Jonathan Papelbon saved many a day for the Red Sox this season.

Journal / Bob Breidenbach

When training camp convened last February, Boston was searching for a closer.

Preferring to put Jonathan Papelbon in the starting rotation to better manage his shoulder issues (he missed the final month of the 2006 season because of a subluxation), the Red Sox assembled whatever veteran arms they could for their bullpen.

And they were crossing their fingers and hoping that one of them would be able to claim the important role as camp went on.

Step right up and give us your best shot, Joel Pineiro. Let’s see what you’ve got, Brendan Donnelly. Give it a whirl, J.C. Romero. Hey, Mike Timlin, have any closing magic left over from your days in the role a decade ago?

So Pineiro, Donnelly, Romero and Timlin took their turns at competing for the job.

They inspired little confidence. Timlin was hurt most of the spring. Pineiro, Donnelly and Romero didn’t exactly seize the role.

Fortunately for the Sox, Papelbon, a born closer in terms of stuff and demeanor, practically begged to go back to his ninth-inning role, which he handed so well (35 saves) in 2006. The thankful Sox granted him his wish. This year Papelbon racked up 37 saves in 40 chances.