Yong Kim/Philadelphia Inquirer

As far as perfunctory press conferences go, this was up there. Jonathan Papelbon sauntered into the cafeteria at Bright House Field wearing shower sandals and spent 20 minutes answering many of the same questions he fielded upon becoming the highest paid reliever ever in November.

Was it difficult to forget how last season ended in Boston?

"I don't think about it at all, man," he said. "When I was a rookie and made my first All-Star Game, I had a chance to talk to [Mariano Rivera] and asked what's the biggest thing that's going to make me successful in this game? His first answer was short-term memory."

Is there pressure to win a World Series?

"I like pressure," he said. "That’s what makes me tick, man. I’m excited."

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