Jonathan Papelbon is an All-Star Closer for the Boston Red Sox. He is widely considered one of the best relievers in the game, with a World Series championship in 2007 as the team's primary closer.

On March 12, 2009, news agencies reported that in the April 2009 issue of Esquire Magazine, Papelbon makes disparaging remarks against former teammate Manny Ramirez. In the article Papelbon reportedly refers to Ramirez as a cancer.

He went on to state, "It just takes one guy to bring an entire team down, and that's exactly what was happening. Once we saw that, we weren't afraid to get rid of him. It's like cancer. That's what he was. Cancer. He had to go. It, but that was the only scenario that was going to work. That was it for us."ESPN.com: Red Sox closer Papelbon blasts Manny (March 12, 2009)

Jonathan Robert Papelbon was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on November 23, 1980. He would attend Bishop Kenny High School in Florida and then move on to attend college at Mississippi State University, at the college he would establish himself as a premiere relief pitcher for their team.

Papelbon would be drafted in the fourth round of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft by the Boston Red Sox. He would make his Major League Debut on July 31, 2005 as a relief pitcher, then the following season in 2006 he would be named the closer for the team. He was briefly considered as a candidate for a role in the starting rotation, but the Red Sox could not find an upgrade over Papelbon in the role. He would be named to the American League All-Star team in 2006 and in 2007. He would also lead the team as the primary closer to the 2007 World Series Championship.MLB.com: Jonathan Papelbon

On January 20, 2008, news agencies reported that Jonathan Papelbon received the largest one year contract for a closer eligible of arbitration for the first time. Papelbon signed a one year deal with the Boston Red Sox for a reported $6.25 million dollarsESPN.com:Closer's record deal avoids arbitration (January 20, 2009)

• November 23, 1980: Born
• 2005: Debuts for Boston Red Sox
• 2006: American League All-Star
• 2007: All-Star Selection