intrasquad scrimmage here, Papelbon, who left the Boston Red Sox for Philadelphia in time for last season, reiterated his stance from earlier in the week that says: "Since I've been here, I haven't seen any leadership."
Papelbon, who played college baseball at Mississippi State, says he didn't say anything that's not accurate, especially considering the 2012 Phillies were coming off a 102-win season in 2011.
Last season, Papelbon saved 38 games for the Phillies, and finished 5-6 with a 2.44 ERA and 92 strikeouts. Philadelphia, though, finished 81-81, 17 games behind the Washington Nationals in the National League East.
