Papelbon provides reason to celebrate

Under normal circumstances, the Lowell Spinners' arrival in the Mahoning Valley would be met with little fanfare.
Not this weekend. Not with Jonathan Papelbon and his team coming to Cafaro Field to play the Scrappers in a three-game series beginning Saturday.
Although Papelbon, a right-handed pitcher drafted in the fourth round by the Boston Red Sox, was born in Baton Rouge, La., raised in Jacksonville, Fla., and starred at Mississippi State University, he has ties to the Mahoning Valley.
Now pay attention.
Family ties
His grandparents, Bob Serich and the former Eleanor Maki, graduated from Struthers High in 1949.
Papelbon's mother, the former Sheila Serich, was born in Youngstown, but she left when her father, who earned engineering degrees from Youngstown State and USC, was hired by NASA.
Two of Bob Serich's brothers still live in the Youngstown area. Pete Serich and wife, Betty, reside in New Middletown, while George Serich and wife, Julie, live in Struthers.
Bob Serich's nephew, Ron Serich, and wife, Betty, also live in Youngstown.
This weekend's series at Cafaro Field will serve as a reunion for the family, bringing together between 30 and 50 friends and relatives. Saturday, former Struthers football players and cheerleaders will gather at the ballpark.
Family's prize pitcher
All this is because of Papelbon, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound pitcher, who will appear as a professional in front of his family and friends for the first time.
"It's quite an honor," said Sheila, Jonathan's mother, who resides in Jacksonville.
"We're real proud of him. He's worked real hard. Nothing's been handed to him on a silver platter. It'll be great to see him in uniform this weekend."
Papelbon was drafted by the Oakland Athletics last year, but he didn't receive the type of financial package he was seeking. So he went back to school and had an outstanding season as a reliever, hoping the right team with the right offer came calling.
Enter the Red Sox, who offered Papelbon a signing bonus of more than $250,000.
"I gave my dad [John] a big high-five," Papelbon said of his draft-day experience.
"Then we bought a bunch of champagne and started toasting and having a good time."
Love of the game
Papelbon had been a two-sport standout in high school, playing wide receiver and tight end for the football team.
All it took was a visit to Mississippi State to focus his mind on baseball.
"The atmosphere is incredible," he said. "It's a big tradition down there. Rafael Palmeiro and Will Clark played there. Mississippi State brought me in for a visit, and they had 15,000 fans in the stands."
The adjustment to pro ball has been smooth for Papelbon, now a starter, who has been limited to under 40 pitches per outing to protect his arm.
"It's a relaxing atmosphere," he said. "They don't put a lot of pressure on you. They tell you to go out there and do what you've been doing your whole life."
In Papelbon's first game for the Spinners, he had five strikeouts in two innings. Using a fastball, slider and changeup, he struck out the side in the second on nine pitches.
During his first year as a professional, Papelbon wants to grow accustomed to the Red Sox's philosophy on a daily basis. Adjusting to life in Lowell, Mass., might not be as easy.
"It was a culture shock when I came up to the North," Papelbon said.
"I'm a Southern boy. I like fried chicken, mashed potatoes and sweet tea. I come up here and I can't get sweet tea."
For now, a professional baseball career will have to do.
XBrian Richesson is a sportswriter for The Vindicator. Write to him at richesson@vindy.com.