The Godfather and his Apprentice

Jonathan Papelbon makes no secret of his admiration for Mariano Rivera. The Red Sox closer refers to his Yankees counterpart as “the Godfather” of closers.

Yet if Rivera, 38, is the Godfather, what is Papelbon?

“I have no title,” Papelbon shrugged.

Rivera disagreed.

“I’m the Godfather. [He is in] year three — what will he become?” Rivera mused. “He will be the Apprentice.”

The term was not meant as disrespectful. To the contrary, Rivera lauded Papelbon’s accomplishments, mound focus and commitment to his craft.

“In terms of preparation, [Papelbon] is one of the young guys who prepares himself. I admire that about the young boys, when they come and prepare themselves,” Rivera said. “We’re two different pitchers in terms of how we get people out. How we go about our business, it’s kind of similar.”

Rivera does not dispute that Papelbon is a game-ending phenomenon. Nor could he.

Entering yesterday’s game, Boston’s fireman had averaged a preposterous two strikeouts an inning this year. Papelbon owns the lowest ERA (1.61) of all-time by a pitcher with at least 150 innings and dominated in Rivera-like fashion while helping the Sox to the 2007 World Series.

Yet Rivera still insisted there is a gulf separating the Godfather from the Apprentice. It is one thing to dominate, quite another to sustain that performance over the years. Rivera suggested

it will take years for the pupil to challenge the master.

“I’m older than him,” Rivera said. “I have done this for 14 years. He’s starting out. That’s a lot different.

“One year or two years or three years will not define anything. What will define [a great closer] is longevity.”

Papelbon agreed, suggesting that Rivera and all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman of the Padres have distinguished themselves through years spent atop their profession. Yet Papelbon remains confident he will join their ranks.

That certainty stems from a training regimen that kept Papelbon healthy last year. When he reported to spring training this season, tests revealed he was even stronger and more flexible than when he arrived in Fort Myers at the start of 2007. Any fears that resulted from a 2006 shoulder injury have been banished.

“[Through] faith, commitment and hard work, I get stronger and stronger every year,” Papelbon said. “No doubt.”

Yet Rivera, now accustomed to the notion of the Next Big Thing, sounded a note of caution.

“The road is long. The road is long,” Rivera said. “You have to crawl, walk and then run. You don’t run first, and then walk and then crawl. It’s step by step. You have to keep growing, keep maturing and then you will get to where I have been for all these years.”

Until then? It would appear the Apprentice is expected to kiss his elder’s ring.

Alex Speier is in his seventh season covering the Sox.