Red Sox reliever Jonathan Papelbon was the least popular player in uniform last night – and that was before he allowed an eighth-inning run to put the NL ahead.
At least Papelbon doesn’t have to live in infamy as the losing pitcher in the final All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium. That distinction was saved for Brad Lidge in the AL’s 4-3, 15-inning marathon victory.
Papelbon, who had previously created a commotion by suggesting he should be the AL’s closer instead of the Yankees’ Mariano Rivera, entered to an obscene chant – and was soon hearing “over-rated” as the NL scored an unearned run against him.
It capped a tumultuous day for the right-hander, who said he feared for the safety of his pregnant wife during the All-Star parade in Manhattan earlier in the day.
Papelbon told MLB.com that his wife Ashley heard numerous insults from fans as the parade moved along Sixth Avenue.
“I feel like I needed to be in a bulletproof car,” Papelbon told the Web site. “My wife is pregnant and getting her life threatened. It’s stupid.”
Papelbon went on to say the outpouring of hatred made him not care if he pitched last night.
“Your family gets involved like that and you’re trying to enjoy an experience with your family, and you have a wife who’s pregnant who doesn’t feel safe riding in a red-carpet event, you know what I mean?” Papelbon said. “How would you feel?”
Perhaps Papelbon was distracted. Even so, he allowed only one hit in the inning he pitched and was victimized by a throwing error.
Miguel Tejada singled leading off the inning and stole second with one out, racing to third as catcher Dioner Navarro’s throw sailed into center field. Adrian Gonzalez’s ensuing sacrifice fly gave the NL a 3-2 lead.
Papelbon was removed after the inning and watched as the second most controversial closer in the ballpark, the Mets’ Billy Wagner, allowed a run in the bottom of the eighth that tied the game.
Rivera did his part, firing 12/3 shutout innings in which he allowed two hits after Francisco Rodriguez got the first out in the ninth.
Papelbon defended his statement that he wanted to close the game – he had later backtracked, saying Rivera deserved the call in the ninth inning.
“That’s my competitive nature,” Papelbon said. “But I’m stepping away and saying I don’t need to close.”
mpuma@nypost.com