On last night’s Mohegan Sun Sports Tonight, Jonathan Papelbon sat down for his weekly one-on-one with Michael Felger. Paps is in D.C. as part of the Sox recent roadtrip.

The duo discussed Jonathan’s recent fine for taking to long to warm-up as well as his comment about pitching for the Yankees someday (He admits to saying it, but no worries, he’s still got three years here at least.).

Dice-K’s recent travails also became a topic, as Papelbon went into the difficulties of watching a team mate struggle, especially when language is a barrier.

Papelbon from Washington:

In a startling revelation, Jonathan Papelbon would choose to be President of the United States because that would make him the boss of Bud Selig.

That’s his answer to just one more of the fan submitted questions during the weekly web exclusive "Cinco with Cinco."

Paps also waxes poetic on poopy diapers (yes, poopy diapers), Jagermeister, Wake’s knuckler and pitching at Yankee Stadium. Poor Tito takes more abuse  too.

In his regular Mohegan Sun’s Sports Tonight segment, Micahel Felger discusses with him the changes in his approach to pitcing this season and why it is bringing him greater satisfaction. They also discuss the recent homerun by Josh Beckett, as well as the toll of being called up and sent down on a young pitcher.

Wednesday Interview

Cinco with Cinco

Mohegan Sun’s Sports Tonight will take a look at the return of Hanley Ramirez to the Boston area as the Marlins visit the Red Sox as inter-league play continues this week. One of the few trades that has benefited both clubs, Hanley was an often talked about future star with the Sox but never had the opportunity to play full-time at the Fens.  Live interviews from the park will be a highlight throughout the week.

While at Fenway, on Wednesday, JonathanPapelbon will grab the mic for his weekly thoughts and commentary. Lou Merloni is in for a few visits with Micahael Felger and Gary Tanguay and regulars Rob Bradford and Ken Rosenthal stop in to chat.

The NBA trade rumors will be disected as part of this evening’s discussion, especially the intriguing Shaq to Cleveland scuttlebutt. Could the addition of Kazaam bring King James his elusive crown next season or is this an act of desperation for a city looking for something… anything… positive?

Mohegan Sun’s Sports Tonight airs every weeknight at 6:30 and 10 PM.

Gary Tanguay got the chance to serve his tour of duty last night at Fenway with Jonathan Papelbon for Mohegan Sun’s Sports Tonight.

Paps and and Tanguay discussesd playing the Yankees and the recent domination by the Sox. Josh Beckett’s pitching prowess and Big Papi’s recent return to home run form also made for some witty banner…. but nothing seemed to outdo the talk of Papelbon’s Happy Nappy in the bullpen on Tuesday night. That conversation brought about talk of bringing back the bullpen golf cart and creative visualization.

Of course, no chat between Jonathan and Gary is complete without a meaningful inquiry into Tanguay’s use of the steroids…

Gary Talks to Papelbon

Another installment of "Cinco with Cinco" airred and Paps takled the burning questions from viewers about Varitak’s ball placement, Okajima and craps and his dancing prowess.

Cinco with Cinco

I could not wait to give it to Papelbon at Fenway today. When I started to give him a hard time for falling asleep in the bullpen he was ready with an excuse. He said he was suffering from food poisioning that he picked up at Varitek and Wakefield’s charity poker tournament.

It was hard not to believe him after he went into great detail about his illness. Too much information if you know what I mean.

At the poker tournament he had to go all in and make a mad dash to the men’s room. He never returned to a table. OK Cinco. We believe you.

I wasn’t surprised Vince showed up at Patriot’s Mini-Camp. It isn’t in his nature to hold out. Unfortunately, this strategy will not get him the big day he wants.

Down here at Fenway before Game 2 of the Red Sox/ Yankees series and have a couple of notes:

1. Jacoby Ellsbury Out until at least tomorrow: Manager Terry Francona said the Sox center fielder might be available tomorrow.
2. In this week’s interview with Jonathan Papelbon, the Sox closer talks about whether he was napping in the bullpen last night. Plus, he also had a surpise drug test for me. If you remember a few weeks back, he wass kind enough to give me a nice t-shirt that leaves no doubt about my physical appearance. Let’s just say no other media member has EVER done this before doing an interview with one of Boston’s athletes. Watch the complete interview and all the other news from the day on Mohegan Sun’s Sports Tonight at 6:30 on Comcast SportsNet.

In case you forgot (or never knew), Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon has a younger brother, Josh, in the Red Sox organization. Drafted in the 48th round of the 2006 draft (1433rd pick), the youngest Papelbon is a reliever with the Salem Red Sox, where humility has helped him stay the course.

Josh, 25, is the youngest brother by a minute. His twin brother Jeremy is a pitcher in the Cubs organization. To stay on par with his siblings, Josh always felt he had to stay humble and put in extra work.

“I’m the youngest and Jonathan and Jeremy always excelled, and I was just trying to find my niche on how to excel, how to compete with my brothers because we were always competing in something,” said Papelbon.

(He) has put that attitude to work as he experiences the sometimes-cruel reality of playing minor league baseball.

He pitched a scoreless eighth inning Sunday at Winston-Salem to pick up his third win of the season. Two days later, the Red Sox put him on the “phantom” seven-day disabled list, not because of an injury but in his words, “to make room for our big-money guys.”

When he pitches next is anybody’s guess, but his attitude hasn’t changed. He’ll keep working hard and prepare himself for his next outing, whenever that may be.