01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, July 26, 2005

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

PAWTUCKET -- There's a quote from Roger Clemens hanging in Jonathan Papelbon's locker that says, "I train so hard that the easiest day on my body is every fifth day when I pitch."

Papelbon, a prized Red Sox pitching prospect, hopes that by heeding that advice he will one day be as successful as Clemens, a sure-fire Hall of Famer.

Papelbon, 24, is an imposing 6-foot-4, 230-pound right-hander who has visions of a long and stellar major-league career. He has impressed the Red Sox in only his third professional season after the club selected him with its sixth pick (114th overall) in the 2003 draft.

It's almost unfair for any pitcher to compare himself to Clemens. To have the same type of work ethic and mentality, however, would help any baseball player.

"I try to mold myself after him, with his attitude and presence as a baseball player," said Papelbon. "His presence and his intimidation factor combine to make him the pitcher that he is. He's got a bulldog attitude. He plays the game right and does all the little things that make him a great pitcher, and that's what I'm trying to do."

Papelbon takes bits and pieces from Clemens' routine on and off the field, and tries to incorporate them into his game. The young righty feels that if he's able to accomplish that, he will have success.

He was promoted from Double-A Portland to Pawtucket on July 4 and is 0-2 with a 4.08 E.R.A. in three starts for the PawSox. He has struck out 13 and walked only one during that stretch. More importantly, he has rebounded from a tough second outing.

"He's very determined," said PawSox pitching coach Mike Griffin. "His work ethic and studying hitters on the bench is very impressive. He keeps a log, which is very impressive. He listens to the game plan very well and he can implement the game plan very well for such a young age. I can see why our organization is very high on this young man. He brings a lot to the table."

According to Griffin, Papelbon has been able to locate his fastball in and out, and he's not afraid to pitch inside and back off some hitters. His curveball and slider have been impressive, and he continues to work on a split-finger pitch.

Plenty of major-league scouts attending games at McCoy Stadium have been impressed with Papelbon's performances and mound presence.

Curt Schilling, who also appears to be bound for Cooperstown, also has been impressed by Papelbon.

Whereas Clemens is Papelbon's idol, Schilling has been more of a mentor. When the Red Sox' ace was rehabbing in Pawtucket, he spent time with Papelbon and showed him how to throw different pitches. In fact, the veteran taught the prospect how to throw a splitter during spring training.

"You're looking at a kid who is not very far from being a top-of-the-rotation starter," said Schilling. "God willing, he'll stay healthy a long time. He's a dominant kid with the right mentality to put himself at the top of the rotation for a long time."

Papelbon knows he's fortunate to have had someone of Schilling's stature helping him. Still, he would like to get some input from Clemens.

Al Nipper, Papelbon's pitching coach last season in Sarasota, is a close friend of Clemens. Nipper set up a meeting between the two at the end of last season, but the hurricanes in Florida prevented it.

Papelbon says he told Nipper that he will break at least one of Clemens' records, and the one he wants the most is 21 strikeouts in a game. The closest Papelbon has come as a pro is 12.

"To go after records like that," he said, "even if I fall short of them, I will still feel like I did a lot. I will be satisfied, because if I set my goals high to someone like Clemens, even if I don't make them, I will still do pretty good."

It remains to be seen whether Papelbon will develop into a pitcher comparable to Clemens or Schilling. Regardless, the Red Sox are happy with what they have seen so far.

"He does go to the mound with a warrior mentality," said Ben Cherington,the Red Sox' director of player development. "He wants the responsibility on his shoulders. Some major-league pitchers are counted on to carry that burden that would be too much to ask (from Papelbon) at this point. He's still learning and still developing at this point."

Schilling and Clemens started their pro careers in the Red Sox' organization and went on to have stellar careers, and Papelbon hopes he's on the same path.

"Hopefully," he said. "I just try to take one day at a time and not get ahead of myself. I don't dwell on the past. I worry about now, take care of business now and everything else will fall into place. I want things tough. I want things challenging. I want to beat the best to be the best."

So far, he's on the right track.

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JON PAPELBON'S 2005 STATISTICS

Team From-To W L ERA G GS CG Sho SV IP H R ER HR BB SO

Portland-AA 4/7-7/3 5 2 2.48 14 14 0 0 0 87.0 59 28 24 9 23 83

Pawtucket-AAA 7/3-7/24 0 2 4.08 3 3 0 0 0 17.2 17 8 8 2 1 13