Jonathan Papelbon tells Boston Globe: I don't really feel much like a Phillie

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia Phillies closer Johnathan Papelbon told the Boston Globe before Wednesday night's game against the Red Sox that he doesn't feel much like a Phillie.

"The Red Sox are a part of who I am, man," Papelbon told the paper. "I don't really feel much like a Phillie."

Papelbon won a World Series ring with the Red Sox back in 2007.

After four more years with the team, he became a free agent then eventually signed with the Phillies in 2012 with a 4-year, $50 million contract.

However the Phillies haven't made playoffs since.

Despite losing their season opener, the Phils' beat the Red Sox 4-2 on Wednesday night.

After the game, when asked to clarify what he meant, Papelbon told reporters, ""What is a Phillie? Is it a horse? I feel like a horse...The Red Sox run deep in my blood. It's who I became as a pitcher and it will always stick with me. Anytime you move on, you have to adjust and adapt to a new team and I haven't had any problem doing that here."

It's no secret that the team is trying to rebuild.

Earlier in the year there were reports that the Phils were in talks to trade Papelbon.

Even with talks swirling, the 34-year-old said during Spring Training in February that he didn't regret coming to Philadelphia.

"I don't have any regrets at all coming here. I get to play in an intense environment every day. I was the highest paid closer in baseball, why would I regret any of that?" he said.