Sometimes, just sometimes, it’s fun to take pleasure in others’ misery. Especially when said misery is experienced by the grab bag of professional-ish baseball players assembled in the nation’s capital.

Thom Loverro of The Washington Times wrote that some – Nationals players and opponents – think Jonathan Papelbon chewing out choking out Bryce Harper was actually a good thing and needed for the ball club which is, apparently, lacking between the legs:

When he arrived in the Nationals’ clubhouse at the end of July following the trade from the Philadelphia Phillies, Papelbon looked around and saw the same thing that San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Hudson saw before the National League Division Series last fall.

“Obviously, they have a talented group over there, there’s no question,” Hudson told reporters.”They have some great pitching. But, come playoff time, talent can take you a long ways, but what do you have between your legs?”

…

It is a culture issue. It may be a stupid culture issue, but it is the players’ culture issue — and, according to former major league pitcher C.J. Nitkowski, now a columnist for Fox Sports, Papelbon had the backing of every player he heard from:

“Right intentions, horrible timing by Pap.”

“I would have done the same thing if I were Papelbon.”

“I am perfectly OK with Pap’s reaction. I can understand some people having a problem with the timing. At the same time, this guy is the MVP.”

I’m not sure which version I like better– the one where Jonathan Papelbon is a giant dickhead who choked out the National League MVP, or the one where the entire Nationals roster has mannequin genitals. One thing is for sure, though: Papelbon seems to be the common denominator on teams he claims have attitude problems.

Meanwhile, the Phillies might, just might, avoid a 100-loss season. So I guess problems is a relative term right now.